Back to the big city......Brussels. The European Union has caused a big building boom in Brussels, huge areas of modern buildings housing all the branches of the governing bodies of the European Union.
Brussels was the epicentre of the Art Nueveau movement in the late 19th century and there are many preserved residences constructed in this style. We took a bus tour of the city on our first afternoon in the city and we could see the contrasts in Brussels. The very modern new Government buildings contrasted against the 17th century city square and the art nueveau residences. Again this city is blessed with some amazing art museums with collections of Flemish masters.....another art book for the collection. We went to a very interesting museum that had several thousand musical instruments (historical) and we were provided with a gizmo that reproduced the music the instrument creates when you standing in front of the display. You not only see the musical instrument, you could hear it, very cool.
We took a side trip to Ghent.......another amazing town dominated by a 12th century fortification and 17th century guild houses and a beautiful town square. We visited the cathedral in the center of town and viewed an alter painting.......15th century Van Eyke.....another art book. Beautiful town extremely well preserved, almost like a story book.
Brussels is French speaking......I know, same country different language.......no not like Canada......everyone speaks English, Flemish(Dutch?), French, German.......in the same sentence.
Three weeks in the "Low Countries"... Lots of good food, good wine, good things to see, good people and good accommodations. A real intense Eurofix.