This year, I went to Belgium with my parents for Christmas. My mom proposed a trip back in July or August and I wanted to check out the Christmas markets in Germany since they are famous for them. Well, mom shot that down wanting to go somewhere new so I suggested Belgium.
We flew out Christmas day (had our family Christmas celebration on Christmas Eve) and flew basically the entire day to Brussels. From Brussels we took an hour long train to Bruges and walked the town.
We flew out Christmas day (had our family Christmas celebration on Christmas Eve) and flew basically the entire day to Brussels. From Brussels we took an hour long train to Bruges and walked the town.
First waffle of the trip
The architecture and design was absolutely stunning
Picture of my parents by the canal
Inside the first of many churches
The next day we woke at around 7 and tried to find breakfast. However, it was as dark as night and no places were open. Apparently people don't stir until about 9am.
One of the cute chocolate shop displays
We climbed the Belfort tower and its 366 steps and took pictures of Bruges from the top of the tower. It's pretty intense to be up in the tower when the bells ring, which they do every 15 minutes.
We also walked through the choco-story chocolate museum where they had cute little displays like this around the museum
Lunch was a giant sausage and some fries from one of the markets
We also toured De Halve Moon brewery (The Half Moon) and got a free beer at the end.
The next day we explored through the Gruuthuse and Groeninge museums
Belgium is known for their intricate lacework and this vintage lace from the early 1500s is pretty impressive
Outside of Gruuthuse which was a private estate for many years before being converted into a number of different types of buildings. Now it's a museum housing artifacts from early life in Bruges
3 of the 5 bottles of beer that I bought on this trip
Popped this guy open. It was from the De Halve Maan brewery
And had a tasty pastry treat
The day after that, we took the train back to Brussels and journeyed through the city a la Rick Steves' walking guides
The main square, Grand Place
Yum
Exhibit of Mannekin pis costumes
Grand Place light show
The next day we did an upper Brussels walking tour
Museum of musical instruments
Walking up the stairs to the Coudenberg Palace and Royal Palace
Coudenberg church and statue near the Royal Palace
Inside the church
Taking a break in the museum of fine arts (Magritte Museum)
And more beer
Another church
Peeing boy
Waffle with chocolate and strawberries
Then I cut my own part of the trip short because I wanted to be at home to start my new job so I left the day after this and took a 6am flight from Brussels to Frankfurt.
I've never seen an airport this empty. Kind of scary
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