Brussels

That’s Toast

I will be leaving Bruges and heading to Brussels today. However, before hopping on the train I need some breakfast. That’s Toast comes highly recommended so I decide to go check it out. After browsing the menu I order a smoked salmon and avocado toast. While it is a very good breakfast offering, it isn’t too dissimilar to many popular breakfast spots we have at home and across North America. So while their execution of the food is great, my only gripe is its not super unique if you’re coming from the other side of the ocean.

Brussels

After breakfast I head to the train station. From there it’s an uneventful hour ride into Brussels. I transit to my BnB (Not AirBnB) but they’re still cleaning my room. I have a booking with a free walking tour in the afternoon. So I leave my luggage and make my way to the Grote Markt (Grand Palace). I stroll a little before getting to the meeting point for my tour. While it’s a rainy day, Brussels still shows off its charm, especially its Architecture.

Free Walking Tour

After joining up with the walking tour and briefly introducing ourselves to each other we start in the Grote Markt. Our guide spends a fair amount of time going through not only the history of Brussels but also the history of many of the super unique and beautiful buildings that surround the square. We eventually head out of the square towards the Galeries Royales St. Hubert. As best as I can describe it, it is like an old open air mall. Add that it is decorated for Christmas and its a very pretty sight. 

From there we stroll towards the Royal Palace of Brussels. Around each corner along the way we continually pass by so many unique buildings and sites. There are places of historical significance, unique architecture, artistic value and even parts of history like a medieval wall.

Manneken-Pis

One of the “famous” landmarks in Brussels is the Manneken-Pis. It is a small bronze statue of a boy peeing and is popular as a tourist destination. It’s a bit underwhelming if I’m being honest, but I’m glad I can check it off my list. In fact, on my way to the statue there is a bit of graffiti on the side of a building for the Manneken-Pis that I personally think is a bit cooler than the statue itself!

Grote Markt at Night

By the time our walking tour ends we find ourselves back where we started, at the Grote Markt. Upon entering the square we find the different buildings illuminated along with the Christmas tree in the middle. It really adds even more character to the area. A few of my fellow walking mates and I spend a few minutes marvelling at the lights before breaking away from the rest of the group. 

We decide to get out of the rain and chat about how we ended up in Brussels over a waffle. There is a Waffle Factory nearby so we head there. It’s a bit of a chain waffle stop but nonetheless its dry, and serves up a pretty tasty waffle! After some time getting to know one another we all head our separate ways. Oddly enough, our accommodations are in completely opposite directions so we can’t even catch similar transit options together! I myself am still a bit hungry and remember passing an Asian restaurant earlier in my explorations. Given the cold and wet day I decide to pop in for much needed comfort food. A hot bowl of soup noodles from a restaurant called Reve Daise.

La Senne Brussels

After eating I make my way back to my BnB, La Senne. Through a stroke of luck I find this place for a very affordable price in a great location. It is a beautiful little room with its own bathroom. After talking to the host I discover they have a dream of opening up a small coffee and breakfast shop on the first floor. So while they build to that, they are offering free breakfast for their guests. After travelling in the morning and exploring a rainy Brussels in the afternoon I crash pretty soon after I get back. In the morning my hosts have a beautiful breakfast tray ready for me. While my room isn’t big, it is a great setting to have a delicious breakfast while sorting out my schedule for the day!

Atomium

One of the more unique attractions of interest to me in Brussels is the Atomium. This was the centerpiece building of Expo 58 and was a celebration of science and nuclear technology at the time. Since then it’s become a popular tourist destination, especially given its unique architecture. It’s not near the centre of Brussels so I did have to take a few trains to get there. But in doing so, I also am impressed by some of the art they put up in their subway stations!

Upon arriving at my stop and getting topside, I’m greeted by one of the more unique structures I’ve encountered in my travels. Seeing it in pictures and seeing it in real life is something else. It’s pretty large and I am looking forward to checking out the nooks and crannies of it!

After I pay for admission, I enter the central lobby area where I take an elevator to the top of the Atomium.  Here is where you get some spectacular views of the area surrounding the structure. You also get a pretty good view of the Brussel skyline. From there you return back to the ground floor where you then are led to an escalator that takes you to the middle few “pods”. In each of the pods are displays that talk about the history and development of the Atomium. It also talks about the life of the structure after Expo and how they restored it to what it is now.

In some of the “pods” are art exhibits where artists have setup light and sound exhibitions for guests to travel through. So it’s cool that its not just history that is showcased in the Atomium but also a place to show off new artful expressions!

Royal Military Museum

A short tram ride away from the Atomium is the Royal Military Museum of Brussels. The museum itself is this huge monolithic structure. I think even if you are not a fan of history or military history. Exploring the grounds and the buildings themselves is certainly worth a visit. It’s pretty cool and like nothing we have in North America.

Inside the museum is a treasure trove of all manner of military equipment from medieval times to more modern pieces. There is obviously a very rich European history and the museum puts in a lot of effort to catalog all of it. Given the proximity to both World Wars, there is a whole exhibit on the rise and fall of Nazi Germany which is very interesting. The only issue is that there isn’t always English translation available so sometimes trying to understand the exhibits is a tad difficult.

Aviation Hall

One of the main draws for me though is the Aviation Hall. This is a HUGE hanger like building that is home to all manner of flying equipment. There are things like gliders to even current fighter jets on display. Being an AvGeek, I spent a great deal of time in this hall. Having so many unique aviation items in one place is a bit of a dream so taking my time to wander I really enjoyed it!

Stroll through Brussels

After leaving the museum, I don’t really have much of a plan. I stroll through some EU governmental areas which is kind of neat knowing its the central area of the European commission. I also find myself walking by the Belgium Parliament which is a lovely building in its own right. I think it’s interesting that not only is Brussels home to a “continental” headquarters, but also their own countries “headquarters” too.  

Across from the Parliament building is Brussels Park. This is a very pretty park that is between the Royal Palace and the Parliament buildings. While walking through it there are also these super fun sculptures on display along the walkways. I’m not entirely sure if its a popular cartoon or something but they’re pretty funny and I had a chuckle while passing by each one. 

As mentioned, on the other end of the park is the Royal Palace. While I didn’t enter (nor did I have time), it actually isn’t as “grand” as I would have expect from a European palace. However right down the hill is Mont des Arts Garden which at this time of day is super picturesque and more than makes up for the lack of “grandness”. 

Fritland

After a bit more walking I decide to stop off for a small snack. You can’t really be in Belgium without having some Belgium fries right? So I head to Fritland which is near the Grote Markt. It is a popular fry place and after lining up I get a fresh batch of very tasty fried potatoes! As far as snacks go you can’t really get any better!

Cafe Wallis

After fries I head back to my BnB for a small nap. When I get up my thoughts turn to dinner and I head to Cafe Walvis which comes highly recommended by my host. It’s a casual bar like restaurant and on the menu are mussels and fries which was on my list to eat for a while. I also order a local Belgium beer and I have the makings of a delicious dinner!

Brussels Christmas Market

After dinner I decide to take another stroll. This time to Brussels Christmas Market. While the Bruges one is cozy and cute the Brussels one is massive and on a whole different level. There is even a full size Ferris wheel for people to ride if they want to. It spans several city blocks and that’s just one site. There are several sites throughout the city centre and the streets are filled with market goers going from site to site! 

After exploring a bit and a few mulled wines later I finally head home as I have an early start tomorrow. I’m going to be taking an early train tomorrow and spending the day in Luxembourg!