Is Brussels worth a visit?

Although my trip to Belgium was a few weeks ago, I still haven’t written about Brussels. As in most countries there is always some kind of obligation to visit the capital. Mainly just because it is the capital. Agree? Although some could easily be skipped (e.g. I really didn’t need to go Tirana in Albania and I did skip the capital of Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina) I felt I had to visit Brussels. But is Brussels worth a visit?

Brussels

Well, what shall I say?

Besides plenty of shops for tourists to stock up on Belgian Beer or Belgian Chocolate, Brussels was quite disappointing to me. And although I would like to write more about it, my SEO (Search Engine Optiomisation) always reminds me not to use too many negative sentences.

So, to keep it short, lets say, as the centre of the European Union I guess I expected a wonderful capital city and it didn’t deliver. Nevertheless, the potential for a great city is definitely there (the buildings in the old town had some characteristics), but it would need a pretty decent clean up. I am talking a huge clean up! Shame really..

I did however love the artwork on some of the buildings. So if you do go to Brussels, remember to look up!

All in all however, my travel tip for Brussel would be…

Go to Ghent instead!

So is Brussels worth a visit? Well, whether you go and see Brussels, it is up to you. But if you do, make sure you go to Ghent as well. You will see the difference and understand what I am talking about. Trust me!

The other towns of Belgium

Before heading to Verdun in France (lots of WW1 history to find there), I stopped at two very small but cute towns. Dinant, with the amazing cliff background and Bouillon, with a gorgeous castle on top of the hill. Both quite unique and pretty, even on a still very very hot day. Sometimes smaller is definitely better, so if you do happen to drive through Belgium, remember to stop in the smaller cities. And don’t forget Bruges of course.

Dinant

Bouillon

And as I am writing this, I am just about to leave on my biggest journey yet. Cycling to Spain! Yep, you read it right.. cycling to Spain. So stay tuned… xx

Verdun