– English Lyrics

Lyrics & Translation

[English]

Impressive squares,

magnificent churches,

urban vibes and comics too.

Belgium's capital Brussels has all that and more.

On social media, the city looks exciting and multifaceted.

But is that the case in real life?

Brussels is known for its landmarks

as well as its culinary specialties.

It attracts millions of tourists every year.

Let's check out some of the most popular spots to see if they live

up to their reputation.

Reality check No. 1: the Grand-Place —

the heart of the historic old town.

The square has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998.

What is really special about the Grand-Place

is of course the city hall, which is this

magnificent 15th century building right in front of us.

But what is also very special about the Grand-Place

are all the houses around it,

which are the former guild houses.

They show a lot about the economic history of Brussels

and the economic importance of this square.

Each guild house represents a trade or craft —

like the brewer's house.

Many of these buildings date back to the 17th century.

If you want to find out more about the history

of the Grand-Place and Brussels,

you can visit the Brussels City Museum

in La Maison du Roi.

For a bird's eye view of the Grand-Place,

you can go up to the balcony of the City Hall —

or go even higher to the tower.

From there, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city.

You can access these areas on weekends with a guided tour.

The City Hall is also open to visitors on selected days.

For opening hours, it's best to check the city's website.

A visit to these indoor attractions is a great way to avoid the rain.

But despite the bad weather, Grand-Place still has plenty of visitors.

Historical.

It's so nice.

The weather is not so good, but we enjoy it.

We tried the French fries and

the famous waffles.

The waffles are amazing.

There are numerous places around the Grand-Place

where you can sample this Belgian specialty.

But keep in mind that not all Belgian waffles are the same.

Antoine Akayyan offers a wide selection of waffles.

This is the Brussels version.

So what's our conclusion?

As with any vacation, you need a bit of luck with the weather.

But despite the drizzle,

the Grand-Place is still popular with visitors.

And you can always find other ways to explore the area —

perhaps by eating waffles!

Reality Check 2: The Royal Galleries of Saint Hubert.

Since 1850, citizens of Brussels have been strolling

through these Renaissance-style galleries.

These days you'll find luxury stores, cafés and chocolatiers

in the three arcades.

They're a hit with tourists.

It's very nice.

This is my first time to come here.

I like the structure of the building.

It's wonderful just to kind of look at this,

and to have so many options around here as well.

Our conclusion?

The galleries are definitely worth a visit.

But for the best photos, get there very early

or visit in the off-season.

Reality Check 3: The Atomium.

What would Brussels be without the Atonium?

Built in 1958, it was set to be demolished after the World's Fair,

but it stayed and now sees over 800,000 visitors per year.

The silver spheres really make an impression,

both in real life and in pictures.

Inside you'll find a permanent exhibition with all you need to know

about the structure's history.

There are also rotating exhibitions,

installations

and of course,

a great view.

So what's the verdict?

The Atomium, which is located just outside the historic city center,

should not be missed.

With so much to see and do in Brussels, we think the city

definitely lives up to its image on social media, even in the rain.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
Brussels /ˈbrʌsəlz/ B2	noun - the capital city of Belgium
Grand‑Place /ɡrænd ˈpleɪs/ B2	noun - the central square of Brussels, a UNESCO World Heritage site
UNESCO /ˌjuːˌɛnˈeɪskoʊ/ C1	noun - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
heritage /ˈhɛrɪtɪdʒ/ C1	noun - valued objects and qualities passed down from previous generations
historic /hɪˈstɒrɪk/ B2	adjective - important in history; famous for past events
architecture /ˈɑːrkɪtɛktʃər/ C1	noun - the art and science of designing and constructing buildings
museum /mjuˈziːəm/ A2	noun - building where objects of historical, scientific, artistic or cultural interest are stored and exhibited
gallery /ˈɡæləri/ B1	noun - a room or building where works of art, photographs or other items are displayed
Renaissance /rɪˈneɪsɒns/ C1	noun - the European period from the 14th to the 17th centuries marked by cultural rebirth
specialty /ˈspɛʃəlti/ B2	noun - a particular area of expertise or a product for which a region is known
tourist /ˈtʊrɪst/ A2	noun - a person who travels for pleasure or sightseeing
landmark /ˈlændˌmɑːrk/ B1	noun - an easily recognized object or feature that serves as a guide
panoramic /ˌpænəˈræmɪk/ C1	adjective - providing an unbroken and wide view of an area
balcony /ˈbælkəni/ B1	noun - a platform projecting from the wall of a building and enclosed by a railing
tower /ˈtaʊər/ A2	noun - a tall, narrow building or structure
guild /ɡɪld/ C1	noun - association of craftsmen or merchants that regulated a trade in historic times
craft /kræft/ B2	noun - skill in making objects by hand verb - to make or produce something with skill, especially by hand
brew /bruː/ B1	verb - to make (beer, tea, coffee, etc.) by soaking, boiling and fermenting
exhibition /ˌɛksɪˈbɪʃən/ B2	noun - a public display of works of art, artifacts or other items
luxury /ˈlʌkʃəri/ C1	noun - state of great comfort or extravagance, especially involving great expense adjective - characterized by elegance, richness and high quality