Hey, what’s up?

II recently embarked on an impromptu 3-day, 2-night escapade to Belgium! I snatched my ticket just two weeks before the flight, and it was still a steal—thanks to Eid falling on that weekend. This is part one of my three-part saga, so buckle up!

The flight from Manchester to Belgium took about an hour-ish, or as I like to call it, just enough time to contemplate life decisions—like why I thought it was a good idea to book a window seat. But with the sun shining that day, I splurged on the view! And boy, was it worth it! I even managed to snap some cool plane window shots. They say the journey is as important as the destination, but let’s be real: the destination is usually where the snacks are.

We landed at Charleroi Airport, which is so small that I half-expected to see a welcome sign made of sticky notes. It’s located in the southern part of Belgium, just below Brussels. I had the foresight to pre-book my bus ticket with Flibco, so I could skip the ticket machine line—a true victory in the battle against travel-related queues! I saved my ticket in my Apple Wallet, feeling like a modern-day wizard. The airport shuttle was surprisingly comfortable and clean, which is more than I can say for some public restrooms I’ve encountered. The ride took about 45 minutes to reach Brussels, during which I pondered the mysteries of life, like why there are so many different types of mayonnaise in Belgium.

Upon arrival, I checked into my apartment in Brussels. I decided to grab my access card first—better to have it handy than to risk a dramatic check-in saga later.

Next on my agenda was Antwerp! I heard it was a beautiful city, and I was eager to see for myself. So, I hopped on a train from Brussels to Antwerp, having pre-booked my ticket (because I like to plan my chaos). The round trip cost around 25 euros, and the best part? You can use the train at any time of the day! No validating tickets like other EU trains—seriously, who thought that was a good idea? The direct train to Antwerp took about 45 minutes-ish, just long enough for me to daydream about chocolate and waffles.

When I arrived in Antwerp, the train station took my breath away! Seriously, it looked like it was trying to win an award for “Most Stunning Train Station”—and trust me, it would have crushed the competition. I’m no architecture expert, but this was definitely a sight to behold. It’s one of the finest examples of architecture in Belgium, and I felt like I should’ve been wearing a beret while sipping on espresso just to do it justice.

Now, here’s a fun fact about Belgium: their main language in the northern region is Dutch, while French reigns in the south, and a sprinkle of German is thrown in for good measure. So, at the train station, you can imagine the cacophony of announcements being repeated in different languages. It was like a multilingual orchestra with a conductor who forgot the tempo!

After soaking in the grandeur of the station, I strolled along The Meir, which is basically the shopping paradise of Antwerp. Initially, it felt like I was walking through a waffle wonderland, flanked by bars and waffle shops. But then, as if by magic, it transformed into a realm of designer boutiques. The place was packed, and I felt fortunate that the weather was as pleasant as a freshly made Belgian waffle.

Along the way, I made a pit stop at the Stadsfeestzaal, a shopping mall that boasts both domestic and international retailers. The interior design was so stunning that I half-expected a fashion show to break out at any moment. Seriously, I could have spent hours just marveling at the architecture!

I also swung by the Cathedral of Our Lady, but let’s be honest—I couldn’t be bothered to enter. I’m just not really a cathedral person anymore. Besides, I figured I had already reached my daily quota of awe-inspiring sights!

In front of the Cathedral of Our Lady, there’s a charming statue of a boy and his dog, snuggled under a cobblestone blanket. Meet Nello and Patrasche! This duo is inspired by a classic novel, which the author came up with during a visit to Belgium. So, you could say this statue is a real literary landmark—just a reminder that sometimes, the best stories come wrapped in doggy cuddles.

Next up on my adventure was the Grote Markt, which I like to think of as the chill-out zone of Antwerp. This square is surrounded by the town hall, but let’s be honest—it’s more like a bar-hugging extravaganza now. If you find yourself in Antwerp and nature calls, there’s a restroom available here, but be prepared to shell out some coins because, apparently, free toilets are as rare as a unicorn in Belgium!

Continuing my exploration, I strolled over to Het Steen, a medieval fortress nestled in the old city center of Antwerp. This place used to be the biggest port in Europe back in the day. It’s located right next to the river, and I had to dodge quite a few joggers who seemed to be on a mission to outrun the entire city. The river view was nice, but aside from that, there wasn’t much else to write home about—unless you’re really into medieval stones, in which case, you’re in luck!

Lastly, I made my way to a place called KMSKA. After nearly an hour of walking, I realized I probably should have rented a bike instead! But hey, at least I got my cardio in for the day! KMSKA is an art museum that showcases the masterpieces of Flemish primitives dating back seven centuries. I must admit, I didn’t actually step inside because, let’s face it, I’m not exactly what you’d call an “artsy” person. However, the building itself is a sight to behold, boasting modern architecture that would make any Instagrammer swoon.

After a day packed with walking (my watch recorded a whopping 25 kilometers—take that, couch potatoes!), I decided it was time to head back to Brussels and rest my weary feet. Antwerp truly is a beautiful city, perfectly blending medieval charm with modern flair. There are so many more sights I didn’t cover in this blog! But one thing’s for sure: if you’re visiting Antwerp, carve out a whole day to explore. I only had half a day because I was chasing that budget-friendly flight ticket!

One of the places I missed was Chocolate Nations, which I hear is a chocolate factory where you can indulge in some serious chocolate tasting. Honestly, I’m still kicking myself for that one—because who doesn’t want to be surrounded by chocolate?

Alright then, I hope you enjoyed reading my blog! See you in my next post—hopefully soon (fingers crossed)!