Our first full day in Brussels was about exploring the city. We made our way to the old town centre for our walking tour. Again, we had a great experience with a local guide leading us on a 2-hour tour through the old town and beyond, providing history and anecdotes. We finished close to the newer Euro Zone area of Brussels, and decided to take another walking tour of that area by the same company. We just had time for a quick lunch, and we were off again. At the end our tours, we made our way back to our neighborhood (The Santes Catherine area) in time to relax a bit before meeting up with a friend for dinner. We stayed close by (with some rain contributing to that decision) and enjoyed a relaxing drink and a late supper. The whole day was great, and we felt we were getting to know Brussels a little bit better.
We started our walking tour in the heart of the old town, Grand-Place. This is the original town hall.
Many of the buildings featured gold statues or gold trim - a display of the owner's wealth. The orange umbrella is the walking tours that we took.
Nearly all of the buildings in the square featured gold accents that gleamed in the sun. They were setting up a big stage in the square in preparation for the Jazz Festival the coming weekend.
We're in Belgium, so... these are Belgian Waffles (and some crepes). We were on our tour by then, so no chance to stop and sample.
Many buildings feature painted sides, in particular comic book-type images. There is even a Comic Book Route to view the dozens of buildings with art. This one is of the famous Tin Tin character.
This statue is often referred to as "the most disappointing landmark in Europe". The reason being that Mannekin Pis, "Little Boy Peeing", is so small. It's only about 24" tall and seems even smaller. It's famous though and it was the site of many selfie-takers.
More comic book wall paintings, this one is in a gay-friendly neighbourhood. (But it is in fact a man and a woman - it just looks like 2 guys.)
One of the very old alley streets of the old city, with it's deep interior courtyard and low passageway.
The Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert is a glass covered shopping arcade dating back to 1847 and predates similar arcades in Milan and St Petersburg. (So says Wikipedia anyway.)
One of the quaint streets of the old town.
The Royal Palace of Brussels where King Phillipe was in residence. You can tell because the flag is flying. That seems to be the universal signal.
Another building with a less cartoon-like painting.
A block of unique buildings, and the end of our "Old Town Walking Tour".
A statue of Leopold II, part of Belgium's unpopular history. "Leopold II reigned as the second King of the Belgians from 1865 to 1909 and became known for the founding and exploitation of the Congo Free State as a private venture."
On our walk through the Matonge or "African Quarter" of Brussels.
Streets of Matonge.
The much more modern buildings of the European Parliament.
The European Parliament Hemicycle, or "debating chamber".
This controversial art installation is stated by the artist as being in recognition of the zoo that once stood on this ground. However - it IS a bunch of ostriches with their heads stuck in the ground, and it IS outside of the European Parliament building. Decide for yourself.
The large imposing building of the European Commission.
Another painted building in the Euro Zone.
A cute variation on the standard wait and walk signals.
...And back home to our neighbourhood of Sainte Catherines for the evening.
NEXT: (Day 22) Brussels, Belgium - Day 3 (Ghent)
PREV: (Day 20) Brussels, Belgium - Day 1
Transatlantic - May 2018