24 hours in Brussels

Compared to Antwerp, Belgium's capital failed to impress me.  We originally planned to spend 2 nights in Brussels, but we were told that Antwerp is a beautiful city and the factory that we were visiting was close to Antwerp.  So, in the end, we ended up spending only a night in Brussels.  I was glad that we only ended up spending a night as I feel that Brussels itself has not enough things to do/see.  And people told me that there are other Belgium cities farther out, such as Gent and Brugge, which is worth taking a trip.  However, our short stay would not have allowed such a trip.  S

From Antwerp to Brussels, we took a train, which costs us 39 euro per person.   Compared to Antwerp's central station, Brussels train station misses the grandeur and grace.  It felt more like a train station opened for business.

The metro is right outside the train station and we took the train (which is 5 stops away) to our hotel, Meininger Hotel, which is supposed to be in Brussels' city center.  However, I find the hotel's neighborhood to be not that great.   And the hotel feels more like a hostel as opposed to proper hotels.  Nevertheless, the room was decent and the price was good.  A room with six beds cost us 140 euro per night.

Our hotel to the Grote Market is about 20 mins walk.  The hotel itself is located in the other side of Brussels canal, in the industry-like neighborhood.

A walk to the Grote market is pleasant.  We walked down Antoine Dansaertstraat and stopped in the park near St. Catherine church for lunch.  The neighborhood was busy as there was Jazz music festival going on.  A stage was set up in front of the church and different bands were playing music.  There are a couple of restaurants nearby, but the most striking one to me was where people were standing, and eating in tiny tables on the sidewalks.  The place is called Noordzee and boy, it was busy.  The place seemed to be a cheap local joint specializing in seafood.  As seafood lovers, we would normally have tried the place, but we did not this time because well..honestly, we don't know how exactly to order.  However, my dad and aunt scored fresh strawberry from nearby fruit vendor and they were very sweet and fresh.

As we walk closer to the Grote Market, it became more and more crowded.  I was surprised to find another Chinatown in Belgium.  (surprised probably because I did not see one in Amsterdam).   Brussels' central is noisy, crowded and packed.  It kinda reminds me of Times Square.  We found this lovely Chocolate store along the way and my mom and I couldn't resist purchasing, even though I'm not really that crazy about chocolates.

Oh Chocolate! I feel like I am one of those kids in the Willy Wonka's chocolate factory.

Chocolate for Hot Chocolate 

If you want to taste hot chocolate on the spot, they would give you a cup of hot milk and this.  I tried the white chocolate one with raspberry - the first one from the right.  It was way too sweet for me. 

I think there could be other chocolate places, but this one seemed like the best in presentation for me.

Eventually we reached Grand Palace(Grote Market).  There was another stage set up and chairs and tables were also set up for public in the square.  I honestly did not research anything about Brussels before the trip.  But a pamphlet at the hotel lobby suggested a couple of attractions, but none of us are really interested.  I, however, was intrigued by this Tin Tin's murals.  However, I was lost while trying to find this comic book strip! (Yes, in this technology and age, I am ashamed to admit that I couldn't get to this place).  Another reason was that we were all very tired and did not want to walk any further.  So, I managed to be satisfied with this overcrowded Tin Tin's store near Grote Market.

After that, we headed back to hotel to recharge for our early flight to Athens the next day.  

Wish I had done:

• See Tin Tin's mural painting
• Eat seafood at Nordzee 

Antwerp - A hidden gem

The city of Antwerpen is very close to Amsterdam. After being on the train for 1.15 hrs we reached the city famous for its diamond.  I was not aware of Antwerp till recently and it is not on my must-visit countries list.   The only reason that we are even in Antwerp is to visit a factory for my dad's business. 

Was surprised to find Chinatown - just on the right side of the central station

I was expecting a small cozy (and frankly boring) city but amazed by the city's central train station for its grandeur.   The station has 22 platforms which are separated across 3 levels.  The place I booked is called CocoMat and it was about 5 mins walking distance from central station. We were early and was having a difficult time trying to contact the owners because it was an apartment rental.   The building has a furniture stores downstairs which does not open until 10am, and we were told to wait till the stores open.

The factory that we are visiting is in the city of St. Niklaas slightly outside of Antwerp city and it was 20 minutes by train.   So, we waited until the stores open, left our luggage, walked back to the station and hopped onto the train.  After the trip, we came back to Antwerp with Joe, my dad's business contact, who was kind enough to show us his hometown.   Antwerp is not a big city, and there isn't anything major to see.  But the city has its own charms, with its laid-back urban feels. 

Our first stop was  at Bourla Theater with an impressive cafe area.   Even if you are not a theater fan, just stop by at the cafe for a drink and admire the impressive architecture.  For some reason, I was reminded of that ballroom from the Beauty and the Beast.  

Virgin Mary is Antwerp's Patron Saint and she's ubiquitous in the city, built into every corner of the buildings

Some cute building in the old town.

We walked down the fashion district, admiring all the designer stores.   I came across this brand store called Delavux.  It is a luxury handbag company like Gucci and LV, and seemed to be huge in Belgium.  But I was surprised that they are not that well known in the States like other European brands such as Mulberry.  After window shopping in the fashion district, Joe took us to the historic site of Antwerp to see the most famous Lady of Cathedral church, city hall and grote market area.  We even visited the Antwerp university compound. 

Lady of Cathedral Church

Being in Belgium, I had to try the famous Belgium waffle and it definitely lived up to its name.  

Belgium Waffle @ Desire de Lille - the texture is so flaky and so good!

After 2 hours walking tour, we were pretty thrilled to be back at our hotel apartment.  And we were pleasantly surprised to find our spacious two bedroom apartment on the 5th floor of Coco-Mat residence.  The concept of Coco-Mat is the first I have experienced so far in my travel. The company is Greece based furniture company with the showroom downstairs and rentals upstairs.  They put their products in the apartment so that guests can sample their products and order them.  It's apparently a franchising company and has places all around Europe and some in US.

Coco-Mat's Living Area with the view of Antwerp

Coco-Mat is located very centrally with central station on one end and old town on the other.  You can walk to the old town within 20-25 mins or you can take underground subway which is right under the apartment.   Train ride from our apartment to the old town is one stop away and 3 minutes long.   Of course we didn't know that in our earlier walking tour as we were going around the city.  But the old city is really only 3 minutes train ride away. 

Antwerp's train map

Next to our hotel is a movie theater. Since we have nothing to do and TV wasn't interesting., me and my brother decided to go and watch Godzilla.  I wanted to get the feeling of movie theater outside US.  Overall, the theater is pretty similar to US.  Tickets are a bit pricey as they are in euros on all.  However, we were able to get student discounts.  3 movie tickets came out 26 euro.

Overall, I liked Antwerp.  Personally I feel like staying for 2 nights is more than enough.  A day of walking tour will cover all the attractions.   Oh, and I definitely Coco-Mat residences to anyone who is traveling to Antwerp.
 
Recommended/Tips:
1.  Walking or biking tours - bikes are available for renting and they are the best way to get around town if you cannot walk.  The other alternatives is underground subways.
2.  Belgium Waffles - must eat!
3.  Going into a diamond stores and haggle - I think I can understand why they call Antwerp - Diamond capital.  They just put all the loose diamonds on display.  And they priced those pretty high.  If you are interested in buying, please haggle a lot.  And most diamond stores seemed to be owned by Jewish people as is true in New York.
4.  Bourla Theater - I wish I would have more time to spend here and enjoy their brunch.
5.  There are a lot of cute bakeries in the fashion district.  Would have loved to try those.