Travel Feature: Brussels, Belgium

Since today and until tomorrow we are continuing our Foodie Party on our Facebook page, I thought it is the best time to write another travel piece lest you be bogged down with too many recipes. Although in the food blogging world, there is no such thing as too many recipes....once in a while we do travel features and since I never got the chance to share any photos of Brussels when we were there in June, here's the chance to share a few of them. Hopefully, they will become useful someday when perhaps you decide you wish to visit Belgium. This can be a mini-guide. :-)

Last June 2013, my family went to England to attend my parents-in-laws' 50th Wedding anniversary. Since it was also our 10th wedding anniversary (June 19), Mark and I decided that we should make a quick trip to Paris and my in-laws kindly took care of our two tots for four days while we had our own private and mini-celebration in the city of love. While there, we decided to visit our friends in Brussels, after all, it's only about an hour or so away via Euro Star. It all worked well. My in-laws brought the tots along and we all met in Brussels and had some lovely time together. Here are some photos of this lovely trip.

My 7 year old had an agenda in Brussels. This was on top of his list on his tour of Brussels - a visit to the Tintin Museum (Hergé Museum). Sophie got herself a little Snowy that's why she's all smiles. I didn't join them but hubby said it was quite good and wasn't very expensive either, only about 5 Euros for kids and 9.50 Euros for the adults. So, if you ever find yourself in Brussels and are a big Tintin fan then don't forget to stop by here.

Here's another photo of the tots with Daddy (and Tintin!).

Of course, when we think of Brussels/Belgium the first thing that comes to mind are chocolates....and yes, chocolate shops are all over the place!

Love this Chocolate shop by the Grand Place or Grote Markt, the main square in the city of Brussels. So many delicious confections on offer....

Like this scrumptious Chocolate nutty bar! Super-yummy!

Or these perhaps.....

Love the wrapping on these....

Brussels and Belgium in general are also quite famous for their amazing Waffles...I must admit I had quite a few of these. How can you say no to these? One was covered in White Chocolate and the other with Strawberry Sauce, both perfectly delish!

It seems pretty cheap for just 1 Euro.....but note that's for the plain version....

It can go as much as 5 Euros and more when you add some toppings!!! Look at that variety! I have gained 5 pounds just by looking at them! :-)

For our last day, we decided we have to go over the top and ordered this Waffle with the works! While I was taking the photo, every few seconds, Sophie would say, can I please have it now, Mom? :-)

We went in and around the famous Grand Place or Grote Markt - the central square of Brussels. It is the most important tourist destination and most notable landmark in Brussels. I saw this at nighttime when I first visited Brussels in 2001 so am glad to behold its glory in the daytime.

It is surrounded by guildhalls, the city's Town Hall, and the Breadhouse.

The view on the other side.... Isn't this amazing?

As I mentioned we met up with the family in Brussels and had a quick family photo here. In case you're wondering, yes, it was very cold! Apparently, Belgium gets more rain than England....wow! After that visit, I can certainly believe that. The weather changes all the time....few minutes of sun, then rain, then cold and back to some sunshine again....am sure it gets better in August? Or does it?

No rain will stop the tots from enjoying the sights of Brussels.

When it's sunny and warm it's just nice to sit around these cafes and enjoy people watching. :-)

Despite the unpredictable weather, food is totally glorious and wonderful in Belgium! Yes, they have the world's best Fries too! We thought it had something to do with the oil that they use in frying so we asked the owner of the shop from where we bought our Fries if that was the case. He said, it's not the oil - it's the variety of Potatoes that they use. They are flavorful on their own....they surely were! So never ever forget to try Belgian fries....they are simply the best!

Another well-know landmark in Brussels is the Atomium. This iconic landmark was originally constructed for the Expo 58 or the Brussels World's Fair.

The obligatory shot!

It was chilly and rainy while we were at the Atonium so after being out in the cold we had to have some coffee....Again, the coffee was wonderful! I just can't remember the name of the coffee shop, otherwise I would have highly recommended it. :-(

It had some Belgian chocolate bits on the bottom so that made it even better!

While we never got the chance to explore much beyond Brussels, we wanted to spend time with our lovely hosts who kindly allowed us to stay in their wonderful place, I would say we had the most fantastic time! Here's our group shot - our last day. And didn't you notice? We had a sunny day!