Comments on: I Am Sorry, Brussels

By: Hannah

Hannah — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 08:19:29 +0000

Thanks Andrew for pointing me to this great article. I’ve just returned from Brussels and I absolutely loved it. It isn’t the nicest city, but it’s atmosphere makes up for it. We stayed bang in the centre of the old town which was beautiful. I’d definitely recommend it – so relaxed and lovely to drink the beer outside in the evening.

By: Help me prove that Brussels is a vibrant, exciting city

Help me prove that Brussels is a vibrant, exciting city — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:37:51 +0000

[...] of the Europe a la Carte blogging team has already expressed this sentiment in his post “I am Sorry, Brussels“. I’ll be in Brussels from 12 to 15 December 2009 so I’m looking for tips on what [...]

By: ALEX

ALEX — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:29:17 +0000

I’ve just returned (yesterday 16th Nov 2009)and I think Brussels IS the most boring place I’ve ever been to.

By: Karen Bryan

Karen Bryan — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:34:29 +0000

Steve – thanks for your comment. I can’t understand why Brussels has such a negative image in the UK, perhaps perpetuated by people who haven’t even been there?

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:31:28 +0000

Karen, you couldn’t be more correct. Brussels is a beautiful city. I spent four years there and it never left anything to be desired. Wonderful food, culture and attractions – but unique compared to more common European destinations. Khalif is right on when he speaks of how it’s real attractions are just off the beaten path. I would even stretch to say that it’s probably one of the most family friendly destinations in Europe as there are hundreds of parks, light rail and tends to have a slightly more laid-back atmosphere. To this day Belgium is dear to me.

By: Karen Bryan

Karen Bryan — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:22:42 +0000

khalif – thanks for your comment and describing some of the hidden attractions of Brussels. It sounds as though visitors to Brussels armed with a little insider knowledge could have a fantastic time in Brussels.

By: khalif

khalif — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:17:27 +0000

I agree and that’s why I would not advise Brussels to travellers. I have lived a few years in Brussels and had a great time. After a while you start to appreciate the city for more than just beer and chocolate. But to explain tourists why they should visit Brussels instead of Ghent or Berlin is almost impossible. Other cities have more straight forward directions to beautiful sites, interesting museums, nightlife etc. In Brussels many things are hidden somewhere in the quarters. They are scattered all around town. You have to discover yourself hidden-away clubs, beautiful parks and forest, the right frietkot (Belgian fries), the hidden medieval city under the royal palace, late night bars and tmosphere in the African district. It’s not just the Grand Place, it’s so much more. So yes, for travellers slightly difficult, but to live surprisingly nice.

By: Albert Rosner

Albert Rosner — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 09:08:31 +0000

I live 25 years in Brussels and think of my own city that it is not an attractive city at first sight :
pretty much dirty, architectural chaos, no recent architectural prestige, too much criminality for a city that size, too many beggars in the streets, too much general poverty, chaotic and inefficient public transport, incoherent public services (no serious-size public libraries either in french, dutch, english, too little english knowledge in public space for the capital of Europe, etc…), no clear indications, no clearly defined centre, etc…

On the other hand, once you know Brussels a bit, you discover the diamonds of this city : the secrets of the city reveal themselves if you are patient, and these are not Manneken Pis and the Grand Place ;-).

By: What’s Wrong with Belgium? | Sharing Experiences

What’s Wrong with Belgium? | Sharing Experiences — Sun, 17 May 2009 16:28:18 +0000

[...] caused quite the debate over at Europe A La Carte back in December with my public apology on Brussel’s nomination as the most boring European city. But to me Brussels, if you scratch [...]

By: dillpixel

dillpixel — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 06:15:58 +0000

JadedinBrussels, here’s one thing that might bear mentioning…Brussels is wall-to-wall chemists and medical marvels. They might have something that can adjust that ‘tude! You seem kinda tightly wound. The blog is about travel in Europe, not occupying. Brussels is a really great destination and it would be unfortunate if anyone crossed it off their list because they got a negative impression from someone that’s, uh, jaded. ;0)