Brussels is considered by most of Europe (except the French) to be the capital of Europe, and for 3 weeks out of the month Brussels is flooded with diplomats, aids, members of parliament, and anyone else you can imagine who would aid in the progress of Europe (the other week they are in Strasbourg, France). This being said, the European Union has just revamped/rebuilt several of their buildings. Most notable is the Parliament building.

Close to the entire outside of the building is glass, where the blue skies of Belgium (when it isn’t raining) add to the charm of the building. In between the mass amounts of glass is marbel and granite as a statement to the grand style of the building.

You do not need to make any reservations to tour the European Parliament building. There are audio-tours that you can take from 10am to 3pm (Monday to Friday). The main focus of this tour is the Hemicycle of the Parliament; Michel Boucquillon designed it. While the tour can be quite dull if there is nothing going on in parliament, it is much more exciting if you can find a debate. Either way, sneak a peek into the large debate rooms. The glass booths that line the walls are where all the translators sit; remember that there is no official language of the EU, and when I was working there were 12 languages being translated. Now there are many more. You may also catch sight of a foreign dignitary while here; people have been known to see Colin Powell, Jacques Chirac, and Tony Blair while taking a tour. Keep your eyes open!

While you may not care about the debate going on, it is kind of interesting to sit in on a session and see how legislation in the European Union is made (at least on the Parliamentary level). I would also suggest having a snack here if you have the time; everything is government subsidized, meaning you can get a cappuccino for .90 euro and a sandwich for 1.5 euro (you won’t find a better deal in Brussels).

There are several shops in the buildings of the parliament, and they offer great deals on EU souvenirs, flags, pins, mugs, and pens are favorites all around. Also, if you are desperate for a newspaper in your own language, this may be one of the best places to find one. There are several places to find maps and info sheets on the EU, so pick up a few--they can help you.

I would suggest getting off at the Schumann metro stop (he is considered the father of the EU, after all) and walking to the Parliament building. It will give you a greater understanding of what Brussels really is: the capital of the EU.

For those who are interested, you can visit the Parliament: http://www.europarl.eu.int/abc/visit/visit_en.htm

Officially opening in 1998, the two main buildings have polished stainless steel and reflective glass exteriors that shimmer in baby blues and grays in the sun but seem to magnify the general paleness of the skies above on bleaker days. These glossy edifices are accented with facings of marble and granite, grandiose styling that has earned the complex the nickname “Whim of the Gods.” The west building, adjacent to the Quartier Leopold train station, has the principal entrance to the complex and the visitors’ information center. This is a good place to pick up some cool free souvenirs like maps of the European Union in the European language of your choice (some stacks are smaller than others), tiny books which list the fundamental rights of all EU citizens, and informative brochures. Take the stairs to the upper level for more brochures (mostly in more obscure languages) and relax in a comfy seat, or look at a few reproductions of Rodin works. While the west building is a somewhat uneven rectangular block with a wavy main elevation, the east building is a more pristine elliptical form. There is a semicircular vault in the middle that pays a vague nod to the glorious Galeries Saint-Hubert.

Individual visitors to the European Parliament do not need advance reservations. You can go on an audio-guided visit into the Hemicycle of the European Parliament on weekdays at 10am and 3pm, with the afternoon visit eliminated on Fridays. Fortunate groups can even see actual debates when the Parliament is in session. The Hemicycle of the elliptical building is the featured element designed by architect Michel Boucquillon. A tour here is not necessarily fun, but it can be an educational experience.

The thoroughly modern buildings are located on grounds that still seem a bit underdeveloped, although the flowering trees in the immediate area and the parade of member nation flags are attractive. The Parc Leopold is down at the foot of the eastern slope of the hill, and these bucolic grounds feature a natural history museum, a small pond and a basketball court.