Guide to Belgium.
3 days in Brussels and Antwerp
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have beers and mussels
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get to know Magritte
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(window) shop diamonds in the city of diamonds
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visit the oasis in the middle of Antwerp
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see the work of Rubens
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have food that feels like art
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see one of the best curated museum collections in Europe
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shop design at its best
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visit the "all nuts everything" gem
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eat all the waffles you can
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marvel at the city from above
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get on that chocolate obsession
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enjoy the emerging Brussels City Ballet performance
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marvel at architecture
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see all the peeing sculptures
YouTube video from Belgium can be found here
Day 1. Brussels
Let’s start our first morning in Paris in a truly Parisian way - open a window and soak in the view, grab a pastry on the go and run through the Jardin des Tuileries to marvel at Monet’s work.
8:00 As you enjoy your morning pastry from any local pastry shop next to the hotel (or you feel a little fancier and choose to grab your morning coffee and a baked good from Sebastien Gaudard/ Cédric Grolet/ Kitsune/ cafe Noir), you will find yourself in the Jardin des Tuileries, sitting on one of those typical green Parisian chairs and looking at the fountains, architecture or the view on the other side of the Seine.
9:00 As soon as the doors open, you walk in to the Musée de l’Orangerie. Before the hoards of tourists arrive, you are already there - sitting in front of the Monet’s most famous creations - Water Lily series. The rooms are designed for meditation. Luckily, this is respected and it is always “oh, so quiet” there. Dimmed lights and out of this world paintings. You sit, take a deep breath and take in the moment - you are in Paris and this is a start of the 3 amazing days of art, architecture, food, music and beautiful walks.
After you had a quiet moment in the halls with the Water Lily series, enjoy some of the best Paris has to offer - Gauguin, Renoir, Modigliani, Cezanne, and, of course, more Monet.
Morning
Touristing in style
11:00 Another slow walk through the Jardin des Tuileries. Explore more of the signature French garden design, more of the amazing architecture and the views around. And as you head from the direction of the Place de la Concorde towards Louvre, maybe stop for another pastry in one of their kiosks. You are in Paris after all, splurge a little!
12:00 Louvre. One of the very few places in the world, where the amount of tourists actually signify something worth seeing rather than “wave” a huge red flag, begging you not to go. See THE painting everyone is there to see, but also do not shy away from other exhibits. Make sure to see the Winged Victory of Samothrace and the magnificent staircase leading to it, the glass-Covered Sculpture Courtyards, Napoleon III Apartments and 18th Century Decorative Art Galleries. These are my personal favourites, but for anyone else I would recommend doing a little bit of research into the main things to see, unless you are planning to spend the whole day there.
* Great article on the museu
Lunch, royal galleries and waffles
14:00 Place Vendôme area walk. City's most majestic neoclassical squares, high-end stores, aesthetic streets and world-class beauty everywhere. Get lost in the area - go in the shops, look at the beautiful details of architecture and get a lunch some place nice.
15:00 Lunch “some place nice”. Either you go for the touristy Cafe Marly with an unbeatable view, majestic Angelina, hip Alfred or “the place to be" Hotel Costes, get a glass of champagne and escargots. Whether you are a fan of the dish or always have been meaning to try, here’s your queue! A side of french fries, a steak, a quiche, a croque monsieur - whatever you choose, make it French.
Cultured
16:15 Visit to the Palais Garnier - Opéra national de Paris. Ideally, of course, go there for the actual performance - be it to see La Bohème, The Dante Project, or anything else your heart desires. But if you are short on time but still crave to see the architecture (which everyone and anyone should see at least once in their life), you can buy a ticket and visit the Opera before the evening programme begins. It is one of the main Opera Houses in the world - a master piece of the 19th century theatre architecture. But my favourite part of it is Marc Chagall’s fresco.
Around town
From the Opera Garnier take a walk to Montmartre. As you pass Galeries Lafayette and Printemps Haussmann, peak inside to marvel at their beauty or go to the terrace of the Lafayette Galleries for the view.
As you will reach the Montmartre, get lost a little on the tiny colourful streets of the area - stop at the Café des Deux Moulins (to say Bonsoir to Ameli), Place du Tertre and Le Mur des Je t’aime, as well as the most wonderful bookshop there named Halle Saint-Pierre.
17:30 Last stop of the area before dinner is, of course, Sacré-Cœur. Climb the hill to visit the church and see the view around, and then head to a cosy little restaurant for dinner!
