Hello there!
I guess we should start with the introductions: Readers, Kerri. Kerri, Readers. Nice to meet you. I’m a British girl living life in little old Belgium. I moved to Belgium, with my boyfriend in tow, almost three years ago now. When we’re not doing anything interesting, we’re studying for our PhDs, when we are doing something interesting, then I’m blogging about it over here! So, by all means pop over if you’re interested! If you’re extra keen there’s always Instagram and Twitter too.
I’m glad that’s out the way, now we can get cracking with this blog post.
Today I’d like to introduce you to Belgium and some of the things that this tiny country has to offer.
Let’s start with the obvious
Beer. Chocolates. Mussels. Fries. Waffles. European architecture. But I’m lacking in photos of all these things, except the architecture, I have lots of photos of architecture.
Let’s move on to things I do have photos of!
The beach
I love the beach and every year we go to the beach at least once. Now, we might not be bordering the Mediterranean, but we’ve still got a beach. From the Dutch border, down to the French border there’s quite a few stops on the way. Starting at the top, there’s Knokke with its huge nature reserve Het Zwin, great for bird watching and cycling over to The Netherlands if you’re inclined.
Further down, you’ve got Blankenberge which is popular with the Belgians and Ostend, a place I’ve passed through for work but haven’t had the chance to visit for a day trip.
Cute canals and waterways
Think of Belgium, you probably think of Bruges. Think of Bruges, you probably think of canals – and chocolates and beer, but we’ve covered that – but Bruges isn’t the only place to find canals. Think Ghent, think tiny Belgian towns like La Louviere and Lier.
The canals of Bruges & Ghent
More canals of La Louviere & Lier
City views and sunsets
I admit, city views are hard to come by in a country known for being flat, but there’s a few and I can’t resist snapping some photos when I come across them. The same for sunsets, a good vantage point isn’t always easy to find, but they are be pretty great when you do get to see them. In fact, my favourite sunsets – and sunrises – are always seen from the train or whilst I’m running.
City views of Liege & Brussels
Sunset in Antwerp & Leuven
A selection of museums
Sure, we’ve got quite the selection of history museums, but we’ve also got museums for those who like something different. If you’re interesting in natural history then the Natural History Museums in Brussels is always worth a visit. If you like history but are more interested in the vehicles and weapons, then the Military Museum in Brussels might be something you will like.
Natural History Museums, Brussels
Military Museum, Brussels
And if, like myself, you are interested in natural history, science and don’t mind a little bit of gross, then a little museum in Liege, the Zoology Museum, could be just your thing.
Liege Zoology Museum
Gardens and war memorials
In the warmer months, I enjoy spending my time in gardens and visiting other outdoor type things whilst the weather allows.
In most towns you can find a botanical garden for a pleasant half an hour wander, better yet, visit at multiple times in the year and watch the garden transform through the seasons. One of my favourite things to do at our local botanical garden.
If you’re looking for something large, there are nature reserves, the open air museum of Botrijk and for three weeks of the year, there’s even the chance to visit the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken.
The Royal Greenhouses of Laeken
If you’re looking for history, then head out to Ieper to visit the town and the Menin Gate memorial. Then head out to the Yves Salient and learn the history of the trenches and the battles fought there. Something we’ve yet to do ourselves.
The Menin Gate and cemeteries of Ieper (Ypres)
Quite the choice in events throughout the year too
When you start looking around, you realise that there’s usually something going on. So to give you a little taster here’s some of the events we’ve been in Belgium!
In the summertime, head to Blankenberge for their yearly sand sculpture festival or if you like something a bit colder, in the winter you can head to Bruges for their ice sculpture festival.
2013 Sand Sculpture Festival celebrating 100 years of Disney
Frozen (2013) & The Land Of The Hobs (2014) ice sculpture festival Bruges
Every three years in Ghent is the Ghent Light Festival, which we went to this year and probably won’t be around for the next one in 2018.
Throughout the year you’ve got events in Brussels, at the Parliamentarium or the Expo centre, then you’ve got Antwerp Zoo which always host different events, and then you’ve got everywhere else. With enough looking around, you are bound to find something.
The Museum Of Broken Relationships at the Parliamentarium & Retrorama at the Expo Centre, Brussels
Failing everything, good connections to the rest of Europe
It’s true, Belgium borders The Netherlands, France, Luxembourg and Germany. There’s no shortage of options if you feel like a change. And if you want to take it even further, there’s plenty of flights going from Brussels so long weekends away are a nice option too.
Take a trip to Luxembourg or a trip to Stockholm
Or there’s London or Amsterdam if you fancy
So, despite being a little country, I think it’s got a lot to offer. At least plenty to keep us entertained!
Thanks again to Amy for allowing me to guest post on her blog!
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Love Kerri and reading her blog! Would love to visit Belgium one day. And get my hands on one of those famous waffles. And I didn’t know mussels were their thing too, I love seafood!
Aww thank you!! If I’m still here when you come, I’ll take you to some of my favourite spots 🙂
Thanks again for having me!!
Thanks for posting, Kerri! I always love to hear more about awesome little Belgium :).
Great overview of a few different things to do in Belgium 🙂
I visited Brussels but i definitely want to go back to Belgium to try Bruges!!