It’s easy to catch the feeling
of relaxation in Brussels, and we did just that on our third day. Throughout
the course of our trip, we had rough plans of what to see and do on each day.
But more often than not, plans were changed on the fly to allow for a more
easy-going schedule. After all: who wants to come home from a holiday more
tired than you were before you left?
After a relaxing morning, we
emerged just after midday and made our way to the metro, catching line 6
anti-clockwise out to Heysel in the north-west of Brussels. Out here, you can
find the intriguing sculpture/building known as Atomium.
 |
| It's unclear which atom it is meant to be. |
 |
| Cool design, though. |
The Atomium was originally
constructed for the Brussels World Fair held in 1958, and now serves as a
museum and something of a unique marvel at which to gawk. We opted to just
admire this oddity of design for a while before heading back the way we came.
 |
| A trip to the European Parliament. |
 |
| At least one of these flags will have to be taken down soon #Brexit. |
In the afternoon, we walked from
our accommodation out to the European Parliament; a brisk 25 minute stroll. On
arriving, we tried to join the tour but were advised we needed to show our
original passports – no copies, no driver’s license or other photo ID. I suppose
it makes sense, in retrospect, being the centre of the European Union and all!
So we missed the 3pm tour and spent the next hour doing a round trip to our
accommodation and back to get our passports and catch the 4pm tour – the last
one for the day. And luckily, we made it!
 |
| Feeling all parliamentarian. |
The tour is basically self-led,
with an earpiece explaining different aspects of the goings on when the
European Parliament meets. It was an interesting insight into the Union, and
certainly worth checking it out when you visit Brussels.
 |
| Respecting my heritage (mum's side)... |
 |
| ... and dad's side! |
We walked back into the city and
enjoyed the evening shopping and dining crowds, happening across the Galeries
St. Hubert, a market of upscale shops enclosed with a fancy glass ceiling.
Paying a visit to Delices Du Roy, we continued our European tour for the
tastiest macarons.
 |
| Galeries St. Hubert. |
We moved along to Neuhaus, the
original and most iconic of Belgium’s chocolate brands, in search of some gifts
for family. This particular shop in the Galeries was actually the very first
opened by Jean Neuhaus in 1857 (although it was originally an apothecary, with
medicines covered in chocolate to make them easier to take!).
As it happened, that day (26th
October) was a special day for Neuhas… I can’t recall if it was Jean’s
birthday, or the anniversary of Neuhaus itself, but something along those
lines. Whatever the case, the shop were making and handing out free samples of
the Neuhaus praline, complete with a glass of champagne! If I’m being honest,
the praline was not my favourite, but tasty in its own right. Happy
(something), Neuhaus!
 |
| More mussels for Avy, while I enjoyed the chicken. |
We proceeded back to Grand-Place
in search of dinner, settling on La Brouette on the western side of the Place;
a cosy pub with a traditional style, and a great place to get out of the
early-evening drizzle that had recently set in over the city. Avy tucked into
(more) mussels and fries while I dined on a deliciously creamy Chicken
Waterzooi.
 |
| Grand-Place by night. |
As the rain eased off, we made
our way back across the Place, admiring the night-time lights of the beautiful
town hall before heading in for the evening.
No comments:
Post a Comment