How to get around Brussels

On foot 

Spending your holiday around the city of Brussels, while doing a lot of walking is simple that gets you in every tourist attractions. You can also easily catch the public transportation such as metro, bus, tram or even a taxi for those attractions that are farther or perhaps quite impossible to get by on foot.  Riding the bus around the city, using the tram and tour bus along outside the city or town or even taking the train to other cities can be quickly, frequent, effective and inexpensive.  You'll surely require a road map in order to get where you're heading to and find your way around among the streets.    During late nights, it’s probably best to get a taxi to and from your destination for safety purposes.  It won’t cost you too much as the distances are so small in comparison to other places like London. 

Public transport

The trains and the systems are incorporated within the city, which is managed by Societe des Transports Intercommunaux Bruxellois (STIB).  A large number of metro stations highlight the entire work of local artists.  Together with enjoyable seats, the service is also satisfying even during peak hour.  The fastest way to travel is through the underground premetro Gare du Nord, Place de Brouchere, Bourse and the Bruxelles-Midi Eurostar terminal.

The city centre and suburbs of Brussels are being provided with bright yellow and blue trams.  You will be able to see the tram and bus stops that are shown in red and white coloured signs.  All the route numbers and destinations are exactly visible on the front of the vehicle which is all available on request stops.  Make sure that you get on the front entrance of buses and get off at the rear.  

To discover Brussels with one key you can book your Brussels Card via www.brusselscard.be in order to obtain an unlimited travel plus.  This also includes some discounts for 24, 28, 72 hours.  Obtain a one day group ticket that will offer an unlimited travel for up to five people traveling together. 

Metro 

There are approximately six lines of metro in Brussels, which is certainly not hard for beginner.  However, majority of the Metro are quite inaccessible for disabled passengers that are on wheelchair as there seems to be more stairs than elevators. Fortunately, they have made some changes on stations, which they are currently doing some refurbishment for easy access.  It’s fairly good though as the metro is still reliable and traveling times are not long even though it can get very crowded on some of the routes during peak hours.  The metro lines are easily identified with a signposts “M” numbered 1 to 6.  The trains are quite informative as their announcements have a display in multiple languages that tells you which stop.

Trams 

Trams also have“T” signposts and are also numbered with colour, which is similar to metro.  The trams are mostly on the road as it provides a better view of the city while touring.  However some of them are located in the metro stations underground.  There are different types of trams with different doors and style, which can be an issue for some people especially the disabled ones and some children. 

Buses

You can’t go wrong with buses in Brussels as they have a number along with a colour throughout the maps and signposts.  Timetables for the bus are available on STIB website.  Generally at each bus stop you can find a map and a timetable, which provides information of the bus routes. 

The airport line is one of the exceptions standard bus fare that travel out to the airport.  Unfortunately there is no metro or tram lines that provides transportation to the airport.  The tickets for this are quite expensive at 3.50 euro per person or if traveling in groups of 10 for 25 euros and it is still considered as cheaper that the train, so after all it is a good value. 

TEC and Delijn are the two different buses companies, which travels around the regions of South and North of the city instead of the inside the city itself.  However you can still take advantage of their routes if they are actually going to the right choice of destinations. 

Driving and parking

 

If you decide to rent a car and drive around Brussels while on holiday then it should not be much of a problem as many tourists have found it much easier to drive and park in Brussels compare to other European cities.  Just make sure that you invest a really good map of the city to help you navigate without any problems.  It might be possible to install the map on iPhone store.  Bear in mind that some traffic is restricted during special events.  Also, keep in mind that it is forbidden to drive around the middle of Brussels’ nearby Grand Place because of the streets being too narrow.  This also involves parking on that streets is not so easy due to the traffic.  

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Photo by kevgibbo

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What to do in Oxford Street London

Oxford Street is one of the busiest cosmopolitan areas of London.  There are so many things to do in Oxford Street, which will most likely take a whole day to have a complete experience.  Oxford Street is considered as one of the most popular tourist attractions of London. It consists of beautiful scenery that includes historical buildings, exotic little alleyways, beautiful shops, surrounding squares and most of all different nationalities from all over the world.  Firstly, I would suggest taking a long walk from one end to the other of Oxford Street as it gives you a chance to explore everything that includes cafes, restaurants, cinemas, variety shops, Oxford’s biggest department store (Primark), some other shopping stores such as Selfridges and John Lewis.  Once you have decided what you want to do while you are in Oxford Street perhaps choose a cafe or a restaurant to eat and enjoy the moment before you explore further.  

