The Old World is a gift that keeps giving year round, from the mercurial peaks of the warmer months, to the subzero temps of December and beyond. It’s the latter, however, that tends to capture the imagination, a time when the old town architecture and cobbled streets simmer in the chill, and warming visions of hearty fare by firelight draw the budding European tourist in. Though you’ll need a ... Read Full Article
10 Places in Bruges You Can Visit in One Day
If you are looking for a medieval town that oozes historic charm and seems to have jumped straight out of a fairy tale, Bruges, Belgium, is the place to go.A visit to Bruges Lined with cobbled streets and enchanting canals, dotted with imposing churches and other towers, and home to picturesque market squares and fascinating museums, the historic city center of Bruges is of such cultural ... Read Full Article
Hop on for a Benelux Culinary Tour
Rail travel is often associated with the hateful commuter necessity that we experience daily or the iconic luxury experiences that we only read about; but is there anything in between? Those were my thoughts as I boarded the Eurostar for a nine day trip that would weave me across Benelux – Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg – for a Benelux culinary journey.My Benelux Culinary Tour The ... Read Full Article
UNESCO Sites: Top Things to See in Belgium
Belgium is home to eleven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but if you take into consideration all individual sites, there are no less than 60. That can be explained as follows: Two of Belgium’s official UNESCO World Heritage Sites are actually made up of several separate sites—there are 17 Flemish béguinages, which are regarded as just one world heritage site, while 33 belfries dot the country, which ... Read Full Article
Belgium’s Top Ten Beer Festivals
France has wine shows. Germany has its Oktoberfest. Belgium has beer festivals. Mention that you've frequented Belgian beer fests to a fellow enthusiast and you may get some envy or respect--for good reason. These events typically appeal to the aficionado rather than the casual beer drinker.Every year, thousands of Belgian and foreign beer hounds travel to towns big and small across the ... Read Full Article
Best Pubs in Western and Central Europe (well…some of them!)
Usually, the thought of a tasty, ice cold brew at the end of a long trek is what keeps even the most intrepid traveler fueled and focused when life on the road gets a little hard going. Thankfully, pretty much everywhere you go in Europe you’re up to your waist in world-class brew, and better yet, a veritable variety of amazing venues in which to relax, unwind and meet great people while you ... Read Full Article
European Beer: Tipple Across Europe on St. Paddy’s Day
In time for another of Europe’s favourite days for a tipple of beer - St. Patrick’s Day - here is a guide to five countries where you’ll get a history lesson with every pint (don’t worry, you won’t be quizzed).When you think European beverages, you probably conjure up French wine, Italian Limoncello, Russian vodka, or maybe Greek ouzo if you’re adventurous. European beer, although always a ... Read Full Article
Hot Chocolate Heaven at De Proeverie in Bruges, Belgium
It’s hard to avoid chocolate when you’re visiting Belgium and especially so in Bruges, where there are chocolate shops galore. As if it weren’t enough to be tempted by hundreds of chocolate shops, hot chocolate drinks are also widely available on menus around the city. One tea room that we highly recommend is De Proeverie, where we sampled their speciality hot chocolate.De Proeverie is ... Read Full Article
Bruges: Belgium’s Fairytale City
Bruges is a fairytale paradise in the tiny European country of Belgium. Stepping off the train at the station, you are immediately transported back in time to medieval Europe, a period when the primary mode of transport was by horse and carriage. The city is popular with visitors worldwide for its canals as well as locally produced lace, chocolate, and beer.Bruges is called the ‘Venice of the ... Read Full Article