Brussel is saaiste stad van Europa (en)
Brussels, the capital of Europe, is the most boring city on the continent, despite its renown for its waffles, chocolates, and comic books, according to a survey of international travellers published on Wednesday (12 March).
The city just beat out Zurich and Warsaw for the title, who came second and third in the race for the most somniferous town in Europe.
The survey of some 1,400 travellers, conducted by travel firm Trip Advisor, also found London to be simultaneously the most expensive and the town with the best nightlife. Amsterdam and Paris also came tops in the latter category.
Despite its veritable production line of celebrity chefs in recent years, London was not on the list of towns with the best cuisine. Paris topped that line-up, followed by Rome and Florence.
But Paris and Rome also joined London in being among the dearest towns in Europe, while Prague, Budapest and Lisbon were singled out for being the best value for money.
Paris and Rome were also, unsurprisingly, found to be the most romantic of getaway destinations, along with the floating city, Venice.
They may not be romantic, according to the survey respondents, but Zurich, Stockholm and Copenhagen were described as the cleanest, while London, Paris and Rome were derided as the dirtiest.
Dublin has the friendliest, most helpful locals, while Parisians, true to stereotype, were viewed to be the least welcoming.
Some 65% of respondents are planning to travel to Europe in the next year, and though the American dollar may have taken quite a tumble, half the survey respondents from the US still plan to visit Europe in 2008, the same figure as a year ago.
"Americans are still drawn to Europe, despite unfavourable exchange rates and economic concerns," said Michele Perry, a spokesperson for the travel firm.