Today I leave Brussels after an exhaustive week in Europe. Yesterday morning and through the afternoon, I spent some time getting acquainted with the city and taking in some truly interesting sights. Over the course of the next few weeks, I will report on my trip and findings. Brussels, Bruges and other cities are certainly worth a visit, and now that Brussels Airlines offers non-stop service to the European capital, it cannot be easier.

My last stop yesterday was the Grand Place, which was nearly totally destroyed by the cannon fire of French Marshal François de Neufville in August 1695. All but the tower and façade of the town hall were destroyed, and it only took 70,000 troops to do so! Within four years, the square as it stands today was rebuilt by the city’s guilds. Beer lovers, make sure you check out the Brewers’ House, which has a beer barrel on the façade. It is a beautiful square, voted the most beautiful in Europe by Dutch website stedentripper.com. It is a wonderful place to walk around, experience history and sit in a café and people-watch.

Perhaps Napoleon’s aim for the town hall tower was deflected by the Archangel Michael, who sits atop the tower slaying Satan. This is the symbol of Brussels, and it seems to have served them well. The guild houses surround the square, and one should slowly take in each one. The House of the Dukes of Brabant looks like one large house but is actually a group of seven houses, each with a different name — The Fame, The Hermit, The Fortune, The Windmill, The Tin Pot, The Hill and The Beurs.

Start researching for your next trip to Brussels!

— Fran Gallagher, publisher and CEO