In the collective imagination, there is a tendency to think of Brussels as a European capital to be visited only when the tour of major cities is over, assuming that its most iconic attractions or monuments do not measure up to the most famous sights in Europe.
However, Belgium's capital city has a great deal to offer: just think of the various museum centers, Art Nouveau-style beauties, culinary delicacies, and historic buildings scattered throughout the city.
Incidentally, today visiting Brussels is really very easy thanks to the possibility of chartering a private jet, a travel methodology that allows wealthier tourists to arrive in the city in a very short time and enjoying multiple premium services directly at the airport, as well as a fair amount of privacy and comfort assured.
In short, despite the fact that it may be mistreated by many travelers, Brussels knows how to take a run for its money simply by offering a long list of places to visit: which ones?
Let's examine them together in the next paragraphs!
Historical and geographical background on Brussels
Brussels is located in the beating heart of Belgium, on the slopes of a huge valley that stretches from the Brabant hills. All around the main population center rise multiple inhabited suburbs that form a very large and extensive metropolitan area, as well as being densely populated, so that Brussels is one of the most important economic centers in Europe. In addition, the Willebroek Canal, which flows into the river port located in the north of the city, joins the Rupel, another waterway that marks the natural boundaries of the urban agglomeration. Although the exact date of Brussels' founding is unknown, in all likelihood it was the Count of Brabant who had a fortress built in the area where the city now stands on the orders of an emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. However, it was not until the 12th century, when the aristocratic family settled in the area, that the newly founded small town also began to prosper due to the early trade relations it began to weave. In the mid-15th century, Brussels came under the control of the Spanish Empire, becoming the seat of the governors of Flanders; about a century later, however, the United Provinces of the north separated and the Belgian city remained the capital of the Spanish Netherlands. During the bloody religious wars, Brussels played a crucial role as it became the seat where Lutheranism and Calvinism expanded. Not only that, thanks to the revolutionary movements led by William of Orange, Brussels supported the war for independence even though the political instability of that time damaged the city's economy, plunging it into a very harsh crisis. After the Napoleonic troops that had occupied the city were defeated at Waterloo, Brussels joined the Kingdom of the Netherlands created as a result of the Congress of Vienna; a few years later, Belgium succeeded in gaining its long-sought independence from the Netherlands and named Brussels its capital. Over the years, the Belgian capital has been the site of as many as 3 universal expositions, while today it is a cosmopolitan city home to the European Union and other globally recognized international bodies.
What to do and see in Brussels
The beating heart of Brussels and its activities
A hypothetical itinerary aimed at visiting Brussels far and wide could start from the Grand Place overlooked by several historic buildings such as the City Hall and the Maison du Roi, not to mention the beautiful yearly event held in this very large urban space, the Infiorata, a summer event that features plants and flowers through a huge floral carpet that is installed in the square. Here, nature lovers can admire the latest creations based on the use of plants and flowers in modern home design while enjoying great beer and chocolate at nearby kiosks. For more affluent tourists, nearby the Grand Place also stands the Galeries Royales Saint Hubert, a shopping arcade that houses high-fashion boutiques, gourmet restaurants, and opera houses in which to attend the season's most famous classical music concerts while enjoying exclusive privileges reserved for them.
The European Quarter
Another very important hub of the city is definitely the European Quarter, an urban area where the European Commission and EU Parliament buildings are located, both of which are available to be visited inside. Not surprisingly, in fact, private tours organized for the occasion and ideal for wealthy tourists are available at any time slot and every day so as to give those who wish the opportunity to admire up close the conference rooms where members of the European Council and Parliament meet. Also worth mentioning is the Atomium, a wonderful architectural gem built for the 1958 Expo and still offering panoramic views of the city from its spheres on which you can climb.
Brussels' top class restaurants
Known for the quality of its culinary delights and the history behind each of them, Brussels offers wealthy tourists a wide range of gourmet establishments and restaurants where they can go to sample local dishes. For example, Comme Chez Boi is one of the most famous since it has been awarded several Michelin stars over the years; its cuisine perfectly mixes French and Belgian traditions, with courses where the attention to the highest quality ingredients is capillary. Also worth mentioning is Bon-Bon, another 2-Michelin-starred restaurant that offers diners traditional Belgian dishes in a modern but very elegant setting. Also deserving of mention is Le Rebassier, a starred restaurant specializing in truffle dishes, present from appetizers to desserts in all its flavor connotations.
