itinerary – Page 6 – The Wknd Travel

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.

Going Solo In Europe: BRUSSELS – Belgium’s Center, Europe’s Capital & Most Boring City?

After spending 4.5 days around The Netherlands, walking around the streets & canals of Amsterdam, visiting a friend in Utrecht, enjoying the beautiful & not-so-crowded North Holland countryside & staying in a nice hostel called Generator Amsterdam, I decided to move to a new country – BELGIUM. Yes, I crossed the borders by land & found myself in the land of fries, beer, chocolates & waffles! Belgium is a country in western Europe known for its beautiful old towns & Renaissance architecture.

Interestingly, the country is divided into 3 regions – Flanders, Wallonia & Brussels-Capital. Flanders is the Dutch-speaking Flemish region closer to the Netherlands. Wallonia is the French-speaking Walloon region which was highly influenced by France. Brussels-Capital Region is center of the country which encompasses 19 municipalities with 19 mayors around Brussels. Each region has its own government & takes care of its own social services. As one, the country has a federal form of government led by the Prime Minister.

Fun fact! Do you know that Belgium holds the record of the longest period which a developed country has no elected government? Yes, it’s true. I remember our tour guide Tom saying this happened in 2010-2011 when the country only had a caretaker government for 541 days. Actually, the country has no elected government for the 2^nd time! It started in December 2018 when the running coalition collapsed. The country is under a caretaker government again, led by Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès. Something unique, right?

*I finally made it to Brussels, Belgium. I enjoyed walking around the Grand Place / Grote Markt! 🇧🇪*

Today, I will take you around the capital of Europe – Brussels. This was my first city in Belgium. I decided to come here from Amsterdam because it’s the nearest new country & city. I stayed in Belgium for 4 full days & 4 nights with 2 of the 4 days outside the main city.

Most people only go to Brussels for a day from Amsterdam or just stay for a day in the city & leave. People often regard the city as the most boring city in Europe. Is that the case? Let’s find out below.

Planning to go to Europe soon? Visa application is just easy. I applied for my own visa with VFS Netherlands. Know more about the simple application process here.

Brussels

Brussels started as a rural community beside the Senne River. It then grew into an important city in Belgium & in Europe. After World War II, the country became the center of international politics – having the headquarters of The European Union & the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The city is now the capital of the Brussels-Capital Region & also the country, Belgium.

Amsterdam to Brussels

Brussels is a little over 200 kilometers away from Amsterdam. Trains & buses link these 2 important European cities. These trains & buses leave almost every hour from these 2 cities. Trip takes around 2 hours for both modes of transportation. Train tickets cost roughly €50 while bus tickets are about a fifth – €10.

I chose the bus over the train just because it’s way cheaper. I took FlixBus on this trip from Amsterdam to Brussels. I bought my bus ticket from FlixBus mobile app. The ticket cost €9,99; it included a comfortable seat, 20 kilograms baggage allowance & free access to the bus wi-fi connection. The bus also has an entertainment system accessible via the passenger’s mobile phone. The bus left Amsterdam Sloterdijk station at 12:00 noon & arrived at Brussels North station around 2:15 in the afternoon.

Going Around Brussels

Going around Brussels is very easy. Most of the attractions are found around the central square known as Grand Place or Grote Markt Brussel. The best way to explore the city is by foot. Some attractions, which I didn’t go to, can be reached by taking the local metro. All inter-city & inter-country trains arrive at either Brussels North, Brussels Central & Brussels South Stations. These 3 stations are about 1 kilometer away from each other.

Free Walking Tour

Just like what I did in Amsterdam, I also took SANDEMANs New Europe free walking tour in Brussels. This tip-based walking tour was held by Tom, who walked us through the history of Brussels & Belgium in general for 2.5 hours. He’s a funny & informative tour guide; he even gave us recommendations on where else to go, where to eat & what else to do. He started the tour at Grand Place & ended in the Royal Palace of Brussels.

Places To See Around Brussels

Allow me to share with you the places we visited during the walking tour & those I discovered myself while walking around the city center.

