Belgium / July 8-16, 2017
SUMMARY
Being that we are relatively close, we decided to spend a week of our vacation time in Belgium. At least from an American perspective, I don't know many people who have actually been here. And if they have, it is usually to Brussels.
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We visited Antwerp, Ghent, and Bruges, all of which were scenic, clean, and easy to travel through. However, the town of Bruges stood out to me as the star of the trip. Everywhere you go, there is a view that looks like it should be in a painting (and probably is!). I highly recommend this town for a romantic getaway.
LIST OF RESTAURANTS AND SIGHTS
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Restaurants and More :
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Antwerp
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B&B Maryline, Pelgrimstraat 8 (super clean and beautiful bed & breakfast not far from the center of town. Would highly recommend)
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Estro Armonico, Oude Koornmarkt 16 (really cool underground restaurant offering Tunisian-style cuisine. Served fresh bread out of an open hearth oven)
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Zomer Bar, Beatrijslaan 29 (beach front bar). Really chill, outdoor bar covered in sand
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Mjams, Steenhouwersvest 29 (elegant interior and really sophisticated dishes)
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Elfde Gebod, Torfbrug 10 (historic beer house). We stumbled upon this restaurant/bar, and it is supposedly the oldest restaurant in Antwerp. It is chock full of church statues and other relics, which makes it really unique!
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Ghent
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't Klaverblad, Corduwaniersstraat 61 (traditional European dishes) The food was really good and in a totally adorable neighborhood.
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Oude vismijn, Rekelingestraat 5 (waterfront restaurant) Delicious food, and an amazing view to the town and canals.
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Amadeus Gent 1, Plotersgracht 8/10 (restaurant specializing in ribs) Very cheezy branding, but actually good ribs and in the summer you can sit outside in the courtyard that has a lush garden and fountain.
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't Klokhuys, Corduwaniersstraat 65 (charming restaurant with traditional Belgian food)
Bruges
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De Passage, Dweersstraat 26 (Belgian cuisine with a beautiful, art deco interior)
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Maximiliaan Van Oostenrijk, Wijngaardplein 16 (European and Flemish dishes with cozy interior and view onto the park with swans)
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Curiosa, Vlamingstraat 22 (traditional Flemish food in a stone basement)
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Le Trappiste, 33, Kuipersstraat (underground bar with vaulted ceilings)
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Sights :
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Antwerp
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Grote Markt
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Steen
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Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal (church)
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Plantin-Moretus (former mansion of a print maker, now museum)
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Saint-Charles-Borromée d'Anvers (church)
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Église Saint-Paul d'Anvers (church)
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Ghent
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Stadshal van Gent (public gathering space, modern architecture)
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Sint-Baafsabdij (church)
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Ghent Belfry (large bell tower)
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Gravensteen (castle of the house of Flanders)
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Sint-Michielsbrug (church)
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Groot Vleeshuis (restaurant and traditional market with local products)
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Hot Club Gent (really nice, but tightly packed, jazz club)
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Sint-Pietersabdij - Stad Gent (abbey with courtyard and outdoor café)
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Boat in Gent (boat tours in the canals, very nice)
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Bruges
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Above all, walk around the town. It is extremely gorgeous!
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Bruges Belfry (town bell tower)
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Sint-Janshospitaal (old hospital)
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Begijnhof (formerly a housing community and garden for beguines, which were pious and celebate women. Now, nuns inhabite these structures)
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Kasteel Minnewater (good place to grab a drink on the water)
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***Do NOT go to this museum: Historium Brugge
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Canal Tour (again, really nice)
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Bonne-Chièremolen (windmill)
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Stadhuis Brugge (city hall)
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