Birthday gift trip - city chosen sounds dangerous!

[Lyrixs21]

It was my birthday yesterday, and my partner booked a surprise trip for the two of us plus our 3 year old to go to Brussels on the Eurostar for two nights next weekend (4th July).

Neither of us have been to Brussels before, or indeed Belgium, so I excitedly started to do some research last night once he told me what the surprise was. As I delved into searches about Brussels, once thing kept coming up - how unsafe it is! I didn't go looking for information on safety, but it just seems to be a constant feature of discussions on the city. It's not a city I know anything about (bar always thinking it sounds a bit boring) but my main takeaways from my extensive research last night is that it is unsafe (shootings, drugs, petty crime) has a level 3 terrorist threat currently ('Serious') and is just generally dirty, unsavoury, and boring.

I now don't want to go after reading all that, and particularly don't want to bring my three year old and put her in any danger. I'm a little surprised my partner booked it in one sense, as it's very hard to find anything positive online about it!

Do I:

• Tell him what I've read online and how I feel and that I'd prefer not to go? This seems a little rude given he has spent time and money researching things and booking it for my birthday, and I know I'll end up feeling bad.

• Or, do I go, put up with it, but potentially not enjoy it because I'm worrying about safety and feel anxious and on edge? Based on what I'm reading I'm really not keen. I have found since we've had our daughter I am more concerned about safety generally but I expect that's normal?!

He did mention he looked at Amsterdam but that the hotels were crazy expensive another option for me might be to offer to pay for the hotel in Amsterdam and we change the Eurostar to go there? That way, we are still going and still going to experience the Eurostar and have the weekend away, but without me fretting and not really wanting to be there!

Any thoughts welcome.

Brussels is not dangerous! I've been several times on my own and live to tell the tale. All big cities have problem areas, but you are hardly likely to come across them as a tourist. I do find Brussels very big and easy to get lost in. For a short trip, I'd get the train from Brussels to Ghent or Bruges, picture postcard cities, and very compact.

What the hell are you on about?! Go and enjoy your trip. Visit Bruges as well.

Same! This post is unreal.

Brussels is absolutely fine and no worse that most cities here. There are also beautiful places to visit nearby eg Bruges. Have a lovely time.

Ah yes, the mean streets of… Brussels? 🤺

Jokes aside, you can go to the Hergé Museum!!

There's been a 'substantial' threat in the UK for terrorism for years, I don't think going to Belgium would make it any more dangerous tbh.

DP went last year and had a fantastic time. Where is your hotel? They were staying on the outskirts in a slightly less nice area but he never felt unsafe

Brussels is absolutely fine. Was there at Easter for a 3 day break as a family. didn't feel at all unsafe. Lots of families on holiday.

Lots to visit - Atomium, Grand Place, European Parliament, Magritte Museum (if you're into Art), there is a huge big wheel for the panoramic sights, Chocolate Museum, Mannequin Pis. We travelled on the trams with no problems and walked around a lot, again with no problems. The waffle shops are a kids dream, choc shop everywhere, good beer bars (Mannequin Pis Cafe, Delirium Bar), lots of restaurants for all budgets. Lots of shopping similar to any city.

I haven't RTFT but if you can change your hotel, go on to Ghent instead of staying in Brussels (though I'm sure Brussels would be lovely too). It's still an easy journey - we got off Eurostar and were on the Ghent-bound train from the same station within 10 mins - and it's a gorgeous city that's perfect for a birthday break.

Worth the danger for the chocolate, and beer.

You will be alright, enjoy your trip!

My DSis did her Erasmus year there, and we are quite provincial. She never mentioned any safety concerns, and I thought it was nice when I visited.

I have visited and it felt safe. I think it would be better than Amsterdam with a 3 year old- I am sure there are lots of family friendly places in both but with Amsterdam you would have to avoid a lot of the main tourist areas due to all the stag/ hen does/ sex and weed tourism.
The chips and waffles are amazing in Brussels!

My ds went to Brussels then Ghent. He much preferred Ghent.

I haven't been to either but would choose Ghent.

I've never heard of anyone visiting Brussels and getting into any bother @Lyrixs21 .

it's the same as people refusing to set foot in London because of how dangerous it sounds.

The UK currently has a level 3 "substantial" terrorist warning anyway
People are terrified of knife/ machete attacks and so on.

It's true they do happen, but London is huge. I've never come across anything like that, just stick to zone 1 and tourist places, don't go to the hood. Londoners don't feel any more unsafe than anywhere else.

If you investigated just about any capital city in Europe to that extent you'd come up with the same sort of stuff. Amsterdam is no better.

The shootings and stabbings are mainly related to gang warfare and drugs. You are not a target of this.

With a three year old you aren't likely to be out late at night anyway when more trouble might occur.

If you're still bothered by it I'd do as several others have suggested and go to Ghent on the train instead and stay there.

Oh OP is this a wind up? Brussels?! Granted it’s been a while since I last went but it’s the last place I expected when I opened the thread.

I’m quite fond of Brussels. Would love to go back for a few days of waffles and beers with far too much head.

I’d say it’s no different to London but seeing as there was a thread recently about someone’s husband wanting them to take pepper spray with them on a trip there, that might not actually be very helpful!

Wind up I think

Would you to Leeds? Birmingham? London? Because the UK terrorist threat is currently on "substantial", crime rates aren't great and there are areas of all of these cities that don't look too great.

I haven't read all the posts, but I LIVE in Brussels. It's perfectly fine! In the stations you just need to be a bit vigilant but in tourist areas it's probably safer than London.

Brussels is great. I wiukd day trip from there if you have time. Personally wouldn't bother with going all the way to bruges though it is pretty. I have not been but plan to go one day to Antwerp mechelen and ghent.

Definitely go to the magritte museum. The atomium is in a nice park and good to see.

Eat at nordsee fish restaurant

Food and drink generally good in the city.

Nice to wander around.

I'd have thought Amsterdam was less safe (I've been to both) and can't believe you think taking 5yo to dope smoking prostitution capital better. Don't get me wrong I love Amsterdam but my dc were a bit older and I had to distract then with pokemon go to stop them looking at novelty condom shops and sex toy shops!!!

Antwerp hasa really nice park for your 5yo. I remember looking it up as a good kid friendly break.

Brussels is fine. I’m not a huge fan as I find it a bit dull, but it does have some amazing restaurants. As others have suggested, you might enjoy a day trip or two to other places.

@Lyrixs21 brussels is an amazing city and safe.
be aware of pickpockets but thats true everywhere including england you know

Happy to give you some top tips of things to visit / places to eat etc. Where is your hotel?

How do you think all the people who live there cope if its so hellish?

It's fine. Just the usual common sense with bags close on your body.

Definitely do a day trip to Ghent or Bruges though, preferably after you've seen Brussels.