SIX18 TRAVEL

The capital of Belgium, but also the de facto capital of the European Union, Brussels is one of Europe's most underrated destinations. The city's Gothic- and Baroque-style squares, set between medieval streets, are the playgrounds of international politicians and adventurous tourists alike. Authentic brasseries offer hearty Belgian comfort food, and daily doses of chocolate and beer are worth every euro. Brussels is cosmopolitan in ways other cities are not – it's truly multilingual (French, German and Dutch). The multicultural influences have led to an explosion of museums, marketplaces, restaurants and boutiques that make it far more than just a sleepy alternative to some of its busier neighbors like Paris or Amsterdam.