going solo in europe – Page 4

Going Solo In Europe: PRAGUE – Europe’s Most Beautiful Capital City

After exploring different cities around Netherlands & Belgium for a week, I took a 65-minute Brussels Airlines flight to Czech Republic. My time in the Dutch & Belgian territories are over; it’s time to move to the next country, time to explore the famous & most beautiful city in Europe – Prague. People I met during the trip often asked me why I chose this city over the usual Paris or the near ones Cologne or Luxembourg. Well, I’ve always wanted to see this city & I promised myself I will include this in my first ever trip to Europe. Let me share with you in this post what this amazing city has to offer.

In case you missed it, I went on a 19-day trip to Europe late last year. I flew to Singapore then to Amsterdam via Singapore Airlines. I went around The Netherlands & visited Amsterdam, Utrecht & North Holland. I also explored the cities of Brussels, Ghent & Bruges in Belgium. I flew to Czech Republic after then onward to Denmark before flying home. You can find the posts about this Europe trip under the Going Solo in Europe series category.

Prague

Prague is the capital & the biggest city in Czech Republic. The city is dubbed as the political, economic & cultural center of Central Europe. Located by the Vltava River, the city flourished during the medieval period being the seat of the Kingdom of Bohemia as well as the base of Holy Roman Emperors. Its most notable ruler, Charles IV (whom the Charles Bridge & a lot of things in Prague are named after), built the city into an important city in Europe. The city survived wars, invasions & natural calamities over the years & rose into a famous tourist destination in central Europe. It was the capital of Czechoslovakia until the state was dissolved in 1993. Prague’s old town & historic center was included in UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites in 1992.

Czech Republic is one of the Schengen states & is a member of the European Union. The country doesn’t use Euro (€) as official currency. It still uses Czech Korunas (CZK) with a conversion rate of around 24-27 CZK for every €1. Prague or Czech Republic in general is relatively cheaper to travel compared to other Schengen countries. Prague is one of the famous holiday destinations in Europe & it attracts millions of visitors every year. Majority of its citizens know how to speak English but their local language (Czech) is still the main language all over the city. In my opinion, Prague has more beautiful buildings & heritage structures compared to the other cities I’ve been to.

Planning to make your Euro-trip dreams come true? Getting a Schengen tourist visa is easy! Check out my post on how I got my tourist visa without any help from any agency.

Brussels To Prague

Brussels & Prague are about 900 kilometers away from each other with Germany being in between. The fastest & cheapest way to reach Prague from Brussels is by plane. I checked the train & bus options but it’ll take me a little over day. I took the 65-minute afternoon Brussels Airlines flight & paid €67,40 one-way including baggage allowance. Know more about this flight by checking my flight report on SN 2811.

Going Around Prague

Going around Prague is easy. The best way to explore the city, especially the Old Town area, is by foot. Every corner of the city is so beautiful, so picturesque. You can walk around all day, stop at every corner, admire the beauty of each side & take lovely photos. You won’t mind getting lost in the city, its beauty is mind-blowing.

The 90-minute ticket I bought in the airport station; I used this to go to the city via bus & subway.

Aside from just walking around all day, you can also go from one place to the other using the subway, trams & buses. The city’s transportation system runs on a uniform time-based ticketing service. Tickets can be used on any mode of public transport as many times & with as many transfers as you like during its validity period. A short-term ticket that’s valid for 30 minutes costs 24 CZK (Czech Korunas). The 90-minute ticket costs 32 CZK, 24-hour ticket costs 110 CZK & the 3-day ticket costs 310 CZK. You can take the bus, tram & subway within 30 minutes for only 24 CZK. Tickets are purchased in ticket vending machines inside the stations or inside the trams.

Václav Havel Airport Prague, or commonly known as Prague Airport (PRG), is located a few miles away from the city. The cheapest way to reach the city is by taking Bus 119 to Nadrazi Veleslavin Station on the Green Line, transferring to the metro & getting off in Můstek of Muzeum Station. Trip takes about 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. It is recommended to take the 90-minute ticket which costs 32 CZK.

Prague Walking Tours

If you’ve read my previous posts about Amsterdam, Brussels, Ghent & Bruges, you know that I am a fan of walking tours. I believe these walking tours are the best way to know the city from tour professionals at a small cost. I joined 2 tours in Prague – both organized & ran by SANDEMANs New Europe, the same tour group I joined in Amsterdam & Brussels.

That is our friendly tour guide, Katerina. walking us around Josefov – Prague’s old Jewish quarter.

I joined the 3-hour Prague Walking Tour led by Katerina. She walked us through the old town, told us the history of Prague (from the early centuries, the Bohemian times, Nazi invasion up to the post-war times), showed us some unique sightings (Astronomical Clock, Jewish Cemetery, Charles Bridge) & gave us tips on where else to go & what else to do in this fascinating city. This English & Spanish tip-based walking tour happens every day at 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 14:00 & 16:00, starts in front of the Cartier in the Old Town Square (look for the red umbrella with the SANDEMANs logo in it) & ends at Jan Palach Square.

This is our Prague Castle tour group with our guide Brandon who walked us around the complex.

On that same day, after the walking tour, I joined the Prague Castle Tour led by Brandon. This €12 x 3-hour tour took us up to the Prague Castle, around the Castle district & in various churches in the area. Brandon shared to us the history of the Prague Castle & the nearby buildings, the stories of the Kings, Dukes & Emperors who lived there & even showed to us the changing ceremony of the castle guards. This tour happens at 14:30 every day plus 10:00 schedules every Saturday & Sunday. Tickets are available online or during the free walking tour break. Tour goers need a 30-minute ticket worth (24 CZK) for the tram ride up to the castle grounds; tram tickets can also be purchased during the walking tour break. This tour starts at Jan Palach Square in front of Rudolfinum (look for the red umbrella with the SANDEMANs logo in it) & ends right outside the castle grounds.

