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BRUSSELS - STAY FOR LESS "Euros"

BRUSSELS , The Capital of Belgium is officially a Bilingual City with both Flemish & French speaking residents, also English luckily! It also houses the EU Parliament for the 25 member States of the European Union originally set up in 1958. The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) also has its Headquarters here. It is, therefore, a very diplomatically orientated City with, alas, much office construction works going on all over Town. There are also many interesting & historic sights to see in & around Brussels & GB gives you the information to enhance your stay

ACCOMMODATION

NO 1 – HI JACQUES BRELHOSTEL on Rue de la Sablonniere, 30 (North, up the Blvd. Jardin Botanique, then right) tele (322) 2180187 – www.laj.be – email. brussels.brel@laj.be - from E15.30 in 13 BED dorm, the best, incl. grand buffet breakfast & sheets. No kitchen but ground floor bar with snacks & adjacent , open air, quadrangle which is good for social contact. Free Internet after 7pm

RESERVE 1 – HI BRUEGEL HOSTEL at 2 Rue du Saint-Esprit (South, smart modern building, prime position at foot of Sablon District, beside Notre Dame Church) tele 511 04 36 - E17.30 in 4 bed dorms incl basic breakfast. No self/cat. but ordered evening meals provided. A bit impersonal, only places to rest out are in reception, stairwells or café area. Noisy disco/bar in basement after 8 is no place to chat. Hostel is, however, well located in the more historic part of the City

R 2 - SLEEP WELL HOSTEL at 23 Rue du Damier, B 1000 (Central, off main shopping street Rue Neuve & only 15 mins. from main Rail & Bus Stations) tele 218 50 50 - E19.85 incl breakfast (uninspired) & sheet supp. for 1 st night in 12 bunk dorms. No self/ cat. but meals provided with advance notice. Stylish sitting areas but smoking in TV room & bar. Hostel is new & posh with many interesting decorative features & is part of Comic Strip Route

FOOD supermarkets are a little illusive in Central Brussels but 3 main ones are in the centre - 2 near the Bourse building a Super GB, the best on 2 floors & AD Delhaise , just over the road. Another GB can be found in the basement of the City2 Shopping Centre at the North end of Niewstraat. Apart from the Chocolates another Belgium speciality you must try are the Beers. Try the fruity Belleview Kriek (cherry) & Frambroise (raspberry) then Trappist Chimay & the Strong Duvel – Cheers!

TRAVELLING AROUND by the efficient Metro system is easy - buy a ticket from the station/or machines (E1.50 for a single journey incl. transfers) then stamp the ticket before you get on the train. At street level trams & busses are numerous but you need one of the free route maps, given away at Metro stations, to study where you need to go. Out of town a bus to Waterloo Battle Site (1812, Wellington against Napoleon) leaves from the W stop outside the Midi Rail Station. Difficult to find so ask directions, then tell the driver you want to get off near the site which, is 2kms beyond the Town.

“FREE” SIGHTS TO SEE IN BRUSSELS

1. ATOMIUM - invented by Belgian Engineer Andre Waterkeyn for World Exhibition 1958 (Metro)
2. GROTE MARKT - most impressive square in Brussels with elegant Grand Palace & buildings
3. MANAEKIN PIS - bizarre 1619 tourist novelty with obscure historic origins attached
4. COMIC STRIP ROUTE - get the map & spot the Street Art from Tin Tin to Bob & Bobette.
5. GALLERIES HUBERT - amazing posh & expensive shopping arcade with high glass roof
6. PARC DE BRUSSELS - relax a while & decide your next treat beside Fountains & Royal Palace
7. ST MICHAEL'S CATHEDRAL - the biggest in Town check it out to see how it compares with?
8. EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT - see where the rules, which control all European citizens, are made
9. PLACE DU CONGRESS - Monument, Eternal Flame & grand vista views over City below
10. CANAL WALK - Yes! Brussels has Water to the West of Centre, also the covered Zenne River

CHARGE SIGHTS NOT TO MISS

1. ATOMIUM - inside a 2005 re construction from top module to bottom tube with tin foil wallpaper
2. COMIC STRIP MUSEUM - see the full extent of the Brussels devotion to Comic Strip Art
3. BRUSSELS ART GALLERY - the works of Pieter Bruegel The Elder & Younger who copied Dad

* Herge, Tin Tin & Snowy , William – Jason & Phil, Ben F1, Marco Rio, Brian Oz, Asterix, dog s--t.