Wedged between Paris, Amsterdam and London, Brussels doesn’t hog the spotlight. Many travelers skip over the Belgian capital, or spend a couple of hours hitting the landmarks before moving on.
But for any curious soul willing to linger, Brussels has some nice surprises, from indulgent libations to quirky artists. Spend 36 hours here, and you’ll leave wanting more.
Start your day big. La La Grand-Place, the heartbeat of Brussels, pulses with activity. Take in the powerful solemnity for a few minutes before setting off to wander the back streets at whim.
The cobblestone alleys are where you’ll find the city’s most famous spots, like the beloved Manneken Pis, the cheeky if underwhelming statue of a little boy peeing in a fountain. A local treasure, depending on the day you’re in Brussels, he may be dressed up in a particular costume (fireman, soccer player and Elvis Presley are some favorites).
You’ll come across Gothic churches like the Eglise Saint Nicolas and Cathédrale Saints-Michel-et-Gudule where the weddings and christenings of the Belgian royal family take place.
And you’ll find yourself in charming squares, like Place Sainte-Catherine, and lively alleyways like Rue des Bouchers.
Les Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert
Grab a quick lunch Brussels-style, at one of the multiple friteries in the area. Worth the detour is Maison Antoine in Place Jourdan, where you can join residents in gorging on fricadelle (a minced meat hot dog) and frites al fresco, as is the local custom.
Finish off in style with a café au lait and a sugar-powdered waffle at Mokafe under the glass arch in the classy Galeries-St Hubert.
There are myriad ways to get your culture fix in Brussels. The city has dozens of interesting museums, galleries and historic buildings, and you can have your pick depending on what you’re in the mood for.
Fancy looking at some quirky art? Explore surrealism master Rene Magritte’s work in his old house, which is now the René Magritte’s. Musically minded? Head to the Musical Instruments Museum.. Serious about art history? Visit the Horta Museum.
Brussels’ has some great restaurants and a pavement-cafe culture
Belgian cuisine may not be as famed as others in Europe, but it can definitely hold its own and the city has thousands of restaurants to choose from. For dinner, head to a traditional brasserie such as La Roue d’Or where you’ll find quintessential Belgian dishes like fricassé de lapin (rabbit stew) and stoemp (mashed potatoes), and Brussels’ perennial favorite, moules et frites (mussels with French fries).
Or, dine like a local at a neighborhood restaurant with a loyal following, like Chabrol. To drink, it has to be a local beer (ask what they have on tap).
The Atomium outside Brussels
Start the day bright and early with breakfast at Maison Dandoy. This patisserie is a Brussels institution, and a bite into one of their cakes or cookies will be enough to wake you up and energize you for the day ahead.
After breakfast, gear up up for a short train ride. The Atomium is a little out of town, but is an unmissable sight. The unique construction of glistening spheres and sticks, built for the 1958 International Fair, is like nothing else you’ve seen.
It is also worth exploring the interior, a winding museum that leads you from sphere to sphere, with panels showing you how the Atomium was built and taking you on a journey through the city’s past.
If you have time to linger, take in the views from the rooftop, and stop for lunch at the restaurant on the terrace. By the time you’re on your way to your next destination, you’ll be planning another, longer visit to Brussels.
Prepare to fall in love. It may take a few days, it may take mere minutes; but as soon as Sydney displays its charm in full force, you’ll be a goner. All glitzy beaches and cosmopolitan pizzazz, Australia’s largest city is an old adept at winning traveling hearts.
A long weekend may seem like not enough for true love to blossom, but it definitely is to get a glimpse at just how good a thing you could have with Sydney. Consider this taster as the first few dates, when you’re still getting to know each other and you’re finding out about what makes the city special: the overwhelming beauty of its harbor, the secrets in every neighborhood corner, its unapologetic joie de vivre.
After these two and a half days, you’ll be left with a fuzzy feeling, and although you may not be willing to put a label on it, trust us: with Sydney, it is the real deal.
