Walking
Tours
The city centre of Brussels is tailor-made for walking tours as
its quite compact. The Brussels Tourist Office
(telephone number: (02) 513 8940) offers 3-hour guided tours on
a variety of themes – architecture, history, culture,
cartoons, gastronomy and classical Brussels.
Departure points vary depending on the tour. Among the tours offered
are a guided tour of 18th-century Brussels, the
Charles de Lorraine tour and a walk in the footsteps
of Jacques Brel. Tours cost from €85. Highly
recommended are underground visits at Palais Royal,
to original 14th-century streets.
Bus
Tours
Open-top, hop-on hop-off bus tours are available from Visit
Brussels Line (telephone number: (02) 513 7744), and City
Sightseeing (telephone number: (02) 466 1111, e-mail: info@open-tours.com).
Prices start at €13.50 and tickets are valid for 24 hours.
The bus leaves from Centraal Station and stops
at many famous sights, such as the Atomium, Grand-Place
and the Mannekin Pis, on this round trip. Both
companies offer a range of other tour options, including excursions
to other Belgian cities including Bruge and Antwerp.
Excursions for Half a Day
Bruges
The heyday of Bruges lasted from the 13th century, when merchants
became rich from the cloth trade, until the silting of the Zwin
River brought about the city’s rapid decline. Bruges
remains one of the most beautifully preserved medieval cities in
Europe and is Belgium’s top tourist attraction. Visitors can
explore charming streets and canals, packed with small restaurants,
atmospheric cafés and a cluster of interesting museums and
churches. Michelangelo’s delicate marble Madonna and
Child lies within the Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk
(Church of Our Lady). Although situated some 80km (50 miles) west
of Brussels, Bruges is well connected by public transport and motorways
and is just a 1-hour train or bus ride away. The Tourist Office,
Burg 11 (telephone number: (050) 448 686, website: www.bruges.be),
can provide information.
For
a Whole Day
Antwerp
Located 40km (25 miles) north of Brussels, Antwerp is tucked into
the east bank of a bend in the Schelde River. Its
largely quadri-lingual inhabitants – known as Sinjorens
– are proud of the history and culture of their city, which
reached its apogee in the 16th century. Masterpieces by Rubens
and Van Dyck are on display at the Museum
voor Schone Kunsten (Royal Museum of Fine Art), Léopold
De Waelplaats (telephone number: (03) 238 7809).
Antwerp is also a thriving port, the world’s leading diamond
centre and now also an international fashion capital. Antwerp’s
Centraal Station is easily reached by train from all 3 of Brussels’
principal stations. The Tourist Office, Grote Markt
15 (telephone number: (03) 232 0103), can provide a wealth of information
on the city.
Namur
Southeast of Brussels, Namur is a picturesque town with a hilltop
citadel, which indicates its historic military importance at the
confluence of the Meuse and Sambre
rivers. Down by the riverbanks, meanwhile, there are pretty pedestrianised
streets packed with interesting shops, fine old churches and a handful
of good museums. The pick of these is the Trésor
du Prieuré d’Oignies, housed in a convent
at 17 Rue Julie Billiart, and boasting an exquisite collection of
gold and silver work.
Namur also has some top restaurants and a buzzing nightlife, thanks
to its many university students located here. More information can
be obtained from the Tourist Office, Place Léopold
(telephone number: (081) 246 449), which is a 2-minute walk from
the station. Namur is easily accessible from all 3 stations in Brussels.
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