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/16111
Within walking distance of the Gare Du Midi, and ideally placed to fill that wait before boarding the Eurostar, explore a nation's fascination with comic strip heroes.

Beautifully presented displays carry explanations of the storylines and characters, whilst giving interesting background of the creators and designers.

A reasonable knowledge of French would be useful, though. The Belgian Comic Strip Centre (Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinee) is in Rue Des Sables.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16111 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16106
Scentastic is located underground at the Bourse metro/tram stop, and is just a couple of minutes walk from the Grand Place.

Once you’ve found the understated entrance (difficult, even if you know it’s there) you enter what looks like a large romper room/playground, all primary colours and play equipment.

Scientastic will then amaze and educate through its use of simple psychological, physiological perception experiments.

Virtually everything is hands on and a simple explanation leaflet can explain some of the impossible thing you encounter.

Try to arrive just as they open as usually a multi-lingual member of staff will perform a series of moves in front of a mirror.

Then go and play and explore at your leisure, it can and should take at least a couple of hours, adults will at least be surprised and kids just love it.

Opening hours are at 1400 hrs. Weekends and Belgium school holidays otherwise you will have to make a reservation. Their website is at scientastic.com or telephone 02.732.13.36 (usually an answer machine they will call back).

Belgium international telephone prefix is 0032 then leave off the first zero.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16106 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/16101 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16101 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16090
buy a Belgian speciality fruit beer and savour both the beer and the show.

And when it finishes, take a short walk to Chez Leon (rue des Bouchers) for the speciality of the house - Mussels and Chips - 14 different mussel speciality meals to choose from.

nb Children under 12 accompanied by parents are entitled to a free meal.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16090 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8243
It's started four years ago, and is repeated yearly.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8243 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3844
This a place where locals eat and drink, reflected in the menu and the prices. There are the usual steaks and moules frites, but you can try other typical Brusselois fare such as Anguilles au Vert (eels in green sauce and nicer than it sounds), Stoemp and even horse!

This is a very friendly, real place and well worth a try even if only for a drink before eating at the excellent St Catherine restaurants. Only a brief stroll from Bourse.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3844 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3841 If you call the hotel direct and not via the call centre you will get some fabulous deals.
Although a business/diplomat hotel at heart, our three children, aged four, eight and 12, are always welcomed.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3841 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3786 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3786 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/323 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/323 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3842 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3842 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3816 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3816 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3793
Not only is there a fantastic collection of original drawings and memorabilia, including the rocket that took Tintin to the moon, but it's all housed in a wonderfully glamorous building by Victor Horta, whose art nouveau architecture has become synonymous with Brussels.

The museum has a superb gift shop where you can buy, as I did, an amazingly characterful furry Milou (Snowy) of your own to take home: mine, intended for my mother, was too adorable and has stayed with me ever since.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3793