Brussels

The center of Brussels by night is enchanting. It looks and feels different than Germany in subtle ways. People beep at you more and drive a little crazier. Things are a bit less organized and tidy. The buildings are more ornate, and the cobblestones are loose and don't have fancy patterns. The beer and chocolate are fantastic. However, the only hint of the serious bike racing madness in this little country, was a picture from the Tour of Flanders in this travel office dedicated to Flanders. I think that's Belgian champion Tom Boonen hammering up one of the many outrageously steep cobbled climbs of that most famous one day bike race. Gotta come back for that one spring soon!