I always do extensive research before a trip, it’s one of my favorite parts of traveling actually! I never accomplish everything I put down on my lists (frankly, I don’t see that as the point of travel anyways) but I like to compare to see what we got done compared to what I researched. Below is the list from my books of what we could have accomplished while spending 9 (spring break) days in Belgium & the Netherlands with my notes of what we actually did.
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UNESCO
Belgium
- Belfries of Belgium and France
- Flemish Béguinages
- Historic Centre of Brugge
- La Grand-Place, Brussels
- Major Town Houses of the Architect Victor Horta (Brussels)
The Netherlands
Food Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 Extraordinary Places to Eat Around the Globe
- Confiserie Temmerman, Ghent
De Kas, Amsterdam– I knew we weren’t doing this restaurant $$$$- Matonge, Brussels – walked through but didn’t eat; this is the Congolese section of Brussels because Belgium used to own the Congo & committed genocide there #knowyourhistory
- French Fries in Ghent
- Rijsttafel in Amsterdam – this is the Indonesian section of Amsterdam because the Dutch used to own (& enslaved) Indonesia
- Beer in Bruges
- Jenever – I had to HUNT for this but we found it, it was like gin. Yuck.
- Chocolate in Brussels
Read more: Brussels: The city of Victor Horta, La-Grand Place, & chocolate
Secret Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the World’s Best Hidden Travel Gems
Our Lady’s Church, Bruges– super mad I forgot to do this because it has a Michelangelo in itLumina Domestica, Bruges– just decided I didn’t want to go to a weird museum about lights lolLa Chatelain, Brussels
1,000 Foods to Eat Before You Die: A Food Lovers Life List
Belgium
- Cafe Liegeois (bitter coffee syrup, mocha ice cream, and whipped heavy cream)
- Callebaut Chocolate
Carbonnade a la Flamande OR Vlaamse Karbondaden (beer stew with meat, vegetables, and gingerbread)Destrooper’s Gemberkoekjes (Ginger Thins)Endive au Dambon Sauce Mornay (Endive with Ham and Mornay Sauce)- Moules Frites (mussels & french fries)
- Waffles
Waterzooi a la Gantoise (Chicken Stew)
The Netherlands
Hutspot met Klapstuck OR Hochepot (one-pot winter stew)Kroketten and Bitterballen (Croquettes)Rademaker’s Haagsche Hopjes (coffee candy)Uitsmijters and Broodjes (sandwich with roast beef, veal OR ham and sunny side eggs with pickled dill cucumber)White Asparagus
Read more: Belgian & Dutch Food
1,000 Places to See Before You Die
- Beer in Belgium (Del Halve Maan)
- Bruges
- Belgian Chocolate, Brussels (Museum of Cacao and Chocolate)
- Belgian Frites
(Maison Antoine, Chez Leon, La Maree) - La Grand Place, Brussels
- Art Nouveau, Brussels (Museum Horta &
La Maoison Cauchie) - Ghent (St. Bavo)
- Amsterdam
- Rijksmuseum
- Van Gogh Museum
- Anne Frank House
- Red Light District
- Begijnhof
Amsterdam Museum- Day Trips: Keukenhof & Zaanse Schans
Read more: 2017 Spring Break Belgium & Amsterdam Accommodations
JMF