I strongly recommend taking these walking tours with SANDEMANs New Europe in Prague. The guides are professional, informative & accommodating. I can’t thank Katerina & Brandon for these 2 fun tours. I learned a lot in 6 hours of walking around Prague Old Town & Prague Castle.

Places To See Around Prague

Prague has a long list on interesting places to see. Check out the sites I’ve been to during my visit.

Old Town Square

Old Town Square, Staroměstské Náměstí in local language, is the historic square of Old Town Prague. It is between the Wenceslas Square & Charles Bridge. This is one of the most famous places to visit in Prague; it is also the meeting point of all walking tours in the city. the Prague Old Town Hall, St. Nicholas Church & Church of our Lady before Tyn surround this big town square.

This is the other side of the Old Town Square, this time during night time… It’s still busy at night!

Charles Bridge

Charles Bridge, Karlův Most in Czech language, is the most famous historic bridge in Prague that crosses the Vltava River & connects the old town to the Prague Castle. This bridge was built during the reign of Charles IV. The bridge is decorated by around 30 statutes on both sides – most of them are saints & images from the Roman Catholic faith. Charles Bridge is one of the most famous & crowded landmarks in Prague.

Tip: Visit the Charles Bridge at least 3 times during your Prague visit – one in the morning during sunrise, one during sunset & one in the evening. It appeals differently at each time of the day. Also, beware of pickpockets in this area.

Prague Astronomical Clock

Prague Astronomical Clock, Pražský Orloj in Czech language, is a medieval astronomical clock found in the walls of the Old Town Hall. It is one of the oldest astronomical clocks in the world & the oldest that is still working.

Tip: The astronomical clock features an hourly ‘Walk of the Apostles’ show. Make sure to get a good place at least 10-15 minutes before every start of the hour to see the show from the best angle.

Old Town Hall

Prague’s Old Town Hall, Staroměstská Radnice in local language, is one of the oldest & the most visited buildings in the old town. The building served as the council’s seat in the old times & was converted into a tourism office, a museum & an exhibition space. It also has a tower which gives a nice view of the Prague Old Town. Access to the Old Town Hall Tower comes with a fee.

Church of our Lady before Týn

The Church of our Lady before Týn, locally known as Kostel Matky Boží Před Týnem, is a Gothic-style church found in the Prague Old Town Square. This church can easily be noticed because of its 2 tall towers. The church entrance is found at the back of the restaurants & commercial spaces in the Old Town Square.

Old Town Bridge Tower

The Old Town Bridge Tower, also known as Staroměstská Mostecká Věž, is the tower that connects Prague Old Town with Charles Bridge.

Republic Square

Republic Square, locally known as Náměstí Republiky, is the city square between the Old Town & the New Town. This public square has commercial spaces, shopping malls & restaurants around it. This is the square near the Powder Tower.

Powder Tower

The Prašná Brána or Powder Tower is a Gothic-style tower that separates the old town from the new town. This tower is one of the old gates of the City of Prague.

St. Francis of Assisi Church

St. Frances of Assisi Church, locally Kostel Sv. Františka z Assisi, is a Baroque-style church in Prague. It is near the Old Town Tower Bridge & functions as a concert hall.

Prague Castle

Prague Castle, locally known as Pražský Hrad, is the office of the President of Czech Republic. This castle complex was built in the 9^th century has become the seat of power of the kings, emperors & presidents that served Czech Republic. This UNESCO World Heritage site has different buildings & structures which have different architectural styles.

Tip: Take the Prague Castle Tour with SANDEMANs New Europe to know more about the Prague Castle.

St. Vitus Cathedral

St. Vitus Cathedral, locally known as Metropolitní Katedrála Svatého Víta, is a metropolitan Catholic cathedral found inside the Prague Castle grounds. This cathedral is the biggest & the most important church in Prague. It is also the seat of the Archdiocese of Prague. This Gothic-style church is the place where royal events happen. It is also known for its beautiful stained-glass images.

This is one of the many stained glasses of St. Vitus Cathedral – the depicted images are beautiful!!!

St George’s Basilica

St. Georges Basilica, Bazilika Sv. Jiří in local language, is the oldest church building found in the Prague Castle complex. This church dedicated to St George functions as an exhibition space, a concert hall & an art gallery.

Wenceslas Square

Wenceslas Square, Václavské Náměstí in Czech language, is one of the famous squares in Prague New Town. The square has many commercial establishments including shops, restaurants & bars. It is also a cultural square where past mass gatherings & celebrations happened. The square was named after Wenceslas I, the Duke of Bohemia.

Narodni Museum

Narodni Museum or Národní muzeum in local language is the National Museum of Czech Republic. It has everything about Czech Republic – its history, arts, culture & government. This building is found at the end of Wenceslas Square. The nearest subway station to the museum is Muzeum Station.

Josefov

Josefov is an Old Town quarter occupied by the Jews since the 10^th century. Notable structures such as the Old New Synagogue (Staronová Synagoga – Europe’s oldest functioning synagogue) & the Old Jewish Cemetery (Starý židovský Hřbitov) are found here.

Rudolfinum

Rudolfinum is a 19^th century concert & exhibition hall in Jan Palach Square.

New Town Hall

Prague’s New Town Hall, locally known as Novoměstská Radnice, was built after King Charles IV created the New Town. This historical building has witnessed cultural & social activities & still continues to host exhibitions & social events in the city.

Dancing House

Dancing House, Tančící Dům in Czech language, is an office building located by Vltava River. This building became famous because of its unique architecture. Commonly known as Fred & Ginger, this building is dedicated to a famous American dance duo.

Havelský Market

Havelský Market, locally known as Havelské Tržiště, is a local urban market in Havelská Street. It is the only preserved & functioning market place in the Old Town. Market stalls sell fresh fruits & vegetables for locals & souvenir items mainly for visitors.

