Fall Break: Gent and Brussel

For the first half of Fall Break, we hopped the pond again to spend time with the FamTrav Husband’s side of the family. We started in the charming city of Gent.

Gent is a hidden gem in Belgium. It’s not as famous as Brussel (Dutch spelling) or Brugge, but is an enchanting destination in its own right. It is renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture, including the iconic Castle of the Counts (Gravensteen), St. Bavo’s Cathedral – home to the famous Gent Altarpiece, and the Guild Houses – remaining symbols of its wealth and power in the area. Meandering along the picturesque canals and cobblestone streets, visitors can savor the city’s unique atmosphere, fueled by a thriving arts scene and a dynamic culinary culture.

There are so many dining venues on the water, and really, you can’t go wrong with whichever you choose. Just be sure to try the freshly caught mussels. And look for signs created with husbands in mind. 😉

Here we are dining with the FamTrav Oma and FamTrav Meme. Great memories!

Public transportation in Belgium is excellent. But we did rent a car because we needed airport transfers, and had freebies to redeem. This made driving into Brussels incredibly easy.

It’s been years since our last visit, so we went to see the Atomium and Mini Europe. The Atomium was constructed in 1958 for the World Fair. It represents an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. Inside is a museum, art center, panoramic viewing station, and a restaurant.

Next door, Mini Europe is an exhibit highlighting the countries that make up the European Union, and the United Kingdom.

I love the way they addressed your entry into and exit out of the UK since Brexit! Ha!

There are a few interactive exhibits, which the kids (and kids at heart) still found entertaining.

Next, we were off to the Grote Markt (Grand Place). We were in search of Manneken Pis, though the kids were much less entertained by it this time. There are three legends behind this infamous statue:

• A little boy put out a fire in this manner, thus saving the city from being burnt.
• During a battle in Ransbeke, two-year old Duke Godfrey III was hung from a tree in a basket and urinated on the enemy troops who then lost the battle.
• The son of a nobleman urinated on a witch’s house. In anger, she turned him into a statue.

Which legend is your favorite?

While the kids did a little shopping, I treated myself to a delicious Belgian waffle. The cream is divine and does not break down. 10/10, highly recommend!

Isn’t the Grand Place just gorgeous?! Even at night she shines brilliantly.

All too soon our time in Belgium was up. Due to proximity, it’s much easier to share my culture with the kids. But any time they get to spend in Belgium is always time well spent.

More to come from our time in Paris!

Fall Break: Gent and Brussel / Fall Break: Paris / Fall Break: Disneyland Paris