The Wit & Delight travel guide in Brussels and Bruges, Belgium | Wit & Delight

What do you know about Belgium? Chocolate, waffles, beer – maybe some of us know Belgium a bit Also Well, thanks to the triple IPAs of last Friday evening. But there are so much more beyond gourmet activities. Let's explore the sweet little country.

Nestled between France, the Netherlands and Germany, Belgium is the perfect point in a European adventure. Given its central location, it is natural to pass through Belgium via an coming train in Berlin or Berlin, Amsterdam or Paris. An ideal stay, in my opinion, is two days. Make your first Brussels stop, the capital and the second day, venture to Bruges for a day trip. (Although you can also choose to visit Antwerp or Ghent.)

Here is what you need to know about the visit of Belgium, from food to linguistic barriers to this pee statue.

Belgium 101
Language: It is a sensitive subject. There are three official languages ​​of Belgium: French, Dutch and German. Residents of the southern part of Belgium (Wallonia) speak French, while those of the North (Flanders), where Brussels is, speaks of Flemish, Dutch alias. And, to make a good measure, around 10,000 people on the side are German speak. Almost everyone you meet will speak English, so strangely, to avoid anyone on the north / south linguistic division, it is better to stick to English.
Electric: Two -part C type C plug.
Currency: Euro (€). As for most Europe, credit cards are common, but hit an automatic counter and take a stack of euros shortly after their arrival, just in case of cash instances.
Tipping: Service fees will already be added to your bill, but if you transport this American guilt with you abroad, it is polite to bring together a few euros or leave an additional change.
Weather report: Belgium is quite temperate during the four seasons, but to escape you to make your way during the peak tourist season, plan to go April to May or from September to October.
Move: In the cities – Brussels, Ghent, Bruges, Antwerp – Your two feet will do the trick. For one day excursions, you can jump by fast train; A few euros and an hour will land you in another city. If you are interested in visiting the campaign (for example, for a visit to the brewery), you may want to consider renting a car.

Drop
Belgium is not For low starchs and carbohydrates. First of all: head for a chip shop, as the French-speaking Belgians call them, for a cardboard cone of fries. The stands are numerous, dotted almost all public squares, but the ABCs of each are similar: long strips of taters are thick on site, then fries on order. You will have more than a dozen options for garnishes, mainly based on mayonnaise, but beginners may want to stick to classic: ordinary mayonnaise. You may never eat Mayo again, but it will be worth it. Antoine house is often granted the crown of best, and Mirror chip shopSlightly out of the city center, is also a charmer.

For your main dish comes the waffle – a Belgian waffle. Forget what you know about the American Boutard version. In Belgium, waffles are consumed in the form of street food, traveling with a mini fork delightfully, with or without garnishes. Dandoy of the houseBelonging to the family and focused on the use of fully natural ingredients, is a favorite waffle store for fans. For a seated experience, head to Mokafe. You know it's good when it is located in the tourist center but is still full of premises. As for the garnishes, sometimes a simple powdered sugar. Other times, Nutella and Strawberries. Either unleash or stay simple.

And finally, for dessert: chocolate! Immediately, you will cry Every year you were submitted to Hershey. If you are in Bruges, head directly The chocolate linewhere the inhabitants and tourists admire the work of Dominique Persoone, renowned chocolate maker and potentially crazy crazy scientist. (He loves chocolate so much sniff!) Its flavors go from the traditional to you-can-and-in-chocolate?! How is the saffron curry, the Moroccan pink, the Cabernet Sauvignon, the lemongrass or the chocolate with lavender chocolate? The best part of the visit to his shop is open cooking, where you can watch the chocolate makers do your dream work.

Back in Brussels, which houses Godiva, the first chocolate makers disperse the city, so you will not hurt. With a million residents + and around 500 chocolate makers, you do the calculation. Joke! I will do it for you: it is about a chocolate for 2,000 people. Belgians consume more than 15 pounds of chocolate each year; No wonder they seem so happy.

In Brussels, see Alex and AlexPartly champagne bar, partly chocolate bar, part of paradise on earth. Some say that their chocolates are among the best in the city, but it could be champagne.

The views
In Brussels, make your first stop at the big square, alias Grote Markt, the central central place. Surrounded on all sides by an ornate Gothic architecture dating from the 17th century, you will feel transported to medieval times … If you can neglect the green glow of a Starbucks from the corner of your eye. If you plan to visit in August, coincide your trip with the unveiling of flower carpetWhen all other large summer locations are covered with 600,000 flowers. Amazing.

While exploring a large place, you will probably come across a group of crowded tourists The Manneken Pi statue. It's silly, of course and a little rude, yes, and it means what you think it means – “The little man is pee.” However, the small statue is the story, set up around 1618, so go see it. The clumsy little guy has a large closet (more than 900 costumes!) And the officials have often dressed it.

Then walk through Mount de Arts, a park with an incredible overview, undoubtedly the most beautiful view of Brussels. Sit on a bench along the extent of the flowers, resting your feet and absorbing local artists, musicians and skaters who populate the park during the day.

Then adapt to the outskirts of Brussels to see AtomiumThe emblematic sculpture built in 1958 as part of the World Fair exhibition. He always draws Oohs and Ahhs and “What is it?” visitors. Is worth a look.

Make a day trip to Bruges
Just a quick Brussels train journey, Bruges feels like a step back in medieval times. Located on a network of channels connecting to the North Sea, Bruges is perfect for a boat or a visit. The winding streets and paved canals make a picturesque walk, while the majestic historical buildings – the Stadhuis, the oldest town hall in Belgium, go back to 1376! – will give you a taste for time and architecture.

Lovers of art, history and architecture: while in Bruges, visit the Church of Notre-Dame (Eleven-read-vrouwekerk in Dutch). Construction began in 1220 and took almost 200 years to end, and it is the second highest brick building in the world. He also houses the famous Madonna and the child of Michelangelo, made around 1504 and the only one of him to leave Italy during his lifestyle.

Where to call at home
There is a cheeky humor for Vintage hotelA family hotel in Brussels. The interiors are colored and the details, such as Itty Bitty's Cube of Rubik adorning your ring in key and the miniature versions of the atomium throughout the breakfast room, are really delicious.

If you are in Bruges, treat yourself like a royalty Dukes Hotel PalaceA hotel occupying a 15th century, well, palace. It is polite, it is large, it is located in the center and it is not as expensive as you think.

If Airbnb is more your speed, This Without flat frills near Grand Place, This Beauty tiled in black and white and This The male loft is all worth a reservation.

Local jargon
See above for the ventilation of language lines in Belgium. English will do you very well in Belgium, but if you are in Dutch territory and want to flex the muscles of your language, here are some common sentences to get you.

• Hello: Hello
• Hello: Hello
• Good Navond: Good evening
• Yes yes
• No: no
• Please: please
• Thank you: thank you
• Do you speak English?: Do you speak English?
• A ticket for ____, please: a ticket for ____, please
• Please: can I look at the menu please?

Images via Megan McCarty