Planning a European Vacation? - Think Brussels, Belgium

Before planning your next European vacation, don't limit yourself to the ever popular stand-by locations - do something different. Although, France, Italy, and the UK, etc., all are well worth spending your time and money on, why not do something that is a little off the beaten path for the typical American going on a European vacation. Why not visit Belgium?

No, I am not a member of the Belgium tourist board, but the country is near and dear to my heart. Due to my husband's job relocation, I spent the past year as an American expatriate living in Brussels, Belgium, with my family. It was an experience like no other. I must admit that prior to this assignment, I would have never thought of making Brussels a prime destination on my plan of the perfect European vacation. However, after spending a year embedded in the culture, I would suggest that anyone heading in that direction should make the effort to add it to the list.

At the heart of Belgium is Brussels, capital city and head of the European Union. Brussels is unique, in that, it is a bi-lingual city. All of the road signs, menus, and printed matter appear throughout in both French and Dutch. The northern half of Belgium is primarily Dutch speaking, while the southern half speaks French. Brussels is where the two meet, and thus, it was decided that Brussels should accommodate both languages in a symbol of both practicality and as a gesture of bringing the country together. The thing that makes this most advantageous for Americans is that most of the persons you meet up with in Brussels will also speak English. It's as if the Dutch don't want to speak French, and the vice versa, so they meet on the common ground (when needed) of English. Although, it is fun to be in one city, and listen to the natives speak in either language, even if you don't speak French or Dutch.