Statue of Kafka

The Statue of Kafka, locally called Hlava Franze Kafky, is an outdoor rotating sculpture of famous Bohemian writer Franz Kafka found outside Quadrio Shopping Center in Prague. The sculpture was made by David Černý & was installed in 2014.

Prague is Prague. It is a must visit city in Czech Republic & in Europe in general. There’s no city in Europe like Prague – historical, beautiful, unique & affordable. I’m happy I went out of my way to visit this wonderful city. I may have seen a lot but I still dream of going back to this magnificent city. It is easily my favorite city in Europe so far!

Have you been to Prague in the past? What do you think of the city? What was your favorite spot around the city? Are you planning to go to Prague in the future? If yes, please include this city in your first trip. You won’t have regrets visiting the beautiful city – I promise. Share your experiences or plans in the comments section below. Do you have questions about the city or place mentioned above? You may also send them to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com & I’ll answer as soon as I can.

One of my favorite sights in Prague – St. Vitus Cathedral’s main facade during sunset. Beautiful!!!

Thank you for joining me in Prague today! Next up is a small town east of Prague called Kutna Hora. Stay tuned for that post. Don’t forget to check out my other Europe posts under the Going Solo in Europe category. Please don’t forget to follow my social media platforms – Facebook & Instagram.

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

P’s List: 5 Must Try Belgian Treats

Hello & welcome to the second installment of P’s List! Last week, I introduced this section to everyone which will list random stuff I miss or I enjoyed in a certain city or country. I’ve been missing everything about Japan over the last few days so I decided to divert my attention by writing about my 6 budget-friendly & favorite to-do’s while in the country.

I mostly talked about food in that Japan-related post & I plan to continue that in this list. One of the things I really enjoyed while going around Belgium was their ‘famous’ delicacies. Apart from the beautiful buildings & houses, Belgium also boasts tasty & iconic food which one should try when exploring the country.

Join me in today’s P’s List as I tell you the 5 food & drinks one shouldn’t miss when in Belgium.

Fries

One snack which Belgians take pride on is Belgian Fries, locally called frites. I know most people call it French Fries but the Belgian people refused to do so. They call it Belgian fries & they still have an ongoing battle with the French people on who discovered it, where it came from & who has the better product. I haven’t tried the ‘real’ French fries but the ‘legit’ Belgian fries are damn good. Our guide, Tom, from the Brussels walking tour told us that locals cook the potatoes twice in animal fat.

Tip: Don’t forget to mix your Belgian fries with the famous Andalouse sauce.

Where to get the best Belgian fries: Fritland (near the Brussels Stock Exchange Building) & Café Georgette (near Delirium Café)

Waffles

Aside from fries, Belgium is also famous for its waffles. I came to Belgium to try the famous Belgian waffle only to find out that the waffle has 2 kinds – the Brussels Waffle & the Liege Waffle. Brussels waffles are made from yeast-leavened batter. It is rectangular in size & has more defined edges & deeper pockets. It is commonly served with powdered sugar. On the other hand, Liege waffles are made from thicker batter & has sugar in the ingredients. This type of waffle is thicker, has uneven edges & has a caramelized taste (because of the sugar) & texture. I’ve tried both waffles – both were good & tasty. I don’t mind having both of them again.

Tip: Belgian waffles aren’t served with butter & syrup. They’re not breakfast food; they’re a staple snack. Both Brussels & Liege waffles are best enjoyed without any add-on – no fruits, no toppings & no syrup.

House of Waffle’s best-selling Brussels Waffles – this waffle place is found in Bruges, Belgium. 🇧🇪

Plain Liege waffle from Koffiehuis 3,14 in Ghent, Belgium. Too bad I didn’t try Maison Dandoy’s.

Where to get the best Belgian waffles: Maison Dandoy in Brussels (street off Grand Place) for both kinds, Koffiehuis 3,14 in Ghent for Liege Waffle, House of Waffles in Bruges for both kinds (Liege waffles are offered only for takeaway while Brussels waffles are only available for dine-in)

Chocolates

Belgium is also famous for its chocolates – both as pralines & truffles. The industry started in the 1600s when chocolate was brought to Europe. Since then, it has been part of the people’s lives – from morning chocolate drinks, desserts to gifts. Belgium has produced world-renowned chocolate companies such as Godiva, Côte d’Or, Neuhaus, Corné Port-Royal & Leonidas. I had the chance to visit both the high-class chocolate shops & those local chocolate shops & I prefer the latter one. The handmade chocolates sold in these small & local businesses have the best & unique taste, more than a factory-made chocolate can have.

Tip: Ask for free taste in chocolate shops, they’ll surely offer you one. Handmade Belgian chocolates quality only last for 3 weeks – these chocolates are for immediate consumption.

Personal favorite – handmade Belgian chocolates from Chocolaterie De Burg in Bruges, Belgium.

Where to get the best-valued Belgian chocolates: Mary Chocolatier in Brussels (along Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert or near Manneken Pis) & Chocolaterie De Burg in Bruges (near Burg Square & beside the Basilica of the Holy Blood)

Flemish Beef Stew

Belgium is also famous for its Flemish beef stew. Cooking the beef with a Belgian beer makes this dish even more special. The meat is cooked for 2-3.5 hours until the flavors simmer, until the meat is tender. This dish is usually served with mashed potato. The meal is commonly called Carbonnades a la Biere or Carbonnade Flamande.

Tip: This dish is best partnered with a glass of local beer.

Where to get the best Flemish beef stew: Fin de Siècle – a local restaurant a few minutes by foot from the Brussels Stock Exchange Building. FYI – this restaurant doesn’t take reservations & only accepts cash.

