Experiences
Netherlands
Amsterdam
Jenever Tasting
Light Festival Cruise
Haarlem, Netherlands
On our first full day together with Jared, we boarded an early train to Amsterdam. The weather was cold, overcast, and rainy once again.
The day was filled with rich culture as we explored the Van Gogh Museum and the poignant Anne Frank Museum. We also indulged in a delightful Genever tasting and an underwhelming Light Festival cruise.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Rembrandtplein, Amsterdam
Rembrandtplein
During our early evening stroll, we passed through Rembrandtplein, a central square in Amsterdam named after the famous artist Rembrandt van Rijn, who owned a house nearby from 1639 to 1656. The statue of Rembrandt was designed by Louis Royer in 1852 and is the oldest surviving statue in Amsterdam. In stark contrast, across the square stands Joseph Klibansky’s modern interpretation of Rodin’s The Thinker. The contemporary Dutch artist created this sculpture in 2018, and it has been located here since 2023.
After dinner, the cold intensified, so we returned to Haarlem and the warmth of our cozy room. I thoroughly enjoyed a wonderfully hot shower – pure bliss after a day of exploration.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam
Belgium
Brussels
Beer & Chocolate Pairing
Beer Hall, Brussels
After our journey in the Netherlands, we eagerly ventured into Belgium. Although the weather was still misty and overcast, it was pleasantly milder than in the Netherlands – a great relief!
Brussels City Hall
Brussels, Belgium
Grand Place, Brussels
Central Brussels offers a delightful experience for walkers, with its vibrant Lower and Upper Town areas. We chose a fantastic bed and breakfast as our home base, conveniently located just a stone’s throw away from the stunning Grand Place in Lower Town. It was the perfect spot to immerse ourselves in the charm of this beautiful city!
Place Royale, Brussels
Brussels, Belgium
Brussels, Belgium
Original city wall
Ghent
Canal Cruise
Ghent, Belgium
Ghent is only a quick train ride from Brussels, making it an ideal day trip. Upon arrival, we eagerly purchased a CityCard and hopped on a tram to the historic city center.
Our first view of the skyline came from St. Michael’s Bridge. The three famous towers of the city are St. Nicholas’ Church, the Ghent Belfry, and St. Bavo’s Cathedral (from left to right).
Although it was mostly cloudy throughout the day, we occasionally saw blue skies. It was enjoyable to experience milder weather.
Ghent, Belgium
Ghent was a thriving city during the Middle Ages. By the 14th century, its textile industry was flourishing, making Ghent the first industrial city in mainland Europe.
The waterway beneath St. Michael’s Bridge served as the city’s busy harbor. From the bridge, we could see the ornate guild halls that line the river Leie along the Korenlei and Graslei quays.
Ghent, Belgium
Ghent, Belgium
Ghent, Belgium
The old city center is quite small. A brief walk allowed us to visit St. Nicholas Church, the Belfry, St. Bavo’s Cathedral, and the City Market Hall.
We enjoyed a stunning aerial views of the city from the Belfry.
View from Ghent Belfry
View from Ghent Belfry
View from Ghent Belfry
Ghent, Belgium
We also visited Gravensteen, the Castle of the Counts. Before sunset, we were able to get one last view of the Ghent skyline.
View from Castle of the Counts
Graffiti Lane
Graffiti is a significant concern in many urban areas. Rather than imposing a complete ban, Ghent has taken a progressive approach by creating Graffiti Lane (Graffitistraatje), a legally designated space that encourages creativity and self-expression among graffiti artists.
France
Strasbourg
Alsace Wine Tasting
Ghent, Belgium
Ghent is only a quick train ride from Brussels, making it an ideal day trip. Upon arrival, we eagerly purchased a CityCard and hopped on a tram to the historic city center.
Our first view of the skyline came from St. Michael’s Bridge. The three famous towers of the city are St. Nicholas’ Church, the Ghent Belfry, and St. Bavo’s Cathedral (from left to right).
Although it was mostly cloudy throughout the day, we occasionally saw blue skies. It was enjoyable to experience milder weather.
Ghent, Belgium
Ghent was a thriving city during the Middle Ages. By the 14th century, its textile industry was flourishing, making Ghent the first industrial city in mainland Europe.
The waterway beneath St. Michael’s Bridge served as the city’s busy harbor. From the bridge, we could see the ornate guild halls that line the river Leie along the Korenlei and Graslei quays.
Ghent, Belgium
Paris
Christmas Concert
Cooking Class
Champagne & Macaron Seine Cruise
Parfume Workshop
Aura Invalides
Ghent, Belgium
Ghent is only a quick train ride from Brussels, making it an ideal day trip. Upon arrival, we eagerly purchased a CityCard and hopped on a tram to the historic city center.
Our first view of the skyline came from St. Michael’s Bridge. The three famous towers of the city are St. Nicholas’ Church, the Ghent Belfry, and St. Bavo’s Cathedral (from left to right).
Although it was mostly cloudy throughout the day, we occasionally saw blue skies. It was enjoyable to experience milder weather.
Ghent, Belgium
Ghent was a thriving city during the Middle Ages. By the 14th century, its textile industry was flourishing, making Ghent the first industrial city in mainland Europe.
The waterway beneath St. Michael’s Bridge served as the city’s busy harbor. From the bridge, we could see the ornate guild halls that line the river Leie along the Korenlei and Graslei quays.
Ghent, Belgium