Brussels

It feels as though everything in Brussels is tinted with gold. From the gilded rooftops of the old houses on the Grand Palace to the foil-wrapped bonbons piled in chocolatier windows, Brussels seems to sparkle and wink at you around every corner. Aside from the lustrous architecture and Trappist ales, this shiny city is probably still best known for its iconic street food options: salty, golden fries, and fluffy, honey-colored waffles. 

The capital of Belgium, Brussels is at the nexus of Western Europe. Tucked under the Netherlands, and resting on the shoulders of France and Germany, Belgium has a dual culture makeup of Walloon French and Flemish Dutch. Along with its chocolate, one of the pleasures of Belgium is the patchwork of languages you’ll hear spoken across the country. In Brussels, the lingua franca is French; however, Flemish-Dutch is a common tongue among residents, and the celebrations of Flemish culture are evident. Paintings by Flemish Primitive Bruegel the Elder grace the walls of the Oldmasters Museum. In restaurants all over town, steam rises from the hearty stews and pots of mussels that define Flemish cuisine. If you venture to Brugges or Ghent, just an hour or two away from Brussels, you’ll hear mostly spoken Flemish in those medieval old-world towns.    

While it is a major political center, home to international bodies such as the EU and NATO, don’t be fooled by Brussels’ stern ‘Eurocratic’ facade. Brussels revels in cheeky humor and mischief. The city’s beloved mascot, the ‘Manneken Pis’, is a statue of a small child urinating into a fountain, and Bruxellois find much mirth dressing this statue in festive-themed costumes. It’s no surprise the surrealist artist Magritte, one of the great visual tricksters of the 20th century, called Brussels home. 

Another unexpected source of Belgian levity is the country’s love of comic books. Comics are considered high art in Belgium, and the Belgian Comic Strip Centre is a Brussels museum devoted to the form. Brussels is a city that doesn’t take itself too seriously. After a few days exploring the city and taking in its sights and scenes, you’re sure to come away smiling.