Beer

Belgian beer is something one must not miss when in Belgium. The country has hundreds of active breweries from the big companies to the small trappist monasteries. Yes, monks brew beers in Belgium. The Belgian’s love for beer started centuries ago when beer was offered as an alternative to drinking water. It eventually became part of their daily lives which is still true up to the present times. Belgians drink more liters of beer per year than any other nationality in the world.

Believe it or not, most beers in Belgium are served in bottles & not in cans. Most of these beers even have their own crafted glasses when served. There are hundreds of kinds of beers available in Belgium. I suggest that you try as much as you can.

Fun fact: There’s a brewery in Bruges (De Halve Maan who brews Brugse Zot beers) who brews their beers in the city & allows the beer to travel 2 miles to the bottling plant outside the city through an underground pipeline.

Tip: Belgian beers are available everywhere. There are a lot of beers to try. Make sure to at least try a beer in every restaurant or bar you are in.

Where to get the best Belgian beer: Delirium Café in Brussels – it is a bar that serves 2,004 kinds of beers – both Belgian & non-Belgian ones. Don’t forget to try Delirium Tremens & Brugse Zot | De Garre in Bruges (found in a small alley by the Bruges Provincial Court) – try their signature De Garre Beer.

And that’s it. I hope I didn’t make you crave for some food. Belgium surely has a lot more dishes, snacks & drinks to try but these were the ones that stood out to me during my trip. In case you want to know more about my Europe trip last 2019, feel free to check out the posts in the Going Solo in Europe Series in this blog.

One more photo of these authentic & handmade Belgian chocolates from Chocolaterie de Burg 🇧🇪

Have you tried some of the treats mentioned above? Which one do you like most? Are you planning to go to Belgium soon & to try the food & beers above? Which one do you look forward to trying in the future? Post your thoughts in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? You may send them to me via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com & I will try my best to answer.

Thank you for joining me in today’s P’s List! Please don’t forget to follow my social media platforms – Facebook & Instagram. See you in the next one!

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

Hostel Of The Day: SLEEP WELL YOUTH HOSTEL BRUSSELS – Eco-Friendly City Center Hostel with Excellent Free Buffet Breakfast

Hello & welcome to newest hostel of the day feature! After sharing with you my experiences around Brussels, Bruges & Ghent, it’s time to give details about Sleep Well Youth Hostel – the hostel I stayed with while in Belgium.

Sleep Well Youth Hostel is one of Brussels’ leading hostel. It started out as a youth home which eventually accepted young travelers. Through the years, it catered to more & more travelers & thus became to what it is now. It is an eco-friendly hostel in the center of Brussels. It offers affordable accommodation to those travel in a budget at the same time caters to those who want some privacy during their holidays. The hostel makes sure their operations have minimal impact to the environment by practicing environment-friendly measures. They also play an active role in the socioeconomic development of Belgium & its citizens.

I stayed with Sleep Well Youth Hostel for 4 full days & 4 nights after spending 5 days around Amsterdam, Utrecht, North Holland & The Netherlands in general. Oh, make sure to check out Generator Hostel Amsterdam – the hostel I stayed with while in Holland. Today, allow me to share with you details about this amazing hostel in Brussels. As always, I’ll run you through the hostel’s location, rooms & its amenities. I will also share bits about my stay in the hostel.

In case you missed it, I went on a 19-day Europe trip to Europe last October-November 2019. In these 19 days, I went & explored The Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic & Denmark. If you want to know the details of this Euro-trip, feel free to check out the posts under the Going Solo in Europe series.

Location & Access

Sleep Well Youth Hostel is a short-stay hostel in the center of Brussels. It is located in Rue du Damier 23, a street off the city’s shopping street. Rogier Station is the nearest metro station to the hostel. Brussels North Station & Brussels Central Station are about 10 to 15-minute walk away from the hostel doorstep. Brussels South Station is a metro ride away to Rogier Station. The nearest metro station exit to the hostel is Rue Nueve exit. Brussels Airport is 30 minutes by train from both North & Central Stations. Brussels Charleroi Airport is an hour bus ride from Brussels South Station. All means of going to Brussels go through these main hubs. You’ll easily find your way to this hostel.

The hostel’s location is perfect. There is a restaurant beside the hostel, a shopping center a few meters away & even more restaurants & food places 5-10 minutes from the hostel doors. Guests don’t need to take the metro or taxi to the important sights since most of them are walk-able from the hostel. Grand Place, Brussels’ most beautiful place, is 10 minutes away by foot.

Accommodation Options & Pricing

Sleep Well Youth Hostel has 3 types of rooms that cater to all kinds of travelers. Those who are in budget can stay in their dormitory rooms. These dormitory rooms have 3, 4 & 6 beds & are split between males & females. Rates per night are as follows: €26 for the 6-bed, €27,50 for the 4-bed & €31 for the 3-bed dormitory room. Those travelling in pairs can stay in the twin room at €36 per night. Solo travelers who want privacy can book the single room for €56 a night. These rooms have private shower & toilet but do not include towels & toiletries.

Sleep Well Hostel also offers upscale accommodation options for those who want to stay in a hotel-like room. Details about Sleep Well Star & Sleep Well Duplex accommodation options are found here.

I booked my stay directly with the hostel & stayed in a 3-bed male dormitory room. The room had single beds, a small work table, separate shower & toilet spaces & lockers (bring your own padlocks). The room had a big window but no air conditioning or fan – which I didn’t mind because it was cold during my visit. Each dormitory bed had sheets, a pillow & blanket, a reading light & 2 USB ports. I paid €122,00 for 4 nights with breakfast every morning. That’s 30,50 per night & around ₱1,800 in our currency. The hostel’s rate isn’t bad at all considering it already has breakfast buffet included. The nightly cost is standard in terms of European rates – at least it’s cheaper & of greater value than Generator Amsterdam’s.

