Tourism today is a multi-billion dollar industry, and will most likely continue to be so for years to come. Many people love to travel to different places, to meet new people, and to experience new things. However, there are certain cities in the world which see many more tourists throughout the year than others. What makes a city a popular destination is whether or not it fits into some of the many criteria for determining whether or not a certain city is a nice place to visit. Such criteria can include: cost of living, cleanliness, infrastructure, culture, social, beauty, and whether or not the city has an interesting history. I believe that a city can be judged accurately simply by the following three major points: public transportation, social and cultural activities, and overall beauty. Brussels, Belgium is an excellent example of a city that fits, and at some points exceeds, the given criteria. Brussels has a great system of public transportation, an excellent social and cultural scene, and is a beautiful place to sightsee, making it a great choice for anyone to visit.
The public transportation of Brussels is perhaps one of the strongest elements that make Brussels a nice place to visit. The public transportation system of Brussels is excellent, making it cheap and easy to reach your desired destinations in a timely manner. Transportation throughout Brussels is made simple by the use of the metro, the trams, and the public buses. The metro system is divided into only three lines, making it feasible to reach your destination without the hassle of switching trains. But, if you do need to switch trains, you can do it easily by following the signs at the metro stop which will point you in the right direction. Granted, at times the metro trains can be quite crowded, so if you do not want to fight the crowds you can simply wait for the next train, which usually follows in only a few minutes. If your destination is somewhere a bit further away from one of the many metro stops, within ten minutes of each stop you are likely to encounter a bus or tram station. As a bonus, when you use your purchased ticket for any of these forms of transportation (bus, metro, and tram), you have one hour to do as much travel as you want. In other cities, such as Boston, Massachusetts, you are required to pay for each entry, making a quick trip to the market somewhat costly. One downfall of the Brussels public transportation system, however, is that the metro and major bus lines stop running at midnight. They do offer a night bus, called Noctis, but routes are limited and you must pay an extra rate. On a different level, Brussels is at the heart of Europe, and you can reach virtually all of Europe from Brussels either by train or airplane. Brussels is a central hub for travel all over the world. Commercial airliners travel to and from Brussels Zaventum airport, which is located only a few kilometers away from the heart of Brussels. Those looking for cheaper flights can access them at the Charleroi airport, which is located less than an hour south of Brussels, with transportation going to and from all days of the week.
Brussels isn’t just a city that’s easy to get around; it is also a cultural hub that offers many options to soothe ones social appetite. Being the “Capital of Europe,” Brussels is comprised of a variety of people from different backgrounds and countries, which have all come together to offer a mix of opportunities and a taste of their own cultures. Compared to other European and North American cities, the people of Brussels tend to be very warm and accepting, and if you do not speak the native tongue (or tongues), they usually try to accommodate you in your own language. Brussels is also a very safe city, with crime rates lower than most cities in the world, so walking at night time, even alone, is not too dangerous. On the entertainment and leisure levels, Brussels is world class. There are thousands of bars, pubs, restaurants, lounges, and clubs strewn throughout the city, so it is simple for you to find one which suits you. On the weekends, the city nightlife comes to life, and thousands of people head to the downtown area to meet with friends and enjoy their evenings. One downfall is, however, that compared to other cities, such as New York, Boston, and Miami, and Denver, there seems to be a lack of sports entertainment. There are a few soccer stadiums around the city, but that’s about all. For those interested in educating themselves while here, Brussels offers a number of museums, encompassing themes such as comic books, musical instruments, modern and ancient art, and history. Brussels is also home to the European Union and NATO, which are both interesting places to visit. The food in Brussels is fantastic, well crafted, and certainly abundant. There are frites stands and waffle stations all across the city, an assortment of chocolate shops and specialty liquor stores, and the quality of food is very high. It isn’t common for people to eat or make food loaded with chemicals and preservatives, and all meats and vegetables are sold fresh in the grocery stores and markets.
As far as beauty is concerned, you will be swept away by Brussels. Usually beauty is what initially grabs the attention of the traveler and makes them interested in visiting. People want to see beautiful scenes that will make them feel as far away from home as possible, and scenes that they will remember for years. The fact that there are only a few zoning laws in Brussels makes each home unique. Unlike cities such as Boston, Massachusetts, which has streets of houses that are all identical in shape, color, and size, Brussels is pleasing to the eyes because it is colorful and exciting, and really has the feel of a ‘true’ European city. The red rooftops of each building also add a touch of uniformity, without making everything look the same. In downtown Brussels is the Grand Place, which showcases some ancient guild houses that have been greatly preserved over the years. The city does a great job at keeping this area clean and displayed nicely with various lights and illuminations. Even though much of the city has been ransacked by graffiti artists, and trash seems to accumulate in the heavily traveled areas, the overall beauty of the buildings remains untouched. You can get a great view of the city if you travel to the upper town area, where you can look over the city and visit the Palace and its park. Another great aspect of the beauty of Brussels is the displays shown in many of the stores, especially the chocolate stores. Shopkeepers do their best to attract customers into their stores by creating lavish displays of their goods.
When you pair friendly people, beautiful sights, delicious food, and entertainment galore with a city that is safe, central, and easy to get around, it is tough to find a better place to visit. Brussels far exceeds my expectations, and I am finding that the more I live here the more I have come to love it. There are far more things to love about Brussels than to find wrong with it. I have visited many cities so far, and Brussels is sure to rank highly on my list.
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