BRUSSELS, Capital of the European Union.
There is a fair amount of new investment/construction going on, and some very nice areas of the city.
But Brussels is certainly not gaudy, and does not seem particularly prosperous. It has a character more like a second tier French city, say Lyon.
This is the Capital of Belgium, complete with Palaces and government buildings.
There are a handful of gothic churches.
Founded around 900 the city was at the farthest navigable point up the river Senne. This building is in the space of what was once an island where the city was founded.
It is possible to track down glimples of the Senne but today it flows beneath the city.
The ground zero for the many tourists who visit Brussels is the Grand Place and the surrounding old town.
Belgium is famous for their hundreds of beers, Belgium waffles and Moules (Black Mussels).
Just a few street pictures.
BRUGES, a world treasure.
We took a day trip over to Bruges. Why not, it is only an hour and the tickets cost less than two glasses of hot wine in the Bruges central square.
Bruges, West Capital of Flanders once was open to the sea, and was an important trading center in the middle ages. Wealthy and urbanized the culture rivaled that of northern Italy.
Brugge is inundated with tourists because it is beautiful and unique in its degree of preservation. Many of the city buildings from 500 to 700 years ago are still in everyday use. Without further comment here are some city photos .
We are returnng to the USA tomorrow for the holidays. But will be back on the road in January.
Thanks for coming along on this trip.