It is obvious that Oxford Street is well known for big chain stores that cater to everyone’s tastes so I doubt you’ll miss anything while you are there. Also it’s well known for pedestrians walking along the pathway despite being the most crowded and hectic area to be in London.  However, I would still prefer to walk around Oxford Street even if I don’t end up buying a single item as this place definitely offers an exciting and vibrant experience.  Think of Oxford Street as an equivalent of Champs-Elysees in Paris France.  It is very central to everything within walking distance to Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace, Soho Square, Chinese Market, Madame Tussauds at Marylebone Road, Trafalgar Square, The British Museum, University of the Arts London and many more.  

Photo by: netpalantir

Photo by: Spakhrin

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Where to go clubbing in Barcelona: A night out in Barcelona

If you are on a holiday in Barcelona include why not night out, visiting different bars and nightclubs?  Barcelona is surely known as the best tapas city however it is also known as one of the best cities for night outings.  You will find a variety of nightclubs that caters to every individuals taste.  Here are some of the best clubs around Barcelona City.

La Terrazza

This club is located in Poble Espanyol de Montjuic just outside the city centre of Barcelona.  Here you will find some of the best dj’s, dancers and fun people dancing their night away.  I like this club as you will meet people of all ages and it is multicultural.  The music ranges from a mixture of dance music, rnb and techno.  It has a very lively atmosphere that allows you to enjoy dancing or a great terrace that offers a nice view of your surroundings.  If you are dancing until 6am you will get to see a beautiful sunrise in Montjuic, just in time for a nice breakfast after dancing and drinking your night away.  

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On top of the Eiffel Tower

Eiffel (I Feel) On Top Of The World!!!!

Here is a flashback experience during my second trip to Europe in June 2011.

  

11:45 am

    The cold wind on my face assaults my senses. All round me is a cage of steel. My world is now the small landing that is the very top of the Eiffel tower...and my heart sings with the sights around me... Paris, the River Seine and the Arc de Triomphe... (More on this later...first let’s find out how I got there).

10:00 am

    The queue stretches for ages with people from all walks of life. I’ve been in line with my lover for the last hour slowly snaking through and we are nowhere closer to the ticket booth! The sun is already high in the sky and I’m dying of thirst. I keep thinking about taking a taxi to the Champs Elysees but would never forgive myself if I did. I missed the Eiffel experience on my first trip to Paris so I am very determined to endure the never ending queue to the top.

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How To Travel Europe on a budget

It is possible to travel throughout European countries on the spending budget despite the fact that a few cities within European countries are incredibly expensive and even if you're not really the actual backpacker kind of individual.  In order to keep your budget with a comfortable, memorable and a satisfying journey you must organize your travel plans correctly. Let me suggests a few tips about how to travel on the spending budget within European countries based on my personal experienced as well as from what I have learned.

When is the best time to go when it’s incredibly affordable and how to find cheap tickets?

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Piazza del Duomo Milan Italy

Piazza del Duomo - Milan, I

Piazza del Duomo is a Cathedral Square that stands out as the central piazza, and is situated in Milan, Italy. This piazza is well known and is dominated by the Milan Cathedral (the Duomo). The main piazza is located in the middle of the town and is significant to the town from a creative, cultural, ethnic and social perspective. The rectangle-shaped structure has an all round section of 17.000 m2.  The entire piazza consists of many of the most important structures of Milan along with Italy in general.  Although highly commercialized, the piazza is still undoubtedly the main destination desired by travellers to the city. This piazza somehow reminds me of the Piazza San Marco Square in Venice, Italy.  It has a similar ambiance and atmosphere to it.  It certainly is lively with crowds wandering in each corner or strolling around whilst taking beautiful photographs for future memories.  

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