Top Things-To-Do-In-Brussels by WOW Travel

             text and pictures by Peter at WoW Travel.


I am grateful to Peter from WOW travel for sharing his enthusiasm and article about Brussels with TiB. 
Thank  you,  Peter! 


"When people think of Brussels, they think mainly three things: the headquarters of the European Union, waffles and chocolates. However, Brussels has lots to offer and many hidden secrets to be discovered. Did you know that they are home to the oldest shopping centers in Europe? Did you know that they have changed of main language several times? Originally, Brussels was entirely Dutch-speaking but they changed to French in the 18th century. Who does not love french fries? Well, Belgians claim to have invented them and in fact there is a french fries kiosk in almost every corner. What about Beer? Belgians consume in average 150 liters of beer per person per year!

This city went from being a 10th-century fortress town to a city with 1.2 million inhabitants and capital of Europe. WOW Travel visited this European metropolis and put together its The Top 12 Things To Do In Brussels to help you save time and enjoy more. Brussels is amazing,  but do not take our word for it, go visit it now.

Manneken Pis – This popular statue can be easily found at the junction of Rue de l’Étuve/Stoofstraat and Rue du Chêne/Eikstraat. If you see a group of tourist taking lots of selfies somewhere near that intersection then follow the crowd. The French speaking Belgians call it ” le petit julien” but it is nothing more than a naked tiny boy urinating into a fountain’s basin. It is a 61 cm tall bronze statue made in 1619 by Brussels sculptor Hieronimus Duquesnoy the Elder. The statue is dressed in costume several times each week and many of them can be viewed in a permanent exhibition inside the City Museum......"






Read more here:
http://www.wowtravel.me/top-12-things-to-do-in-brussels/

The article concludes as follows:

GOOD TO KNOW

• There are more than 800 brands of beer on sale in Brussels.
• Praline chocolates were invented by Jean Neuhaus in Brussels in 1912. Today, Belgium is the world’s number one exporter of chocolate, with 220,000 tonnes of chocolate produced per year
• Brussels is home to the largest Freemason temple in Europe – The Great Temple at 79, Rue de Laeken.
• Visit the flea market at Place du jeu de Balle – It is bizarre but fun for a good stroll.
• For cheap and tasty local food visit Clemenceau – One of the noisiest and most hectic food markets in the city Another cool market.
• Spend one night at Ixelles neighborhood – It is a stylish area with students and lot of bars.
• Enjoy a great view of the city from the top of the Musical Instruments Museum (MIM) is one of the most beautiful art nouveau buildings in Brussels.
• Favorite Museums:
  • The Jewish Museum of Belgium has 750 objects of judaica, 1,250 works of art and an archive of 20,000 photographs, 5,000 posters and other artifacts. It also has six thematic libraries containing a total of 25,000 works and editions, including works inYiddish and Hebrew, works of Jewish artists, and genealogies. Judaism has a long history in Belgium, from the 1st century CE until today.
• Favorite Bars:
  • Moeder Lambic Fontainas – offers 40 beers on tap and a rotating list of ‘guest’ beer from around Belgium and the world.
  • Oeno TK – A true Brussels institution, with a varied selection of wines and sparkling wines.
  • Bier Circus – One of the most beautiful and noble place for Belgian beers lovers. The cellar is full of raw, more or less rare, but more or less old, from large and small breweries.
• Favorite Restaurants:
  • Le Pigeon Noir – Warm and welcoming village bistro located in the upscale residential neighborhood of Uccle
  • Chez Leon – Clean, efficient, well-prepared and reasonably priced Belgian specialities, including a number of moules et frites preparations. If you have never had moules frites before, this is the place.
  • La Quincaillerie – Serves one of the best fish in the city,  located in a former old ironmonger’s shop.
  • In’t Spinnekopke – Cozy bar-restaurant in an 18th-century building with wood paneling, Flemish cuisine & Belgian beers.
  • ComoComo – Trendy, modern Mediterranean bar-restaurant with great food, nice atmosphere.
  • Umamido – a Japanese noodle bar focused on ramen noodles" see article here http://www.wowtravel.me/top-12-things-to-do-in-brussels/