Leuven, Belgium

The European Union showing all its bureaucratic facades here. It's somehow special to visit the "heart" of the EU and see all the buildings well known from TV, but you can keep this short - unless you are really into "glass and concrete" architecture.

Just outside to the (South Eastern?) corner is a Hotel Ibis that we stayed at. The rates were good and the hotel was very clean and nice. From then on if we stayed in a hotel in Europe we would look for a Hotel Ibis or Mercer.

We arrived via the Euro Star. We had no idea where our hotel was, except it was a business/conference hotel and we figured it was outside the old city. We walked around and found it, in about an hour. The next day we saw the sights and truly experienced the city on foot. There was underground and taxis, but totally unnecessary.

This is where many to start the evening in many bars around the square. Antoine's in the center serves arguably the best frits in Belgium (at least the most famous).

Take the tour of the battlefield, it's the best way of experiencing the place. It's not too great though, you'll be driving across the fields and listening to a tape explaining what happened and where. It's better than nothing of course if you're here, but you really don't miss too much if you skip the whole place.

The store of a chocolatier - Pierre Marcolini is a place where you have to visit, especially if you love chocolate! Plenty of beautifully made chocolate in pretty boxes, then you just have to buy something :)

A famous statue, but there's really nothing to it. Just one of those, been there, done that, now let's move on.

The Grand Place is amazing! You don't want to miss it! There is incredible architecture, friendly people, tasty food, and a very fun atmosphere. It has been my favorite sight to visit in all of Europe. So, again, if you hit Brussels, don't miss the Grand Place.

Get into the square by late afternoon. Pick up a Belguim Waffle on the walk to Manneken Pis. Find a table before the evening light show begins, preferably in a restaurant with seating in the square. Enjoy a dinner that will stay with you for many years to come.

The Lion mound is an artificial hill with a lion statue on top made from the cannons of Napoleon. It costs 7 euros to climb to the top and is not worth it. You can see it for free from below. You might consider taking the battlefield tour if you want to do something here. It'll take 45 minutes to drive around the fields and hear how the battle went. It sounds better than it actually is... Napoleon and Waterloo are more interesting on books and visiting the actual place doesn't really give you anything more.

So this is European Union? Do not expect to feel too confortable between these huge buildings...

This park may look like an interesting spot on a city map. But. It is extremely unpleasant to reach by public transportation. And it is very rarely open for public.

Maison Antoine at Place Jourdan is where you get the best fries in Belgium (well, that's what the rumors say). Queue for your fries, then sit down in one of the cafés' terrace and order a drink. You are indeed allowed to bring your own fries to these restaurants - a perfect symbiosis.