Belgium: Beer, Chocolate and the Battle of the Bulge

Belgium: Beer, Chocolate and the Battle of the Bulge

“This may be death by chocolate, but what a way to go!” Jenna, my travel companion, said with a deep and lingering sigh.  We were dining at Wittamer, the renowned chocolate establishment in Brussels, Belgium. Our “lunch” consisted of countless samples of chocolate in every flavor and shape, light, dark and dangerously indulgent – a delicious way to start our tour of Belgium.

On our visit to this country, we explored the vibrant city of Brussels and then we were on to Bastogne, where we visited the Ardennes and the site of the Battle of the Bulge.  But before leaving Brussels we dined at some tantalizing cafes and restaurants, visited way too many chocolate shops and sampled some of its 500 (you read it right - 500) different types of beer!  Yes, we knew we’d end our trip facing our own, personal battle of the bulge but hey, we were in the land of beer and chocolate and it was all too tempting to resist!

BrusselsPhoto credit: Yannis Papanastasopoulos

Brussels is conveniently located less than an hour and a half from Paris and just two hours from Amsterdam.  Home of the European Union and NATO, Brussels had its beginnings in the 10th century, evolving from a fortress town into a metropolis of more than one million inhabitants today.  The city derives its character by the coexistence of French and Flemish culture, and is now home to nationalities around the world which add to its cosmopolitan flavor.  It’s further enhanced by picturesque medieval streets, lively squares, cozy cafes and a vibrant cultural life.

After checking into my hotel, the sophisticated Dominican, I made a bee-line for everyone’s favorite place known as the Heart of Brussels: La Grand Place.  With its sense of 17th century power, this is one of 35 Belgian UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  It is a centuries-old square surrounded by the famed Guild Houses with their magnificent gables, pilasters, balustrades and ornately covered stonework.  Here, also, adding to the happy atmosphere: flower markets, cafes, shops and people. Feeling somewhat jet-lagged from my journey, I spied a sidewalk vendor selling Belgian waffles.  Something told me that this sumptuous concoction topped with whipped cream, chocolate and fresh strawberries would make me feel a whole lot better.

Feeling sufficiently revived from my sugar jolt, I visited the Galeries St. Hubert which is on La Grand Place. In this fabulous glass arcade which opened in 1847, there are luxurious shops and beautiful cafes.  I spent a leisurely half hour sipping coffee at Taverne du Passage and indulging in one of my favorite pastimes, people-watching.  Before returning to my hotel, I treated myself to Belgian frites, twice fried potatoes that are served in a paper cone.  I took mine with a side of mayonnaise. Highly recommended.

Brussels art

You’ve Gotta Have Art

Painting is one of the glories of Belgium and in Brussels you’ll find more than 80 museums to house its splendid works of art.  Not to be missed: The Royal Museum containing both ancient and modern art and the Belgian Center for Comic Strip Art, famous for its exhibits of Belgium’s beloved comic strip character, Tintin, and those roguish blue guys, the Smurfs.

I had a chance to tour the Rene Magritte Museum and was impressed with this building that houses art of the most important 20th century Belgian painter, Rene Magritte; it boasts the largest collection in the world of items related to this most inventive artist.

John Coltrane (and I) Thank You

Did you know that this is the land where the saxophone was invented?  No wonder jazz is an integral part of daily life here. There are several jazz festivals that go on throughout spring and summer and the all-important jazz festival that happens for several weeks in January; for classical music lovers, there’s the Festival of Wallonia from June to October held in castles, abbeys and churches in the southern region of the country.

Brussels pastries

An Invitation to Temptation

Food of champions, a lure for lovers, a drink for the gods and an indulgence for the masses.  Chocolate.  At last count, there were some 2,000 chocolate shops in Belgium and 172,000 tons of this dark, de-lightful and de-lovely stuff are produced each year.  All of the great chocolatiers are here – Marcolini, Leonidas, Neuhaus and the aforementioned Wittamer’s and if you want some sweet, in-depth browsing, check out the Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate.

Beauty Lies in the Hands of the Beer Holder

Three cheers for Belgian beers, some 500 of them appreciated by ale enthusiasts in much the same way as fine wines. The variety of beer flavors is endless.  Anyone in the mood for raspberry, chocolate, cherry, white or brown beer?  You can find it here. The Belgian Beer Weekend held on La Grand Place takes place in early September and there is the colorful Medieval Festival of Bouillion held in summer each year.

If you want to forgo beer and try a cool, crisp Chardonnay, you’re in luck.  Brussels is a city of pubs, the oldest being L’Imaige Nostre-Dame which beckons your way by gaslight.  Its tiny interior is all warm, golden glow, stained glass windows, the dark wood of its tables and chairs polished smooth by centuries of use.  At Au Bon Vieux Temps, it is, just like the name says, the good old days. Their motto is: “Curiosity from the 17th century,” and here you can try one of their several curious and very drinkable aperitifs.

Brussels cemetary

A Solemn Visit

After lunch, we were off to Bastogne, a few hours drive and close to the Luxembourg border.  This is the site where thousands of soldiers died during the Battle of the Bulge in the winter of 1944-45. By the time fighting stopped, the city was completely destroyed and more than 25,000 people had been killed. The town is filled with stark reminders of WWII, including the American Memorial, the Ardennes American Cemetery and the Bastogne Historical Center. 

We toured the Historical Center, one of the world’s finest war museums, with our guide, Henri Mignon, a man well versed in this area’s past, living here and following its history since he was a child.  We were shown a 30- minute movie which told the story of the Battle of the Bulge with some remarkable footage. There are 120 mannequins of American, English, and German soldiers with their equipment and armaments, as well as uniforms donated by veterans of this most famous battle.  There is also an important collection of light and heavy arms, photographic documents, personal objects and equipment found on the battlefield.  Looking at the worn and sometimes bullet-holed clothing and other intimate artifacts of the soldiers was incredibly moving, and we filed out of the museum silent and alone in our thoughts.  Before leaving Bastogne, we spent some time at the American Memorial, an ultra-modern, star-shaped building set atop a hill and affording a sweeping view of Bastogne, the Ardennes forests and the battlefield, now quiet and meadow-like.

Back in Brussels, the next morning dawned balmy and soft. I parked myself on a bench under a grand, sprawling chestnut tree in a small park near my hotel, the elegant Royal Windsor, and for a moment enjoyed the quiet peacefulness of this sometimes chaotic, multi-cultural city.  But, soon enough, the pulse and tempo of swinging Brussels beckoned and I was off to another adventure in this metropolis that I found irresistible.

Belgians invite visitors to come and experience their country through the eyes of natives.  They promise that your experience will not be that of a tourist.  So don’t waffle about visiting - - Belgium is ready and waiting to make you its guest.

More information: www.visitbelgium.com

Images credit: Belgian Tourist Office