Day 1 – Bruges and Ghent - Bruges

After three days on my own in Brussels, it was time for the next phase of my travels, a Viking pre-cruise extension called “Bruges and Ghent.” This extension includes three nights in Bruges and is described as follows:

Experience the captivating charms of Bruges, one of Europe’s most remarkably well-preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and witness the architectural treasures of neighboring Ghent. Pay your respects at the hallowed World War I battlefields of Flanders.

Unfortunately, when guests arrive several days before the start of a pre-cruise extension, Viking does not provide a transfer to the extension hotel. That was the case with me, so I had to get from Brussels to Bruges on my own dime today. Although it would have made more sense to take the train, I chose to hire a car and driver because of my knee and luggage. The fact that one of my credit cards offered $100 off the ride made the decision a bit easier to make.

My driver’s name was Sara, and she picked me up at Hotel Amigo and drove me to the Dukes’ Palace Hotel in Bruges. We had a lively conversation, and it was such a pleasant way to spend an hour or so.

Sara and Sarah

The Dukes’ Palace Hotel is the former residence of the Burgundian aristocracy and is in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bruges. I was lucky that my room was ready when I arrived.

Dukes' Palace Hotel

The Viking Tour Director met me at the hotel, and she later described to those of us who had arrived the plans for the next three days. I met some of the participants and was happy to learn that there will be 15 guests in our group, much better than the 150+ who were on an extension last week.

After a short orientation walk through the area near our hotel, I headed off on my own to explore some of Bruges. I first walked to the Markt, or Market Square, the main square in the city, which was almost as magnificent as the one in Brussels.

Market Square

It was then time for a walk to discover the medieval architecture along the canals. Once I was away from the main tourist areas, the streets were quiet and peaceful, and I could take my time to admire the beauty of the city.

Along the Canals

At the orientation, I had met two sisters, Bonnie and Chris, and Bonnie and I decided to have dinner at a restaurant on Market Square. I enjoyed our conversation and look forward to hanging out with them.

Wandering Around Brussels

Hotel Amigo is one of the nicest hotels in which I’ve stayed, and the staff is extremely accommodating. One of my favorite places is the restaurant, where an extensive breakfast is served. I was amazed on my first visit there to discover so many Fornasetti plates decorating the walls. I even recognized a few that I own!

Fornasetti in Brussels

Today, I decided to simply wander around the city and visit a few of the well-known sites.

One of the most iconic sites in Brussels is Manneken Pis, or the Little Pissing Man. I’m not sure why it’s so popular, perhaps because it symbolizes the playful and rebellious spirit of Brussels. I couldn’t resist joining the hoards to pay my respect to the little boy, who was dressed today in a uniform I couldn’t identify. (I did return the next morning and saw him in all his naked glory.)

Manneken Pis

Pissing sculptures must be a thing in Brussels, and my concierge told me about Jeanneke Pis, the pissing girl, and Het Zinneke, the pissing dog. Naturally, I had to check those out as well. I have no idea what was on the little girl’s head.

Jeanneke Pis and Het Zinneke

I did manage to see some of Brussels’ architecturally and historically significant buildings, and I returned to the Grand Place several times during the day. What a beautiful square.

La Bourse de Bruxelles, the Brussels Stock Exchange

Many Visits to Grand Place

I Also Returned to Les Galleries Royales Saint-Hubert

For lunch, I decided that I needed to indulge in Belgium’s favorite treat, so I visited La Maison des Gaufres, a historic tearoom touted as the “Finest Belgian Waffles House.” Here, I enjoyed a delicious waffle with strawberries.

The Best Waffles

In the evening, I paid a visit to Hotel Amigo’s bar, Bar Magritte, named for René Magritte, a Belgian surrealist artist known for his depictions of familiar objects in unfamiliar, unexpected contexts. The bar has created signature cocktails inspired by Magritte, and I decided to try his namesake. What I was not expecting was the presentation. The cocktail was served in a bowler hat like the one depicted in one of his paintings. The bartender urged me to pose in a real hat that is kept behind the bar for such purposes! That was fun!

Bar Magritte

Sarah Trying to Channel René Magritte

Art Nouveau in Brussels

Architectural excursions are one of my favorites, and when I spotted a “Gems in Art Nouveau” walking tour, I immediately signed up for it. This morning, I began to master Brussels’ public transportation network when I caught a local bus and actually arrived at the correct meeting point for the tour. It’s the little things that make me happy.

