Brussels, a city that is dubbed by many as the most boring city in Europe so when G suggested that we spend our birthday weekend in Brussels I wasn’t pleased. BUT I love a challenge so armed with a lot of fabulous advice of places to visit I started to get excited about our little city break to Brussels especially the chocolate!
After visiting Brown’s Hotel in London for afternoon tea last month I was well impressed with their service and decided it was high time to try out one of the Rocco Forte properties so I booked Hotel Amigo; the best 5 star hotel in Belgium (so I was told!) and I’ve never met more friendly staff at a hotel before. A full review will follow next Monday.
On a city break I love my hotel to be right in the middle of the city so it’s easy to get to places (especially when you’re on a city break) and the Hotel Amigo delivered; we were no more than a minute away from the Grand Place which at night time looks amazing…
…I’d visited Brussels once before and can’t remember the city been this pretty…
…okay just one more night time photo…
Now I received a rather good tip off when it came to chocolate and the concierge at the hotel pointed me in a direction of another chocolate shop to try; his suggestion was to try both Marys and Pierre Marcolini (my tip off) to make up my mind on which is the best – it’s a pretty hard call to make!
Truly one of the hardest decisions EVER!
Jess from Jess on Thames recommended visiting the Musical Instruments Museum which is the cutest little museum ever and I was recommended on visiting the restaurant for brunch during the weekend however it was very packed but the views over Brussels were glorious!
Unfortunately the Royal Palace isn’t open at the moment (which is just pants) so I couldn’t go for a snoop inside but the exterior was very pretty.
I love wandering around a city and getting lost…I’m really bad at reading maps so this happens often however I think this is the best way to travel. Our concierge had marked out a walking tour of the major sights in Brussels so we did a walk by…G hates walking, if only the Segway tour was operating (only available during the summer months)! I on the other hand can walk for hours as long as there is a cake stop along the way.
So many pretty things to see and photograph…
Along with the really cool street art that you stumble upon while walking around the city
Before Angelina Jolie and her famous leg there was this guy
Monday was my birthday so I started the day with a very healthy fruit platter and a glass of bubbles…
…then I progressed onto a rather delicious hot chocolate and macaron at Pierre Marcolini (make sure you break the macaron first to let all the calories escape!)…
…then came the chocolate afternoon tea at Hotel Amigo which is in collaboration with Pierre Marcolini – there are no sarnies or scones just three tiers of chocolate! There will be a full review coming up; I wouldn’t not share the chocolate love.
There was a lot of sugar consumed on my birthday so I made sure to go for a little walk and found my favourite little spot in the whole of Brussels (that view top left is my favourite photo by a long shot).
I think it’s safe to say that I fell slightly in love with Brussels
When you’re waiting for a tram there is never one and then when you go to photograph something they’re coming at you from all directions; got the photo that I wanted in the end – phew!
As the city isn’t too touristy you don’t feel rushed at all…until you realise you haven’t bought a pair of shoes on your birthday and then you panic! I bought a pair of boots just in the nick of time really.
On our last morning in Brussels I rushed in to visit the Museum of Costume and Lace which has an Art Deco clothing exhibition on which was small but totally worth a visit if you love clothing for the 1930’s era; they don’t make clothes like they used to any more.
So I think it’s safe to say that I didn’t find Brussels as boring as I thought and it’s a city that is great if you know what you’re looking for and that’s why if you do head to Brussels that I recommend checking out these fabulous tips on Brussels from Jess on Thames. Don’t let other peoples experience put you off visiting Brussels; there’s a lot to discover however you just need to get tips from a local.
I would totally return to Brussels just to eat chocolates, they’re gluten free after all! Have you visited Brussels before; what where your thoughts on the city?
xx
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