Brussels is a fabulous gateway to the charm and sophistication of European culture. There is a tremendous amount of great activities to engage in, and so many glorious sights and sounds that your senses will be inundated with beauty and wonder. When you eat out in Brussels you are in for a real treat. This region may be famous for its Belgian waffles and scrumptious chocolate, but there are many more delicacies that you are sure to enjoy. The museums are splendid, and the nightlife is sensational. The abundance of bars and nightclubs will impress even the most seasoned European traveler. The region seems like a mixture of numerous cultures, and the citizens are open-minded and quite helpful when you approach them with questions about where should you go, what should you do, and where can you eat well while not spending the remainder of your pocket money. The prosperity and popularity of Brussels has fluctuated over the decades, but ever since the Universal Exposition and World's Fair were held here in 1958, the region has seen a lot more tourism. In the mid-to-late 1800s, Brussels was an outrageously dynamic city, full of life and exploding with charm. As a result, the area was frequently visited, but Brussels was tainted by the two World Wars. The Germans inhabited the area and virtually ruined the import, export, and tourism of the city. They resided in Brussels for months at a time, and the powerless Belgian government was forced to watch its most beloved city decline at a horrendous rate. Brussels has made a mighty comeback since 1958, and in the last forty-plus years, it has been a huge draw with world travelers. Tourism is at an all-time high, and everyone who visits is incredibly eager to come back soon. While it may be true that the city is somewhat difficult to navigate, you are certain to have a lot of fun trying to get around! The city is safe, and exploring it is a lovely experience.
Norway's political and cultural capital, Oslo was recently selected as the city with the highest quality of life in Europe. It's not surprising, considering the city's treasures: beautiful Frogner Park filled with modern sculpture, the emotional power of the Munch Museum and the Viking Ship Museum, together with forested mountains and secluded coves, all within the city limits.
The European culture capital in 1996, Copenhagen is Scandinavia's liveliest city. The musical and artistic pageantry are rivaled only by the changing of the guard ceremony in front of the Amalienborg Palace, home of the royal family since 1794. Yet certain parts of Copenhagen maintain a village-like feel, like the winding streets around the Raadhuspladsen and enchanting Tivoli Gardens.
Hamburg's port on the river Elbe has been busy since medieval times, when it was a cornerstone of the Hanseatic League. It is a graceful city of parks and lakes, and grand old buildings like the Rathaus (City Hall). Brahms and Mendelssohn were born here, and Hans Leip, who wrote Lili Marlene.
The mark of a great city is the many different impressions it can leave on any one person. When I say Paris, what do you think of first? The Eiffel Tower? The Louvre? The Arc de Triomphe? Notre Dame? Do you think fashion, romance, food, or fun? It is this diversity that elevates Paris to the top of any list that tries to compare the world''s best cities.