(HALF) FRIDAY
Start your trip by visiting Sydney’s most famous area, and rightfully so: Circular Quay. Bestowed with world-class landmarks, such as one Opera House, this neighborhood lives by the water and loves to dazzle visitors, regardless of whether it’s their first or millionth times in the city.
A stone’s throw away are the famous Royal Botanical Gardens, a green oasis where kookaburras and crested cockatoos hold court. The gardens also have one of the most glorious views over the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, which is bound to claim the background in more than one your trip’s
photos. After sunset, there’s no need to venture far. You can catch a show at the Opera, which has played hostess to everything from musicals to burlesque shows to stand-up comedy, and then get a drink at its namesake bar while, once again, taking in the view (it never gets old, promise).
If you’re feeling peckish, head to the nearby The Rocks District, a historical neighborhood with cobblestone streets and a story lurking on every corner. This area is a prime spot to linger in front of a pint and some class-A pub grub at any of the classic institutions in the area. Alternatively, if you’re in the mood for Asian food, Sailors Thai is an excellent choice.
SATURDAY
Spend your first full day in Sydney’s North Shore, starting with the long way there: crossing the Harbour Bridge on foot. Walking across this landmark takes around an hour at a leisurely pace and will give you ample time to revel in the view of the Opera House and the skyline from multiple angles.
The bridge will take you to the neighborhood of Kirribilli, a charming high-end area with an absolutely privileged background. Take the opportunity to dive into Sydney’s obsession with coffee, and grab your first (or second or third, but definitely not last) flat white of the weekend at Anvil Coffee. Right by the wharf, you can enjoy your drink with a side of water murmurs and sunshine.
After recharging your batteries, get ready to get close and personal to some of Australia’s best known inhabitants at Taronga Zoo. This zoo, in the neighboring area of Mosman, is home to kangaroos, wallabies, koalas and wombats, and makes for one memorable visit.
For lunch get back to the water in Manly Beach. One of Sydney’s top beaches and most lively neighborhoods, Manly has outstanding options for international food, such the hearty Italian fare of Hugos or the joyful Mexican cuisine at Chica Bonita. Take the rest of the afternoon off and find a patch of sand to claim yours for a few hours. It is not a visit to Sydney if you don’t indulge in at least a few hours of sun time.
Catch the ferry back to the city, in yet another cruise around Sydney’s spectacular harbor. Grab dinner at the famed Quay Bar. Don’t let its “tourist trap” look fool you: with a creative modern Australian menu and a prime location, this is one of the best restaurants in the city.
SUNDAY
Have an early start on your second Sydney morning, and stretch your muscles with one of the city’s most beloved walks around the south beaches. The Bondi to Coogee stroll spans six kilometers (3.72 miles, around two hours walking leisurely) that take you through some of the most iconic beaches in the city: Bondi, Tamarama, Bronte and Coogee. It is an easy urban walk, but it will take you close to nature, going by cliffs, bays, natural pools and parks, and featuring some mildly steep gradient paths. Word of caution: the Australian sun is unforgiving, even in the early morning. Do not forget sunscreen.
Once you reach your destination, take a pause to enjoy that most sacred Sunday tradition: brunch. The Little Kitchen is a neighborhood institution, touting ricotta pancakes and smoked salmon on scrambled eggs from its tempting menu. Take the train
back to the city for a dose of urban culture. The Art Gallery of New South Wales, one of the best museums in the country, focuses its collection on Australian art (both Aboriginal and European-influenced) and provides a glimpse into the country’s history as reflected by local artists.
Follow up by indulging your hedonistic side with a good dose of retail therapy in the hip neighborhood of Paddington. Strutting down Oxford street until you reach the Intersection will take you by a cornucopia of stores and boutiques showcasing the best Australian talent in fashion, jewelry and accessories.
Finish the day (and weekend) on a high note with a stroll and dinner in Surry Hills. Once rough around the edges, this area has seen great revitalization and restoration, bringing its Victorian-style tree-lined streets back to life. This is also a top foodie spot: with great restaurants like Nomad, Folonomo and Firedoor, the hardest part of dinnertime will be choosing where to go.
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