Bruges, Belgium
With a $90 RT train ticket, on Friday I went from Den Haag, Holland (the Dutch say Holland, not the Netherlands) where I’d been for a week, to Bruges, Belgium for a day trip to experience the food that Belgium is famous for: beer, fries, chocolate and waffles.
I could’ve gotten all those items in Antwerp, the diamond capital of the world since 1447, but Bruges is a beautiful medieval town full of cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages and canals and has been around since the 9th century. As a history buff, and a Game of Thrones fan, I couldn’t miss it.
I switched trains in Antwerp, because I wanted to explore the train station. The Antwerp train station is considered one of the most beautiful in the world and I had to see it for myself. I must say, it truly is spectacular. The glass ceiling is a work of art. I've found that the train stations in Europe are quite beautiful with exquisite craftsmanship. Why? I speculate that since the train station is usually in the center of the city and back in the day train travel was THE mode of mass transportation, everyone would see the handiwork of the craftsmen.
An hour-long ride brought me to Bruges, in all of its medieval glory - cobblestone streets and horse-drawn carriages were everywhere, and the smell! The entire town smelled like chocolate, so incredible. It was lunch time so I enjoyed another Belgian classic: mussels in white wine and fries, plus a beer that was brewed in the brewery across the street. Talk about fresh.
It is obligatory to take a boat ride through the canals of this picturesque city, so of course I did. There were swans, towers, gardens and old wooden houses - it was like taking a trip back in time. Afterwards, I wandered the streets, stopping at a flea market, browsing store windows filled with either chocolate or waffles with all kinds of toppings. It was time for dessert. Bruges was PACKED with tourists, but I didn't let that stop me from finding the perfect spot to enjoy this renowned treat. You haven't had a Belgian waffle until you've had one Belgium. Trust me on that.
After exploring for a few more hours, it was time to head to the station. It had been a long day- I left the apartment in Den Haag before 7 am. On the way back from Bruges to Antwerp, I shared the train with several groups of primary school children who were on a field trip on the last day of school. Let’s just say the train ride was lively.
I finally made it back to the apartment after 10 pm, exhausted and delighted to spend a day in Belgium..
In Europe, a trip to another country is just a train ride away, as you plan your travels to Europe, consider experiencing another country
on the trip, even if it's only for a day.
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