Location: Brussels
Day 1 - 18 Dec 2019
Brussels airport
Content: It is a huge Airport with all amenities. We reached Brussels Airlines Lounge via escalator. The lounge has several seating area to relax, bunch of dining tables with two seat each, as well as some benches along the wall.
Zoom Hotel
Content: The location of the hotel is in the middle of the shopping areas. Breakfast was good with lot of options. Each rooms has features with its own image of Brussels. The rooms have tea and coffee-making facilities.
Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula
Content: We took tram to Parc to look up The Brussels Cathedral. It is a catholic church 2 km away from hotel. The architecture of the building was stunning especially the stained-glass windows.
A la Mort Subite
Content: We reached A la Mort Subite to grab lunch. It was most well-known brasserie in Brussels. They serve croque monsieur and madame with different style. On the way we can see the statue of a little girl peeing, “Jannekin Pis".
Train World
Content: The Train World Museum was about 20 minutes out on the tram. It was close to the grand old station at Schaarbeek in Brussels. The museum was encompassing with lots of new facts and information.
Au Bon Vieux Temps
Content: Then we stopped at Au Bon Vieux Temps, to taste the rarest beer in the world. The interesting fact is that they hand you the cap of what you're drinking as a proof.
L’Amere a Boire
Content: After dinner we pay a visit to L’Amere a Boire. It was very nice place to stop for a cold beer with stylish interior.
Location: Brussels
Day 2 - 19 Dec 2019
Place Royale
Content: We start our day with ultimate attractions of Brussels. We buy waffle from a truck parked on the Place Royale. It was amazing in taste and lot of varieties available.
The Royal Museum of Fine Arts
Content: It was an excellent museum for art lovers. It was an association of 6-art centres. Make sure to use walking shoes as it should take at least 3 hours to cover three different parts of the museum. The cost of the ticket depends on the number of museums you plan to visit. It was totally worth to walk through the museum's vast collection of art.
Cafe Novo
Content: Great restaurant to try traditional Belgian dishes so we gave it a try. We ate Boulettes, and Steak Tartare. Everything was good, friendly service.
La Fleur en Papier Dore
Content: We took few min walk from Cafe Novo to La Fleur en Papier Dore, the oldest bar in Brussels. It was very authentic and best place to chat with local people. Troubadour Magma and Bon Secours Myrtille are the best beer in Belgium.
Mannekin Pis
Content: Mannekin Pis most famous landmark in Brussels. It was a small bronze statue but it has some interesting stories behind the statue. We took 2 min from La Porte Noire, is an underground pub. It doesn’t open until 5 pm, we read the famous Belgian surrealist Magritte hook up.
Grand Place
Content: It is one of the most memorable squares in Europe, listed as one of the Sites of World Heritage by UNESCO. The interesting thing is that the streets surrounding the square are named after foods. The spot is always packed with people, as a part of Christmas dusk there were entertaining light show every hour after sunset.
Le Marmiton
Content: Le Marmiton is best place for more Belgian foodstuffs. They set menu with lots of Belgian classic with reasonable price. We had Beef Carbonnade stew and grey shrimp. Dinner is better when we eat delicious food in good ambience.
Goupil le Fo
Content: Goupil le Fol is a unique underground bar, with hidden rooms. The juke box plays old French music. It open everyday from 8 pm till very late. We can try their special fruit wine.
Location: Brussels
Day 3 - 20 Dec 2019
Le Balmoral
Content: We went to Le Balmoral for breakfast. It was accessorise everything in Barbie pink. Kids really love the ambience. It is all about atmosphere, don't except much about food.
Porte de Hal
Content: Porte de Hal also known as Hallepoort or Halle Gate, old fairy tale monument. It stands in a cylindrical shape with a black-cone shaped roof and parapet at the top. The entire interior of the castle devoted to telling the story of second wall of Brussels. It is free to visit with the Brussels card.
Jeu de Balle Flea Market
Content: Jeu de Balle Flea Market known as Old Market, is an only antique and flea market that is open through out year. The market is full of second hand items, we need to bargain for best price. Many variety of products available, especially antique products.
La Porteause d’Eau
Content: We can find a simple and traditional brasserie, La Porteause d’Eau. They offer friendly service, but food was little disappointed.
Comic Strip Walk
Content: You can wander on your own, take a pocket map of Brussels Comic Strip Walk from tourist information center for few dollars and follow the route. Some interesting walls are: Lincoln, Odilon Verjus etc. Kids definitely love this place.
Moeder Lambic
Content: We took drive from last destination to Moeder Lambic. Not that much attractive, but good place for Lambic lovers. Lambics is a type of beer brewed, with low in alcohol and high in bubbles.
Place Sainte Catherine
Content: It is always crowed and load with vibrant energy. During Christmas, there are not only food and drinks stall but also many gift shops are available. We get chance to ride a big Ferris wheel.
L’Archiduc
Content: We took short walk to L’Archiduc, very cool bar with attractive entrance. Ring a bell on the street and you enter a steel bubble swing door. We can enjoy drinks and food at reasonable price.
