Go national in Brussels

Holidaymakers wanting to see Brussels at its best should fly to the city this summer and see its National Day celebrations on July 21st.

The city commemorates the election of Leopold I as the first king of the new Belgian state in 1831 through a series of street festivals, live performances, markets, fireworks displays and special cultural attractions, making it an ideal time to visit for travellers from other countries.

Visitors to Brussels will be able to mingle with locals and travellers alike as parades and street performers offer a range of entertainment for all the family.

They will also be able to take advantage of free entry to attractions such as the Royal Palace, Belgian Parliament and the Royal Museums of Art and History, reports Whatsonwhen, finishing off with a huge fireworks event on the Place des Palais.

Travellers who intend to stick around after the festival should check out the city's Marche du Midi food market on Sundays, drive-in movies at the Esplanade du Cinquantenaire and the annual Galaxi Crazy Parc children's festival during the same month.

• British Airways boss underlines Heathrow Airport importance
• Emirates completes move to new terminal in Dubai
• New US airport runways welcomed
• New campaign invites holidaymakers to Paris
• Tokyo 'the world's culinary capital'
• Observation wheel to open in Melbourne
• Visitors offered Christmas bonuses in Brussels
• Stansted Airport eco-certification extended to 2011
• United Airlines to resume flights from London to Denver
• Travellers invited to Australia's cinematic destinations