As the capital city of a country that has three official languages and is often gripped by talk about a possible partition, Brussels can be forgiven for harbouring a number of wildly different personalities.  Busy European diplomats stroll past wide-eyed tourists, while elderly Flemish men on their way to the local pub avoid the bustling crowds on the fashionable Avenue Louie, choosing instead to cut through the medieval Main Square.  With a diverse population and an intriguingly complex range of architecture, many people find that one visit is simply not enough.  Whether you want to find yourself at the forefront of European politics or on the backburner of traditional Belgian bonhomie, Brussels has something for everyone.    
 
Grand Place – Grote Markt 
 
On the range of Brussels architectural wonders – from 11^th Century guildhalls to Post Modern government offices – the Grand Place sits firmly on the medieval end of the scale.  Originally the site of the city’s main meat, bread, and cloth markets, the Grand Place is now Brussels’ main square and remains a stunning open-air temple to ornate Gothic architecture and traditional Belgian trades.  Surrounded by numerous small shops selling waffles, chocolates, mussels and fries, the Grand Place is a great place to grab a bite to eat under the gold-trimmed façades and on the cobbled stone square of central Brussels main attraction.  If you can, head to the area on a dark and rainy night, when the square glistens, gleams and sparkles its way into the hearts and minds of the lucky few who pass through after the crowds have long gone.   
 
Bier, Bière, Beer
 
With their country being synonymous with world-class, stomach warming beer, Belgians are quite rightly proud of their drinking dens.  This is more than evident in Brussels, where an eclectic mix of pubs – many of them small, wood-panelled, and open fire heated – sell a simply astonishing range of beers.  Most of the city’s pubs – more commonly known as ‘estaminets’ – date back to the 18th Century and have remained largely unchanged ever since.  Don’t be surprised to find a selection of a few hundred beers on offer, with some establishments claiming to stock well over 1000 beers for customers to try.  Many of Brussels finest pubs are hidden down narrow passages, so beer enthusiasts will have to remain sharp eyed to find the true hidden gems.  Both A la Becasse and A l'Imaige Nostre-Dame are tucked away down small side streets and are famous for their cheerful atmospheres, remaining extremely popular with locals.  Au Bon Vieux Temps, or The Good Old Days, is a quaint 300 year old bar complete with stained glass windows, whilst A La Mort Subite, or The Sudden Death, offers, surprisingly, an equally warm and inviting atmosphere.     

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