Page 173 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Brussels Bruges Ghent & Antwerp

PR A C TIC AL INFORM A TION  171

Responsible Tourism
Awareness of the environment
and local culture is subtly,
yet powerfully felt in Brussels.
Recycling has become second
nature: public litter bins,
scattered across the city, are
colour-coded for different types
of rubbish and super markets
all over the capital charge for
using plastic bags.
Every commune has excellent
weekly food markets offering
the best in fresh, local produce.
Two of these markets, at
Place de la Monnaie and the
Visitors taking a break from sightseeing at a pavement café Ateliers des Tanneurs in the
Marolles, offer organic (or “bio”)
though there are often reduc- mobility on everything from vegetables, cheese, bread, fruit,
tions available for students, transport to restaurants and meat and charcuterie. Even
senior citizens and the exhibitions. The Tourist Office the tradi tional Cantillon
unemployed, while children also provides information Brewery in Anderlecht uses
under 12 usually get in free. and advice about facilities cereal that is 100 per cent
Some museums, such as the within the city. organic for its beer.
Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts Under the auspices of
de Belgique and the Musée des Slow Food Metropolitan
Instruments de Musique, are Travelling with Children Brussels, a self-styled “convivium”
free to all after 1pm on the first Brussels is one of the most of restaurateurs and food-
Wednesday of each month. child-friendly cities in Europe. producers, regular events are
There are some excellent held that promote the Slow
museums aimed specifically Food movement and support
Tipping at younger children, such as the twin causes of long, lively
A service charge is included in the Musée du Jouet, packed and fun-loving meals, largely
all hotel and restaurant prices. with vintage toys, and the using regional produce, and
A small tip for the chambermaid Musée des Enfants in Ixelles. “eco-gastronomy’”.
and porter should be given Attractions like the Natural
personally to them, or left in Science Museum, Bruparck DIRECTORY
your vacated room. Most diners and the Walibi theme park,
round up the bill or add about just outside the city, will Tourist Information
10 per cent if the service has appeal to older kids. There Tourist and Information
been particularly good. Service are almost always discounts Office of Brussels
is also included in taxi fares, available for children: at the Grand Place 1, 1000 Brussels.
although a 10 per cent tip Musées Royaux des Beaux- Map 2 D3. Tel (02) 513 8940.
is customary. Arts, under-18s are free if ∑ visit.brussels.be
accompanied by an adult, and UK Tourism Flanders
there are price reductions at ∑ visitflanders.com
Travellers with Walibi for kids aged six to 11. US Belgian Tourist Office
Disabilities Children under six have free ∑ visitbelgium.com
The Belgian capital is not the entry to most museums, and
easiest city for the disabled they can travel for free on Travel Safety Advice
traveller to negotiate, but the buses, trams and trains. Australia
authorities have recognized that ∑ dfat.gov.au/smartraveller.
there is significant room for gov.au/
improvement. Most of the more Public Toilets UK
expensive hotels have some Many public toilets in Brussels, ∑ www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-
rooms designed specifically for including those in bars, advice
people with disabilities; there restaurants and even cinemas US
are designated parking spaces and railway stations, have ∑ travel.state.gov/
for disabled drivers and newer attendants, who should be
trams provide wheelchair given 40–50 cents. If they are Travellers with
access, through only 10 metro unmanned, an honour system Disabilities
stations have lifts. The Brussels applies and you’ll be expected Brussels For All
For All website has information to leave the money in a dish at ∑ bruxellespourtous.be
for travellers with reduced the entrance.

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