Location: Ghent
Day 4 - 21 Dec 2019
Gent-Sint-Pieters train station
Content: After breakfast we started our journey to next destination, Ghent. The train makes it very easy to get from Brussels to Ghent and Bruges. We can buy tickets in online too.
St. Michaels’ Bridge
Content: St. Michaels’ Bridge, one of the most interesting spot in Ghent. There is a central lantern with a bronze statue of St Michael at the middle of the bridge. Best sport for charming clicks.
Gravensteen castle
Content: Gravensteen castle is an important sight in Ghent, which possesses a unique collection of torture equipment. The best part of visit is the view from the top of the castle.
Christmas Market
Content: We crossed St. Michael’s bridge, walked through the Christmas Market. We can explore Ghent's snacks and drinks, fancy trinkets and authentic crafts.
Trerenteyn-Verlent
Content: Trerenteyn-Verlent is a wounderful shop that sells its own freshly made mustard. You can buy various varieties of mustard in containers.
Location: Bruges
Day 4 - 21 Dec 2019
Bruges Railway Station
Content: We had short distance to cover from Bruges Railway Station to town. It was an magical city with lot of historical buildings, canals, cobblestone streets. Great places to take photos.
Hotel t’Putje
Content: Hotel t’Putje, hotel with modern amenities and furnished rooms. Restaurant was attached to hotel, with wide menu. The location of the hotel is easy to stroll to the main square in Bruges.
Location: Bruges
Day 5 - 22 Dec 2019
Grote Markt
Content: During Christmas, the area is transformed into Christmas market with its very own ice-skating rink. We can grab breakfast from here. You can see a ring of gorgeous building by standing at the middle of market by the large statue.
Belfort van Brugge
Content: From Grote Markt we took 1 hour to reach Belfort van Brugge. The Belfry of Bruges is the tallest tower that dominates the center of town. From the top of the Belfort, we get nice view of the city. They allow only limited number of people to climb the tower at a time. At the top we can see the massive bell structure, really stunning!
Cambrinus Cafe
Content: We grab lunch at Cambrinus Cafe. Food is very good, beer is lovely and reasonable price. They offer various platters with meat, fruits and cheese. Highly recommended.
Basilica of the Holy Blood
Content: It is located at the corner of Burg square, double structure chapel. The two level are: Romanesque lower chapel and a Gothic upper chapel.These two levels are connected by staircase.
Bruge's City Hall
Content: The masterpiece is the Gothic Hall, with its impressive murals depicting the history of Bruges. On the ground floor, we can see life-size portraits of the city’s rulers and can also learn more about the evolution of the Burg.
Bistro De Pompe
Content: It is located right outside the main square. The food was well presented and tasty. They serve foods with a dressed salads.
Christmas Market
Content: From the end of November the historic city center transformed into giant Christmas market. It was great place to shop original Christmas gifts. The market stays open late night and was stunning with party lights. Don't miss the spot!
Location: Bruges
Day 6 - 23 Dec 2019
Sint-Janshospitaal
Content: After having breakfast from hotel, we reached Saint Jans Hospital. It was an oldest hospital in Europe but later it was converted into museum. Hans Memling's works are notable, the museum exhibits six top class works from his hand.
Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk
Content: The important feature of the church is the sculpture of Michaelangelo’s Madonna and Child, carved from white marble. The church features many works of religious arts, as well the tombs of prominent figures in the city. A carved wooden gallery links the church to the Gruuthuse Museum.
Groeninge Museum
Content: We took few minutes walk from Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk to Groeninge Museum. The museum is alive with Belgian master's paintings. The museum contains most beautiful collections in the world and many significant works from the history of European art.
Frites Museum
Content: Frietmuseum is few minutes far from Groeninge Museum, which sketches the history of the potato. We can spend sometime reading about potatoes and fries. There was a cafe downstairs, is nice and costly.
Hotel t’Putje
Content: We came back to hotel, where took our dinner. The price was reasonable but quantity less.
Location: Bruges
Day 7 - 24 Dec 2019
Choco-Story
Content: After breakfast we start our day for the haunt for chocolates. From the museum we can learn how chocolates are made from cocos. It was packed with information about the origin and history of chocolates. They offer samples to taste and even you can purchase of your choice.
Historium
Content: We had awesome experience, if you’re visiting Bruges with kids, then the Historium is most definitely worth a visit. The Historium Story, is an interactive tour experience which took visitors on a journey through the story of Jacob. One of the greatest assets is its panoramic terrace, which offers a magnificent view of the Market Place.
Beer Museum Bruges
Content: We felt chilled when entered into the place. Beautiful place for beer lovers, variety of options available. It was designed in modern way, visitors can explore in an interactive way. The museum took us to the history of beer in the world and in Belgium.
‘t Zwart Huis
Content: We were so happy, nice service and they offer delicious foods. The ambience of the restaurant was great with live music. We return back to hotel. This is our last day at Bruges.
Brussels airport
Content: Packed everything and catch train to Brussels airport. It was huge airport with lot of seating arrangements. We felt comfortable to wait at airport for our early morning fight.