Exchange Zones

The Home
Brussels is the ultimate European city. As the headquarters to the EU (European Union) and NATO it is often referred to as The Capital of Europe. It is an international metropolis – a mosaic of languages, cultures, and traditions. Aside from the splendid and varied architectural styles of the city, Brussels also hosts over 80 museums, numerous tourist attractions, a vibrant nightlife, and more restaurants than you could count.

The starting point for any visit to Brussels is the Grand Place which was built as a merchant’s market in the 13th century. It serves as the center of the city and hosts numerous concerts and festivals including the Ommegang pageant held every July.

Shopping in the distinctive fashion boutiques, lingering over a delicious lunch in a bistro or a top restaurant, people watching from a street cafe, or picking up a unique antique on the Sablon - Brussels is a city you can call your own.

For more information on what to see please check out http://www.visitbelgium.com


HOME TYPE: Single Family


The Neighborhood
Brussels Landmarks: Grand Place-Grote Markt. Surrounded by the city tower and a range of beautiful 300 year old buildings. At night, awesome. Some evenings a music and light show is provided with the buildings serving as a canvas. Have a "Gauffre Liègoise-Luikse wafel" here (Belgian waffle with caramelized sugar)—the best ones are available from the little shops off the northeast corner of the Grand Place-Grote Markt.

Manneken Pis, - just a short walk from the Grand Place-Grote Markt is the Manneken Pis, a small bronze statue thought to represent the "irreverent spirit" of Brussels. This statue of a child performing one of Nature's most basic functions is believed to have been inspired either by a child who, while in a tree, found a special way to drive away invading troops, OR to commemorate a child who found a unique method putting out a fire, that threathened the city. Belgians have created hundred of outfits for this statue, each with a hole strategically placed to allow the water flow to continue.

Parc du Cinquantenaire-Jubelpark. Definitely check out the Arc de Triomphe-Triomfboog on the east side of town. It's in the Parc du Cinquantenaire-Jubelpark. It is possible to go up to the terrasse above the arch, from where you'll have a good view of the city (free entrance). Take Metro line 1 east, exit Schumann and walk east or exit Mérode and walk west.

Brave the tourist-trap restaurant gauntlet of the Rue des Bouchers-Beenhouwersstraat.

Tervuren landmarks: The Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA) is a Tervuren museum which is mainly about the former Belgian colony Congo. It was first built to show off King Léopold II's Congo Free State for the World Exhibition of 1897. See http://www.tervuren.be (dutch only)

ATTRACTIONS:
Restaurants Shopping Galleries/Museums Theaters Health Club
Forests Lakes Biking Hiking Boating



Other Information



AMENITIES:
Computer Garden Internet Access Washer/Dryer Fireplace
Security System Patio/Outdoor Dining TV/Cable Stereo/HiFi

CONDITIONS:
Seniors OK No Smoking Child OK Auto Possible


The Dates
We are looking to do a house exchange from 5 December 2010 to 2 January 2011

The Destination
We would like to be in the Strand / Somerset-West / Stellenbosch area

The People
Stefan is an Electronics Engineer in his early 40s, employed by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). Loraine is a Psycholgist, looking after our 3 kids aged 8, 5 and 2.