18:30 Dinner. Discover a hidden gem at La Maison Rose, where simplicity is the ultimate luxury. As you step inside this small pink house, you’ll be greeted by a warm and friendly staff, and the authentic and minimalistic design will transport you to a place where time stands still. The menu is full of truly good home-cooked dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, and the relaxed and polite service makes you feel right at home. The background music sets the perfect mood for enjoying the most delicious wines, coffee, starters and mains, and the best Pavlova you will ever try in your life. The vintage furniture adds to the cozy atmosphere, making this the perfect place for a romantic date or a small family gathering. Come and discover the hidden charm of La Maison Rose, where simplicity and authenticity are the keys to a memorable dining experience.
Traditional dinner
9 pm. You’ve arrived. THE show one needs to see when in Paris. A little bit of erotica, mixed with beautiful singing, dancing and impressive tricks up their sleeves. Now add a few bottles of champagne per table and gorgeous setting - and here you have it, a truly magical way to finish the first day in Paris.
Drinks with a view
9 pm. You’ve arrived. THE show one needs to see when in Paris. A little bit of erotica, mixed with beautiful singing, dancing and impressive tricks up their sleeves. Now add a few bottles of champagne per table and gorgeous setting - and here you have it, a truly magical way to finish the first day in Paris.
Day 2. Antwerp.
In search of diamonds
It’s 9 am and you are already standing in line in either Cafe de Flore or Les Deux Magots. Traditional French fare full with history. Order their signature hot chocolate, a croissant and some of the breakfast classics, sit outside and soak in the sun. Talk philosophy, poetry, politics, engage in a heated discussion in the best tradition of the place, and just enjoy the moment.
Around town
After a long and filling breakfast it is time to make your way to yet another museum of the trip. Walking down the Rue Bonaparte, make stops at the small shops along the way, including but not limited to Assouline bookshop, Officine Universelle Buly 1803 parfume shop, PHILIPPE FERRANDIS BOUTIQUE and any others that catch your eye.
City Oasis
After the little impromptu shopping, you will find yourself walking down the Seine - soaking in the views and looking through the peculiar finds of the embankment kiosks.
Divine beauty
11:30 and we have arrived to the main museum of the day - Musée d’Orsay.
Touristy
13:30 Quick coffee break at the Cafe Noir in the neighbourhood, or a pastry from any place nice place around, and we keep moving.
Museum
14:30 and we are here - the Rodin Museum. It is one of those less touristy gems, a locals’ favourite. Beautifully restored house of the famous artist, and the gardens in the best of French tradition, with amazing art and sculptures around.
4:00. And as we make our way to the Eiffel tower, we go to cafe L’alma for the afternoon cocktails, quick bite or a coffee break.
Dinner
It’s 6 pm and we are here, right next to the Eiffel Tower. There is truly something magical about it, and we will soak in the magic fully. Not only will you walk around the area in the most romantic manner you can imagine, but also cover the 4 main spots to get that perfect photo:
Rue de L’université
Carousel of the Eiffel Tower
Av. de Camoens
And the classic, Esplanade Joseph Wresinski
It’s almost 7:30 and you call a taxi to take you through the streets of central Paris and right to your dinner destination - Nolinski. Breathtaking design hotel with, honestly, one of the best dinners you will ever have!!
10 pm. Pop into their secret little bar with live piano music, absolutely delicious cocktails and an atmosphere of calm and enjoyment of life. A hedonist dream, if you like.
Day 3.
Around town
Slow early morning in bed, with pastry and a view of this magical city. Followed by a walk through the Luxembourg Gardens.
Magritte
After you have enjoyed the majestic Luxembourg Gardens and the Palace, it is time to “get lost” slightly in the area around. Pop into the little galleries, cafes, design shops, and maybe even have a wine or French whiskey (what?) tasting.
*don’t miss out the Astier de Villatte ceramics store
Coffee break
12 pm. As we make our way to Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, have a walk around the Île de la Cité and the area around. Stops that are not to be missed: Sainte-Chapelle, Shakespeare and Company bookshop and the Pont Neuf.
Unfortunately, the Cathedral is still closed for renovation, so have a walk around and marvel at the architecture and photos of how it used to be.
Design shopping
1 pm. Lunch at Chez Julien. Amazing food, beautiful designs, exciting history - another true local gem!
Contemporary lunch
3 pm. National Library. As we went more central, we will see the architecture of the majestic Bibliothèque nationale de France, and wonder around the neighbouring passage - Galerie Vivienne. And as you walk through one of the most beautiful covered passages of Paris, make sure to go into the Librairie Jousseaume - one of the oldest book shops in Paris, selling rare books and other amazing finds. Browse through, talk to the owner and take some pretty photos before moving on.
And here you have it - 3 amazing days in Belgium! I hope you enjoyed the article, because I definitely enjoyed writing it!
* check out the YouTube video here, as well as other articles, and, if you are using any tips, please tag us in your instagram stories @thedreamerstravelslub
À bientôt!
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