The capital of Belgium
and of the European Union, Brussels is a busy cosmopolitan
city of politics and business. The city walls date
from the 14th century and the Grand Palace lies at
the heart of the old city. Most tourists spend their
time within the cities walls, enjoying the historic
architecture as well as the restaurants and bars.
The city has many museums and theatres, such as The
National Opera House, where a range of concerts are
held. Popular purchases for souvenirs whilst visiting
Brussels include Belgian chocolates and lace.
The public transport network in Brussels comprises
of buses, trams and the metro. Trams tend to be faster
than buses, particularly in the city center, and trains
run from the city center to outlying areas, such as
the airport. Tickets are relatively cheap and can
be used on each mode of public transport, within a
one hour period, though not on the trains. Daily travel
passes are also available. Taxis tend to be expensive
and although the city is not too difficult to drive
through, a car isn't needed to enjoy Brussels. The
nearby towns of Antwerp and Bruges are also worth
visiting and can be reached by car or train, though
once there they are small enough to explore on foot.