Grote Markt

The Grote Markt or Grand Place in English is Brussels’ central square. It is surrounded by several guild halls & 2 important buildings in the city’s history – the Brussels Town Hall & the King’s House. This square is the country’s most famous landmark & in my opinion, one of most beautiful central squares I’ve been to in all places I visited last year. This central square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Maison du Roi / Broodhuis

Called by the French as Maison du Roi & by the Dutch as Broodhuis, this neo-gothic style building is the home of Brussels City Museum. The museum shows the history of Brussels from the old times to its contemporary situation. This building used to be the King’s House (thus Maison du Roi) in the 16^th century & was the bread market (thus called Broodhuis) setting from the 13^th century.

Brussels Town Hall

Right in front of the Brussels City Museum is the Town Hall of the City of Brussels. Built in the 15^th century, this building served as the town hall from the time it was built up until the present time. This building has a number of interesting asymmetrical elements which can only be noticed when pointed by the guides.

Everard t’Serclaes Sculpture

Everard t’Serclaes was a Brussels citizen who helped recover Brussels from the Flemings in the 1300s. His success was commemorated by a sculpture found in Charles Buls St, one street off the Grand Place. There’s a local myth which says rubbing Everard t’Serclaes’ statue brings good luck & grants the wishes of the person who rub it. This explains the shiny color of the statue’s arms & its other parts.

Mannekin Pis

Mannekin Pis, they say Brussels’ most disappointing landmark, is located a few meters from the Grand Place. This statue of a naked little boy pissing into the fountain’s basin is a replica of the real one found in the Brussels City Museum. There are several legends behind this famous status. One of which is the little boy named Julianske who urinated on the burning explosives while the attackers were preparing on bombing Brussels. He then saved the city from the attackers.

This status is dressed in costumes multiple times a year; depending on the celebrations they have. Unfortunately, it was all naked during my 4-day visit. For the locals, this Mannekin Pis statue embodies their sense of humor & independence.

La Bourse de Bruxelles

La Bourse de Bruxelles, or the Brussels Stock Exchange Building in English, is neo-Palladian designed building that houses the city’s stock exchange. This building is found right outside the Grand Place & is guarded by 2 lion status.

This is the Brussels Stock Exchange building from the back. Sorry I don’t have the lions in the photo.

Église Saint Nicolas

Surrounded by old houses, Église Saint Nicolas or the Church of Saint Nicholas is Brussel’s oldest catholic church. This church is named after the patron of merchants or traders. This church is located at the back of the stock exchange building.

La Monnaie De Munt

La Monnaie De Munt is Brussels’ opera house. This old building is used for multiple functions & shows such as operas, concerts, dances & other entertainment shows.

Place des Martyrs / Martelarenplein

Place des Martyrs is a square dedicated to the martyrs of the Belgian revolution in the 1830s. This square is located next to one of Brussel’s busiest shopping street – Rue Neuve or Nieuwstraat. Dutch people call this place Martelarenplein.

Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert

Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, in English the Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert, is a long & glazed shopping arcade designed by Jean-Pierre Cluysenaer in the mid-1800s. The gallery is home of the expensive Belgian truffle & chocolate shops.

Brussels Cathedral

The Cathedral of Saint Michael & Saint Gudula is an important landmark in the City of Brussels. It is the city’s main cathedral, dedicated to their patron saints – St. Michael & St. Gudula. This gothic-style cathedral took 300 years to build & has undergone several restoration & renovation works.

Mont Des Artes / Kunstberg

Mont Des Artes in French or Kunstberg in Dutch is an arts & historical complex that houses the Royal Library of Belgium, the National Archives of Belgium & the Square – Brussels Convention Centre. It also has a beautifully maintained public garden with the statue of King Albert in front.

Brussels Park

Brussels Park, Parc de Bruxelles in French & Warandepark in Dutch, is the city’s largest urban park. It is located in the center of the city, with the Palace of the Nation on one side & the Royal Palace of Brussels on the other side.

Royal Palace of Brussels

The Royal Palace of Brussels is the official palace of the Belgian monarchy. It is not the official residence of the Royal Family of Belgium, but is the official function place of the monarchy. It is located in front of the Brussels Park. This was the last stop of Tom’s walking tour.

Delirium Café

Delirium Café is my favorite place in Brussels. It is a bar in Brussels that’s know for its long beer list. They hold the Guinness Book of World Records’ bar that offers the most kinds of beer in one setting. They have 2,004 kinds of beer from all over the world, including those produced locally in Belgium. I came to this bar 3 out of the 4 nights I was in Brussels. It’s definitely a place I’ll go back to in the future.

