Day 2: Brussels

Brussels. Big, bad Brussels!

It's a city which I quite like, even though it's got a certain reputation, but the reason why I like it is because it's got an edge to it. It's diverse, multi-cultural, crowded, and you never know what's going to happen next - for good or bad reasons!

I've been here on four or five occasions and it's no boring place. The song 'City Lights' by Blanche (which was actually Belgium's entry for Eurovision in 2017) reminds me of Brussels thanks to the lyric: 'All alone in the danger zone!'

The best advice you could probably give to someone who might be contemplating a trip here is they need to be on their guard and have their wits about them. That doesn't mean to say it's a crime-ridden place; most folk in the city are okay, but Brussels does have a higher number of shady characters loitering in places where they shouldn't be loitering, per head, than most other major cities in Europe. Also, there's been well-documented stories in the media over the past few years about terrorist cells manifesting from Molenbeek and a few other neighbourhoods which are within the city boundaries.

The crime and policing methods in Brussels are well worth an internet search if you want to pass some time but it shouldn't deter you from visiting. In any case, the best way to experience a city is to see it for yourself and then judge it afterwards - a bit like I'm doing now!

If you travel by road/rail, you're likely to arrive in Brussels at either Gare Du Nord or Gare Du Midi - neither of which are likely to paint a good first impression as they're both downtrodden/uninspiring and very much in areas where you'll spot those shady characters.

Everyone has their own personal reasons for visiting a place; some folk like the history which a place has to offer, others like to see different landmarks/monuments and then you also get those people, such as myself, who like to visit stadiums.

In Brussels, probably the most well-known landmark is the Atomium. Located in the north of the city, it's around a 30-minute journey by metro from the city centre and it's worth seeing - just from the outside (where it looks better anyway). If you pay to go inside, there's every possibility that you'll feel disappointed afterwards because other than some Sci-Fi related things, a documented history of how it was constructed and a viewing gallery which gives a panoramic view of the city, there isn't actually anything else to do.

Incidentally, the Atomium is next door to 'Mini Europe' - an attraction which has similar principles to Legoland and has built to scale models of all the major landmarks and monuments throughout the continent. Heysel Stadium, the largest-capacity venue in Belgium, is also really close by and it's striking floodlights make it almost impossible to miss.

Back in the centre, there are many other attractions - especially in and around the old town - such as the grandiose Grand Place which is magnificent and also incorporates Brussels Town Hall. The Manneken Pis (basically a small statue on a street corner of a little boy having a p*ss) is within walking distance from here as well - though the Belgians still need to explain to me why it's an attraction because that one goes flying over my head! It's also around the old town, which attracts the majority of the tourists, where you'll find all the stereotypical chocolate and souvenir shops. The prices for some authentic Belgian chocolates isn't that bad either.

To the south-east of Gare Du Nord are the major, most recognisable European Union buildings which span for around a mile or so towards the Royal Palace of Brussels and Parc Du Cinquantenaire - perfect for a picnic, to chill out. and with lots of green space to enjoy.

From a football perspective, Anderlecht is the city's team and they play at Stade Constant Vanden Stock - named after their old chairman who, several years later, was found guilty of bribing officials ahead of a UEFA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest. It's a small venue; capacity is only around 20,000 and it's regarded as being in an 'edgy' part of the city - though personally I thought it was fine.

If you've read this far then congratulations. Other than expecting to see armed military personnel on the streets (which was the case in 2016/17) that's about as much as I can say about Brussels!