Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, Brussels
If you view going abroad for a holiday as a chance to learn rather than just to obliterate a few more brain cells in a series of drunken stupors, then I rate our recent little adventure in Belgium a great success.
The interior of the central railway station in Antwerp
First, I learnt the meaning of an arquebusier and, second, that it is possible to venture to Europe without undergoing all the airport trauma of jet travel.
The distinctive crow-stepped gables of buildings in Bruges, Flanders, Belgium
It took a while longer than flying, but our journey from West Yorkshire to Bruges in Belgium was completed without drama and on time, with the advantage of seeing the countries you travel through at close quarters – though the view through the Channel Tunnel left a lot to be desired.
The Grote Markt in Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium
Belgium is a country populated in the main by friendly, cheerful and helpful people. Bruges and Antwerp, our first two destinations, are in the Flemish-speaking half of the country: Flanders. Almost everyone in the region speaks English and were very welcoming. The two cities have some amazing Flemish architecture, and both have large central squares.
A bulk-carrier barge navigates the port at Antwerp in Belgium
Four of Belgium’s other great attractions are, in no particular order: chocolate, beer, waffles and fries, so I’m now working on losing the half-stone (7lbs) I gained during a week in the country.
The Café à la Mort Subite
Bruges has canals galore and at times is reminiscent of Amsterdam. Antwerp, our second port of call, is Belgium’s second most populous city and has the second-largest port in Europe.
A young drummer performs on the streets of Brussels as part of the city’s jazz weekend
Finally, we returned to Brussels, the Belgian capital and home to more breathtaking architecture. It’s a Francophone town, unlike our previous two Dutch-speaking host cities, so there was an opportunity to practise my limited French.
Members of la compagnie royale des Anciens Arquebusier de Visé, a traditional guild, parade to celebrate the clothing of the Brussels Manneken-Pis in their uniform as part of the association’s 450th anniversary
It was also the venue for a strange little parade by the compagnie royale des Anciens Arquebusiers de Visé, who marched through the narrow streets of the city’s old town, carrying over their shoulders among other things, a saw, axes and the forementioned arquebuses, a type of historical musket. They were celebrating the 450th anniversary of their guild by dressing the Manneken-Pis, the urinating statue on a Brussels side street, in their uniform. The Belgians certainly have some quirky customs.
The European Parliament buildings in Brussels
Brussels is also home to one of the European Union’s parliament buildings, and these were adorned with implorations to citizens to use their vote in the EU elections, a choice sadly UK subjects can no longer exercise.
The Grand Place in Brussels
There’s lots of public art on display in the capital, including large murals on the gables of buildings, often in cartoon style (Brussels was home to Tintin’s creator Hergé).
For a photographer, Belgium provides ample subjects to create interesting images, but without doubt its impressive mediaeval architecture steals the show.