Although I was familiar with the Art Nouveau style, our guide Christophe vastly expanded my knowledge today. Art Nouveau, a late nineteenth and early twentieth-century aesthetic movement, produced a highly expressive style of architecture, as well as interior design and other visual arts.

At the end of the nineteenth century, Brussels was the birthplace of the Art Nouveau movement, and the city has one of the largest concentrations of Art Nouveau architecture in the world. We saw many of these buildings today.

We learned that Art Nouveau is inspired by the natural world and is characterized by flowing organic lines, floral motifs, organic shapes, and the innovative use of modern materials such as iron and glass. Decorative elements include intricate mosaic work, stained and curved glass, and decorative cast and wrought iron.

Victor Horta was one of the founders of the Art Nouveau movement, and we passed by Solvay House, or Hotel Solvay, one of his finest works.

Solvay House, or Hotel Solvay

Other architects also made their mark, some quite literally. A few even signed their names on their buildings.  Apparently, Victor Horta had no need to sign his work.

House Designed by Ernest Blerot

It was interesting to me that all the buildings we saw were a part of urban blocks or terraced or row houses. None were free-standing houses or buildings.

Architect Paul Hankar's House and Studio

So Many Examples of the Art Nouveau Style

Our guide had saved the best for last – the Horta Museum, Victor Horta’s own masterpiece. Our first sighting of the building was quite underwhelming, however, as the façade was completely covered with scaffolding and sheeting. An interpretive board in front of the building explained the restoration process underway and included a photo of the building so we could see what was hidden behind the sheets.

The most spectacular part of the house was the interior. Sadly, I was unable to get more than a quick glimpse of this amazing space due to the osteoarthritis in my knee, which had reared its ugly head (knee?) a few months before I left on this trip. I was already hobbling after walking so far today, and stairs are my nemesis.  I knew that climbing so many flights would leave me in pain for the rest of the day, so I reluctantly decided to just look at photos of what I would be missing.

Horta Museum

I managed to catch a tram back to my hotel, but stopped first at Brussels-Central Station, which was designed by Victor Horta, although not in the Art Nouveau style. It was a fitting way to end my tour.

Brussels-Central Station

Arriving in Brussels

I was able to sleep on the flight from Chicago to Brussels and woke up in time for breakfast.

My Flight Path from Chicago to Brussels

We were flying above the clouds, with no view below, but as we approached Brussels, I did catch sight of the Atomium, a modernist structure that was the centerpiece of the 1958 Brussels World's Fair.

A View of the Atomium through the Clouds

Due to the new European EES immigration system, I had expected a several-hour wait once we arrived at the Brussels airport, which is exactly what happened. What I found odd, however, was that this new system was not in use there, despite all the kiosks I saw. The agent simply stamped my passport and sent me on my way.

I had arranged for a driver to take me to my hotel, and we passed through the European Union headquarters section before reaching Hotel Amigo.

The Hotel Amigo was lovely and is in a perfect location. Luckily, my room was ready shortly after I arrived, and it is on the top floor with a small balcony. Very, very nice.

Hotel Amigo

After resting for a bit, I wandered over to the Grand Place, the city’s beautiful main square, and I was amazed by how crowded the city was. There were more groups of students, for example, than I’ve ever seen in other cities.

Grand Place

I also found Les Galleries Royales Saint-Hubert, the first monumental shopping arcade built in nineteenth-century Europe. Lots of Belgium’s well-known chocolatiers are located here, but I didn’t sample any goodies today.

Les Galleries Royales Saint-Hubert

Neuhaus Chocolates

Although I was scheduled to take a free walking tour in the afternoon, jetlag started to get to me after wandering around for an hour. So, I reluctantly decided to skip the tour and return to the hotel to rest. I know you’re supposed to resist napping on the first day, but I couldn't help it! I will be spending three nights in Brussels, so I will have time to explore the city.

On My Way to Brussels via Chicago

This morning, Tim dropped me off at the Landline shuttle stop at Northern Colorado Regional Airport for the hour-drive to Denver International Airport. There, I caught my flight to Brussels, where I will begin my two back-to-back river cruises from Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Yes, I used the singular “I.” I will be traveling solo since Tim made the decision some time ago to stay behind and take a class and attend a conference, among other things. Although I will miss him, I have no issues with traveling by myself.

I first flew from Denver to Chicago, where I had planned a several-hour layover to account for any possible delays. The plane was completely full, and I was so happy that I had been able to use airline miles to fly first class. It was much more peaceful there!

Welcome Aboard!

On our approach to Chicago, I caught a glimpse of the downtown skyline.  That’s one reason I typically prefer window seats.

