Day trip to Brussels

It was a one day protest that got out of hand and concentrated in a small area around the European Parliament and Jubelpark. Protests of some kind or another are fairly common in this district, but around the Grand Place (where most tourists concentrate), you'd never know it was happening. A demonstration could just as easily turn violent in Paris, so don't let one day of fisticuffs between trade unions and police deter you.

Tom seems to be up on the news. Don't let it change your plans. It's a common occurrence in Europe that protests are localized at one point where they will get media attention.

Thank you Tom and Laura.
GB

Walk up to St. MIchele & Gaudet on the hill. Do a short visit and take in the views from the hill. Walk down to St. Catherine’s Place and see the old fish market square. Try some herring and fries!
Work you way up to Grand Place. Visit a chocolate shop. Splurge at a Grand PLace cafe. Browse the Galleries Royales St.Hubert.

There is a city bus tour from the Bourse stop. I don’t have the schedule.

Interested in Art? Walk across the center and walk to Upper Town to visit the Royal Museum of Fine Arts or the Magritte Museum for a couple of hours.

Interested in Military History? Visit the Royal Army and Military History Museum. You’ll
be surprised by the in depth and immenseness of this museum. Aviation Wing is awesome and the Cafe is a good budget lunch.

Tip: Use a small shoulder bag or don’t over stuff the one you are using. Most bags have to be checked. I stuffed my valuables (camera-phone-day currency) into my jacket pockets & wore the jacket. This made me uncomfy wearing bulky jacket for the guided art tour. Lesson learned because when I went to the Rijksmusuem in Amsterdam I was able to keep my shoulder bag but it was very lightly filled.

Tip: Avoid eating on rue des Bouchers, the row of restaurants. Return back to St.Catherine’s Place to “La Villtte Restaurant” (all locals).

Have fun!