Merci Monsieur!

The streets of Brussels are very varied. The old part of the city has narrow and curved streets with lovely chocolate shops and restaurants. The new part of the city has wide modern streets, which are a big contrast to the old town. The must see sights are the Maneken Pis, the main square Grand Place, park Cinquantenaire, Place Bourse, Place de St. Catherine and the famous Atomium. All the sights are in the centre of the city, which you can easily explore on foot, except the park Cinquantenaire and Atomium, for which you’ll need to take the underground.

There are three things you really need to try in Belgium: fries, chocolate and beer. For the right way of preparation of the real potato fries, there are several steps, from heating in two various fats, the millimetre thin slices of potato. Yes, fries are a serious business in Belgium! And while the young Belgians are standing in front of the frying line, I’m chasing chocolate. Belgium is the chocolate heaven, for there are no ends to the various kinds and tastes – from pralines to chocolate fountains. And after a long hard day at work a pint of the yellow gold as the Belgians call their brew, is a common activity for Belgians and expats alike. Ale, dark beer, blond, fruit flavoured… you can find a beer that fits your taste. Sources say there are between 800 and 1000 varieties of Belgian beer, but the actual number is unknown as it varies daily.

If you have a spare day, hop on a train and stop at Gent first. It’s a typical Flemish town with a rich history and a colourful culture. It’s the second biggest city of Belgium, home to many students and a popular tourist destination with its churches, canals and breweries. Driving a bit further you arrive to Brugge, a small town also called the Northern Venice. With its architecture and the fairy-tale like canals and picturesque streets it’s the perfect place for romantic souls. It’s a popular tourist destination, but as there are no Universities here it’s not as lively as Gent or Brussels.

Belgium also has a nice coast. The town of Oostende attracts Brussels’ crowds yearning for sunshine on a lovely weekend, so you might have to stand all the way to the coast on a packed train. Belgium has a typical North-Sea coast, with sandy beaches, windy weather and cold water. Great for long walks, cycling, relaxing and playing sports. You can rent bicycles and explore the inland parts of the town, which is basically a flatland with very few trees. The cycle connections are great and the roads having almost no traffic, it is a real joy exploring the nature on wheels.

My Belgian adventure ended with an epic summer of unusually high temperatures and many sunny days. Brussels is a great destination to do an internship in, or the starting point for careers of many young professionals, for the city offers great opportunities for development and inspiration with its multicultural character and diversity. Bonne chance!