http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16113
Then head to "Het Park"in the town square for fantastic cuisine.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16113 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16105
This major European chain sells general electronic devices plus a fair selection of CDs but excels with its choice of DVDs at competitive prices.

Art-house and world cinema titles which would be hard or impossible to find in the UK are well represented though remember to check that foreign language films have English sub-titles!

(There is also a branch of Media Markt in Antwerp on De Keyserlei close to the Central Station.)]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16105 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16102
Not so big and overwhelming, with so many "must sees," as Paris, but more than enough to keep you busy.

And there is loads of great chocolate - need I say more?

Don't miss MIM, with more than 1,000 ancient and rare instruments from around the world.

There is a lovely cafe overlooking the city on the top floor.

The best place we've found to stay with kids: Novotel Centre/Tour Noire. It has a cool hammam/indoor swimming pool surrounded by rocks which creates a very cool atmosphere. It is walking distance to Grand Place, also to many waterside restaurants and off-the-beaten path neighborhood places and playgrounds, good ethnic restaurants nearby, easy access to train station.

If you have more than a weekend, take a day trip to Bruges, Antwerp, or any other place in Belgium: distances are short!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16102 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16092
Have your last drink at Au Laboureur close to the Gare du Midi.

And in between use the CAMRA Good Beer Guide to Belgium by Tim Webb to find your way round Brussels.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16092 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16085
Ten minutes from here via the Place des Martyrs, have lunch and marvel at the Art Nouveau masterpiece by Victor Horta the Center of the Comic Strip on Zandstraat.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16085 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16083
It'll be a hit with anyone who loves Art Deco, cozy drinking holes, live jazz, fab cocktails and an eclectic mix of people enjoying themselves.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16083 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16077
A tram-ride from central Brussels, the suburban house is packed with glimpses of the banal, everyday things that inspired Magritte’s extraordinary, warped images: the fireplace (empty without its emerging steam train); the pipe (that is in fact not a pipe); the lamp post (that actually works like any other). The domestic details of this historic house are probably no different from a thousand others in Brussels.

But in the context of wonderful Magritte originals and the fascinating story of his life (displayed upstairs), they take on a new significance.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16077 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16076
What they lack in guiding skills (on your left on your right) they more than make up for in enthusiasm and knowledge; plus you will visit places the public don’t usually have access to.

Should you need more Nouveau visit the Horta House, and if after all those curves you crave as I did straight lines, stand outside the wonder that is the Palais Stoclet in the Avenue de Tervurenlaan.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16076 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16064
Following extensive refurbishment, it reopened in 2006 to reveal a stage that sits inside a vast ball encased within the walls of its 19th Century building.

Most performances support the Flemish language, and shows in French or English are not uncommon. But if you can’t attend one of these, try having a drink in the gorgeous second floor bar.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16064 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16063 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16063 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16059
The view is truly extrodinary: one of the best in Europe. The museum, I should add is, is also worth seeing and inexpensive.

But if museums are not your thing then don't worry – you don't have to pay for entry to get to the terrace-bar. Just tell reception where you are heading and hop into the elevator.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16059 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14887 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14887 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14794 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14794 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14788
This happens but once a year in December. It's an enchanting must-see for the festive season!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14788 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14786
There are souvenirs aplenty at the Museum shop, with even more at the dedicated Tintin emporium just off the Grande Place.

There’s even something for fans at the Africa Museum, a short tram ride from the town centre, where Hergé got his inspiration for the controversial but formative Tintin in Congo.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14786 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14782 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14782 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14777
From the Atomium you can go there by foot through a big park and passing some nice sights like Monument Leopold I, Chapelle Ste. Anne, and Chateau Royal.

The frontage of the Chinese Pavilion was made in Shanghai in ctr. 17th – 19th.

The Japanese Tower was brought here from Paris.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14777 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14774 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14774 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14772
If you walk that through you will see a very small alley at your left.

Walk it right till the end and you will come to one of the two entrances of Theatre Toone. This place consists out of several rooms and one is the theatre room where you can enjoy a traditional local puppet show.

If there are no plays performed then the whole establishment is open as pub.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14772 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14758 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14758