Belgium's capital city seduces with strong contrast of ancient culture and cool scene, boundless openness and effervescent joie de vivre. Brussels: daily you hear from the capital, news of the EU and NATO. Certainly, the immigrés de luxe, like the people in Brussels call themselves typical ironical go to the opera and museums, numerous luxury boutiques and gourmet restaurants live from them. But most live in ghettos in the suburbian. Here are their schools, churches and clubs. Brussels initially confuses. Belgium's capital is officially bilingual. French in the night and dutch over the day when 200000 people from the suburbian are coming to Brussels for working. About 30 percent of the total population of nearly one million people are immigrants, often illegal.

Manneken Pis About this nacked pissing boy existing many legends. Admirers gave him clothes. Metro: Bourse

Palais du Roi Once was at this point the magnificent castle of the Burgundians. A fire destroyed it 1731. In its place they built a smaller residence. End of July to beginning Sept. daily. 9.30am-4pm, entrance free. Place des Palais, Metro 2: Trône

Cathédrale Saint-Michel Magnificently restored cathedral rises on the hillside. Parvis de Sainte-Gudule, Metro: Gare Centrale

Atomium At the time of the first World Exposition after the war, 1958, cause of economic growth the people believed in progress. The Atomium, a 165 billion times enlarged iron crystal, was that symbol. Bd. du Centenaire, Metro 1A: Heysel

Berlaymont Stars symbolize the European Union. That is why the floor of the Berlaymont, the Commission resides, looks like a star. Rue de la Loi 200, Metro 1A/B: Schuman

where to stay                                                                                                                                                   Beverly Hills Hotel Very comfortable house in the fashionable shopping district. Nice fitness center and sauna, jacuzzi. 33 rooms. Rue du Prince Royal 71, Metro 2: Louise                                                                                                                          Du Congrès In four beautiful patrician houses from the 19th Century there is a jovial atmosphere of Brussels. Completely renovated. 61 rooms Rue du Congrès 42, Metro 2: Madou                                                                                                        Métropole Albert Einstein and Sarah Bernhardt, Konrad Adenauer and Charles de Gaulle and many other promints stayed in this hotel during the last 100 years. The rooms are comfortably furnished in accordance with the time. 305 rooms Place de Brouckère 31, Metro: De Brouckere                                                                                                                                                       Arlequin Hotel Arlequin is popular as a basically comfortable stay in the heart of things (17-19 rue de la Fourche, from €180). George V The George V (23 rue ’t Kint, from €75) is a budget favourite.

food                                                                                                                                                                            En face de Parachute An old drugstore with mahogany body was turned into an intimate brasserie. Varied kitchen of constant quality. Sun, Mon closed Chaussée de Waterloo 578, Tram 3: Bascule                                                                                      Un des sens A much-traveled french sommelier opened this extraordinary wine bar. Small snacks plus a large selection of wines. Sun closed Chaussée du Vleurgat 7, Bus 71: Flagey                                                                                                                    La Roue d’Or A local’s favourite close to the Graund’ Place is La Roue d’Or (26 rue des Chapelie) but do book in advance.                Aux Armes de Bruxelles (13 rue des Bouchers) is an art deco seafood classic.                                                                       Falstaff The art nouveau Falstaff (19-25 rue Henri Maus) is a good traditional cafe for lunch

shopping                                                                                                                                                                  La Bande des Six Nez One of the oldest shops, which has the "ninth art" into its heart. The latest albums and books, antiquarian original editions and drawings. Chaussée de Wavre 179, Bus 34: Parnasse                                                                                 La Boite à Musique Classical music. Giant selection. Exciting pictures of Belgian artist. Coudenberg 74, Metro: Gare Centrale           Passion Chocolat Brussels gourmands prefer black-bitter chocolate with the highest cocoa content Rue Père E. Devroye 197, Tue-Sat 12pm-6pm, Metro: Boileau

Trains The Eurostar London - Bruxelles, Paris - Brusseles, the Thalys Cologne - Paris and the ICE-Brussels-Cologne stops only at the Brusseles-Midi station. There you have connections to tram or metro.

Plane Airport Brusseles-National Aéroport, 15 km north of the centre. Connections to the centre: Between 5.30am and 12.20am every 15-20 minutes the Brussels Airport Express drives to the city. It takes you in about 20-30 minutes. Price: single ticket 2,60 Euro. Between 5.30am and 11.30pm there are driving the yellow STIB busses daily in 20-30 minutes (Linie 12) to the centre. Takes you 45 minutes. Single ticket costs 3 Euro.

Public Transport Metro and tram are the fastest transport possiblities. Buses run frequently but they are at the peak times usually in the a traffic jam. Metro stations have big signs with a large white M on a blue background. Tram and bus stops can be seen in red-white signs. Metro and tram drive between 5:30am and 12am. Buses between 5:30am to 1 am. A single ticket, which is also entitled to change, costs 1.50 Euro. Cheaper, same-day ticket (carte jump 1 jour, Sat, Sun, for two people valid for 3.80 Euro), three-day- ticket (9 Euro) and five-day-ticket (12 Euro) for an unlimited number of rides.