Let fun sprout in Belgium's capital Brussels

The city's architecture is incredible (Getty Images)

Far from boring, and with stunning medieval architecture and world-class cuisine, apart from the city itself it’s a great base to explore the other delights of Belgium – a country so compact you can reach pretty much anywhere in two hours.

The Grand Place – the main square of the city – has beautiful 17th-Century Renaissance buildings and no less than local resident Victor Hugo called it “the most beautiful square in Europe”.

There’s art nouveau architecture too in the Ixelles district, and all this, of course, comes in total contrast to the 20th Century Quartier Européen, which is packed with skyscrapers and international companies and the organisation’s base, including – of course – the HQ of the European Union.

Belgium is renowned for its art. The great Flemish Masters hang on the walls of palaces and galleries all over the world.

But it’s not just historical, there’s also works of the surrealist René Magritte (think bowler hats) and let’s not forget the art form of the comic strip. Tintin, after all, is Belgian, and the world’s first comic strip museum is in Brussels.

I visited recently on some EU business but decided to don my other hat as a travel writer, stay with some friends and take an extra day or two to further explore the Belgian capital.

As ever, I started my wanderings at the Grand Place.

This generous square is lined with gothic-style buildings, including the town hall and the Maison du Roi. It’s also a great place to sit and enjoy a Belgian beer at one of the many bustling outdoor cafes.

Of course, you can’t really miss the Manneken Pis, the statue of the small boy relieving himself whose fame dates back to the fact that he conveniently did so on a stick of dynamite to save the city back in the 14th Century.

Don’t miss the beautiful park and buildings of Le Cinquantenaire, Parc du Cinquantenaire.

For good value accommodation (and Brussels tends to be at the pricey end of the market because of all the Eurocrats staying there) you should consider the stylish Motel One www.motel-one.com

My colleagues stayed there and raved about the value it offered for good quality. Situated on the picture-perfect Rue Royale in the city centre and a short stroll away from St Michael’s Cathedral and the Grand Place, it delivers quality accommodation from as little as 79 euros a night.

Belgium has been home to many famous comic artists, such as Herge, Tintin’s creator.

Many visit France and Flanders to commemorate the various events associated with the world wars. Brussels makes a great base for doing this and also for visiting the Waterloo battlefield outside the city where various new exhibits were put in place last year for the 200th anniversary.

The recent 100th anniversary of the Battle of Loos in northern France, in which so many Scots fell, highlighted one location well worth visiting for those interested in their WW1 history. There are numerous Commonwealth graveyards, memorials and trails to follow.

A great base to explore this in more detail is Arras, a beautiful medieval town with UNESCO-listed architecture – a real little gem in its own right.

Try the Ibis Arras Centre Les Places Hotel www.ibis.com (rooms cost from £49).

It is ideally located in the heart of the historic centre, a stone’s throw from Arras’ own Grand Place and UNESCO-listed belfry, theatres and shopping streets. The train station is 10 minutes away on foot.

It’s just a short train ride from Brussels Gare Central to reach the battlefield of Waterloo.

It’s haunting because of the ferocity of the battle and the loss of life, and insightful, insofar as it helps you understand how past conflicts have helped shape modern Europe.

You can visit Wellington’s HQ in the town itself, climb the Lion’s Mound, see the historic Panorama and enjoy the new hi-tec exhibitions which makes you feel like you are participating in the battle itself. Alternatively, enjoy a guided tour of the battlefield with one of the experts on hand.

For many, a visit to the farm at Hougoumont, considered the pivotal spot on the battlefield, is the highlight.

You can still see signs of the combat and memorials to the Scots Guards who fought desperately to hold the farm.

There’s so much history in one small country, never overlook Belgium.

The brilliance of Budapest – One of the most beautiful capital cities in the world