Bruges and Brussels

And there we have it, my number one trip of 2017 has to be a winter weekend in Bruges and Brussels.  (If you missed it, here are trips 2 and 3).  It’s a really tough call to make because I’ve been to some incredible places this year, but the tipping point for me was managing to squeeze in two fabulous places in to the one visit. Our Air BnB (a stunning penthouse by the way – sadly no longer listed on AirBnB) was in Brussels.  It was very close to the city centre and also a stones throw away from quite possibly THE best burger bar I have ever been to.  This isn’t even an exaggeration – Buns’ Restaurant was freakin’ insane.  So much so that we ate there on two out of the three days :-).

Our first night was actually somewhat surprising.  After devouring burgers we went for a mooch around and found a handful of bars, all of which seemed quite quiet. As we walked back towards our apartment we noticed there was actually a bar almost directly underneath it which seemed to be combining a pool tournament and Spanish dancing. We figured it was worth a look.  A very cheap €25 euro bill, an impromptu DJ set, a hell of a lot of dancing and around 6 hours later we rolled back upstairs at the ungodly hour of 5am.  I haven’t had a night like that since I was at university. It was unintentional but epic!

So our train ride over to Bruges (simple, quick and relatively cheap by the way) started a little later than planned on the Saturday morning but we arrived by lunch time and immediately sought some sustenance to revive us. We settled on Belgian Pizza (and coffee, strong coffee) and again we weren’t disappointed.  It was just what we needed to set us up for an afternoon of sightseeing in what I can only describe as the most perfect little toy town ever.  Bruges is basically Instagram heaven, as I’m guessing you will already know if you follow my Instagram (and if you don’t – why not?) I think I walked around the entire time with my mouth wide open. It was just so, so pretty, possibly even more so than usual due to being decked out for Christmas. We paid a visit to the infamous chocolate shop – Mary.  Mary was the first ever female chocolatier in Belgium and boy did she set the benchmark.  As soon as you walk in the smell just hits you, and then it’s impossible to know where to start as your eyes take in all of those handmade little lovelies. I can absolutely recommend the coconut truffle, in fact, if it had asked, I would’ve married it!

After waffles, liqueur coffees, accidentally stumbling across the Grand Place and enjoying beer flights (yes we pretty much just ate and drank the entire time) we decided to head back for an “early night” of  more Belgian Beer and Burgers in the apartment.  Sleep came fairly quickly and we were determined to get as much time as possible out of our last day in Brussels.

Brussels really is just as lovely as Bruges, different, but still lovely.  It felt busier but slightly less touristy to me, like people actually live and work there if that makes sense.  It was bitterly cold so my camera only came out very briefly but the Grote Markt was kind of like the gold version of the Emerald City.   It was literally dazzling and we were lucky enough to be there just as they were erecting the enormous Christmas Tree in the square. So as not to abandon the main theme of the trip we enjoyed hot, sweet waffles with Biscoff spread (YAAAAS!!!) and then later on, the very traditional fries and mayo in two giant sandwiches, one containing chicken and the other hamburger.  I’ve perhaps never been so full in my entire life. But I still had room for a champagne and an espresso martini in the very gorgeous (and hospitable) Red Rabbit in Kilt whilst waiting for our train back to the airport.

I appreciate that the weekend sounds fairly indulgent….. it was and I loved every minute of it.  I would absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt go back to both Brussels and Bruges but I am also curious to explore more of Belgium. The people we met were all incredibly friendly and welcoming.  I felt at home there instantly. I think it’s a little bit of a gem that doesn’t get quite enough attention or recognition, but Belgium….. I love you and you’re my number one trip baby!!! See you again very soon!!

 

I hope you’ve enjoyed my little summary of travels. From now on all of my posts will be in chronological order, so be sure to subscribe so you can keep up 🙂

Beth Anne xoxo