subject: Cities Direct: Brussels is the ideal destination for Christmas city breaks [print this page] Cities Direct: Brussels is the ideal destination for Christmas city breaks
When it comes to looking for winter city breaks, Brussels is a destination that really sticks out.
In the few weeks approaching Christmas, Brussels is transformed into a magical place. It's the largest urban area in Belgium, and the capital city of the EU, which means it's a bustling city.
Its Christmas market is open from the last week of November until the first week of January, and open until late. It has its own ice rink, is decorated with cheerful lights and has a real Christmas atmosphere. The Christmas market is a notoriously busy, with crowds attracted by the delicious food and gifts on sale.
For those who don't feel the need to shop, Brussels has plenty of other attractions. One is its famous gastronomy. Brussels is known for its local waffle, chocolate, French fries and beers - as well as the festive Brussels sprout. There's over 1,500 restaurants in the city, a huge number of cafs and bistros, and plenty of bars.
The unique blend of French and Flemish influences makes Brussels a hugely different and interesting place for city breaks, even outside of the charming Christmas season. The Grand Palace, for example, is one of the world's most beautiful squares. The stunning city hall has been around since the 15th century and is topped by a gilded statue of St Michael. It's one of Brussels' most popular tourist attractions, and many houses are open to the public.
Tourists also flock to the Manneken-Pis - a little statue known lovingly as Belgium's national symbol. The stone sculpture 'Little Julian' became so popular that the city appointed a keeper to polish him daily and dress him in ceremonial clothes sent from around the world.
The good news for those booking city breaks in the winter is that Brussels is known for its mild winters. There is on average 10 days of snowfall recorded each year, and daytime temperatures rarely drop below freezing. It can be rainy, so don't forget to pack an umbrella, but that does mean the city is adorned with colourful plants in the parks and gardens.
welcome to Insurances.net (https://www.insurances.net)
