The floral carpet is one of those things that most visitors to Belgium see on every single…read morepostcard, but rarely get to experience live. It takes a certain degree of planning - first of all, you have to go in an even year (there was one this year, the next is in 2010), then there are the exact dates of the carpet as it only lasts for two weeks. And just when you've cracked all that, turning up to Grand Place and looking at a sea of petals from ground level isn't particularly impressive, so you need to go the final mile and pay EUR3 or so to get into the Town Hall, queue up patiently, climb the steps to the tower and view it from above on the balconies (though to be fair, you pass some excellent and interesting rooms in the Town Hall as you wait to get to a balcony). It's worth it though. The 2006 carpet had rotating flowerbeds on, and when you consider just how many thousands of flowerheads have been diligently pressed into moss, it makes Derbyshire well dressing look like child's play.

É lindo da mais !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!read more

This historic central square is probably one of the most beautiful I've ever seen. What an amazing…read moreplace to feel what it must have been like centuries ago, eat lunch, or people watch. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site that's pedestrian only. We've hung out and strolled through in the early morning, afternoon, late evening, and even after dark well after midnight. Every two years in August, a floral carpet is installed in the middle of the centre. It's a ginormous arrangement of breathtaking flowers. A Christmas tree and lights go up every year. The neo-gothic architecture is outstanding from the kings's house to the town hall. Such an amazing piece of history that should be on everyone's sightseeing list.

The Grand Place is absolutely stunning and lives up to its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site…read more The gold-trimmed architecture of the guildhalls and the Town Hall will leave you in awe. It's worth visiting twice--once during the day to see the intricate details, and again at night when everything is beautifully lit up. While it is usually packed with people, if you come very early in the morning, you can enjoy the square almost entirely to yourself. The surrounding area is full of shops and food, though it is very touristy, so keep that in mind. If you're lucky enough to visit during the holidays, the festive decorations are spectacular!

Fun stop in Brussels! The Atomium is super cool to see up close, and the visit starts with an…read moreelevator ride straight to the top for awesome city views--you can even spot Mini‑Europe from up there. After that, you walk through the different spheres, including one with the history of the 1958 World's Fair and some fun light shows. Overall, a unique and interesting place to explore. We got the combo ticket with Mini‑Europe and the Design Museum, which made it a great little day trip.

Atomium was one of the stops on the TOOT bus tour. I didn't know what Atomium was until I saw this…read moreall silver structure so I knew I had to check it out. The complex has a small restaurant with plenty of outdoor seating and a gift shop where the ticket can be purchased. Then I went into the to primary structure. On each floor, there are photos and information on each floor. On some floors there are neon lighting, or windows overlooking the area or strobe lighting. It was actually a very interesting exhibit/structure. Definitely, check it out - so glad I did.

Brussels has a sculpture of a pissing boy and a sculpture of a pissing girl, so it's no surprise…read morethere's a sculpture of a pissing dog! Erected in 1999, Zinneke Pis, by artist Tom Frantzen, is the third pissing sculpture in Brussels. (Per Wikipedia, Zinneke means "mutt" or "bastard".) Even though I don't like dogs, this is my favourite of the pissing sculptures -- it's whimsical but not gross. The bronze sculpture depicts a dog with its leg held up against a bollard and it was not far from the laundromat and my hotel. [Yelp collections: Europe 2024; Brussels, Belgium; Public Art]

If you've already seen the Manneken Pis statue then take a 9 minute walk and see man's best friend…read moreif you have the time. The dog was immortalized in the ready position but no continuous flow or large crowds like Manneken Pis.

Another large and beautiful church we saw on our visit to Brussels…read more The church was massive and magnificent! The stained glass windows were beautiful. We came at the perfect time to see some light peeking through the glass into the pews. It was an amazing part of our journey. This is why we stop into churches and take a moment to look around.

This is a beautiful Gothic cathedral. I had the pleasure of visiting for an event called…read moreLuminescence. It had two showings at night, and it was a beautiful lightshow accompanied by music along with the retelling of its history. Truly a magical experience. A live orchestra played as the lights danced and illuminated the architecture. I would love to come back and see the stain glassed windows in all its glory in the daytime. But overall, it is obvious in its grandeur and beauty it also holds a great historical significance to Brussels.