A high-speed hop from London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Cologne, the city at Europe's crossroads is as distinguished, diverse, and distinctive as any continental capital. Home to the Surrealists and the Breughels, Brussels is a living monument to art nouveau, and it enjoys a gastronomic reputation second to none — complemented by boundless bar crawls and style-conscious shopping sprees. Written by local journalists, writers, and experts, Time Out Brussels offers an informed and detailed excursion around the city and its attractions, from the Gothic and Guildhouse past of the Grand Place to Brussels' present-day role as Europe's capital, taking in its beers and boutiques, its markets and mussels, and its comics and chocolates along the way. Beyond Brussels, the guide also delves into the three main cities of Flanders: fashion-conscious Antwerp, medieval Ghent, and Bruges, Belgium's biggest tourist draw. Day trips dip each side of the French-Flemish divide, from the coast around Ostend to Liege, nestling on the Dutch and German borders. Color photos and maps throughout enhance this new edition.