Brussels

Brussels needs 2 days: the historic center and the Grand Place (UNESCO World Heritage) on one, the Atomium next to Mini-Europe park on the other. April-June brings mild weather ahead of the frequent rain the rest of the year. Prices sit in the mid-range for Western Europe, cheaper than Paris or Amsterdam for lodging and food. It's the de facto seat of the European Union and NATO, and its mix of Art Nouveau architecture, comic-strip murals scattered across the city, and over 1,500 beer varieties make it unique among European capitals.