This is the cheapest overseas destination to fly to from Glasgow this month - and it's gorgeous

-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


If you thought the golden age of super-cheap flights was over, think again. Ryanair fly direct to Brussels in Belgium from Glasgow airport, and budget fares in September cost as little as £32 - for a return.

That's right: you can visit a cultural paradise in Europe for not much more than the cost of a peak time train ticket from Glasgow to Edinburgh.

Brussels might not be the first place you think of when it comes to jetting off for a city break. As it's the headquarters of the EU, some people might think it's just a dull place for bureaucrats to hang out.

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However, you couldn't be more wrong. It's fun, vibrant, cosmopolitan, lively and energetic.

What's worth seeing in Brussels?

The Grand Place -Credit:Getty Images
The Grand Place -Credit:Getty Images

Pretty much everything, really: Brussels is known for its stunning architecture and interesting museums. However, we'll try to narrow it down a bit.

The iconic Grand-Place is a must-see. This huge, historic plaza in the centre of Brussels is surrounded by opulent Baroque guildhalls as well as the City Hall and La Maison du Roi (The King's House), a spectacular neo-Gothic building that now houses the Brussels City Museum.

Another cool thing to do is to visit the Atomium, Brussels' most popular tourist attraction. This famous modernist building was the centrepiece of the Brussels 1958 Worlds Fair. Inside you can take a surreal walk through a series of astounding and unusual spaces - it's futuristic and bizarre.

The Atomium -Credit:Getty Images
The Atomium -Credit:Getty Images

What food is Brussels known for?

Well, Brussels is in Belgium - so, unsurprisingly, waffles are pretty popular.

One particularly unusual place to sample a Belgian waffle is Gaufres & Waffles, where the recipes are cooked up by double Michelin-starred chef Yves Mattagne, and thanks to their "sweet and savoury" theme, you can choose from a wide range of toppings, from blueberries, cream and bananas to duck and foie gras.

Visit Brussels also recommend Gaufres de Bruxelles (a stone’s throw from the Grand-Place), Dandoy and Pardon (in Saint-Gilles).

You can also sample Belgian fries, a famous delicacy that's been described as the "best street food in Europe". They're fried twice and served with a wide range of toppings. There's andalouse sauce: a mix of peppers, mayonnaise, tomato paste, and pickles. Or you might want to try samurai sauce, with Tunisian chili, spices, tomatoes, and bell peppers.

Belgian frites with mayonnaise in Brussels. -Credit:Getty Images
Belgian frites with mayonnaise in Brussels. -Credit:Getty Images

The country is also famous for its beer, and Brussels celebrates that fact at Belgium Beer World: The world's largest interactive experience museum about beer, housed in a former stock exchange building.

However, if you'd rather just go to a traditional bar, you're spoiled for choice. Poechenellekelder is a popular hangout spot for tourists and locals alike: plus it's close to the famous Manneken Pis statue - yes, the one of a naked child urinating into a fountain - if you want to tick that off your list of famous Brussels sights.

Poechenellekelder also has a beer terrace, ideal for enjoying the balmy September weather: it's around 15C in Brussels at this time of year.

Beer Capital Brussels is also very well-reviewed, with one person saying it has one of the best beer selections in the entire city - with over 2000 varieties available.

In short, no matter what you're looking for in a city break - whether its a romantic location, great places to eat, mild weather, pretty parks or interesting things to do and see - Brussels really has it all, just an hour and 45 minutes (and £32!) from Glasgow.

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