Belgium, Europe, The Netherlands, Travel

Planning vs Reality: 2017 Belgium & The Netherlands Trip

Planning vs Reality: 2017 Belgium & The Netherlands Trip

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

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 it
  • Lumina Domestica, Bruges – just decided I didn’t want to go to a weird museum about lights lol
  • La 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

Read more: 2017 Spring Break Belgium & Amsterdam Accommodations

JMF

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