Guest Amenities & Perks

Guests of Sleep Well Youth Hostel enjoy the following amenities & perks:

Free Wi-Fi – All guests have access to the hostel’s fast Wi-Fi connection. Access is given during check-in; the log in details are in the key card case.

Excellent Free Breakfast – Guests can have breakfast hostel’s dining area from 7:00 to 10:00 in the morning. This is where this hostel sets the bar from any other hostel I’ve stayed with in this trip. Their buffet breakfast includes bread (with butter & jam), pasta, egg, cheese, cold cuts, vegetable salad, fruit mixes, cereals, yogurt & a variety of drinks – coffee, tea, juice, milk & water. I loved Sleep Well’s extensive breakfast choice for a hostel. On top of that – it’s already in the nightly rate you paid, unlike most hostels in Europe where you pay extra for breakfast.

Private Toilets & Shower Areas – All rooms have private & separate toilet & shower areas. Guests don’t need to line up for whichever area they need to use as these can be done simultaneously. Showers have both cold & hot water.

On-site Bar – The hostel has an on-site bar at the back of reception. The bar has an extensive list of Belgian beers to try. There’s not much vibe in the bar. From memory, it’s only open until 12 midnight.

24-Hour Reception – The hostel’s reception is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Check in time is at 3:00 pm & check out is at 11:00 am.

Nice & Helpful Staff – Sleep Well Youth Hostel’s staff were nice & helpful. There was a big group checking in when I arrived & one of the staffs immediately helped in checking in. They also gave recommendations on where to go & what to do during my stay.

Indoor & Outdoor Communal Areas – Another thing I loved about this hostel is the presence of indoor & outdoor communal areas. Guests can sit down & chill in almost every corner of the hostel. There are relaxation places by the reception area, right outside the breakfast area & even by the lifts.

Guest Kitchen – Guests also have access to the hostel’s communal kitchen. Those who want to prepare their own food can do so in this area.

Vending Machines – There are vending machines near the reception area in case one wants some drink or snack while in the common area.

Free Computer Use – Guests are welcome to use the desktop computers by the common areas. They can use this to book their onward tickets & hostels or even plan their daily itineraries while in Brussels.

Luggage Room – The hostel also has a room dedicated for guests’ luggage after check out. Please ask reception on where this is found.

Games Area – Those who are travelling in groups can kill time & play in the games area. There are table football & ping-pong tables to play with.

Laundry Facilities – Laundry facilities are available for guests who want to wash their clothes during their stay. Please ask the reception on how to avail this service.

Bicycle Rental & Tour Desk – The hostel reception offers bicycle rental & several guided tours around Brussels. Details available with reception.

Meeting Rooms – The hostel has meeting rooms for rent for private functions & meetings. I didn’t see where these rooms are located but the staff can surely help you with this when you ask them.

Secured Hostel & Room Access – Guests are given key cards that only work on the main hostel door, your specific floor in the lifts & in your room doors. Reception activates these key cards upon check in & deactivates them after check out.

Lift Access – The hostel has 2 lifts mainly to reach the rooms on the top floors. It also helps those with big luggage.

Lock-Out Times – The hostel implements a lock-out time for all dormitory rooms. Guests cannot stay in their rooms from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm because it’s the staff’s designated cleaning time. Note that room key cards do not work during these times.

Experience

My 4-night stay with Sleep Well Youth Hostel was great. It’s not the most social & eventful hostel but at least it lived up to its name. Check-in was fast. The other guy from reception entertained me upon arrival & processed everything in a few minutes. The lifts worked well but can only fit 4-5 people max; or even 2 people with big luggage. The key cards didn’t work for a while when I arrived. We got locked out of our rooms. Glad the hostel manager came & fixed it after a few minutes.

As mentioned above, I stayed in a 3-bed dormitory room. The beds were alright – nothing fancy. The rooms were spacious & clean. The toilets & shower were well-maintained. Thank God they have hot shower! Too bad the lockers were small – it only fit my laptop. I guess the lockers were only for the guest’s valuables. I met some nice people in my room. They were from Ukraine, Pakistan, Canada & Spain. I found the hostel too quiet but at least I had these people to hang out with at night.

The hostel’s location was perfect. It is in a small & quiet street off the busy area. It was accessible to public transportation. There were few homeless people / beggars staying in the street near the hostel. They made me feel a bit unsafe specially when going back to the hostel at night. It’s long list of amenities were amazing – the common areas were cozy, modern & spacious. In my whole stay in Europe, this hostel had the most diverse crowd I’ve experienced – most of them were families on holidays. I still prefer Generator Amsterdam’s crowd.

The breakfast was excellent! It was free & had an ‘extensive’ selection for a hostel. This is what really stick to me about this hostel. It was great for the value I paid. This hostel was definitely cheaper & of better value than Generator Amsterdam. Will I go back to this hostel? Definitely! It was worth every euro I paid.

Here are the hostel’s contact details for your reference.

Sleep Well Youth Hostel
Address: Rue du Damier 23 1000 Brussels Belgium
Phone Number: +32 02 218 50 50
Fax Number: +32 02 218 13 13
E-mail Address: info@sleepwell.be
Website: www.sleepwell.be
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SleepWellYouthHostel
Instagram: www.instagram.com/sleepwellyouthhostel

Do you have any questions about Sleep Well Youth Hostel or Brussels in general? Feel free to post them in the comments below & I’ll answer them. Do you know a hostel which is worth a feature here in my site? Shoot your suggestions via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com. Don’t forget to follow me & please please please also help me in promoting my social media channels – Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Thank you for joining me in today’s hostel of the day! See you in the next one.

