When you tell people about Brussels, you will get reactions such as "where exactly is it? How do you get there? Why did you go there?"

It is one of those cities that many people have vaguely heard of or read in the newspapers, on the radio or even in recipes - without being able to distil a proper feeling about it.

Well, to all those people, here are the answers: Brussels is the capital of Belgium, a tiny but proud nation surrounded by France, the Netherlands, Germany and Luxembourg.

MAZE OF FOOD: The Rue des Bouchers is an inviting web of restaurants, lobsters and impatient waiters. Take your time though. It's your money.

The best way to get there is to make a detour when visiting the bigger destinations in Europe. Yes, not too many people actually walk into their travel agent's office and ask for tickets exclusively to this place.

Once there, you can choose from topless double-decker buses or horse carriages. Either way, you'll have the benefit of a tourist guide telling you all you want to know about this city's ancient patchwork of memories and adventures.

Compared to many other major cities, Brussels is rather small, with a population of less than a million. But that does not mean it is any less vibrant.

Founded around AD979, it was located on an important trade route between Bruges and Ghent. It flourished and grew at an amazing speed, forcing the city to expand and relocate its city walls frequently.

However, in 1830, the Belgian revolution took place and Leopold I ascended the throne a year after to become the first king of Belgium.

Under his reign, Brussels underwent drastic changes and urban renewal gave the city its current character. Built in a frenzy, constantly changing, it may look a little serious on the surface, but it is not.

After all, this is the place where the whole world catches a glimpse of a tiny boy peeing. Yes, that famous statue of Manneken Pis which functions as the national mascot.

Brussels is officially bilingual because it is located on the "section" that divides Belgium into Flemish and French halves. However, the majority of its people speak French although street names are indicated in both languages.

Thanks to the interaction of two languages, a very charming Flemish dialect can still be heard when restaurant owners and people at the market yell out to each other from across the street. It sounds like the best of both worlds, with cute pronunciations.

Being such a vibrant city, Brussels also became the cradle of many artists and aesthetic landmarks, from the organic Art Nouveau architecture and its protagonist Victor Horta to the artists Marcel Broodthaers and Rene Magritte to even cartoon characters such as Tintin and the Smurfs, to name a few.

This, as you see, is a city for daydreamers.

HORSE PLAY: You pay just 1 euro ($2) for a ride back in time on this typical old-school carousel.

As for the rest of its inhabitants, you get a colourful variety. Although the majority are Belgians, there are a number of immigrants - Moroccans, Turkish, Africans - on the streets and this prevents society from becoming boring.

However, it is the Belgian mindset that filters through this city: Try to take it easy, don't be too serious.

In fact, a good heart and a good appetite seem to be the two main features required to become a real Bruxellois.

Anyone can become your buddy on a chilly winter night, either in crammed dark pubs hidden from curious eyes in a maze of cobbled streets, or at a stall with glowing charcoal baskets selling coffee with shots of liquor.

The typical old cafes where the elderly discuss minor problems over amber-coloured beers are everywhere, but you have to look for them.

Pop in for a drink and join the grandpas' useless but amusing debates and learn amazing life lessons in the process. The amusing person (half-drunk on beer, half-drunk on life) at the end of the bar could end up becoming your buddy, boss, spouse or lawyer.

Wherever you go in this city, always adopt the attitude of an explorer. Be excited, anxious, maybe a little bit scared, but never back off from checking out something new. As for that last question about Brussels - why do people go there? - there is no doubt you'll get the answer when you finally pack your bags to leave the city. People go to Brussels for the experience.

It's not a city you merely look at, admire, take a few photographs of and move on to the next spot in your itinerary.

This is a city that welcomes you with both arms and makes you part of it.