BrusselsBelgium

Brussels is also considered as the capital of Europe and is jam-packed with culture. It's home to many famous comic strip cartoonists, the famous Atomium and countless museums dedicated to historical and modern art.

Although the opinions differ, most historians believe that Brussels was a small settlement in the 10th century. What they do agree on is that the settlement slowly grew into a city and was partially destroyed in 1695 by King Louis XIV of France and fully rebuilt.

If you would like to combine history with shopping, the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert near Grote Markt are the place to be. You can admire extravagant window displays and pop into one of the Belgian chocolate shops. A few minutes to the south of Grote Markt you’ll find Manneken Pis, an absolute must, of course. Take photos of this cheeky little boy in the centre of the city.

More celebrities from Brussels can be found in the Comic Strip Centre which boasts works by Hergé, Franquin and Willy Vandersteen. Other top museums include the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences and the Margritte Museum, both ideal if you want to mix a morning of shopping with an afternoon of culture.

Brussels has a compact city centre, making it easy to explore on foot. You can take the bus, the tube or park your car in one of the city's many parking garages if you come to the city by car. The city also has an extensive network of bicycle paths so you can also hire a bicycle.

The excellent train connections to many cities in the Netherlands make it easy to reach Brussels by public transport. If you prefer to come by car, follow the motorway to Antwerp. It's the quickest way to reach Brussels from the Netherlands!

This cosmopolitan city is packed with historic and cultural sights. A trip to Brussels is also easily combined with a day trip to Antwerp or Ghent.