Brussels Express

Every so often perceptions of travel are changed by a dramatic new step forward – examples that spring to mind encompass the first passenger liners, the Orient Express and Concorde. One such step was the opening of the Channel Tunnel in 1994, enabling a fast connection to Brussels and Paris. British travellers have been perhaps embarrassed by the slow progress through Kent in comparison with the high speed lines beyond the Tunnel. Now, finally, November 2007 marked the introduction of the UK’s first high speed line between London St Pancras (in any case, a more tactful station than Waterloo!) and the tunnel, named ‘High Speed 1’, reducing travel time to less than two hours from London to Brussels! Additionally the increase in quality hotels to cater for Eurocrats during the week allows for excellent value at the weekend. Belgium is a country with a chequered history – after occupations by the Romans, Charlemagne, Spain, Austria, France and Germany, the Belgians ended up with a small but complex country split between French-speaking Wallonia and Flemishspeaking Flanders, with the capital, Brussels between them. This confused historical and linguistic background has created a rich heritage, the heart of which is Grand- Place, a splendid array of gilded guild houses. Museums offer the military themes of Musée Royal de L’Armée, the tapestries, furniture and decorative arts of Musée Royaux d’Art et d’Histoire and even Tintin, in the Cartoon Museum!