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

Going Solo In Europe: GHENT – Belgium’s Underrated Port City

In the last few weeks, I took you around The Netherlands – from the picturesque houses of Amsterdam, the beautiful canals of Utrecht to the quiet but stunning countryside of North Holland. I also brought you to 2 cities in Belgium – the European & country capital Brussels & the fairytale city of Bruges. Let’s admit it, all these cities & regions are amazing & pleasing to the eyes. But hey, the list doesn’t end there. I want you to also know more about an underrated but equally gorgeous Belgian city named Ghent.

Just like in Bruges & Brussels, people recommend staying in Ghent for at least 1-2 nights. I only had limited time in Belgium so I decided to visit the city for a day & not miss it at all. Allow me to share with you my one-day itinerary around Belgium’s underrated medieval port city – Ghent.

PS. Glad I took down notes during the walking tour & I still have some of the pamphlets I got – I can share some details to you.

GHENT

Ghent is an important port city during the medieval times. It started as a settlement where Leie & Scheldt Rivers met. It then developed into a trading city that focused on the clothing market. It was the center of the County of Flanders. In the late 1500s, the city went into wars & had conflicts with the neighboring countries & territories. This led to the fall of the progressive trading city.

The city went back to business during the introduction of cotton-spinning machinery & the opening of the a nearby port. The boom in textile market helped Ghent get back to being a trading port city. The city experienced several market collapses after that but eventually made it back to business. Today, Ghent is still a port & tourist city. It also houses Ghent University, one of Belgium’s top research university.

Curious how I got my Schengen Visa for this trip? Check out this DIY Schengen Visa application post to know more.

Brussels to Ghent

Ghent is about 55 kilometers away from Brussels. Buses & inter-city trains connect these 2 cities. FlixBus only operates 1 trip between Brussels & Ghent. Tickets cost as low as €4,99 one way for an hour-long trip. The buses have comfortable reserved seats, USB charging outlet & WiFi. Taking the bus is the best way to go if you are on a strict budget.

PS. Check out my blog post about Brussels, the capital of Belgium, here.

Inter-city trains depart every 40 minutes from Brussels Central Station. Tickets cost €9,00 one way & €18,00 return in the second-class train cabin. Seats are rare in this type of cabin due to the large number of people taking this train. Trip takes about 35 minutes per way. I took the train both ways because it was faster & more convenient, schedule-wise.

Going Around Ghent

Ghent’s main train station is Gent-Sint-Pieters Station. It is 2.5 kilometers away from Ghent’s city center. Visitors can either take the tram for 15 minutes & a few euros, rent a bicycle or walk to the city center for 30 minutes. I took the long & fun walk for 30 minutes per way; I was not in a hurry.

Upon arriving at the city square, I noticed that the center has no cars. Apparently, the Ghent city center is a no-car zone. Tourists & locals either use trams or bicycles as mode of transportation around the city center. Most tourists explore the city by foot; I explored the city too by foot. Walking is fun, body, budget & environment-friendly.

Gent Free Walking Tours

I took the walking tour organized by Gent Free Walking Tours. They run 3 free (well tip-based) walking tours everyday around Ghent. Tours run for 2 hours & are both in English & Spanish languages. Tours start at Hostel Upperlink at the other end of St Michael’s Bridge, Korenlei side. Tours start at 10:00hr, 13:00hr & 18:30hr. Interested parties can either book their spots online or can simply show up in the hostel at least 5 minutes before the walking tour schedule.

Younes led the 13:00hr English walking tour & took us around the city for 2 hours. He shared to us how Ghent started as a city, how it became powerful during the dark ages, how it fell into the hands of other countries & how it is now as a port & university city. He also shared urban legends, interesting facts & stories about the city. He even gave his recommendations on where to have the best meal, waffle & beer in Ghent. Overall, it was a fun walking tour. I liked how Younes tried to talk to all guests & even asked questions about our countries & cultures while walking to the different Ghent sites.

Did you know I also visited Bruges? Known as the Venice of the North, this medieval city is one of the most beautiful places I’ve been to in Belgium & Europe in general. Check out the Bruges blog post here.

Places to See Around Ghent

Ghent has its own fair share of gingerbread houses, cobblestone streets, beautifully designed buildings & scenic canals. These may not be as fairytale-like as Ghent’s but these places surely have their own medieval charm. Check out the places I visited in that one-day trip to Ghent.

Korenmarkt

Korenmarkt is Ghent’s historic & famous city square. It is between the Leie River & St. Nicholas’ Church. It is surrounded by the church, the former Ghent Post office & guild houses turned cafes & restaurants.

Former Ghent Post Office

The former Ghent Post Office building is in front of St. Nicholas’ Church in Korenmarkt. This building was converted to a boutique hotel & commercial center. The hotel is known as 1898 The Post Hotel.

St. Nicholas’ Church

St. Nicholas’ Church is one of Ghent’s oldest buildings. Built in the 13^th century, this church was popular to the locals, tradesmen & guilds who created their own houses beside the church. The church is in Korenmarkt, the city’s main square.

Belfry of Ghent

The Belfry of Ghent is a 91-meter medieval clock & watch tower that overlooks the old city center. This UNESCO heritage-listed tower is the tallest bell tower in Belgium. It is found at the back of St. Nicholas’ Church, right before St. Bavo’s Cathedral.

St. Bavo’s Cathedral

St. Bavo’s Cathedral is a Catholic cathedral named after St. Bavo of Ghent. This huge cathedral is also the seat of the Catholic Diocese of Ghent.

Sint-Baafsplein

Sint-Baafsplein is a small square outside St. Bavo’s Cathedral & surrounded by the Belfry of Ghent & NTGent Performing Arts Theater. This square has a stunning view of the belfry & St. Nicholas Church.

St. Michael’s Bridge

St. Michael’s Bridge is a popular landmark that shows the most beautiful views of Ghent. You’ll see Leie River with Graslei & Korenlei from one angle. You can also see St. Nicholas Church with the Belfry & St. Bavo’s Cathedral from the other angle. The bridge is a few meters away from Korenmarkt.

