00:00Impressive squares, magnificent churches, urban vibes and comics too.
00:08Belgium's capital Brussels has all that and more.
00:12On social media, the city looks exciting and multifaceted, but is that the case in real life?
00:18Brussels is known for its landmarks as well as its culinary specialties.
00:23It attracts millions of tourists every year.
00:26Let's check out some of the most popular spots to see if they live up to their reputation.
00:37Reality check number one, the Grande Place, the heart of the historic Old Town.
00:44The square has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998.
00:49What is really special about the Grande Place is of course a city hall which is this magnificent 15th century
00:54building right in front of us.
00:56But what is also very special about this Grande Place is all the houses around it which are the former
01:01guild houses.
01:03Which shows a lot about the economic history of Brussels and the economic importance of this square.
01:09Each guild house represents a trade or craft, like the Brewer's House.
01:14Many of these buildings date back to the 17th century.
01:18If you want to find out more about the history of the Grande Place and Brussels, you can visit the
01:24Brussels City Museum in La Maison du Roi.
01:27For a bird's eye view of the Grande Place, you can go up to the balcony of the City Hall
01:33or go even higher to the Tower.
01:36From there, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city. You can access these areas on weekends with a
01:42guided tour.
01:46The City Hall is also open to visitors on selected days. For opening hours, it's best to check the city's
01:53website.
01:53A visit to these indoor attractions is a great way to avoid the rain.
02:00But despite the bad weather, Grande Place still has plenty of visitors.
02:05It's historical. It's so nice. The weather is not so much good. But we enjoy it. We tried the french
02:15fries and the famous waffles.
02:20The waffles are amazing.
02:22The waffles are amazing.
02:24There are numerous places around the Grande Place where you can sample this Belgian specialty.
02:29But keep in mind that not all Belgian waffles are the same.
02:35In Belgium, we have three types of waffles.
02:37We have Brussels waffles, which have a light, crispy dough.
02:41We have Liege waffles, which have a much thicker dough with pearl sugar inside, which is caramelized.
02:46And then we also have waffles with filling.
02:49So these are waffles with fresh fruit inside, which can be served cold.
02:54Antoine Acaillen offers a wide selection of waffles. This is the Brussels version.
03:00So what's our conclusion? As with any vacation, you need a bit of luck with the weather.
03:04But despite the drizzle, the Grande Place is still popular with visitors.
03:08And you can always find other ways to explore the area, perhaps by eating waffles.
03:13Reality check 2, the Royal Galleries of Saint Hubert.
03:19Since 1850, citizens of Brussels have been strolling through these Renaissance-style galleries.
03:25These days, you'll find luxury stores, cafes, and chocolatiers in the three arcades.
03:32They're a hit with tourists.
03:37Oh, it's very nice. This is my first time to come here.
03:41I like the structure of the building.
03:43It's wonderful just to kind of look at this and so many options around as well.
03:48Our conclusion, the galleries are definitely worth a visit.
03:51But for the best photos, get there very early, or visit in the off-season.
04:00Reality check 3, the Atomium.
04:07What would Brussels be without the Atomium?
04:10Built in 1958, it was set to be demolished after the World's Fair.
04:14But it stayed and now sees over 800,000 visitors per year.
04:19The silver spheres really make an impression, both in real life and in pictures.
04:24Inside, you'll find a permanent exhibition with all you need to know about the structure's history.
04:31There are also rotating exhibitions, installations, and of course, a great view.
04:42So, what's the verdict? The Atomium, which is located just outside the historic city centre, should not be missed.
04:49With so much to see and do in Brussels, we think the city definitely lives up to its image on
04:55social media, even in the rain.
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