Brussels - the Capital of Europe

Brussels is one of the most attractive city in EU, and the capital of Belgium, the administrative centre of the European Union. This has earned the city the title of the Capital of Europe.

The Monnaie is the main theatre in Brussels, it is home to the National Opera of Belgium.

The Grand Place is Brussels central market square and one of its biggest tourist attractions.

Manneken Pis (translation, little man pee) is a bronze fountain just outside the Grand Place. Depending on the occasion he is dressed in one of his hundreds of costumes.

The Brussels Palace of Justice, or Court House, construction finished in 1883 (perhaps this if why it is undergoing some major restoration work).

The Royal Palace of Brussels is the official palace of the King of belgians, However, the Royal Family does not currently dwell here.

Exterior of St. Michael and Gudula Cathedral. Located on the Treurenberg Hill.

Brussels is home to the head offices of many major European and International Companies. Brussels is also the heart of the European Union (EU) parliament and offices.

How to Get: by train, International trains, high speed trains (Thalys and Eurostar) connect Brussels to other important cities in neighbour countries. From London, just 1 hours by Eurostar, from Lille, just half an hour. You can find more informations on any railway company and their schedules at Railway Info website.

Where to stay Brussels Hotels
Sheraton Brussels Hotel, the hotel is across the street from the city’s main shopping area (Rue Neuve) and just a 5-minute-stroll from the renowned Grand Place.
Best Western Premier Carrefour de l'Europe, this elegant 4-star hotel is ideally located in the centre of Brussels, just 50 metres away from the historic centre and the Grand Place.

My holiday in Lille

My holiday in Lille on May, is perhaps not as exciting and romantic as a trip to Paris, but it is nevertgheless a city with distinguishing qualities. A tour of Lille reveal a charming mix of French and Flemish features, and a historic core that is filled with impressive architecture, squares and cobblestone streets.

Lille Attractions
1, Musee des Beaux-Arts, housed in a beautiful 19th century building, this is one of the most important museum in France. The displays contain exceptional European paintings; sculptures; 17th and 18th century ceramics from all over europe; a department of the Middles Ages and Renaissance; and an important collection of drawings. There is so much to see and learn here.

2, Notre-Dame-de-la Treille, located just off rue de la Monnaie. The body of this cathedral is a fairly homogeneous, but not unattractive, neo Gothic construction begun in 1854, but the new facade, completed in 1999, is completely differnet, Its a translucent marble front supported by steel wires, best appreciated from inside, or at night wehn lit up from within.

3, The Distillery, this building became distillery in 1817. Classified historic building since 1999, the distillery manufactures according to an old method a grain alcohol (rye and barley malted). Here distillation, passing by cooking.

Lille Restaurants
Aux Moules, 34 rue de Bethune. The best restaurant in Lille to eat mussels and it's been serving them since 1930 in its Art Deco-style interior. Nothing costs much over 8 Euro, including the other brasserie fare, and it's all excellent value. It is very popular with locals and tourists alike and is highly recommended.

Le Compostelle, 4 rue St-Etienne. this trendy restaurant in a renovated Renaissance palace, with its designer furniture and conspicuous olive-tree has some unusual dishes, such as turbot in beer, The food is excellent and the menus are reasonably priced, 20~30 Euro.

Lille parks and gardens
Manoir de l'Estracelles, this manor dated back to the 16th and 17th centuries. Located in the manor are two 18th Century barns, and historical monuments, surrounded by rare birds and plants not native to the area. This is a great place to relax and take a break from signtseeing around town.

Jardin des Plantes, found on the south side of Lille, this is a great place to take a relaxing wark through this beautiful garden. Open to the public since 1948, it has a stylish greenhouse displaying tropical plants from South America, housed in an all-year round tropical heatwave.

WHEN There is no real bad time to visit Lille, although the peak tourist season tends to be spring (March to June) and autumn (September to december). In November and December the Christmas markets are a popular attraction.

Lille has become a popular weekend destination for those travelling from London on the Eurostar, but anyone who enjoys the ambience of a medieval old town, with its Grand Place at its centre, will enjoy a break in Lille. Those with a taste for Belgian beer will also not be disappointed.

Where to stay Hotels in Lille
Express by Holiday Inn Lille, this hotel has all the convenience you can expect from 3 star establishment.
Crowne Plaza Euralille is located in central Lille near the train stations, the shopping district, and the International Trade Centre. It is ideal for a stay in the Flander’s Capital.

Trip in Dublin

Dublin is thriving capital city，and largest and major port of the Republic of Ireland. It is noteworthy in terms of its vibrancy, its nightlife and its tourist attractions, and it is the most popular entry point for international visitors to Ireland.

Tourists are fond of the National Museum, the National Library and the National Gallery, which are located very close to one another in Dublin. All three are worth to visit, not at least because they are free of charge.

Dublin is split into two halves by the River Liffey. On the north side of the Liffey is O'Connell Street—the main thoroughfare that is intersected by numerous shopping streets, including Henry Street and Talbot Street. On the south side are St. Stephen's Green, Grafton Street (also popular for shopping), Trinity College, Christ Church and St. Patrick's Cathedrals, as well as many other tourist attractions.

Visit the Guinness Storehouse to view an interesting, self-guided exhibition of Dublin's most famous drink. The Gravity Bar at the top of the Storehouse offers fantastic views of the city and a free pint of Guinness with your entry fee.

How to Take a Literary Trip Through Dublin, Ireland: Is there any city as literary as Dublin? Sure, you could make the case for Paris, London and New York. But there’s something about Dublin that has produced - or inspired- some of the world’s finest literature, from Dubliners who called Ireland home as well as from those who recalled their homeland from elsewhere. An exploration of Dublin’s literary history, both before and during your trip, will give you wonderful insights into this lovely city and help give your visit added depth.

WHY GO To admire Georgian architecture and relax with a Guchitecture and relax with a Guinness or three.

THE VIBE Friendly and welcoming.

BEST FOR Glorious walks where you can check out St Patrick’s Cathedral and Ha’penny Bridge.

WHERE TO STAY History was forged in The Shelbourne, where the Irish Constitution was drafted in 1922. Rooms from £189 a night.

WHERE TO EAT Take in the views of Trinity College at Jacob’s Ladder (00 353 1 670 3865), where you can feast on pork belly. A meal for two, £40.

WHAT TO DO Head to Temple Bar, where there is lots of free outdoor entertainment to be found.

SOMETHING DIFFERENT Take a tour of the Guinness Storehouse Tickets from £12.

TOP TIP Celebrate James Joyce from 13-16 June, when fans of the author take walks following in the footsteps of Ulysses protagonist Leopold Bloom.

GETTING THERE Aer Lingus flies from Gatwick to Dublin for £39.98 return.

HOTEL IN DUBLIN You can easy to find on Booking.com.