Graslei

Graslei is the bank / quay located at the right side of Leie River in Ghent. This quay is composed of historic gingerbread guild houses turned cafes & restaurants. This area is part of the medieval port of Ghent. Graslei is one of the most beautiful places in Ghent.

Korenlei

Korenlei is the left side bank of Leie River, opposite Graslei. This side is mostly private buildings which include the famous Ghent Marriott Hotel.

Grasbrug

Grasbrug is the bridge located opposite St. Michael’s Bridge above Leie River. The bridge has a great view of Graslei on the left & Korenlei on the right.

Ghent City Hall

Ghent City Hall or locally known as Stadhuis is the seat of the city government. This beautiful & historical building is at the back of belfry along Botemarkt, Ghent.

Stadshal

Stadshal is an open-air pavilion between St. Nicholas Church & the Belfry of Ghent. This uniquely designed pavilion is a concert hall & events space.

Gravensteen

Gravensteen, also known as Castle of the Counts, is a medieval structure that housed the Count of Flanders. Interestingly, it also became a mint, a prison, an execution place, a cotton factory & even a protest center in the past. It is now a museum that showcases facts about Ghent & the city’s history. I wish I went inside the castle but I didn’t have time to go to.

Patershol

Patershol is a street of old houses turned restaurants, cafes, bars & pubs in Ghent. Younes told us that this street has a variety of cuisines & restaurants to choose from.

Vrijdagmarkt

Vrijdagmarkt is another market square in Ghent. This square was named after the weekly Friday morning market tradition of the locals.

Citadelpark

Citadelpark is a city park near Gent-Sint-Pieters Station that used to house the Dutch citadel in the 1800s. It is a famous recreation place for the local being one of the big parks in the city.

So that’s Ghent! It’s a city that shouldn’t be compared with Brussels & Bruges. It has its own charm & character. I also that there are lesser tourists in this city compared to Bruges & Brussels. Is it worth visiting? Y-E-S! The city is very underrated & one of a kind.

Have you been to Ghent in the past? How did you find the city? Share your thoughts & experiences in the comments section below. Are you planning to visit this city? You should! Spend at least a day or stay longer if you can. Do you have any questions about the city or anything mentioned above? You may send those questions via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. Please also help me promote my social media pages – Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Thank you for joining me in Ghent today. Watch out for the next post about Belgium.. Until next time!

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

Going Solo In Europe: BRUGES – Cobbled Alleys, Gingerbread Houses & Pretty Canals in Belgium’s Picture-Perfect City

After spending 1.5 days around Belgium, I decided to take side trips to rather more beautiful cities in Belgium – Bruges & Ghent. Brussels is beautiful but I’ve head nicer things about these 2 cities, thus I gave them both a visit. Just like my visit in the Netherlands, I didn’t plan anything when I came to Belgium. I went on my usual free walking tour around Brussels, met interesting people in the hostel & asked for recommendations from the guides & my new friends. Everyone recommended to spend a day around Bruges. I still had 2 days in Belgium; I don’t have any reason not to go.

Join me in this exploring Bruges, Belgium today! It’s probably one of the most beautiful cities I’ve been to in this Going Solo in Europe trip.

Bruges

Bruges is an ancient city in the northwestern part of the country in the Flemish Region of Belgium. The city is commonly known as the ‘Venice of the North’ because of its beautiful canals, cobbled alleys & medieval houses.

It was once a trade-centered city during the 12^th to 15^th centuries but was overpowered by Antwerp in the 1500s. The city was revived as a prominent tourist destination in the 19^th century attracting visitors from all over Europe. The city was spared from 2 world war destructions thus maintaining its medieval character up to the present time. Various city center restoration & preservation projects were launched in the 1960s which led to it being a famous tourist destination in Belgium & in Europe in general.

In 2000, the historic center of Bruges was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Brussels to Brugges

Bruges is about 100 kilometers away from Brussels. Trains & buses connect these 2 cities. Hourly trains leave from Brussels North, Central & South stations & stop at Bruges Station. Tickets cost €14,30 per way on 2^nd class cabin & €26,80 return on the same cabin. The train trip takes about 1 hour & 30 minutes per way.

Booked my bus ticket a day before the trip. It cost me €1o,99 one way from Bruges back to Brussels.

FlixBus also connects both cities with 1.5-hour trips but on comfortable coaches. Tickets can cost as low as €5,99 per way or €11,98 return if you book early. FlixBus tickets guarantee a seat in the bus all equipped with free wi-fi & charging ports.

I took the train (€14,30) to Bruges & booked a return trip (€10,99) with FlixBus just because it was cheaper. Guess what? I missed my bus trip back to Brussels because of a freakin’ waffle. The next bus trip was not until 10:00 pm; I had no choice but to buy another €14,30 train ticket to Brussels. Don’t worry, it was worth missing the bus. You’ll know more later.

Legends Bruges Free Walking Tours

Just like what I did in Amsterdam & Brussels, I joined free walking tours in Bruges. A company called Legends Tours run 3 free (well, tip-based) walking tours in Bruges – a traditional walking tour, a food tour & a night walking tour. I was only in Bruges for the day so I took the first two with the nice & friendly tour guide named Lavigna.

Legends of Bruges Walking Tour

The Legends of Bruges Walking Tour talked about how Bruges started, how it became an important city in history & how it evolved in a tourist hub today. This 2.5-hour walking tour started in Market Square, passed by several sites such as the Belfry, St John’s Hospital, the Beguinage, the Lake of Love & ended in Burg Square.

