21 Stunning Photos of Brussels, Which Donald Trump Just Called a 'Hellhole'

By Amy Schellenbaum

January 29, 2016

BRUSSELS,BELGIUM- JULY, 16 2014: Brussels city life at lunch time. Square Place Jourdan at Etterbeek near European Commission and EU-district in Brussels. Typical daily lunch time scene in Brussels. At this places are several restaurants and bars.

Credit: BOMBAERT Patrick

Donald Trump has made it clear that he is not impressed by contemporary Europe, having bemoaned the continent's immigration policies, its health care systems, and its relatively liberal political ideologies. This week, the GOP presidential candidate even went so far as to call one beloved European metropolis "a hellhole."

“You go to Brussels. I was in Brussels a long time ago—20 years ago—so beautiful, everything’s so beautiful,” he said on Fox News on Tuesday. “It’s like living in a hellhole right now.”

Where exactly is this unofficial entrance to the fiery pits of the underworld? Somewhere within the city's incredible art scene, perhaps? At the doors of its notably affordable luxury hotels? Heaven forbid, at the city's world-class Christmas market?!

Brussels denizens have taken to Twitter to brush off the comments:

For its part, the office of Brussels Mayor Yvan Mayeur responded to a Times request for comment thusly: "We don't react to Mr. Trump's comments. Have a nice day."

Amy Schellenbaum is the digital editor at Travel + Leisure. Follow her on Twitter at @acsbaum.

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