Brussels City Town Guide Brussels is alive with the unexpected. This ancient capital city, now more European than ever, is one of the least known and most surprising capital cities of Europe. Flemish by tradition, packed with opportunities for fine living, and more than a little surreal, Brussels is a city that allows glimpses of a deeper eccentricity to appear through its bourgeois reserve. Its identity is also strongly felt through a tradition of Art Nouveau - and comic strips! It's an enchanting kaleidoscope, just waiting to be discovered. Five ideas for discovering another side to the city -  Fall in love with a bag by Delvaux, the famous leather-goods manufacturer (on Boulevard de Waterloo) or a quirky hat by Elvis Pompilio, a young designer known for off-the-wall elegance (on Rue du Lombard). -  Discover the subtle and sophisticated interiors of the Horta house, one of the finest examples of Art Nouveau - a masterpiece. -  Take in a piece of classical theatre, played by puppets, at Toone, right by the Grand Place - an institution since 1830. -  Hunt for antiques in the Place du Jeu de Balle, then climb the Rue Haute, lined with secondhand goods dealers, before arriving at the antique dealers on the Place du Grand Sablon. -  Dine at the Quincaillerie, sited inside a totally intact shop dating from 1903, or at the Greenwich, the favorite haunt of Magritte. Time difference Brussels is one hour ahead of GMT during winter, and two hours ahead during summer. To call Brussels Dial the international code followed by 32 for Belgium, then 2 for Brussels and the 7 digits of the person you are calling. Climate Average temperatures by season: - Spring: 18° C - Summer: 23° C - Autumn: 12° C - Winter: 7° C Holidays - 1 January: New Year - Easter Monday (date varies) - 1 May: Labour Day - Ascension - Monday of Pentecost (dates vary) - 11 July: Flanders Day - 21 July: National Day - 15 August: Assumption - 27 September: Walloon Day - 1 November: All Saints Day - 11 November: Armistice - 25 December: Christmas Getting around Brussels's historic centre is visited on foot. The bus and tramway system is a very practical way to go and see the Atomium, the Parc du Cinquantenaire and the Art Nouveau houses. The subway is also a practical means of transport (check out the stations decorated by comic book authors and contemporary artists). Brussels Tourism Office Brussels Tourism Office: Grand Place Hôtel de ville de Bruxelles 1000 Brussels Tel: (international n° +32) 2 513 89 40 Brussels on the Web http://www.belgium-tourism.net See our Cultural calendar Back