Tour schedules: Every day at 9:45, 10:30, 11:30 & 14:00 | Starts at Market Square (look for the red umbrella)

A Taste of Bruges Walking Tour

A Taste of Bruges Walking Tour gave us information on how Belgian delicacies – fries, waffles, chocolates & beer started. Lavigna brought us to the fries museum, let us try Belgian fries with that special sauce, brought us to traditional chocolate shops to try pralines & handmade chocolates, walked us to the best waffle place in Bruges & gave us a small glass or Belgian Beer in one of the local breweries all for free. Yes, we only gave tips at the end of the tour. This food tasting tour is a must-do when visiting Bruges.

Tour schedules: Every day except Mondays at 11:30 | Starts at Market Square (look for the red umbrella)

Going Around Bruges

Bruges city center is small & walkable. Bruges Train Station is outside the city center but is about 20 minutes by foot to the market square. The best way to go around the center is by foot, to slowly walk past the beautiful gingerbread houses, to feel the cobblestones in every alley & to enjoy the relaxing views from the canals. I walked around the city the time I was there & it was lovely even if it was tiring.

Places To See Around Bruges

Check out the picturesque & must-see places I visited in Bruges in that whole day visit.

Markt

Markt or Market Square is Bruges’ main city square. This was a market place during the trading days & is now the most vibrant part of the city. The square is bound by the belfry, notable buildings, restaurants & shops which were guild houses in the past.

Jan Breydel Monument

Jan Breydel is revolutionary leader that led the locals to war against King Phillip VI of France. His monument is in the center of the market square & is the meeting place for walking tours.

Belfry of Bruges

The Belfry of Bruges is the city’s bell tower built in the 1200s. It is one of the city’s landmarks which before housed the treasury & archives. It also served as a lookout for fires & dangers in the past. It is now an observation deck about 80 meters above the ground which tourists & visitors line up for. I didn’t have the time to go up the tower because of the long queues during my visit.

Church of Our Lady Bruges

View of the Church of the Lady Bruges from afar – somewhere near Old St John Hospital site.

This gothic-style catholic church is in the center of Bruges & has a history since the 13^th century. The church also has the Madonna & Child marble sculpture made by Michelangelo. This sculpture is known as “Madonna of Bruges.”

Burg Square

Burg Square is a former fortress & now a public square in Bruges. It is surrounded by the Bruges City Hall, the Basilica of the Holy Blood & other historical buildings.

Bruges City Hall

Bruges City Hall is one of the oldest buildings in the city. It is the seat of the Bruges government from 600 years ago up until present. This old gothic building is in Burg Square.

Rozenhoedkaai

Rozenhoedkaai, also known as the Quay of Rosary, is the most picture-perfect place in Bruges. It is the most photographed place in the city showing the beautiful views of the canal & the old houses. This place is near the fish market & is minutes away from the market square.

Lake of Love

The Lake of Love is a small but beautiful lake that welcomes you to the Bruges city center. It has various legends on why it was called such (like the love story of Mina & Stromberg) but I can’t fully remember the story. Peace out!

St. Bonifacius Bridge

St. Bonifacius Bridge is a small but romantic pedestrian bridge at the back of the Church of Our Lady Bruges. The bridge has a unique & charming view of a small canal with old brick houses on the side. It was a lovely place but also full of tourists.

Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaerde

Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaerde is the only persevered beguinage in Bruges. A beguinage houses beguines – lay women who lived in a community without taking religious vows. Sad to say, this beguinage no longer functions as such – it’s now a convent managed by Benedictine nuns.

Basilica of the Holy Blood

The Basilica of the Holy Blood is a minor basilica found in Burg Square, right beside the city hall. It houses a venerated relic of the Holy Blood believed to be brought from Holy Land.

Old St. John’s Hospital

This is a medieval hospital located next to the Church of Our Lady Bruges. It is one of Europe’s oldest surviving hospitals that treated the sick, travelers & pilgrims during the Middle Ages. This building no longer functions as a hospital but is a museum, a function & exhibition center.

Provinciaal Hof

Commonly known as the Provincial Court, this building used to be the official meeting place of the provincial government of West Flanders. The building is in the market square & now functions as an exhibition center.

Sint-Salvatorskathedraal

Sint-Salvatorskathedraal or Saint Salvator’s Cathedral in English is Bruges’ oldest parish church. It is one of the city’s main church that survived wars, fires & occupations. It’s also in the city center but a bit outside the market square.

Bourgogne des Flandres Brewery

Bourgogne des Flandres Brewery was the last stop of our food tasting tour with Lavigna. The brewery gave us their red-brown Flemish beer to try. This brewery is in the middle of the Bruges city center, by one of the canals. It also has an in-house bar where people can order their beer. The brewery also has tours which will show how they make their own beer. I wish I had more time to go & tour their brewery.

House of Waffles

Remember when I told you earlier that I missed my bus back to Brussels? Yes, it’s because of House of Waffles. We dropped by this place during the food tasting tour to try their waffles. They make really good waffles that I had to go back before leaving the city.

I had plain Brussels waffle & a cup of mint tea. It was so good – so good that I lost track of time & missed my Flixbus back to Brussels. No regrets, it was worth it! Please don’t miss this place when visiting Bruges.

De Garre

Did you know that all beers in Belgium have their respective special beer glasses? Cool stuff.

De Garre is a famous local pub in Bruges that brews their own beer – also named De Garre. I went to this place with Nathan, a Canadian guy I met in the food tasting tour. Nathan’s friends recommended this place to him to try. We ordered on beer each & it came with a small cheese plate. I am not a beer expert but I liked its distinct taste.

That’s it for Bruges. Thanks for joining me around Belgium’s picture-perfect city! I wish I had more time in this city but I guess I’ll just put it in places I need to visit again in the future. Have you been to Bruges in Belgium? How did you find the city? How is it compared to Brussels? Share your fun Bruges experiences in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about the city? You may post them below or send it to be via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. Please please please also help me in promoting my social media channels – Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Watch out for my feature on Ghent -an underrated city in Belgium which some people skip!

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.