The general word around here tends to be: Skip Brussels.

Go to Cologne. There is ONE museum I’d like to visit in Brussels some day, but make no mistake, I will be doing it while I’m on my way to somewhere else Honestly it’s not that it’s a horrible place or anything, it just doesn’t have much in the way of that “old world charm” so many tourists cross the Atlantic hoping to see. Kinda reminds me of a smaller Frankfurt in that regard; mostly new buildings, one tiny little area of preserved/rebuilt older ones, and a few good museums, and LOTS of cooler places (to the tourist) nearby!

I do like Brussels, but not for the reason’s most folks pick a city. Brussels is a vibrant and very diverse big, modern city with a very culturally diverse population and night life. However, IMO the traditional tourist stuff can be seen in 1/2 day although an afternoon/evening combination (to see the squared lighted at night)would be better.

I like brussels as well, how about a night in brussels and one in bruges. Worst case scenario is you’ll be in 2 cities that have some of the best beer in the world with great chocolate.

What kind of cities do you prefer? Between Munich and Paris there is lots of choice!

In any case, Bruges is much more interesting than Brussels. Instead or additional to Cologne, you could visit Duesseldorf as well. Actually I prefer it, but opinions about Duesseldorf vs. Cologne are 50-50.

Actually if Brugge/Bruges is thrown into the equation, I’d rather go there than the other places mentioned.

you could also visit some really great french towns/cities like colmar or strasbourg. Both are beautiful vibrant places (I would pick them over any of the above, apart from maybe Bruges).

That’s true, Strasbourg would be right in the middle and is really easy to get to. I wish I had done more when I’d visited, but I was dead tired and near the end of my trip so I only really made a few rounds of the city in between naps, I’m afraid. But there were quite a few nice sites, if I remember correctly.

Yup, i’m pretty sure they are on the most direct route from munich to paris, which means less trains etc. A train from Strasbourg to Paris is only around 2 and a half hours if i remember right…

Strasbourg is a beautiful old medieval city and would be my choice. Being on the border of France and Germany it has a unique culture and the best of both worlds when it comes to food. Take the boat trip that goes along the canals of the old city.

The European Parliament is worth visiting, and there are good day trips out of Strasbourg, too.

You could probably do a short boat tour down the Rhine from strasbourg