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BRUSSELS
Belgium boasts that they are home to 400 beers, 2,200 chocolate shops and 35 UNESCO sites. Well, you can find most of these claims to fame in the country's capital city, Brussels. Brussels is the center of Belgium. The name Brussels is derived from the old Dutch word "bruocsella" which means: "marsh (bruc) home (zele)" or marshland, which the area once was. The official languages of Brussels are French and Dutch, though French is much more widely used here. Many speak German and Flemish (a Dutch dialect) as well. Brussels (or Bruxelles in French), has an area of 62 square miles (161 square kilometers) and the population is just over one million. Throughout the years, Brussels has been subject to many rulers; the French, Spanish, Austrian and Dutch, for example. The country's history is long and varied, far too detailed to recount here, but if you're interested in more information, click here.

BRUSSELS WEATHER
When's the best time to visit Brussels? The city gets a lot of rain all year round. But with their mild, maritime climate it rarely gets really cold. The period from November to March has the coldest weather, with temperatures ranging from about 4° to 7°C (that's between 39° and 45°F). But if you hate crowds, this is also when there are fewer tourists than usual and cheaper prices. The hottest months are July and August as the highs average around 22°C (72°F). But even when the weather is horrible, there's still a lot to see indoors. There are tons of shopping arcades and over 100 museums. One of those is The Belgium Center For Comics Strips. Comics are very popular here. The most famous are TinTin and The Smurfs.

HOTEL LE DIXSEPTIEME
The great thing about visiting Brussels over a weekend is that many of the high-end hotels drop their rates substantially. That's because all those business travelers are home where they belong on weekends! Hotel Le Dixseptième is one that offers discounts. This four-star hotel, located between the Grand'Place and the Central Station, is in a 17th-century house that was once the official residence of the Spanish ambassador. All 24 rooms come with air conditioning, wood paneling, marble chimneys, soft bathroom towels and wash cloths ... you don't see that too often in Europe. The rooms aren't numbered but rather named after Belgian painters like Brueghel and Magritte. We were in Fernand Khnopff's junior suite. With a sitting/TV room, bedroom and bathroom, we had plenty of space.

Le Dixseptième really makes you feel like you're in Belgium. Don't get me wrong; I love the creature comforts of a modern, international hotel but when you wake up in one, you could be anywhere in the world. Here, you just feel like you're in Europe. Maybe it was the old, uneven wood staircase. I don't know. What I do know is that the staff is friendly, wireless Internet is available (3 euro for 15 minutes, 10 euro for an hour or 15 euro for 24 hours) and most rates include an average breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, cereal, fruit, cheese, croissants and yogurt. What I will remember most is lying in bed and hearing live music being played in the nearby Grand'Place. If you have a car, a 24-hour public parking garage is just a block away and the overnight rates are surprisingly reasonable (13.50 euro). Hotel rack rates begin at 180 euro. Hotel Le Dixseptième, Rue de la Madeleine, 25, B-1000 Brussels ; Tel.: 02/517 17 17.



GRAND'PLACE
Just a few blocks away from Le Dixseptième is Brussels' jaw-dropping, spectacular Grand'Place. Brussels is beautiful and intriguing but much of what I saw was nothing out of the ordinary, at least not by European standards. But the moment I walked down an unassuming alley, following the music filling the air, I felt as if I had traveled back in time. Oh my gosh: If this square is not one of the grandest places I've ever laid eyes upon, I don't know what is. Grand'Place dates back to the 12th century. In the mid-14th century, it was Brussels' most popular marketplace. In 1695, King Louis XIV of France bombed the area and destroyed all but one of the original buildings. That building was Town Hall, which is still today, the seat of the Mayor of Brussels and can only be visited on a guided tour. All the other Guild Houses were rebuilt in four years. Those 17th-century replacements still stand today and are more than sufficient for impressing me and the hoards of gawking tourists. Free concerts take place here every weekend, all day and most of the night; watch the video below and you'll see what I mean. I didn't eat or drink at any of the surrounding restaurants and cafes but they do offer up front row seats and prices that match!

MANNEKEN PIS
One of the buildings in the Grand'Place, the Bread House ("Broodhuis" in Dutch) stores Manneken Pis' 700 costumes, as well as the original Manneken Pis stone statue, which is three times the size of the bronze statue you'll see on the street for display today. If you have no idea what the heck I'm talking about, that's okay. I had no clue either until my guide gave me the lowdown. Manneken Pis is the symbol of Brussels. Who would ever have thought that a statue of a little boy peeing would become a symbol of the city? In the mid-14th century, Manneken Pis was first carved in stone and called Little Julian. In 1619, a bronze version of the boy was made. There are several legends behind the history and importance of the statue. According to one such legend, this has become a symbol of Brussels because he's a freedom fighter; a rebellious little boy who also conveys the humor of the people of Brussels. You wouldn't believe the crowds that line up to see this kid! He's behind a gate because he's been kidnapped several times, most recently by students in the 1970s. One special day in November, the boy pees beer. And on many occasions he's dressed in costume.

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