denmal

Tomorow we leave for our 3 week trip to Brussels and Paris: I will add to my report daily or I will try to add daily. We leave Charlotte tomorrow and fly Lufthansa to Brussels. We are staying in the Brussels Marriott by the Grand Palace. More to come when we land in Brussels

Au revoir / À bientôt

mvor

Looking forward to your live report. Have a terrific trip!

denmal

our Lufthasa flight was good. the passanger next to us from Charlotte asked the attendant 'how much' when he ordered a class of wine. She responded, we do not charge, we are lufthansa. Both husband and I we very amused. We arrived on time to Munich and then connected to Brussels. We took the train from the airport to Brussels central station. After a long night we decided to cab it to the Marriot hotel near the Grand Palace. Little did we know today was Gay Pride day in Brussels. The stage is right in front of our hotel. The streets are filled with people. It is a very fun environment. We slept after we arrived for about 3 hours. We got up at 4 PM , showered and hit the streets. We decided to have frites for dinner at a street stand... YUMMY.. then we went to a local place for a beer. Around 7ish we decided to go back to the hotel. The Marriott is wonderful, we have access to the executive lounge ..free wine and snacks.. we have a few wines and some tapas ... it was really nice. We decided to retire early to get on Brussels time. The hotel is central to all sites and is very nice. I would recommend it ..

denmal

Sunday in Brussels..We ate breakfast at the Marriott. We have access to the executive level, so it is free. The weather was nice today, sunny on an off and about 60 degrees. We walked through the Grand Palace, it has , wonderful architecture...We then walked up to the Royal Palace and the Parc de Brussels. The park is large and has a few cafes in it.. We then walked up to the European Union buildings and around Parc Leopold.. Named for King Leopold.. Brussels is a very easy walking city.. We had walffes with Nutella and whip cream today... Yummy.. and found a favorite beer, Leffe Blond... again...Yummy.. Brussels has many churches.. We went into St. Michele today.. the national church of brussels.. We sat through high mass.. Lit candles for both Mom's ...Got a special present for our friend Frank , which is joining us in Paris next week.. Resting and having wine and tapas in the hotel.. tomorrow more churches..

kerouac

I will avidly read your continued impressions of your trip.

denmal

Monday/Lundi - A little cold in Brussels today and rainy.. We decided to venture out to another church. Today we went to Note Dame - Yes there is one in brussele..not a large as the one in Paris and it happens to be in the middle of the largest pedestrian shopping street in brussels. It is a wonderful church with a beautiful pipe organ and broaque pulpit that was carved in 1758. We spent a hour or so in the church.. We did a little shopping on Rue Neuve. It started to rain harder ..we then went into City 2 - a mall.. spent an hour or so looking around.. The was a cafteria style place to each so we each had large salads for lunch.. We were both up pretty late last night and up early today so with the rain.. we decided to nap... dinner later when husband wakes..hopefully the weather will be better tomorrow...We think we might be a city bus tour and take the metro out to the atomium

denmal

Tuesday/Mardi - We decided to take one of those bus tours of the city , the hop on/ hop off - 15 euro's each - it took us out to the Atomium and Mini-Eurpoe. We decided to pay the fee to go up in the Antomium - it was fun .. interesting esclators... We also went to Mini-Europe.. Models of the major cities of Europe..That was interesting... We also went into another church today Sainte-Marie Madeline.. another wonderful church..Pictures to come soon..

denmal

http://farmerbrussels.shutterfly.com/pictures

pictures from the trip...

denmal

Wednesday - We decided to take the train to Brugge. You get the Beligum national railroad at central station - only an hour trip 26 Euros round trip from Brussels. The train was very comfortable. We arrived in Brugge around 10 AM . Pick up the local bus into downtown. If you go on the Brugges site it will tell you the exact bus numbers to take. It was easy to manage. We took the bus to the center market. In the AM there was a farmers market , wonderful smells and fruits.. It was busy but wonderful.. I wanted to buy alot of the food but with no apartment until Paris, I could not. We wandered around town and found the most beautiful church..The Church of our Lady.. it holds a madonna of Michelangelo from 1504. Just wonderful.. After touring the church and lighting a candel for both moms.. We decided to take a canal tour. You can take a few - the one we choose was 6 euro per person and lasted about a 1/2 hour.. It was fun but alittle cold. We then wandered looking for the brewery We stopped for our mussels and frites .. we split on as the amount is enough for two. We then found the DeHalve Maan brewery. We took the tour which required you to clime around 222 steps, the tours goes to the top of the brewery and provide a GREAT few of the town. You the work your want down, certain stairs are so narrow you have to go down backwards.. BUT all worth it because you get a beer at the end.. Brugge Zot.. They have3 beers , blond, dubbel and triple , the triple is 11% alcohol.. we then found a wonderful tea shop for tea and cupcakes .. we caught the 5 Pm train back to brussels.. all and all a great day trip..

http://farmerbrussels.shutterfly.com...%3dSHARE3SXXXX

swisshiker

Very nice, denmal!

