Brussels....Ghent......Bruges.....

My third trip to Belgium began around the Memorial day weekend.  This time, the plan was to spend more time in the unexplored cities like the Ghent, Bruges and to visit the World War II historical sites and memorials.

 

The culture is a co-existence of  hard working Flemish and artsy French.  Even the monks in Belgium are famous for brewing beers! I was offered the Westvleteren ale referred as Trappist beer. As usual, anything vegetarian I have to try and needless to say, got blessed by the monks!! 

Ghent and Bruges are recognized as the UNESCO historical sites.  The canals in Bruges reminded of Venice but much cleaner and nicer. The movie "In Bruges" was filmed here.  In Ghent the attraction is the gothic and baroque churches.  One must see the "Adoration of the mystic lamb" in St. Bavos cathedral, painted by the VanEyck brothers in the 14th century. 

Brussels is flanked by Paris and Amsterdam, yet it is quite and laid back compared to them.It was a nice experience to be in the Jazz festival week. The city center at Brussels was vibrant with music lovers till the wee hours of dawn.  After, a decade it is great to visit a city again that has not changed very much.

  

Happy July 4^th!

PEACE ON EARTH

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