Cartoons, Chocolate and Beer
Cartoons, chocolate and beer may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think royal chocolat
of Brussels. The Capital of Europe is now less than 2 hours from London and for only £59 return you can find out why for yourself.
Tintin, The Smurfs, Spirou, Mortimer and others were born here and are immortalized at the Belgian Centre for Comic Strips. Chocolate shops thrive throughout Brussels and museums to look out for are the Musee du Cacao et du Chocolat, Planete Chocolat with demonstrations every Saturday at 3 pm while Le Chocolatier Manon, Chocolaterie Duval, La Maison du Chocolat and Chocolaterie Jamart are chocolate lovers heaven. By previous arrangement, the chocolatiers will reveal some of their secrets to you.
Belgium is for beer connoisseurs, as Belgians, quite rightly, take their beer seriously. With over 450 beers produced nationwide the choices seem endless. Speciality beers such as raspberry, cherry , brown, white and even chocolate beer, may seem odd the first time but I assure you they are delicious. Later you can delight in geuze beer, Trappist beer and of course, lambic beer, perhaps the most famous beer of Belgium. Bars and restaurants serving the finest beers abound in the comfortable and impressive city centre of Brussels.
When you need to get away to get new ideas, new perspectives of life try Brussels. You may simply want to indulge in art, gourmet dinners and concentrate on the romance with your loved one. Using the Eurostar fast train service, the journey from London to Brussels and back for a short break is very feasible, indeed many business people commute regularly on this route.
There is absolutely no time to be bored as Brussels is rich on culture, history, museums and art. You might even have difficulties choosing where to eat as the variety of restaurants is so great. Dining at Comme Chez Soi or La Quincaillerie, a former hardware store turned restaurant are among the many choices while nightlife is enjoyed at The Fuse, at Rue Blaes 208.
Some of the top attractions include the Grand Place, celebrated as is one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, Cathedrale de St Michel and Parc de Bruxelles, between Parliament and the Royal Palace.For family and children, the Belgian Centre for Comic Strip Art, Mini-Europe and AutoWorld are very popular too.