Last Summer I spent about a month in the most beautiful European country – Belgium. Before this trip I knew very little about Belgium and it was honestly not on my list of Top Places to Visit; but it surprised me. Belgium is this bright green playground full of friendly, honest people.
If given the chance I would definitely go back. During my adventures there, here are the sites I suggest you don’t miss.
9 Things You Must See While In Belgium:
1. Downtown Gent – Walking down the cobblestone roads you will cross over a bridge with a peculiar sight. The words Search and Destroy were placed by the water’s edge as a part of TRACK, a series of art exhibits seen around the city.
2. Bruge Boat Tours – Although I missed out on this experience, we tried several times to catch a boat tour in Bruge that would take us around the city. Since so much of the town is built around water, the tours are a unique way to experience all Bruge has to offer.
3. Bikes – Biking is a very popular way to get around in Belgium, and most places you go, you will see many people biking through the cities. You will be amazed at the substantial amount of bikes left near the train stations.
4. Cafes- There is something magical about the quaint little cafes you find lining the streets in Belgium. They are just what you would picture for a relaxing summer afternoon. The tables and chairs are set up outside as well as inside and you are able to just enjoy yourself and take in the fantastic views Belgium has to offer.
5. Residential Areas – The houses in Belgium are very different than those in New Mexico. They are all so close together with as many as two or three houses located in the same building. Everything is very close together. The beautiful brick houses with their red roofs are truly a part of the Belgian experience.
6. Statues – Belgium seems to have a different statue on each corner. Many represent a part of the country’s history. Each is unique and you cannot help but spend a few moments just staring at their beauty and trying to depict the story that they tell.
7. Ocean – Visiting the Belgian Coast is truly the first time I remember visiting an ocean. While on the shore, the temperature seemed to have warmed a bit and we were almost able to forget just how cold it was that day. While driving through the city towards the beach, you would never know the city was next to the ocean. The buildings literally stop at an edge and just beyond you realize you can see the water.
8. Castles – The Gravensteen castle in Gent provides a glance into the medieval history of the country. The design of the castle is truly breathtaking. But behind the stone walls holds a whole new experience; the castle is now home to a torture museum. As you make your way down long hallways and up winding stairs, you see the devices used in historic torture rituals and learn the history behind it.
9. Churches – Belgium has its fair share of tall, breathtaking churches. They definitely demand attention as you walk down the busy cobblestone streets. Many offer tours where you can see famous artwork and learn the history of both the church and religion.
What would you add to this list?
Taysha Ham hails from Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.
A student at New Mexico State University, Taysha is majoring in agricultural communications with a minor in journalism.
This summer she is completing a social media internship for Venture Time Travel.
Why not check out these other posts by Taysha “;.