Brussels

Explores every corner of Brussels, from everybody's favourite silly statue, the Manneken-Pis, to the Baroque extravagance of the Grand' Place - finds the best places to slurp beer and chomp on chocolates and mussels - passes by Tintin as well as the works of Breugel, Magritte and Rubens - points out Art Nouveau architecture and the superbly kitsch Atomium. 'Belgium, and Belgian culture, is suddenly being pushed out of the backstage and into the limelight, and undergoing radical reappraisal. Belgian restaurants, Belgian beer, Belgian chocolates, have now achieved virtual cult status. And even the French seem less inclined to make jokes about the Belgians.'