Missed Places

I didn’t have enough time in Brussels – believe it or not I missed a few notable sights like the Atomium, Parc du Cinquantenaire, Mini Europe & Ossegempark. I was supposed to go to these places on the morning of my last day but the weather didn’t cooperate. It was raining & it was just hard to walk around.

That concludes my feature about Brussels. Is it a boring city? I don’t think so; I think there’s a lot to see. It also has a very interesting history. While it may be my least favorite in all the cities I visited in this trip, it still has its own charm. Brussels is very small but it has one of the most beautiful central squares in Europe. Please do not miss the Grand Place or Grote Markt & please make sure to go there in the morning, in the afternoon (during sunset) & in the evening. The place is just magical. This square is my 2^nd favorite place in Brussels – after Delirium Café, of course.

Have you been to Brussels in the past? How did you find the city? Which is your favorite attraction? Comment your thoughts & experiences in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about the city? You may send them to me via email 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.

Thanks for joining me in Brussels today. Wait for the next one, I’ll take you around the beautiful city of Bruges!

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

Going Solo In Europe: UTRECHT- Unplanned Afternoon Visit To Netherlands’ Underrated Canal City

Sometimes, the best things happen when unplanned. True enough, this happened to me when I took an unplanned afternoon visit to Utrecht, Netherlands last October. Yesterday, I shared with you details about my few days around Amsterdam. In those 5 days, I took trips to different cities & towns outside the center – Utrecht being one of them.

I messaged my Europe-based friends weeks before the trip & tried to set-up meet-ups during the trip. As mentioned in yesterday’s post, I caught up with my Amsterdam-based friend Tobias on my 2nd day in Amsterdam. I also got a reply from Megan, another Dutch friend I met in Krabi in 2015. Megan & I didn’t plan out where & when we’ll meet until when I was already in the Netherlands. We then decided to meet in Utrecht, the city where she’s based. This resulted into an unplanned afternoon in another canal city; perhaps a more beautiful & authentic one than Amsterdam.

PS. Did you know that I applied for my own Schengen visa? Yes! The Embassy of The Netherlands gave me a multiple entry visa valid for 45 days. Know more about this DIY Schengen Visa application process here.

utrecht

Utrecht a city found in the very center of Netherlands. This populous city used to be the city center of Netherlands during the Middle Ages. The city lost its center to Amsterdam during the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century. Currently, Utrecht houses Utrecht University, the largest university in the Netherlands. The city has other academic institutions making it an important city for Dutch education. People normally come & live in Utrecht to study & finish school.

Found this uniquely-designed building outside Utrecht Centraal, near Hoog Catharijne in Utrecht.

Utrecht is 25 to 30 minutes away from Amsterdam via train. I took the intercity train from Amsterdam Centraal & arrived at Utrecht’s main station, Utrecht Centraal. Tickets cost €19 return. From there, I walked around the city, went in & out of different shops & passed by the Oudegracht, the city’s old canal. I met up with Megan after 2 hours of exploring & enjoyed some Dutch snacks over beers.

Let me share with you photos I took during the walk around the city & meet-up with my lovely friend, Megan. This entry will be more of a photo blog – don’t forget to check out the captions to know about the sightings.

The view outside Utrecht Centraal – the left side is modern; the right side view is old & traditional.

TivoliVredenburg is one of Utrecht’s modern buildings. It is a music complex, concert & events hall.

Oudegracht – Utrecht’s old canal which runs through the center of the city. Beautiful sighting!! 🙂

One of the few favorite photos I took in Utrecht during that afternoon visit to the lovely Dutch city!

St. Martin’s Cathedral, Utrecht is under renovation during my visit last October.

The world’s biggest bicycle parking garage is found in Utrecht under Utrecht Centraal. Cool beans!

I love how Utrecht’s weather is different from that of Amsterdam’s. It was a clear sunny afternoon!

Tried a Dutch local snack called *Olliebollen* (translates to oily ball); their local version of doughnut.

I also tried other local snacks – bitterballen (deep fried meat balls), cheese sticks & fried shrimp.

A photo with my friend Megan – the reason why I visited Utrecht. Had a great afternoon with her!

That ends my short but enjoyable visit to the city of Utrecht. It was not in the plan but I didn’t regret any time or money spent in this beautiful city. Amsterdam’s canals are beautiful; but from what I saw in this brief visit, Utrecht’s canals are way better. The canals give a certain local & unique Dutch vibe than that of Amsterdam’s. For sure there were other nice sightings or places to visit in the city but I had to go back to Amsterdam before the dark.

