For my solo traveling adventure, I decided to visit Belgium to kick things off. I had never been and always wanted to go. Is it because Belgium beer is my favorite beer? Possibly. Nonetheless, no matter the why, I am happy I decided to explore this beautiful country! I only spent about 3 full days here and like always, I made sure to make the most of those 3 days. Since it is so close to London, it made for a easy and quick plane ride.

Brussels

I had the pleasure of staying at an Airbnb hosted by the most friendliest woman I ever met. Her back house was the perfect space for a solo, or pair of travelers. She gave me the best tips for the city and really made me feel like I was at home. Since I only had 1 full day, I didn’t get to do everything on my list unfortunately, which only means I have to go back! The things I did do though, are worth sharing.

Activities/Sightseeing:

Belgian Waffle Making class- Exactly what it sounds like. You can book here. I had the best time learning how to make authentic Belgian waffles and they even offer a Belgian chocolate making class as well. Truly a hands on experience with a wonderful group of people. Traveling through food is the best way to learn about a culture.
Thrift Shopping- I went to a few different thrift stores and got some cute pieces. I personally love thrifting because it makes me feel like I am getting some unique pieces and especially when in another country, you really get to learn what others style is like. The stores I went to were Thrift Store, Melting Pot Kilo Marolles, Melting Pot Kilo and Foxhole Vintage St Gery.
Grand Palace- The infamous plaza that is a total must see. It is surrounded by Baroque style buildings and is considered one of the most beautiful places in the world!
Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert- Beautiful shopping mall.
Parc du Cinquantenaire- A large public park that is great for strolling and taking a breather if you need a break from walking around.
Beer Museum- Located in the Grand Palace, this unique museum showcases the production of Belgian Beer and you get a free pint with your ticket purchase.
St Michael and St Gudula Cathedral, Brussels
Food:
Le Roy d'Espagne- Located in the Grand Palace. Great Belgian food if you’re looking for some local traditional dishes.
Le Cafe Du Sablon- Great coffee shop!
Le Bistro – Exquisite Food! I had the mussels and the were absolutely delicious.

Bruges

Of course I had to take a day trip to the infamous Bruges. If you haven’t heard of this area, it’s quite charming. Everything from its canals, cobbled streets and medieval buildings makes you feel as if you have stepped in time to a fairy tail wonderland. I do want to notate, because of its hype, it is very populated with tourists. I could only handle about a half day here because it got so overwhelmingly busy, so I caught a train to a nearby town called Ghent. Since I only spent 2 hours in Ghent, I won’t make a blog portion about it but it’s worth stopping by if you feel you need a break from the chaos of Bruges or just want another place to visit as well. It’s equally beautiful and a lot less crowded!

How to get there: I took the train from Brussels first thing in the morning. It is only an hour train ride so not too shabby. Makes for an easy day trip!

Activities/Sightseeing:

Basillica of Holy Blood
Grote Markt
Choco-Story, the Chocolate Museum
Rosary Quay
Boniface Bridge (Bonifaciusbrug)
Minnewater park
Canals

Food:

6 Vlissinghe Beer Garden- The oldest pub in Belgium, dating back to 1515! I had one of their beers and a delicious seafood soup. Totally worth going to!
That’s Toast- A great place to go to for Brunch. I had delicious food and fresh pressed juice as well. Lovely!
Poules Moules- Fantastic chicken. Highly recommend eating here!