The picture of what looks like a lot of cooked meats (ribs, etc.) - do you remember where was that taken?

denmal

Swisshiker - Those are roasted chickens ect in the market in Brugge - in the market square.. The vendors were there in the morning and by 3 PM they were packed up and gone

denmal

Pictures from Brussels today... Touring the city and another church.. Really nice weather today .. sunny and warm.. Brussels is a very easy walking city.. We have enjoyed it .. We are onto Paris tomorrow on the 9:15AM train..
http://farmerbrussels.shutterfly.com/

denmal

Saturday/Sunday - We have reached Paris ...ah Paris.. I love this city.. The train from Brussels was easy and only 1 hour 15 minutes.. We then caught a taxi to the apartment..33 rue des Archives.. What a wonderful apartment.. It is perfect.. The instructions sent by Sheila were spot on..got in the building fine.. The evelator -- what a experience. Only big enough for 1 person a 1 suitcase.. we made two trips. Monsieur Burno was here to meet us.. The apartment is a perfect size..2 bedrooms, 2 baths - a nice kitchen , large dining room with large windows facing the street and a medium size living room. We were informed by Monsieur Burno our friends flight would be late..The apartment has a washer and dryer that are very easy to use.. As our friends were going to be later.. Time for shopping. We walked over to the Monoprix for the basics..Wine, Cheese, Salad , Yougart. The yougart in France is the BEST.. in additional to the wine our host had a bottle of champange for us. The two streets around the apartment have everything we needed, we brough 2 baguettes, 4 croissants , buter and jam. the last stop on the way back, flowers from the well appointed shop two doors down. If you are looking for an apartment in Paris for 4 - This one is the one.. We will stay here for our future trips to Paris..Today we are off to the market at aligre.. and then to Pere-lachaise.. Picture later

denmal

Sunday / Monday - The 4 of us traveled via metro to Aligre market on Sunday am. We purchased mellons, tomatoes, fruit of various types. We went into the Le Garde-Manger Delicatessen, which is a small shop in the market area.. It has various Alsacen products..My friends purchase Pate-goose, I purchased wine and a mushroom/cheese tart.. We then purchased one of those roasted chickens and the potatoes.. Once we purchased the wine our bags were full..Made our way back to the apartment... Dinner sunday night -- wonderfuly salad, the tart (OMG) so good, wine,, bread,,cheese and of course desert..
Monday AM - We decided to take the l'open tour bus..it was a wonderful sunny day..78 degrees.. the tour is worth the cost - 29 Euro... It give a good view and tour of the whole city..for our friends - it allowed them to see where they wanted to return to.. So nice..from the top of the bus I got a sun tan!! for Monday dinner..The roast chicken and potatoes..SO yummy..those chickens are the best I have ever tasted.. We had wonderful wine , conversation.. I love this apartment and city...more later

denmal

Tuesday / Wednesday - We decided to go off to Pere Lachaise.. We traveled via Metro.. Very easy over to the 20th - It was a warm sunny day.. Of course, we had to visit Jim Morrison..Chopin and Oscar Wilde.. What a share - Oscar Wilde's grave has been defaced over the years..We then walked out and had lunch as a wonderful little cafe on Rue Reunion..After that we had to head back to the apartment as I was bitten by a spider.. had a terrible allergic reaction.. I had to take 4 benedryl and was sleeping for the remainder of the day.. Wednesday - Off to the Eiffel Tower.. We had ordered our ticket at home on the internet.. That is the BEST way to go..Same price and no waiting.. We walked up showed our tickets.. and on the elevator we went.. The view..impressive.. Then it was off to Fauchon for tea.. Then dinner at Le Grand Colbert.. Dinner was wonderful .. We have been going to Le Grand Colbert since our first trip to Paris in 2003.. We had a lovely time and walked over to Place Concord to see the lights ... Lovely night..

denmal

http://farmerbrussels.shutterfly.com/pictures
More pictures

TDudette

Nice report! What is the name of your apartment?

denmal

Tdudette - The apartment is 33 Rue Des Archives ... Very nice for 2 couples

denmal

Friday.. We went off early this morning to the

denmal

Sorry - Enter too quick .. We went to Les Enfants Rouges this morning - The market was very lively.. We were on the hunt for dinner and other fun items.. We purchased: Roast Ham, potatoes, carrots and two small cheese quiches.. The remainer of the market today was antiques.. it was fun looking through it.. Got a tea pot for 1 euro.. Mal got a small Napolean with horse- metal - for 5 euro... small wine picture 6 euro.. We had a wonderful lunch La Pierre ou Marais - on 96 Rue des Archives... a wonderful little bistro.. Then it was off to walk to Place Des Voges.. We walked around the place and park.
We sat in the park for a little while and then back off to the apartment.for afternoon tea...