Hold it right there. In case you missed it, I also shared details about my flights to Europe from Manila to Singapore & Singapore to Amsterdam on board 5-star carrier Singapore Airlines. Check out these posts (MNL-SIN & SIN-AMS) to know about my flight experiences.

Have you been to Utrecht before? What do you think of the city & its canals? Which one do you prefer? Share your thoughts & experiences in the comments section below. Do you have any question about Utrecht? Feel free to shoot an email 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.

One last photo of Utrecht – look at that peaceful canal & the colorful & tall old houses around it. 😍

Thanks for reading up to this part. I hope you enjoyed the beautiful photos of Utrecht. Watch out for the next post on this Going Solo In Europe Series. I’ll take you to the Dutch countryside next time.

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

Going Solo In Europe: AMSTERDAM – Beautiful Canals, Colorful Houses & Interesting Museums In A Bustling City

The long wait is over! It’s here; it’s time to start my Going Solo in Europe Blog Series! I know most of you are waiting for these blog posts. You guys want to know where I went, what I did in the countries I visited & how I managed to survive this trip by myself. I have a lot of stuff to share; how I wish I can everything done in no time. Please bear with me as I try to write & post one blog after another in between my busy work schedules. Now, let’s get this thing started.

Finally made it to Europe last year!! Started my 19-day Euro trip in Amsterdam in Netherlands! 🇳🇱

Last October-November 2019, I went on 2.5-week trip to Europe all by myself. It was my first time in Europe; first time to be far away from home for so long. I did everything from scratch – booked my own tickets & hostel accommodations, applied for a Schengen tourist visa, researched my route & planned the cities / countries I wanted to visit. It was hard at first but the excitement for the trip helped out carve a rough plan for this 19-day trip to Europe.

PS. I shared a few details about this trip in my 2019 Year In Review post. Check out this post if you are eager to know more about the route I took.

This solo trip of a lifetime started with a return ticket I booked with Singapore Airlines in January 2019. The ticket cost me roughly $720 & it included flights to Amsterdam, Netherlands & back from Copenhagen, Denmark. It was the cheapest ticket & route during that promotion. I read articles & forum posts in the past advising that the Netherlands Embassy is the easiest embassy to obtain a Schengen Visa – thus explains why I got a ticket arriving in Amsterdam. Months of planning passed & about 1.5 months into the trip, I got my tourist visa from VFS Netherlands. Click this link to know how I applied for a visa all by myself, without the help of any tour agency.

In the past posts, I shared with you how my flights went from Manila to Singapore & Singapore to Amsterdam aboard one of the world’s best airlines, Singapore Airlines. Make sure to check out those posts to know how is it flying with such well-regarded airline. After flying 3 hours to Singapore, having 12 hours layover around Singapore & flying another 13 hours to Amsterdam, I finally made it to Europe! Today’s blog will talk about my first destination in Europe – Amsterdam.

amsterdam

Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands. This populous city is known for its beautiful canals & it’s unique houses. The city’s history dated back in the 12^th century when this reclaimed fishing village around a dam in the Amstel River started to become an important port in the country’s economy. It then developed into one of Europe’s financial & trade center to which it is still like that today. Fun fact: The Amsterdam Stock Exchange is the oldest stock exchange in the world. This also explains the city’s big role in the history of European financial market. The city is also the center of Dutch cultural heritage.

going around amsterdam

Amsterdam’s public transportation system is simple & efficient. There are a number of options available to visitors – trams, trains, buses, ferries, taxis & even bicycles. Majority of the tourist destinations can be reached by riding the tram. There are various ticketing options for these transportation systems depending on the length of validity of the ticket. I tried GVB’s 1-day / 24-hour ticket for €8. This allowed me to have unlimited rides in GVB-operated buses, trams, trains & ferries around Amsterdam. The unlimited pass was not worth it in my opinion.

The Netherlands is a bicycle-friendly country. All roads have bicycle lanes, even up to the smallest roads in the countryside. Dutch people use bicycles in their everyday lives. I caught up with my friend Tobias, whom I met in Kawaguchiko, Japan last November 2017. He brought his bicycle & he asked me to try it & cycle around the city. It was a surreal experience but it was very cold. I never thought I would cycle around Amsterdam!

Caught up with my buddy Tobias who’s based in Amsterdam. We met in Japan in November 2017.

