Page 14 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Belgium & Luxembourg

12  INTRODUCING BEL GIUM AND L UXEMBOURG

Notre-Dame du Sablon (p70),
before heading into the Place
Royal (p68), traditionally home
to Belgium’s kings and queens.
Walk the short distance to
Palais Royal (p68), the finest
of the palaces built around
the Parc de Bruxelles. For a few
weeks in summer, visitors can
see inside, including the Throne
Room and the Hall of Mirrors.
Don’t linger too long, however,
as treasures of the Musées
Royaux des Beaux-Arts (pp72–3)
await. Visitors will need at least
a full day to see all the exhibits
here. It is a good idea to choose
which collection you want to
Spectacular Grand Place carpeted in flowers during Tapis de Fleur see before entering the
museum; the Musée Magritte
2 Days in Brussels gaze at the Manneken Pis (pp74–5) is recommended.
(p64), one of Brussels’ most
famous sights. Afternoon Visit the Cathédrale
The charm of Brussels, Sts-Michel-et-Gudule (p67),
the capital of Belgium, lies Afternoon After lunch, head the finest church in the city.
in its glorious architecture, for the Galéries St-Hubert (p66), The window above the main
cutting-edge fashion and the oldest and one of the most entrance, depicting the Last
culinary hot spots. The city's elegant shopping arcades in Judgement, is a 16th­century
centrepiece is the Grand Europe. From here, visitors treasure. Afterwards, hop on
Place, one of the world's can take a short walk north to the metro at Parc for the short
finest Baroque ensembles. the Centre Belge de la Bande trip to Schumann, in the heart
Dessinnée (p66). This unique of the Quartier Européen
• Arriving Brussels National
Airport is 14 km (9 miles) museum is dedicated to comic (pp78–9). Visitors will immedi­
northeast of the city centre. strips by international as well ately recognize the Berlaymont
building, headquarters of the
as Belgian artists, and includes
An express train to Gare
Centrale runs three times displays on Tintin and The Smurfs. European Commission, while
Wind off the day with a little
the equally striking Justus Lisius
each hour and the journey
takes 20 minutes. Brussels shopping on Rue Neuve, north­ across the road is also worth a
photo. Wrap up the day with a
west of the museum, before
is also well­connected to
London, Amsterdam and dinner at one of the many stroll around the majestic Parc
restaurants here.
du Cinquantenaire (pp80–81).
Paris by high­speed trains.
Most international trains Day 2 Fans of automobiles must visit
Autoworld, which houses a
arrive at Brussels Gare du Midi.
Morning The fashionable Sablon collection of around 300 cars,
area is best explored early. Take while the Musee de l’Armee et
a peek inside the area’s parish d’Histoire Militaire warrants
Day 1 church, the magnificent equal attention.
Morning Start the day at
Grand Place (pp60–61). Every
build ing on the square is a
gem, so make sure you admire
them all, especially the Hôtel de
Ville (p62). It's the city’s finest
building and it is well worth
taking the guided tour to see
its ornate interiors, too. Just
behind the Grand Place, the
Palais de la Bourse is often
overlooked, but is no less spec­
tacular: La Bourse (p63) itself
boasts exterior sculptures by
Rodin. From here, make the
short walk across to Rue de
l’Etuve and Rue du Chene to Intricately carved façade of the Notre-Dame Du Sablon
For practical information on travelling around Belgium & Luxembourg, see pp324–5
010-015_EW_Belgium.indd 12 18/10/16 3:00 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Country itinerary template “UK” LAYER
(SourceReport v1.1)
Date 21st March 2014
Size 125mm x 217mm