NOW easier to reach than ever thanks to the faster Eurostar, Brussels is the perfect choice for an indulgent weekend away. Annabelle Thorpe starts her Christmas shopping fuelled by regular visits to the city's many chocolate shops...

THE problem with city breaks is that they tend to involve cities. The food, the museums, the architecture, the people - all wonderful - the problem is time. How can you possibly hope to get a feel for Rome, Paris or Berlin in a couple of days?