Amsterdam Schipol Airport (AMS), Netherlands’ main international airport is located 17 kilometers away from the city. Trains & shuttle buses connect the airport to the city. I took the intercity train from Amsterdam Schipol Airport Station to Amsterdam Centraal Station for about €7 one-way. The journey took about 20 minutes.

The best way to go around Amsterdam is by foot. I walked to & from my hostel everyday & around the city for the most part. Walking around the whole day was tiring; glad the cold weather made up for it. Walking also saved me some money; it was also a good exercise while on holiday.

free walking tour

One cool thing about travelling around Europe is the presence of free walking tours. These tours run on a tip-based system. The tour guests or joiners walk around the city with a guide through a personalized route (made by the guide) & get more information about the city’s history & culture. At the end of each tour, the joiners give tips to the guide as a ‘fee’ for the tour. The guides receive any amount of tip in these kinds of tours.

There are a number of walking tour companies that run in Amsterdam. I joined SANDEMANs NEW Europe’s Amsterdam walking tour with Karl. He guided us around the city, told stories of how Amsterdam & the Netherlands started & gave recommendations on what else to do & where else to go. Karl’s tour ran for about 3 hours with a 15-minute break in between.

These walking tours run every day. They offer tours in English & Spanish languages. Schedules & bookings are available in Sandemans website. Believe it or not, I had so much fun in this walking tour up to the point where I joined SANDEMANs NEW Europe’s walking tours in Brussels, Prague & Copenhagen. The walking is the best way to know a certain city in Europe.

amsterdam sightseeing

I stayed in Amsterdam & around Netherlands for 5 days. I wanted to go around the country at my pace, visit the countryside & explore more of what the city has to offer apart from all the canals. Believe it or not, I didn’t get the chance to visit all possible spots in those 5 days, I wish I stayed more. I’ve been to a lot of places in those 5 days, check out these places below.

Amsterdam Canals

People go to Amsterdam to see the canals. The city has about 165 canals which makes about 100 kilometers long when combined. The Amsterdam Canal Ring, which comprises most of the canals in the city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized in 2010. The beautiful old & crooked houses add up to the majestic views – from the hundreds to bridges over the canals.

Damrak

Damrak is the main street that connects Amsterdam Centraal, the city’s main train station, & Dam Square, the city’s town square. This is the “main street” to the center of Amsterdam. This 750-meter street has old buildings, shops, hotels & restaurants.

Dam Square

Dam Square is Amsterdam’s town square. It is the place where the free walking tours start. It is also where the Dutch war memorial dedicated to the fallen Dutch World War II solders is located.

Koninklijk Paleis van Amsterdam

Opposite the Dam Square is Koninklijk Paleis van Amsterdam, commonly known as the Royal Palace Amsterdam. This palace is the king’s official reception palace. The palace is open to visitors on normal days. Tickets cost €8 per person.

Amsterdam Centraal

Amsterdam Centraal is Amsterdam’s biggest & main station. The station has trains that can take you around the Netherlands & even to other countries like France, Belgium, Germany & Switzerland.

Van Gogh Museum

Van Gogh Museum is an art museum dedicated to the works of world-famous Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh. The museum showcases hundreds of paintings made by Vincent Van Gogh during his time. It also has galleries that feature his modern counterparts & modern exhibition spaces. The museum is located in Museum Square in Amsterdam South. Tickets cost €19 & are available for purchase online.

Museumplein

Museumplein or Museum Square is a public square in Amsterdam Zuid (or Amsterdam South). It is where the city’s famous museums such as Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, MOCO Museum & Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam are located.

Rijksmuseum

Rijksmuseum is the Dutch national museum dedicated to the country’s arts & history. It showcases the country’s history, art & development from the middle ages to the 21^st century. Museum tickets cost €19 & can be bought online before the visit.

Vondelpark

Vondelpark is Amsterdam’s most famous park, located near Museumplein at the south of the city. This park is a popular recreation place for the locals. The park becomes a venue for shows, events & concerts during summer.

Anne Frank House

Anne Frank House is a house & biographical museum dedicated to Anne Frank, a Jewish wartime writer / diarist. Located at Prinsengracht 263, this house is the exact house where Anne & her family lived during the World War II. Anne Frank became famous on the publication of her diary; the diary that documents their life while hiding for more than 2 years during the World War II. Her translated diary, The Diary of a Young Girl, sold millions of copies worldwide.