Climate and best time to visit Brussels
The climate that prevails in Brussels is sub-oceanic but very humid, with fairly cool summers and cold but not too harsh winters. The spring period is characterized by very pronounced weather instability: temperatures are not always so mild, while days alternate from sunny to rainy. However, it is the season where to discover even more of the city's green spaces that come alive with the awakening of nature, as well as a number of outdoor events held in the heart of the city. The summer in Brussels is very pleasant, although cloudy and rainy days are never lacking; average temperatures are around 30°C, all in all a very pleasant climate that allows for the organization of numerous events and festivals, as well as the usual bike rides that residents love to take. From mid-September onward, the weather cools down quite a bit: we go from mild days to the very first frosts at night, with temperatures dropping to about 15°C during daylight hours and in the evening hours may reach as low as 10°C. Rainfall returns to heavy, with sudden and quite intense showers. Winter is very cold in Brussels, with temperatures that can drop below freezing in December, January and February; snowfalls can happen, but they remain contained. Despite the weather, the classic Christmas atmosphere tinges the city with magic characterized by the lights of the markets and the opportunity to visit museums or ice skate on the Grand Place. That said, the best time to charter a private jet to Brussels is definitely spring or summer, which are perfect seasons because of the climate and the not-quite-asphyxiating tourist influx.
How and why to fly private to Brussels
Brussels International Airport (ICAO code EBBR) is now the most important hub in Belgium, as well as one of the largest in Europe given its strategic location; however, its history is rooted in the turn of the century, when it was used only as a landing field for airships. During the Post-World War II period, renovations, expansions, and improvements to the present facilities have made the airport incredibly modern and suitable to accommodate more than 20 million passengers who use it as a hub to many other locations in the surrounding area. In addition, Members of Parliament who regularly travel to the city's European Quarter often and willingly charter a private jet to get to Brussels quickly.For this reason, the terminal dedicated to general aviation offers them a large number of exclusive amenities of great depth, starting with the various VIP lounges, such as The Suite or The Loft, which offer free WiFi, showers, TVs, rest areas, dining options, stores, and a wide selection of international magazines. Not only that, the Regus Skyport Meeting Center inside the airport offers modern, fully equipped conference rooms that can accommodate up to 80 people. Fast lanes and reserved check-in desks enable passengers on private flights to carry out airport procedures in complete privacy and speed. The distance of about 15 km between the airport and the city center can be covered by cab, rental car with driver or by booking a limousine service synchronized with your schedule to get to the city in the shortest possible time.
How much does it cost to fly private to Brussels
Businessmen and businesswomen traveling to Brussels on business often depart from Paris, which is about 1 hour and 15 minutes away by air; you can rent a Light Jet for about €6,000, a Medium Jet for €14,000, and a Large Jet for €18,000. The flight is a bit longer if you depart from Palma de Mallorca: its duration settles at about 2 hours and 20 minutes, while the rental prices of the 3 categories of jets mentioned above rise to about 12,000€, 21,000€ and 30,000€ respectively. A very similar distance separates Brussels from Rome Ciampino: in fact, the Eternal City is about a 2-hour flight away, costing €12,000 for a Light Jet, €22,000 for a Medium Jet, and €31,000 with a Large Jet.
The best jet for flying to Brussels
The Pilatus PC-24 is a very high-performance light jet for making short-haul flights: it, in fact, offers 6 seats in its interior cabin, a cruising speed of about 750 km/h, and a range of no more than 2,000 km. However, the comfort that its seats offer makes travel comfortable whatever the route to be covered. The Cessna Citation VII, on the other hand, is a Medium Jet that expands the number of seats to 8, guaranteeing a range of 3500 km and an average speed of 800 km/h; not only that, such an aircraft provides reclining sofas, tables and seats thus offering very high levels of comfort.
Among the Large Jets, it is worth mentioning the Falcon 7X, which consists of as many as 13 seats and sensational parameters: the top speed is close to 900 km/h and the kilometers that can be traveled on a single fuel tank exceed 7500, allowing passengers to make great crossings while enjoying the highest standards of comfort!
The most frequent flights to and from Brussels
Below of the most frequent links to Brussels:
