tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35585377Sat, 08 Nov 2025 11:46:21 +0000BelgiumBrusselsArt NouveauArtHortaarchitecturetraveltourismNYCVictorchildrenday tripdesignexpat guideexpat lifefamily outingsmuseumsurrealismAbbayeAix-les-BainsAlabamaAutriqueBarcelonaBelgianBelgian MuseumBelgian beerBrussels Royal Museum Fine ArtsBrussels beerChamberyCharleroiClearwaterClearwater Marine AquariumDolphin TaleDoug MorrisEuropeFloridaFranceFreekFrench AlpsFrench RivieraGaudiGrand PalaisGrasseGreeceHollandHome or AwayINGImpressionismItalyIxellesJoan MiroLa HulpeLe RevardLeonard FreedLeuvenLuc MaesMagritte MuseumMediterraneanMichelin restaurants on lake AnnecyMiroMonetMusees Royaaux de BruxellesMusée MagritteNCNew YorkOuter banksParisParkdeanPere BiseRosesScaerbeekSpainThe Expat Guide to Having Fun in Brussels and BelgiumTuscanyUSA TodayVeyratWalloniaWambacqWinterWinter the DolphinYoshitaka Amanoartistbelgian chocolatebelgian pralinesbrunchcabanecabinscafechateau de Seneffechocolats belgescinemacollagedog sleddingdolphinsentertainemententertainmentexpat adviceexpat tipsfamilyfoodgodivaholidayslive musicmagrittemarine lifemodern designmoving abroadpaintingphotographypoetryrenovationskiingsnowshoeingspasports d'hiversummertheaterthermestravel booktravel photostreehousesvacationweekendswinter holidayswinter sportswittamerA blog about trips to Belgian gardens, castles, towns, and more...with a glimpse on the world outside of Belgium.http://belgiantrips.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Belgian Wanderer)Blogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35585377.post-3902611213008800878Mon, 01 Sep 2014 09:46:00 +00002014-09-01T11:46:15.794+02:00childrenClearwaterClearwater Marine AquariumDolphin Taledolphinsfamilyfamily outingsFloridaholidaysmarine lifesummerUSA TodayvacationWinterWinter the Dolphin There are trips that come about because of an interest in a certain culture. Other vacations start because of a picture or an article in a magazine. Others still, friends recommend. But for this past summer's holiday, our adventure began during a rainy day in Cannes, France three years ago. My daughter (then six years old) and I had gone to the closest cinema to escape the http://belgiantrips.blogspot.com/2014/09/clearwater-florida-usa-summer-camp-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle Nott)16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35585377.post-6233813492195975766Tue, 13 May 2014 09:27:00 +00002014-05-13T12:58:38.800+02:00AlabamaBelgiumFranceGreeceHollandHome or AwayItalyLa HulpeMediterraneanNCNYCOuter banksParkdeantraveltravel photosTuscanyWallonia If you're reading this blog, chances are you travel or dream of traveling to places near and far. Sometimes when we travel, we discover places that look surprisingly like home. When I was a student in France, I promised my grandmother I would go to Cardiff, Wales where her parents were from. She told me about Whales and Welsh traditions all my life while sitting in her living room in http://belgiantrips.blogspot.com/2014/05/name-that-place.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle Nott)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35585377.post-3940721383305784694Mon, 31 Mar 2014 12:21:00 +00002014-03-31T14:22:33.731+02:00Art NouveauBelgiumBrusselsday tripexpat adviceexpat guideexpat lifeexpat tipsmoving abroadtourismtravel If you've ever seen the movie RV with Robin Williams, you may recall the logo on the side of the family's caravan: Rent Me for a Day or a Lifetime, and the image of the guy with open arms, convincing you to climb aboard... or run away (Sonnenfeld, 2006). Planning an international vacation or accepting an expat assignment is a bit like that. The adventure awaits with open arms to take you http://belgiantrips.blogspot.com/2014/03/visiting-belgium-for-day-or-lifetime-by.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle Nott)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35585377.post-4724073678823255009Mon, 03 Dec 2012 11:40:00 +00002012-12-03T12:42:09.678+01:00ArtBelgiumBrusselsDoug MorrisentertainmentEuropeexpat guideexpat lifefoodThe Expat Guide to Having Fun in Brussels and Belgiumtraveltravel book I don't usually post anything that I have not written on this blog. However, Doug Morris is a great guy who has written a great book on Belgium. And so, I am posting his press release here for your benefit. My only remark is that he says, "Belgium is an absolutely amazing place to spend a couple of years."  I have been in Belgium almost 9 years and still think it's amazing. So, I suggest http://belgiantrips.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-expat-guide-to-having-fun-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle Nott)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35585377.post-2972909254780388581Wed, 30 May 2012 09:25:00 +00002012-05-30T15:31:15.292+02:00architectureArt NouveauBarcelonadesignGaudiHortaSpaintravel The Catalan sun of Barcelona is a welcome embrace to the rather grey sky of Bruxelles (and only an hour and 40-minute flight away). Travellers who love the water, the sea and the sand of a beach holiday, but don't feel like getting wet, should head to Avenue de Gràcias. Amongst a plethora of architectural styles, they will find Antoni Gaudí's masterpiece at Passeig de Gràcias, 43.&http://belgiantrips.blogspot.com/2012/05/casa-batllo-architectural-masterpiece.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle Nott)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35585377.post-7117942304534338423Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:26:00 +00002012-01-31T18:07:42.684+01:00Aix-les-BainsChamberydog sleddingFrench AlpsLe Revardskiingsnowshoeingspasports d'hiverthermeswinter holidayswinter sportsAlthough we may already be longing for spring, it is finally snowing in Belgium. Ski dreams dance again in my head...not necessarily the sport but rather the ski holiday or sports d'hiver. Although I am more inclined to snowshoeing, my husband and daughters are the ski fanatics. A couple months after my youngest daughter turned three, she was already descending an Alpine slope, closer really to http://belgiantrips.blogspot.com/2012/01/le-revard-family-ski-holiday-in-french.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle Nott)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35585377.post-2018943907070268694Thu, 15 Dec 2011 11:48:00 +00002011-12-15T12:48:37.293+01:00 Brussels boasts several neighborhood markets which are quite noteworthy. However, venturing out of the city, or not wanting to fight traffic on the way in, can lead to an enjoyable morning of shopping. While the capital of Wallonia, Wavre is a well-located town right off the 411 (exit 6), about 20 minutes from Brussels. The city center offers an abundance of shops, cafés and restaurants to http://belgiantrips.blogspot.com/2011/12/market-days-in-wavre.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle Nott)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35585377.post-1013099542593753679Mon, 10 Oct 2011 19:01:00 +00002011-10-10T21:01:20.536+02:00brunchBrusselscafecinemaentertainementIxelleslive musicNYCtheaterweekends If I could take my favorite New York City café and place it in Brussels, it would be at Place Flagey. If I could take my favorite New York City neighborhood and bring it closer, I would plunk it down on Place Flagey. If I could place my favorite indie cinema from NY near by, I'd set it up on Place Flagey. When I can't be in New York City, I go to Place Flagey. This rather intimate square in http://belgiantrips.blogspot.com/2011/10/place-flagey-brussels-square-with.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle Nott)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35585377.post-2377643039166867696Tue, 06 Sep 2011 12:57:00 +00002011-09-06T14:57:05.163+02:00Belgiumcabanecabinschateau de Seneffechildrenday tripfamily outingstourismtreehouses If you have ever walked into your child's bedroom to find sheets sprawled from the dresser, then tucked under the mattress over to the arm chair and tied unconvincingly to the window handle, keep reading. If you have ever walked into your living room and found blankets thrown over the dining table and clothes-pinned to its matching chairs, keep reading. Finally, if you have ever walked into yourhttp://belgiantrips.blogspot.com/2011/09/playing-in-cabanes-at-seneffe-castle.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle Nott)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35585377.post-7202580865684152057Thu, 16 Jun 2011 12:21:00 +00002011-06-16T14:21:09.850+02:00ArtartistcollageINGJoan MiroMiroMusees Royaaux de Bruxellespaintingpoetrysurrealism Some works by Joan Miró may provoke certain on-lookers to remark, “A child could have done that.” To which, I do not believe Miro would have been completely insulted. In fact, years of process brought Miró to the simplicity and the innocence of the art he sought. Keep in mind that the words simple and innocent do not mean childish, even if child-like.To begin, Miró was born in Barcelona in 1893.http://belgiantrips.blogspot.com/2011/06/joan-miro-lyrical-painter-exhibition-at.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle Nott)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35585377.post-2960205182740911561Thu, 07 Apr 2011 13:09:00 +00002011-04-07T15:11:22.293+02:00architectureArt NouveauAutriqueBelgiumBrusselsHortaLuc MaesrenovationScaerbeekYoshitaka Amanoby Michelle Nott Eugène Autrique, an engineer and friend of Victor Horta, lived at what is now 266 Chaussée de Haecht in Schaerbeek. One of Horta's first creations, the house was commissioned in 1893. Already by walking up to the facade, and back across the street for a thorough view, the visitor gets a glimpse into the life that inspired the home. Horta and Autrique were both “Franc-Maçons”. http://belgiantrips.blogspot.com/2011/04/la-maison-autrique-chez-un-ami.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle Nott)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35585377.post-9142875025512141118Tue, 29 Mar 2011 09:35:00 +00002011-03-29T11:35:12.972+02:00BelgianFreekLeuvenmodern designmuseumWambacqby Michelle Nott To walk into the town of Leuven is to expect towering carved men to look down onto you from the town hall. Yet, if you keep walking beyond the cathedral, you will eventually come upon M, the museum of Leuven. A transformed city school, the building's now modern lines marry with the old structure seamlessly. The inner walls display a visual history of the town of Leuven: its http://belgiantrips.blogspot.com/2011/03/finding-form-and-sense-in-freek.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle Nott)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35585377.post-9070222570107560987Tue, 01 Mar 2011 12:24:00 +00002011-03-01T13:42:12.680+01:00architectureArt NouveauBrusselsdesignHortaVictorby Michelle NottI entered Horta's home through the large wooden door. The flowing woodwork was like a wave in. On the left is the coatroom, but not the one we visitors of this century use. The coat rack is of brilliant design, one solid piece to hold coats, hats, and a mirror to check yourself before coming and going. The design is, of course, typical Art Nouveau. The hooks blend in as well as http://belgiantrips.blogspot.com/2011/03/at-home-of-victor-horta.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Belgian Wanderer)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35585377.post-98037372018535134Mon, 21 Feb 2011 10:07:00 +00002011-03-09T14:03:42.168+01:00architectureArtArt NouveauBrusselsHortaVictorby Michelle Nott One hundred fifty years ago, a self-proclaimed genius in architecture and design was born. His name was Victor Horta. Rumor has it that he was an intolerable man. But, personality flaws aside, his brain created some of the most noteworthy buildings of the 20th century. For the past seven years I have been walking in Brussels and admiring the random facades that whisper, “Look http://belgiantrips.blogspot.com/2011/02/viktor-horta-and-his-art-nouveau.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle Nott)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35585377.post-5095195090824960166Tue, 08 Feb 2011 12:26:00 +00002011-02-08T13:27:19.799+01:00BelgiumCharleroiLeonard FreedmuseumNew Yorkphotographyby Michelle Nott   When people ask me what I miss about America, I think really hard. New York City, I reply. Logically, the publicity poster for the latest temporary exhibit at Le Musée de la Photographie in Charleroi immediately caught my attention. The black and white scene of men in gray-toned suits and one wide-striped tie seduces me to walk down Wall Street in 1950 style. Leonard http://belgiantrips.blogspot.com/2011/02/worldview-by-leonard-freed-at-le-musee.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Belgian Wanderer)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35585377.post-2846262614347170102Thu, 09 Dec 2010 12:17:00 +00002011-01-17T11:23:20.145+01:00ArtGrand PalaisImpressionismMonetParistourismby Michelle Nott Claude Monet will be at the Grand Palais in Paris until January 24, 2011. Most art lovers have already heard this months ago when it opened in September. But, have they gotten their tickets yet? With just a couple months left, now is the time to get on line and in line for the biggest Monet exhibit ever. Oddly enough, Monet has been much more acclaimed by Americans and by the http://belgiantrips.blogspot.com/2010/12/claude-monet-1840-1926-at-grand-palais.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle Nott)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35585377.post-5285109909982286557Sat, 09 Oct 2010 19:14:00 +00002011-01-17T11:42:52.146+01:00by Michelle Nott Less than a half hour drive south of Brussels, tourists and Belgians alike arrive in the university town of Louvain-la-Neuve. In this pedestrian town, visitors rise from the underground parking lot of the Grande Place. And by the end of 2011, the Hergé fan will be able to walk a few steps over to the cinema to marvel (hopefully) at Steven Spielberg's and Peter Jackson's http://belgiantrips.blogspot.com/2010/10/musee-herge-in-heart-of-belgium.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle Nott)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35585377.post-9180979901297261285Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:22:00 +00002011-01-17T11:38:44.388+01:00Belgian MuseumBrussels Royal Museum Fine ArtsmagritteMagritte MuseumMusée Magrittesurrealismby Michelle Nott  You are on your way to 1, Place Royale, sometime between 10am and 5pm (Tuesday through Sunday). From Wallonie, drive north on the N411. But if you are coming from the airport, take the ring to the N411. Louise gets closer, Avenue Louise. Go down, in the tunnel, out, in the tunnel, out, in the tunnel. Out. Go right. Watch for the trams that can follow you, don't turn yet.http://belgiantrips.blogspot.com/2010/03/exploring-magritte-on-one-corner-of.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Michelle Nott)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35585377.post-6948144528470628793Sat, 13 Feb 2010 15:24:00 +00002010-02-13T16:24:00.320+01:00Over time you get to see the blogs that stick to a consistent approach and a regular posting schedule. One of those blogs is excursion.be, a blog that covers visits and walks suitable for families since 2006. Now for you recently arrived expats in Belgium there is one downside: the blog is in French! I believe it will still give you some good ideas.  And even better just type the web site http://belgiantrips.blogspot.com/2010/02/blog-review-excursionbe.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Belgian Wanderer)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35585377.post-7201596852310387035Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:01:00 +00002010-02-11T16:01:00.637+01:00I am trying out one of those online Getting-Things-Done services, Remember the Milk. Basically I am setting up future visits as tasks with an email reminder on the day of the event. For example “Ghent Floralies” is a task for April 17th. Let’s see how this works as a system not to miss those great time limited events in Belgium. Another GTD service that gets good reviews: Toodledo. http://belgiantrips.blogspot.com/2010/02/how-to-remember-where-to-go-when.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Belgian Wanderer)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35585377.post-7460439932639178311Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:45:00 +00002010-02-07T15:45:00.292+01:00Every 5 years Ghent holds its famous flower show, the Floralies of Ghent. A 200 year old tradition it seems like a definite must-see for those of you with green fingers! Dates: From Saturday 17 through to Sunday 25 April 2010 Opening hours: From 8 am until 6.30 pm Doors open until 5.45 pm Entrance fee: Individual tickets : 20 € Free access for children under 12, if http://belgiantrips.blogspot.com/2010/02/ghent-flower-show.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Belgian Wanderer)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35585377.post-5532482298030233332Sat, 06 Feb 2010 08:28:00 +00002010-02-06T09:39:49.686+01:00Flanders Today just ran a 4 part series on some nice winter walks. If you have not subcribed I would recommend you get this free English weekly. A good mix of Flanders news and tips on what to see or do.If the weather turns wet and cold again go see the Frida Kahlo art exhibit at the Bozar museum in Brussels. A hard life turned into beautiful paintings. Not recommended for children given the http://belgiantrips.blogspot.com/2010/02/flanders-today.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Belgian Wanderer)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35585377.post-6250943792997263304Sat, 12 Dec 2009 11:27:00 +00002009-12-12T12:27:00.234+01:00Still on my list of Christmas markets to explore are those in the French region of Alsace, about 5 hours away from Brussels. Some of the big ones are in Colmar and Strasbourg. But the smaller ones in Kaysersberg, Riquewihr and Ribeauville are also listed as worthy of a trip. Click on this link for a map of the recommended ones. Some other links: Article in the Times Online, “For Christmas http://belgiantrips.blogspot.com/2009/12/christmas-markets-4.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Belgian Wanderer)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35585377.post-7952360536441443750Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:02:00 +00002009-12-10T12:02:00.640+01:00 For a trip to a German Christmas market you have a choice between Aachen or Monschau in the Eifel hills. With half timbered houses, cobblestone streets, brass bands I personally think Monschau, although smaller, is the place to go. http://belgiantrips.blogspot.com/2009/12/christmas-markets-3.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Belgian Wanderer)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35585377.post-4250600997738581532Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:35:00 +00002009-12-03T11:35:00.520+01:00Now if you are already tired of the usual Christmas market, try this Dutch market in Valkenburg near Maastricht for a change. It is an underground Christmas market in a cave system that the Romans mined out. The caves are beautifully lit, this year’s theme is Dicken’s  A Christmas Carol. Arrive early this market obviously gets busy. Two section of the quarries now have a market, the http://belgiantrips.blogspot.com/2009/12/christmas-markets-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Belgian Wanderer)0