There's nothing like a short city break to just get away from it all, plus living in London I have no excuse not to visit Europe more! I had a voucher for an iDbus coach trip, so Hang and I redeemed it for a trip to Brussels. We wanted somewhere easy to get around, good food and take in some sightseeing.
We took the overnight coach and arrived in Brussels in the morning, feeling extremely achy and groggy but it was a bright day walking through the beautiful Grand Place square looking for breakfast. After a cup of tea and some waffles (of course!) we freshened up and started exploring the city. There are so many quaint and vintage style chocolate shops, cafes and bars.
We visited most of the landmarks, which are easy on foot and not too overly crowded with tourists. We were really lucky with our Hotel, the location was right by the Old Town. The room was nice and clean and the breakfast was on the top floor, with a lovely view over the city.
This little boy peeing is a very famous bronze statue in Brussels! The Manneken Pis has been around for almost 400 years and has various different outfits for different occasions. You'll find this little guy everywhere - souvenirs, even a chocolate replica as below! I'm glad he made the effort for our arrival ;)
There's plenty of restaurants choices to get your fix of moule frites and waffles. Diet was definitely out of the window!
Another thing I loved was the street art around the city, there were so many cool and funky designs where ever you looked.
Grand Place square looked stunning just as it was getting dark, it's
obviously very touristy but there was a nice buzzy and romantic vibe. Thank you Brussels for a lovely stay!
Where's your favourite place to go for a city break?
Follow Hanhabelle
I absolutely love Brussels! And you managed to get such a beautiful shot of the Manneken Pis, and I love that it's been decorated for Mardi Gras! I miss all the waffles and the beer, it looks like you had a blast there!
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I can see why, it's such a great city! I know I miss the waffles and chocolates too! xx
ReplyDeleteMy fiancé is part Belgian and Brussels is one of his fave places! I grew up a couple of hours away and we always used to go for flying visits, I've yet to spend a proper break there but it does look lovely :) the waffles are out of this world, it's true!
ReplyDeleteAs for other places, I really enjoyed Madrid, we went on a school trip and it was amazing! Paris is another of my favourites as I never get bored of going there! And I've not been yet but we're spending Easter in Vienna and I'm SO excited, I've always wanted to go haha! xx
Is there a lot of things to see/do there besides eating and drinking? Considering a weekend break later in the year.
ReplyDeleteGem x
amilliongingerisms.wordpress.com
Beautiful post! I found it rather interesting. I loved your photos and words about visiting. I would love to go to Brussels in the future. It looks quite a foodie and arty place which is my kinda thing! :-) xx
ReplyDeleteHelen | Helens Fashion & Beauty Blog
what a GORGEOUS photo diary! I would love to see Brussels (and London!) one day. It's my dream to live somewhere in Europe so I can do a weekend getaway every single week!
ReplyDeleteYou took some amazing photos! I don't think I could have coped with an overnight coach. The food looks delicious, especially the waffles.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos! I'd love to visit Brussels.
ReplyDeleteErin | Erin and Katherine Talk Beauty
I went when I was very young so I'd love to go again to experience it more, looks beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteAlice x
alzgalz.blogspot.co.uk
Great photos and post. Definitely makes me want to consider Brussels as a proper place to go on holiday xx
ReplyDeleteThat's lovely! Yes you should go for a little break, I love how everything is so easy to get around and so much sweet treats everywhere :)
ReplyDeleteI love Paris too, wow Vienna I'm sure you'll have an amazing time! xx
A weekend is more than enough time to see the sights and explore the town. If you want more things to do you could take a day trip to Bruges as well?
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading Helen! Yes it's a great little city with a cool cultural vibe and good food.
ReplyDeleteThanks hun! Oh yes you should, I loved your Europe travel vlogs so I'm sure you'll have lots to capture if you came over :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Deborah! I know it wasn't comfortable but it was around 6 hours so not too bad!
ReplyDeleteThanks :)
ReplyDeleteYes it's a lovely city!
ReplyDeleteIt's perfect for a day or weekend trip. xx
ReplyDeleteI've never been to Brussels but I really want to go now, it looks like a beautiful place and the street art is so cool! My last city break was ages ago but it was in Paris and I loved it x
ReplyDeleteBeauty with charm
A weekend away is so nice and definitely something one should do more often :) What a cool and funky city, Grand Place looks so lovely and I like the sound of all the quaint cafes!
ReplyDeleteOh wow your pictures are amazing to look at! Really captures the soul of Brussels and now I really want to visit Belgium as well (never went there despite the relatively short distance!)!! I'd love to escape to Paris or London for a few days because NL is too boring =(
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely city break Alina, only need a few days to get around. You can't beat a trip to Paris :) xx
ReplyDeleteDefinitely I felt so inspired being in a different country :) I love how there's a mix of old and new! x
ReplyDeleteThanks hun! Ohh you could be in Brussels in a few hours, or London :)
ReplyDeleteHey Alice! It's such a great city with a lot of character and I love how it still has older buildings, without being taken over by skyscrapers like so many other cities. xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful photo diary - I've got a hot case of the wanderlust right now! I loved travelling round France during my year abroad last year, but now I am loving getting to know the UK better - it will do for now while I save up for my next holiday!
ReplyDeleteWow it seems an incredible place! Beautiful pictures! =)
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xoxo,
Jessica
I lived in Belgium all my life, not actually too far from Brussels, but your pictures and descriptions of it all still make it seem way nicer than I've ever seen it! I guess you don't really appreciate the beauty of a place when you live there!
ReplyDeletexx Susan
growingdaydreams.blogspot.co.uk
Thanks Anna :) Yes, you can't beat that feeling of traveling to new places! There's some beautiful places around the UK, I like going for a staycation now and then!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jessica :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan, it's funny isn't it I think I feel the same way about London! I would love to go back and explore more of Belgium :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures, Hanh! Definitely Brussels sounds like a lovely place to visit. I would go even if it would be only for the waffles, lol. Really would love to travel more around Europe. Or the States; I love the States.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carla! Yes you can take a day trip just for the waffles, haha! I know I feel the same, we're so close to Europe and the States isn't to far away either :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos Hanh! Glad you had a wonderful time, next time, you have to make it to Bruge too, it's even more romantic! Planning on taking mum later in the year on a choc, beer and mussels tour =D
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I know I heard great things about Bruge, that will be next on my list to visit! That sounds lovely :)
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! I would love to visit Belgium x
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Thanks Heather :)
ReplyDeleteLove the photos - especially the ones of the streetart! I went here when I was much younger, and I don't think I really appreciated it - I need to go back! x
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Thank you! yes it's worth another visit :)
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