We like to organise a European city break from time to time and Belgium is a country that appeals, both because it’s a short distance to drive from London and also there is the fact that they have good food and beer!
Our ferry from Dover left about 40 minutes late which added to the fact that continental Europe is an hour ahead of us meant we did not arrive at our hotel until almost 2:00am. Breakfast we were told would be served up until 10:30am so we could at least get a decent sleep.
I was up early to move the car across the river to a free car park which gave me the chance to explore the city a little on my 30 minute walk back to the hotel. After breakfast we donned our coats and began our tour of the city in what was biting cold weather.
Our first real stop was the house where the painter Rubens spent much of his life and died. It is now a museum and there were examples of his paintings as well as those of others who worked under him. An audio tour explained some of the exhibits and rooms. The audio commentary explained that when Rubens’ first wife died he decided he could not live like a monk and so took a 2nd wife who was only 16 years old…..he was 53 at the time!
Other sights we visited during the day were the diamond district and the main squares, the most well known of which is Grote Markt where they have an open air ice rink in the winter. Another square had a Christmas market and there was also a ferris wheel close to the river. We made a few stops during the day, taking refuge in warm cafes where we enjoyed snacks and hot drinks, though I could not resist a Westmalle Triple to start.
Sightseeing largely over we returned to the hotel and asked reception for a recommendation about where to eat locally. The recommendation was a fish restuarant which was empty, not usually a good sign. The food was good though, as long as you liked fish as this was all that was on the menu. Most of the group had mussels, some for starters as well as main course! The choice of beers was limited though, most of us picking Jupiler.
Meal over we went to find a bar. Andrew and Sian had made their own way to Antwerp early and were in a bar somewhere near the cathedral. We tried to join them but by the time we reached the area they had returned to their hotel. We finally settled on a bar with room and ordered some drinks. The table soon filled up with empty bottles of Chimay, Duvel, Orval, Westmalle and fruit beers too. We left the bar at 12:30am when they were about the close.
After breakfast on Sunday we decided to leave Antwerp and stopped off in Ypres for a late lunch where we finally met up with Andrew and Sian. There was not time to visit the war cemeteries and so we headed to Calais for our ferry home, taking advantage of the duty free on board.
It had been good to escape London for a weekend away before Christmas. Hopefully we will get the chance to visit another European city soon.