They sell majority of the tickets online at least 2 months before the date. They also sell limited tickets at the museum doors on the day itself. Tickets get booked fast so make sure to plan out your visit. Tickets are at €10.50 including a booking fee of €0.50.

KINboat Open-Air Canal Boat Tour

Right outside the Anne Frank House is the boarding station of KINboat’s Open Air Canal Boat Tour. This 1-hour open boat canal tour took me around the Amsterdam canals for an hour. Our boat driver / tour guide showed us some interesting houses & important buildings around the city; also gave us some details of the city’s history & culture. We used an electric & environment-friendly open-air boat for the tour; which explains why the tour costs a few more euros than the usual canal boat tour.

I bought the open-air boat ticket about 15 minutes before the tour itself. Tickets cost €16 per person & are available online.

Basiliek van de Heilige Nicolaas

Basiliek van de Heilige Nicolaas or Basilica of Saint Nicholas is Amsterdam’s main catholic church. Located in the old district, just a few steps outside Amsterdam Centraal, this basilica is a popular tourist attraction to Catholics visiting Amsterdam. The church was built over 130 years ago & still sports the neo-baroque & neo-renaissance style of architecture. Entry to the church is free of charge.

Oosterpark

Oosterpark is the public park located behind the hostel where I stayed with. The massive park has a big pond with birds & different animals. People go here for recreation & relaxation in the morning until late afternoon.

Heineken Experience

One of the famous contributions of Netherlands to the modern world is Heineken Lager Beer. The beer originated in Amsterdam in the 1870s & was made through the efforts of Gerard Heineken. The lager beer has captured the attention of Europe, won several awards & continued its expansion until it became a global brand.

Heineken’s first ever brewery was transformed into an interactive museum called Heineken Experience. This guided tour showcased how the beer started brewing in the past, how it was produced & how it conquered the world. This interactive tour takes about 1.5 to 2 hours & includes 2 glasses of beer. Tours can pre-booked online. I got my ticket about an hour before the tour & it cost me €18.

Red-Light District

De Wallen is Amsterdam’s famous red-light district. This area is composed of hundreds of places offering legal sexual services. The alleys are characterized by transparent glass windows with ladies (legal prostitutes) seating or standing behind under a red light. The area also has cafes & coffee shops selling cannabis & all other stuff you can think of.

Leidseplein

Leidseplein or Leiden Square is a small entertainment square located at the northern tip of Vondelpark. This square has cafes, bars, restaurants, music venues & dance clubs where tourists primarily go to at night. I came to this place & met up with my buddy, Tobias whom I met in Japan in 2017.

Rembrandtplein

Rembrandtplein or Rembrandt Square is another entertainment square found in Amsterdam. Named after Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn, this square used to be a butter & dairy market where local farmers go to & sell their products. Nowadays, this area is known as one of the city’s nightlife spots. The square now has many cafes, bars & restaurants around it. It is also one of the famous areas for hotels in the city.

missed places

I was in Amsterdam for 5 days & I didn’t have the time to go all places. I also went one afternoon to Utrecht & a day up north to the countryside. I missed a few places which I will definitely put on my list when I go back. These places include A’Dam Lookout, MOCO Museum (I missed the Banksy special gallery during my stay), Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, NEMO Science Museum, Jordaan & Bloemenmarkt (which I heard was super touristy – need to see it still).

People usually go to Amsterdam for just 1-2 days but I think there’s more to see than just the Dam Square, the Amsterdam Canals & the museums. The city may be too busy, too full of tourists but it has an unexplained impact that would make you think of visiting over & over again. It’s been months since I’ve been to Amsterdam & I am dying to go back. I want to just walk around the city, enjoy the beautiful views from the canals, savor the sights of colorful crooked houses & learn more about the city through the other museums. Amsterdam is & will be always be special. It was my first city to visit in Europe & will always be one of my favorites.

Have you been to Amsterdam in the past? What are your favorite places or sightings in the city? Do you also have that feeling of wanting to go back to the city in the future? If you haven’t been to Amsterdam, is it one of the places where you want to go? Let’s engage into a discussion. Share your thoughts & experiences in the comment section below. Do you have any questions about Amsterdam? Feel free to send the questions to me via email 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.

Thanks for joining me in Amsterdam, the first installment of my Going Solo In Europe Series. Watch out for the photo blog about the beautiful Utrecht!

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.