I Really Need to Make a Trip to Chicago

My flight from Chicago to Brussels in United Polaris business class gave me access to the Polaris Lounge in Chicago. This was quite a step-up from the regular United lounges, and I enjoyed my time there.

I Really Enjoyed My Visit to the Polaris Lounge

Next up was the flight from Chicago to Brussels. I’ve become so spoiled by the lie-flat seats in Polaris class, and that feature makes a long flight bearable for me. The service is always great, but my priority is typically to lie down as soon as possible to try and sleep, which is exactly what I did.

Plans for 2026

Although Tim and I have been home for just over two weeks, I am already thinking about travel plans for this year. We have already booked four cruises with Viking, but flights, hotels, and other logistics remain to be worked out.

Cruising begins in April with two back-to-back river cruises from Amsterdam, The Netherlands. “Tulips and Windmills” is a ten-day voyage to discover Holland and Belgium, and since I adore tulips and have always wanted to visit Amsterdam, this cruise seemed a perfect choice. This is the description:

Admire the genius of the Dutch Masters at Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum. Explore Enkhuizen’s seafaring heritage, Dutch World War II history and Antwerp’s Renaissance splendor. See colorful tulips in bloom, and sample Belgian beers and chocolates. View well-preserved medieval buildings in Middelburg. Roam Keukenhof Gardens, the world’s largest floral park. The best time to see the Low Countries is spring, and the best way to see them is on our 10-day voyage.

Tulips and Windmills Cruise

“European Sojourn” immediately follows the “Tulips and Windmills” cruise and is a journey on three rivers and through eight countries between Amsterdam and Bucharest, Romania. Every destination on this cruise will be new to me, and I am looking forward to exploring parts of Eastern Europe. This is the description:

Sail Amsterdam’s canals. See castles on the Rhine. Behold the grandeur of Vienna. Celebrate folk traditions in Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. These travel icons—and more—await you on a 23-day journey combining our “Grand European Tour” and “Passage to Eastern Europe” cruises. Discover eight countries in Western, Central and Eastern Europe while cruising the Rhine, Main and Danube. Enjoy a lifetime’s worth of experiences on a single voyage. 

European Sojourn Cruise

Tim and I enjoyed our just-completed Expedition cruise to Antarctica so much that we decided a cruise to the Arctic would be a perfect complement. While we were on board, we booked the “Canada and the Northwest Passage” cruise, a 27-day itinerary that will take us from Toronto, Canada to Nuuk, Greenland, and beyond this coming July. This is the description:

Witness the majesty of floating icebergs and rugged lands as you embark on a journey to the Canadian High Arctic and Greenland. View towering icebergs, expansive icefields and deep-blue fjords that are rich in marine life. Get a glimpse of life in the Arctic Circle, learn about Inuit communities and traditions that have sustained for generations. Bask in the endless rays of the midnight sun as you join us on a voyage of discovery to far-flung lands. 

Canada and the Northwest Passage Cruise

Our final cruise of the year will be a return to Europe in mid-November during the slower season. The “Adriatic and Mediterranean Sojourn” cruise will begin in Rome and end in Istanbul. Over a period of 22 days, we will explore so many iconic destinations with a new port almost every day. Although we have visited some of the Mediterranean cities, all the ones in the Adriatic are completely new to us. This is the description:

Witness a sweeping landscape of cultural riches and historic wonders on this fascinating cruise that combines “Italian Sojourn,” ”Venice, the Adriatic & Greece,” and ”Ancient Mediterranean Treasures.” Sail around Italy’s boot, discover breathtaking Croatia and medieval Montenegro, and walk among ancient ruins in Ephesus and Troy. Overnights in Venice, Athens and Istanbul afford you ample time to delve into the eastern Mediterranean’s famed and hidden treasures. 

Adriatic and Mediterranean Sojourn Cruise

Whew! That seems like a lot of days at sea, but I’m up for it! We did, however, decide to cancel our two back-to-back cruises for Spring 2027, “Magnificent Mekong” and “Far East and Alaska.” We’ll try to plan that itinerary for some other time.

My New Year’s Day Tradition

My blog posts for New Year’s Day always revolve around food. As I’ve written over the years, I always eat black-eyed peas and collard greens, a traditional Southern meal on this day that is said to bring good luck.

Although this year’s dinner couldn’t compare to last year’s dinner party in a private dining room on Viking Sky during the World Cruise, Tim and I continued the tradition with just the two of us. Last year was filled with lots of good luck, and I am confident that we will continue to experience good luck in the following months.

My Traditional Southern New Year's Day Dinner