Holidays
In Brussels - How To Get There & Navigate The Public Transport System
Of Europe's Capital City
Brussels:
Chocolate Capital of the World by Paul McIndoe
As the de facto capital of
Europe, home to both the EU and the NATO headquarters, it's fair to say
that Brussels plays a vital part in European society and global politics,
and if you were asked to name something that makes Brussels famous then
its role as the capital of European politics is bound to spring to mind.
Then again, you may decide
to answer more 'diplomatically', and name the other thing that Brussels
is world famous for: chocolate!
The image of the chocolate-obsessed
Belgian also springs quickly to mind when thinking of Brussels - and with
over 2,000 chocolate shops and factories around the country (many in Brussels
itself), it is perhaps a stereotype that the Belgians would not only accept,
but be very proud of too!
And yet, there is something
rather strange about this relationship between Belgium - a European country
- and chocolate, a sweet treat made from the plant of the cocoa tree; a
plant native to South America. So where does this connection come from?
The story goes that the cook
of 16th century French Duke Plesslis-Praslin one day accidentally spilled
burned sugar over almonds, a mixture that the Duke found delicious, and
later gave his name to the praline! The accidental discovery of this sweet,
nutty paste and the way it complimented chocolate, led the Belgians to
develop and perfect this delicious sweet.
This is a story that is kept
very much alive in Brussels today, and is a heritage that they are only
too happy to share with a chocolate-loving world. Shops in Brussels include
the world-famous Lady Godiva chocolate facility, which bears the Royal
stamp of approval, and La Fonderie, which offers tours for chocoholics.
There is also the Chocolate Museum, which tells the history of Belgian
chocolate; offers chocolate making lessons and perhaps more importantly,
offers some delicious samples!
Brussels is also home to
a wealth of cultural attractions, like the Lower Town, home to the Grand
Place, which boasts gorgeous 17th century baroque guildhalls and is today
used for huge open-air concerts, and the St. Michel cathedral - the construction
of which took over three centuries! The architectural styles of this fabulous
building shift from Romanesque to Renaissance before your very eyes!
And if you find yourself
needing some sustenance that isn't chocolate, or you need a place to lie
down and rest your legs (and stomach!), there are also a vast range of
restaurants and hotels in Brussels to suit your financial taste.
So if you're a chocoholic
in search of the finest sweets in the world, and wouldn't mind getting
a taste of European culture on the side, why not treat yourself to Brussels?
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About the Author -
Paul McIndoe is an online, freelance writer from Scotland. When not writing,
he enjoys playing golf and is a keen gardener. www.hilton.co.uk/landingpages/hilton_uk_en/hotels/brussels/
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