Unique Europe Roadtrip

About the destination: From its awe-inspiring medieval heart to its 21st-century shrine to Surrealism, the new Magritte Museum, Brussels provides visitors with much more than just beer and chocolate, defying its unfortunate dull reputation as the home of EU bureaucrats. In fact, Brussels is a vibrant, innovative city. Its compact city center is filled with bars, restaurants, and museums lining cobblestone streets. Unsurprisingly, most tourists flock to the Grand-Place. With its elaborate Flemish guild houses, imposing Town Hall, and lively ambiance, it would be hard to find a more stunning square in all of Europe. It rightfully holds a spot as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is the city’s crowning glory. Venture next to the nearby Royal and Sablon districts, bustling with art galleries and antique shops. Ditch your map and wander down countless side streets, uncovering flea markets, art-deco houses, and boutique shops. The Bruxellois take pride in their modest, intellectual sense of humor, underlined by a deep appreciation for the absurd. The city has a longstanding romance with the Surrealist art movement, led by René Magritte, and with classic comic strips, embodied by Hergé's boy hero, Tintin. There's a poignant irony in the fact that the city's most famous landmark is the Manneken-Pis, a small statue of a urinating boy. Meanwhile, all of this coexists with world-class art collections, exquisite cuisine including mussels, fries, waffles and whelks, some of Europe’s finest and unique beers (literally, there are thousands of varieties), and master chocolatiers. The city’s cultural calendar is filled with events for everyone, from the massive, boisterous Foire du Midi street fair every July brimming with stalls and fairground attractions to the legendary Christmas Market that takes center stage in the Place Sainte Catherine with 240 stalls, a skating rink, a Ferris wheel, and numerous rides. One of the biggest events is Art Brussels, showcasing the city’s edgier, creative side and a hub for art connoisseurs from around the world. If you’re a Euro-loving national, check out the European Quarter, centered around Schuman and the Berlaymont. Its most vibrant part is the Place du Luxembourg: all its bars fill up around 6pm on weekdays with some of the 20,000 diplomats, politicians, and civil servants who live in the city after Brussels became the center of international politics following WWII. Open your eyes and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by all that Brussels has to offer.

About the destination: Bruges is Europe's hidden gem. It stands as the most well-preserved example of northern Renaissance architecture in Europe, with its romantic canals and stunning facades rivaled only by its art. Bruges is like an inside-out museum, presented with a delicate touch and subtlety that most curators can only aspire to. After sunset, the buildings and canals are beautifully lit, creating a breathtaking sight. The town center is the Markt, a stunning square overseen by the impressive Beffroi, a medieval bell tower and one of the city's most iconic symbols. For a stunning view of the city's circular boundary, ascend the steps of the Beffroi. The 14th-century Stadhuis, or town hall, is a prime example of flamboyant Gothic architecture. Many Flemish masters worked in Bruges, and some of their masterpieces are housed in the superb Groeninge Museum. The impeccably preserved medieval tower of Our Lady's Church is the tallest tower in Bruges. The Church of our Lady houses Michelangelo's tender Madonna and Child, and also features an incredibly ornate wooden pulpit. Situated in the right-hand corner of Burg Square, the Basilica of the Holy Blood, built in 1150, consists of a Romanesque lower chapel and a Gothic upper chapel. The two levels are strikingly different: the Romanesque lower level is austere with minimal decoration, while the Gothic upper level is vibrant with colorful detail. The two chapels are connected by a grand brick staircase, which ascends behind the grand facade facing the square. The current stairs and facade are 19th-century reconstructions of the 1533 Renaissance versions, which were demolished during the French occupation following the French Revolution. The Minnewater, also known as the Lake of Love, and its beautiful park are among the first sights you see when arriving in Bruges by train or coach. The lake and surrounding park provide a perfect escape from the city's busy sights and streets. The many resident swan pairs add the finishing touch to its romantic character. At the Lake of Love, Bruges appears even more picturesque than usual. Bruges, with its charming medieval character, is truly unique. As you wander its alleys, picturesque canals, and green ramparts, you can't help but fall deeply in love with its elegant mystery.