chantry wood

Time sure is passing by quickly! Classes have been really busy so I haven't been able to explore as much as I'd like. Luckily we are on spring break now so this past week I got to take some time to wander the woods about an hours walk from the university. The gorgeous weather has been amazing and delightful! This week I'll be in Madrid so check back for updates.

If you look closely in between the trees, you can just
make out Guildford cathedral!

Happy Sunday!

xo,
K

luxembourg city

I finished off my trip with an afternoon in Luxembourg City. I left Brussels in the morning and arrived into the city by early afternoon. Despite being a capital, it is very small and cozy and thus very easy to get around. They have regular busses to take you into the city center or you can walk there in about 20 minutes from the train station. I decided to walk and am glad I did - I got a feel for the city and saw some buildings I would have missed on the bus!

Place des martyrs

Spotted on my wander to the city

Place de la constitution and the Monument de souvenir

I finished my short trip through the city and headed to the main cathedral and then on to Namur where I picked up a delicious almond pastry. I enjoyed that on my way to the National Museum of History and Art which though appearing small, is quite large and had a few watercolors by Turner plus an exhibit on depictions of Christ. I headed to the Chocolate House next, across from the Grand Duke's palace, for some of their famous hot chocolate.

Cathedral Notre-Dame

Palais Grand-ducal

 The Chocolate House has an amazing assortment of "chocolate spoons" - chunks of chocolate with a wooden spoon that you place into hot milk and then stir until melted. I chose to try the cookie coconut in store - upstairs they have a seating area and they'll serve you fresh whipped cream and a homemade marshmallow - and I bought the brownie to try at home. SO GOOD!

Aren't the mugs perfect??

From the Chocolate House I headed towards the Bock Casements and Barrio Grund. The sun was setting and it was the perfect way to end my afternoon in Luxembourg. I headed back towards the train station and stopped to pick up some souvenirs for family before I caught the bus to the airport and flew home to London. Until next time!

xoxo,
K

brussels

Arriving in Brussels I quickly realized I did not remember any of my high school French. Luckily English is the unofficial third language in the city - there are so many expats that English is commonly used. My first day in Brussels I went to see the Atomium, Mini-Europe (which was closed for the season) and Laeken Park. These are all outside the city and a bit of a hike to get to, but worth it. I also picked up some frites with Andalouse sauce while walking back to the city and then got a waffle when I arrived in city center.

Tip: ask for the sauce on the side

Once I picked up my Liege waffle, I took a gander around the Grand-Place where the buildings are gilded with gold and seem fitting for royals. 

Fun fact: these buildings were commissioned by the guilds of the city
when the originals burned down. Hence why they were all built in the
late 17th century. 

I explored the Palace, the European Quarter, the buildings of the EU and ended by exploring Parc du Cinquantenaire that evening. On my way I saw this beautiful art nouveau building that houses the Museum of Musical Instruments. 

The next day I took a walking tour around the city with my friend and then we took ourselves to the chocolate factory outlet of Neuhaus. They have everything open for sampling and the items are all on sale. I tried so many flavors I nearly didn't buy anything, but I did get some assorted chocolates as a souvenir!

Manneken pis - usually he is dressed up!

They say if you rub the foot you'll return to Brussels...

Thus ended my short time in Brussels. From there I took the train to Luxembourg City which I'll write about tomorrow!

bruges

Last week I hopped a bus to Bruges! I decided to take a short trip once finals were over and while I wish I had picked somewhere a little warmer, it was nonetheless a fun adventure.

Bruges is an adorable little city with distinctive architecture, delicious food and winding canals. Once I dropped my bag off at Snuffel hostel (highly recommend!) I headed out to explore. It was really foggy which made it all the more atmospheric.

Unfortunately I didn't take the atmospheric fog into account when I climbed the belfort - I couldn't see anything from the top! On my way back down, about half way, there was another good vantage point and I got a decent photo. Before I headed to the hostel for the night I stopped and got a box of Leonidas chocolates - very delicious and so many creative flavors!

The next morning I headed to the train station and stopped by The Church of Our Lady where I paid to enter the 'museum' of sorts and see a work by Michelangelo. It's one of the few works by him that are outside Italy.

From the church I wandered slowly to the train and passed through the Begijnhof and Minnewater Park; even in the cold and fog it was beautiful. I then took the train to Brussels where I stayed for two days with family friends - I'll post that tomorrow!

hannover

A few weeks ago I got to visit the city of Hannover in Germany. I tagged along with a friend as she went home on holiday and visited for a few days. We spent most of our time relaxing and enjoying Christmas movies, tea and cookies. The other main attraction was the Christmas markets. Oh my goodness do they have Christmas markets! We visited four different markets in three different towns; they were all different and yet very similar. I tried so many new foods and watched as vendors made fresh burnt almonds and listened as others proudly explained their wares. Such a fascinating and unique opportunity. German Christmas markets are becoming more popular and many cities outside of Germany are creating them, but they're not the same! Definitely go to the real ones if you can.

Christmas market #1

Rådhaus in Hannover (one of the only buildings not destroyed in WWII)

Herrenhausen Gardens

Hot chocolate was a must!

Marienburg Castle

If you look closely you can see the cupboards
and stove and oven - all part of the stall!

Freshly-made burnt almonds

Enjoy!!

xx,

K