Bring on Brussels!!

Half Term Fun!!!

November 1-4 2012

During the kids' half term break we hopped the Eurostar and in 2.5 hours we were in Brussels, Belgium. Brussels is a popular spot for weekend getaways and holidays. Apart from its famous chocolates and beers there are many sights and attractions to fill your time.  

This was our first real trip to a European City as a family of five. While going back to the days of traveling with diaper bags, formula and a stroller is always a challenge, the kids did great overall. We were able to see many wonderful sights and devour lots of chocolate and waffles (and Belgian Beer for Keith and I) despite the rain and cooler temps. Mandy and Ryan loved posing with all the various statues and street performers along the way and Aiden was happy as a clam watching everything pass by.

 

The Grand Place or Grote Markt is the central square of Brussels and is considered one of the most beautiful town squares in Europe. It is surrounded by guildhalls, the city's Town Hall, and the Breadhouse. The square is the most important tourist destination and most memorable landmark in Brussels. Here is a great link that details all the amazingly beautiful buildings in the square. http://www.trabel.com/brussel/brussels-grand_place.htm

Entering the Grand Place

The Town Hall

The Kings House

The Guild Houses

Another view of the Grand Place

More Chocolate shops than you can count!

Manneken Pis (literally Little Man Pee), is a famous Brussels landmark. It is a small bronze fountain sculpture depicting a naked little boy urinating into the fountain's basin. It was designed by Jerome Duquesnoy and put in place in 1618 or 1619. It bears a similar cultural significance as Copenhagen's Little Mermaid. 

There are several legends behind this statue, but the most famous is the one about Duke Godfrey III of Leuven. In 1142, the troops of this two-year-old lord were battling against the troops of the Berthouts. The troops put the infant lord in a basket and hung the basket in a tree to encourage them. From there, the boy urinated on the troops of the Berthouts, who eventually lost the battle.

Another story (told often to tourists) tells of a wealthy merchant who, during a visit to the city with his family, had his beloved young son go missing. The merchant hastily formed a search party that scoured all corners of the city until the boy was found happily urinating in a small garden. The merchant, as a gift of gratitude to the locals who helped out during the search, had the fountain built.

Some of our best moments in Brussels were simply spent together in the various pubs dining on Waffles, Fries, Beer and Hot Chocolate!!!

Seeing as we are so skilled with public transport now, we hopped the metro and headed over to Mini Europe where we were able to visit every European country and most major cities in about 2 hours!!!

     

The Atomium was one of the last sights we took in. 

This unusual monument was erected in 1958 as part of the World Fair exhibition. Modelled on an iron atom that has been magnified 165 billion times, it consists of nine metal spheres which are held in place by interconnecting corridors. The top sphere has a restaurant and provides panoramic views of the city. The remaining spheres contain exhibition spaces that tell the history of the 1958 exhibition and the story of the Atomium's construction. The Atomium was originally planned to be a temporary structure that would be dismantled once the 1958 World fair exhibition ended, however it soon became an icon of modern architecture and of the city, and quickly established itself as one of the city's major landmarks.

Traveling with three kids in Europe is hectic, unpredictable and yet exciting all at the same time. We have learned that packing light, lowering our expectations and being flexible is the best way to really enjoy ourselves. While we weren't able to get everywhere that I wanted, we were able to take in an amazing city and enjoy our time together, which is what really matters!