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VISITING BELGIUM: BRUSSELS

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Brussels, Belgium Grand Place

Brussels, Belgium – Grand Place – Photo Credit: askideas.com

This article originally appeared in Divine Lifestyle in August, 2016.




VISITING BELGIUM BRUSSELS

This was my first trip to Belgium and will definitely not be my last. A must do when arriving in Belgium is walking around Grand Place, the central square of Brussels. Grand Place is encircled by beautiful gilded historic buildings dating as far back as the 12th century. It is one of the most significant landmarks in Belgium and attracts thousands of tourists each year. We were thrilled to be Visiting Belgium Brussels with Visit Flanders.

 

CHOCOLATE

Following a trip to Belgium, President Barack Obama stated “It’s easy to love a country known for chocolate and beer.” I think few would argue with this opinion. Over 172,000 tons of chocolate is produced each year in Belgium and more than 2,000 chocolate shops flourish throughout the country.

DRINKING BELGIAN BEER

Typically, I stick to drinking wine and champagne, but when in Belgium… I discovered that Belgium is a beer-lover’s paradise, with over 1,500 different original beers. Many of the beers here have their own personalized beer glasses in which that beer, and only that beer, is served. The shape of each glass is made to enhance the flavor of the beer for which it is designed. Needless to say, Belgians take their beers very seriously.

 

Brussels, Belgium - Beer

Beer!

THE LITTLE PEE MAN

One of the most popular attractions in Brussels is the Manneken Pis (little pee man in Flemish). The peeing boy is a small (24 inches) bronze fountain statue. It is located near Grand Place. Several legends surround its origin but it was put on display in either 1618 or 1619. Tourists flock to this statue similarly to the popularity of the Mona Lisa at The Louvre. I talked to one tourist and she was on a bike ride through Europe and her only stop in Brussels was to see the Mannequin Pis. She wasn’t even stopping for bite of chocolate or a pint of beer! I couldn’t relate to her situation.

Brussels, Belgium Little Pee Man

Little Pee Man

DOMINICAN HOTEL

Drinks in the bar of the Dominican hotel are a must do when in Brussels. This fabulous hotel is located behind the famous theater and opera house Le Monnaie. Medieval grandeur meets contemporary splendor in a sweeping, high-style homage to Dominican abbeys, Old-World Europe, and artistic invention.

The Dominican Hotel, Brussels, Belgium

The Dominican Hotel, Brussels, Belgium

FOOD IN BRUSSELS

Had a wonderful dinner at Bonsoir Clara. Bonsoir Clara is located in downtown Brussels and offers classic and modern Mediterranean cuisine. I had the very tasty sashimi of salmon marinated gravlax style, kunzumiyuzu and poppyseed vinaigrette for an appetizer and the fillet of sea bass with anchovy and ginger brandade topped with lemongrass and raisins. Great service and delicious food!

Bonsoir Clara - Brussels, Belgium

Bonsoir Clara – Brussels, Belgium

Bonsoir Clara Fillet of sea bass

Bonsoir Clara – Fillet of sea bass w/anchovy and ginger brandade topped with lemongrass and raisins.

Bonsoir Clara Brussels Belgium Sashimi Salmon

Bonsoir Claira – Sashimi of Salmon, marinated gravlax style, kunzumiyuzu and poppyseed vinaigrette.

HOTEL AMIGO

Hotel Amigo, a former prison, became a hotel in 1957 and hosts royals and celebrities. It is the only 5-star hotel in Brussels.

Hotel Amigo - Brussels, Belgium

Hotel Amigo – Brussels, Belgium

What is a trip to Belgium without a tasting a Belgian waffle? In Belgium, an authentic “Belgian Waffle” is served warm and lightly dusted with confectioner’s sugar. In the tourist areas, the street vendors sell them with a variety of toppings varying from whipped cream, fruit, to chocolate spread and caramel sauce.  I tasted the authentic version and it was sooooo good!

Brussels Belgium Waffle

It is considered a crime if you don’t eat a waffle while in Belgium. LOL!

We were hosted by Visit Flanders on this trip to Belgium and not compensated to write this Visiting Belgium Brussels Visit Flanders post. We loved Belgium and really appreciate their hospitality. 

Please see our other post: Visiting Belgium, Antwerp



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VISITING BELGIUM: ANTWERP

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This article originally appeared on Divine Lifestyle.  




VISITING BELGIUM, ANTWERP

After a few days in Brussels, we then headed to Antwerp, Belgium which you may know from the diamonds! Visiting Belgium Antwerp was an amazing experience and let me tell you why.

DIAMONDS!

Diamond cutting – the process that makes diamonds dazzle – dates back to medieval Bruges, where diamond cutting was invented. Bruges grew to be the first great diamond centre and, up until the late 20th century, was home to many diamond-cutting ateliers. But by the end of the 15th century, Antwerp became the main centre for diamond trade. There are over 1,000 diamond cutters in Antwerp today.

Diamonds are predominantly mined in India, Brazil, South Africa, Canada and Australia, but approximately 84% of raw diamonds pass through Antwerp.   The heart of the diamond industry is based in the Diamond District at Central Station in Antwerp.

Only the best quality diamonds obtain the label of Antwerp’s Most Brilliant. Jewelers who have earned this label have had to meet strict quality standards. Antwerp’s reputation as the world’s centre for diamonds is definitely earned.

HILTON ANTWERP

In Antwerp, we stayed at the wonderful Hilton Antwerp Old Town which is on Antwerp’s most famous and historic town square in the heart of Antwerp city center. It is literally within walking distance of all Antwerp’s major attractions. The hotel building formerly housed the Grand Bazar Shopping mall and the original 1864 facade still forms part of the hotel.

DINING IN ANTWERP

When in Antwerp, I highly recommend making a reservation at Brasserie Flo. Chef Pascal de Portemont prepares delicious brasserie cuisine with a temporary twist. I typically do not dine in the hotel restaurant in the hotel I am staying at for dinner (breakfast and/or lunch most definitely). I just like to get out and enjoy the city I am in by walking to a nearby restaurant or the experience of taking a cab and discovering more of the city. However, I am glad I did not pass up on the opportunity to eat at Brasserie Flo.

 

 


bareMinerals

5 FAST FACTS ABOUT BELGIUM:

  • Yes, yes they really do serve mayonnaise with french fries in Belgium.
  • The Smurfs comic franchise was written by Peyo, a Belgian comic artist and writer. The Smurfs franchise began in 1958 as a comic strip in Belgium and expanded into a worldwide TV series, films, dolls and even theme parks.
  • Belgium produces more comic books than any other country in the world.
  • Tomorrowland, one of the biggest electronic music festivals in the world, takes place in Boom, Belgium (a few miles from Antwerp). Over 180,000 people from around the world attended the July 2016 event.
  • The Hilton Antwerp Old Town has the largest hotel ballroom in Belgium – – the historic Belle Epoque Ballroom with 12,260 sq. ft.

 

Planning a trip to Belgium? Visit www.visitflanders.com/en to plan your trip to Visiting Belgium Antwerp. If you are in Belgium, stop by the Visit Flanders office near Grand Place.

We were hosted by Visit Flanders on this trip to Belgium and not compensated to write this Visiting Belgium Antwerp Visit Flanders post. We loved Belgium and really appreciate their hospitality. 

Please visit our article on Puerto Vallarta here.



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