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Brussels Off-Shore Excursions into City Center Attractions |
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| Belgium is a low-lying country on the North Sea coast with Brussels as its capital city. Brussels has its own port on the Brussels-Scheldt Maritime Canal but big ships do not dock there. Only river ships are small enough to fit through Brussels' canals to dock either at Heembeekkaai or the Becodock. Both ports are within city limits but only the Becodock is a comfortable walking distance from downtown. With little to see at either port it’s the Metro rail or bus that takes you downtown. Excursions are offered on coach tours from the embarkation port to visit the historic city center to explore. The architecture in Brussels is diverse spanning from medieval structures on the Grand Place to postmodern buildings. The city offers a sense of fun belying its business-oriented reputation. Unusual cartoon murals on building facades throughout the old city are a great attraction as is the city's most famous mascot of the statue of a little boy peeing into a fountain. The heart of Belgium's historic district has passengers enjoying the breathtaking Grand Place, a cobblestone square surrounded by Gothic and Baroque architecture with the stately 13th-century town hall. Numerous sidewalk cafes make it a great place to sit and watch. Summertime has the huge colorful flower market center-stage making it look spectacular. More attractions include Maison du Roi museum, Ilot Sacre medieval streets, Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert for shopping, Rue du Marche-aux-Herbes and Rue de l'Ecuyer with neo-Renaissance gallery, jewelry stores, cafes, chocolatiers and bookstores. Notre Dame du Sablon is a beautiful church and the Royal Museums of Fine Arts house artistic treasures. |
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