Brussels: Art, Beer and Lots of Waffles!

The story · 6 days

Because of my university exams and my adventure companions' work commitments, the only period when we could manage a trip was around Ferragosto, so, looking at the Ryanair website, we chose the cheapest flight: Brussels. Departure from Bergamo on 11 August (7.50 am) and return on the 16th (6 pm) for €68 (without a suitcase, we fitted everything into the hand luggage). We stayed at the Atlas Hotel, a 5-minute walk from the Grand Place and anyway very close to a metro stop (Ste Catherine). The hotel was nice and provided an abundant breakfast. The price was very good: two double rooms, €375 each.

We almost always got around on foot because the city is small; by the way, I can confirm what you read in other travel diaries and on many websites, namely that Brussels can easily be seen in a couple of days; however, for anyone like us who wanted a longer stay, the city has a lot to offer (there are numerous museums) and you certainly wouldn't get bored. As for the climate, we found it similar to the English one: in the blink of an eye a sunny day could turn rainy; only one day, though, did we get heavy rain, mostly it was short and light showers. The temperature, on the other hand, was fantastic: by day you could comfortably walk around in a short-sleeved T-shirt, while in the evening it was cool and a sweatshirt was needed.

In conclusion I must admit that I really liked Brussels: it is a clean city that you can walk around without any problems, with several museums and truly beautiful Art Nouveau buildings. It is definitely worth a visit!!

Day 111 Aug 2011

The arrival

Living in Mantua, we got up very early to reach Bergamo 2 hours before the flight departure (7:50). After landing at Charleroi we looked for the bus to reach Brussels. To tell the truth, it didn't take us long, the airport is small; the wait to buy the ticket was much longer! Automatic ticket machines only for credit card holders (alas, we didn't have one) and therefore an hour-long queue at the "classic" ticket offices. Once we got the ticket (11 euros round trip) we got on the bus, heading to Brussels-Gare du Midi (reached in about 40 min) and then off we went quickly to the hotel for check-in. After taking possession of the rooms and having lunch at the nearby McDonald's, we explored the city center: Grand Place, Manneken Pis, Galeries Royales, the Royal Palace (from the outside) and the adjoining park, and finally a visit to the Cathedral of St. Michael and St.

Gudula (go in, it's truly very beautiful). We ended the day with a pizza eaten near the hotel and a quick stroll in the center, to savor Brussels "by night"

Day 212 Aug 2011

Brussels Art Nouveau

We decided to spend the morning searching for Art Nouveau-style houses; we therefore headed to the St-Gilles and Ixelles neighborhoods, where we knew there were many. The Maison Victor Horta is truly beautiful (especially the interior) and if you like the style you can't miss Maison Ciamberlani. Packed lunch and then, due to very heavy rain, we holed up in a bar, trying the renowned local beers. Since it had almost stopped raining, we set off again, reached the Palace of Justice (which we couldn't fully appreciate as it was entirely covered in scaffolding) and from there we reached the nearby church of Notre Dame de la Chapelle.

Here I insisted on going in (in any case, entrance to churches in Brussels is free everywhere) because inside is the tomb of the Flemish painter Pieter Bruegel, and as a cultural heritage student that I am, I couldn't miss it! After dinner we walked around the city a bit to see some illuminated monuments and, to worthily conclude the day, we went to the "Delirium café," a pub with a varied selection of beers. I highly recommend trying it!

Day 313 Aug 2011

Bruges

Since the weather forecast predicted bright sunshine (naturally getting it wrong, it rained for most of the day) we decided to leave Brussels and head to Bruges. After a long queue at the ticket office we finally manage to take the train (unfortunately I don't remember the ticket price). The journey is fast and before lunchtime we reach this magnificent city. I'll tell you just one thing: visit it. Truly beautiful, it feels like going back in time and strolling through a medieval city. It's worth getting lost in its narrow streets and admiring the incredible views it offers, even on a gloomy day like the one we encountered! We visited the church of Notre Dame (with a sculpture by Michelangelo!), the Markt with the imposing Belfort and the cathedral.

The Basilica of the Holy Blood, where a relic said to be the Blood of Jesus Christ is kept, we couldn't skip, since we too in Mantua have the same relic! We also found time to enjoy an enormous portion of French fries (in Bruges they boast of making them very good...I can only confirm!). Back in Brussels, after dinner we decided to buy a waffle (a typical local sweet) covered with hot chocolate and whipped cream and enjoy it sitting on the cobblestones of the Grand Place, admiring once again the Town Hall and its splendid lighting.

Day 414 Aug 2011

The search for murals

Sunday: we devote the morning to searching for some murals (chosen beforehand, because there are so many) while in the afternoon we visit the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, with paintings dating from 1200 up to the last century. Certainly a nice collection, where alongside famous masterpieces, paintings by artists native to the region abound. Given the insistence of a friend of mine, we decide to have dinner at "la Mort subite," a café-restaurant that he says has good reviews in many guidebooks. Unfortunately we were not satisfied: rather high prices and not excellent food (an example: a croque monsieur, which was actually a toast because the grated cheese on top was missing, 8 euros)

Day 515 Aug 2011

Ferragosto

In the morning we go to the Atomium. After taking many photos, seeing the Heysel stadium and strolling through the beautiful Parc de Laeken, in the afternoon we return to the center and head first toward the Parc du Cinquantenaire and the nearby Maison Cauchie (also an Art Nouveau-style dwelling) and then reach the European Parliament area. The parliament area is completely different from the previous ones; in fact, buildings and structures of iron and glass abound, but no less beautiful than other neighborhoods for that.

Day 616 Aug 2011

At the beer hall!

Unfortunately the last day has arrived. We decide to go visit the "brewery Cantillon"; through a series of rooms we are shown how beer is produced in this craft brewery and then, at the end of the tour, you have the chance to taste the beer produced here: truly a delight. Once outside, we just have time for one last waffle and to buy a whole series of gadgets for our friends who stayed home (and naturally a nice box of chocolates!) before picking up our luggage and heading to the airport.