Brussels for the Day
- danilogan91
- Dec 19, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Feb 20
Visiting Europe for a day is possible when it's only a 2hr train ride from central London. So of course I went to Brussels for the day, just because I could.
Coming from a place where 2hrs in the car or on the train wouldn't even have me near the state line (let alone another country!?), there has been a desire for some time to experience the novelty of a day trip to a different county, enjoying a decadent hot chocolate, playing dress up vintage shopping, before returning home.
Choosing to go during the festive season of course adds an additional level of charm that made for the most wholesome, cup-filling Saturday day out.
And what does a day that brims with joy and gratitude in Brussels look like? It is my absolute pleasure to share that with you, across the following areas:
Getting there
Early bird gets the most of an adventure: we caught the 7am train from St Pancras International, which meant we were arriving by 10am local time (2hr 4min journey time).
To make this worth while and cost effective, booking the Eurostar months in advance while they are at the cheapest is (and for us, was) key. We were able to book a return trip from London - Brussels for a cheaper ticket price than travelling London -> Manchester.
It's far less hassle than an airport, and a much smoother journey overall (imho).
Coffee and Pastry to start
Our first stop was of course coffee and a pastry, to fuel our morning. When visiting Brussels for the day, Cafe Capitale is a must to start your day. A short walk from the station on the way to the main centre of town, it's bustling yet warm and welcoming atmosphere is the perfect way to kick start the day. The coffee is perfectly brewed, and the pastry's flakely-delicious. If you've never tried a cinnamon bun-croissant (Croibun? Bunssant?), then quickly head to Cafe Capitale and teat you tastebuds and soul to the delight - it'll be the best decision you make all morning.
Admiring the Architecture of the city
Brussels is such a walkable city, streets lined with rich architectural beauty, displaying striking features from it's gothic past. The World Heritage listed historic square, Grand-Place de Bruxelles, is a prominent demonstration of such grandeur.
A stunningly decorated Christmas tree stands tall and merrily in the centre through December, a festive addition to an already enchanting city
Grand-Place de Bruxelles, is so much more impressive than anticipated, and unintentionally laid the anchor for our day of exploring. Being out and about early means the crowds aren't as dense in the square, making for a calmer town square experience compared to later in the day. The early morning buzz echo's so much potential for the day ahead.
Chocolate tasting (but of course)
The shopping strip of Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert, enclaved by a stunning glass dome roof offers up exuberant class and high end shopping. It's a wallets desire, yet delicately beautiful to the eye. Glistening Christmas bobbles, lights and colours, this elegant display of Christmas is an a festive gals best friend. Sweetening the friendship? The array of top quality Belgium chocolate shops situated in the Gallery.
Popping in and out of each shop, making our way along the stunning stretch, tasting a chocolate in each store. Most stores offer up a free sample, though be conscious of the pick n mix set up in some, that look convincingly like free tasters - they are not free, in fact, and will result in more Euro's than you wanted to be exchanged if you are to mistake the open displays as a free for all.
None the less, a deliciously beautiful visit to Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert when in Brussels for a day is a must.
Vintage shopping
The enchanting alleyways and laneways, sometimes narrow, often cobbled, pave the way to explore and experience the city. It was twisting and turning through these charming concrete passages, that had us stumble across Les Petits Riens. A truly unexpected delight! If you knew before reading this that Brussels had exceptional vintage shopping options and stores, then please do let me know in the comments. It was delightful discovery for us, and led us to spend an hour or so going through each rack carefully, across each of the 4(!!) levels - if you're picturing chick-flick-fun outfit montage moments, then you're correct.
Notably the prices are so reasonable, and having arrived by train with no baggage limits (another Eurostar plus) it was hard not to buy everything we tried.
Frites. Obviously
Of course, shopping works up an appetite so naturally the next event was to locate and consume Frites. I have to say Friterie Du Cafe Georgette (the fries/snack stand) delivered on every aspect of quality fries. The skin was crispy, potato width at the correct proportion for enjoyment, salted to perfection, and of course, an individual tub of ketchup on the side (or a homemade sauce of your choosing). Excellence, honestly.
Be warned that to enjoy Frites at lunch time you are likely to endure a line, if attending between 12-1.30, however a line that is completely worth it. Don't cry, just eat fries.
More strolling, more admiring
The mornings run in with Les Petits Riens inspired an afternoon of hopping between kilo stores, and vintage stores. The mapping of this thoroughly enjoyable activity allowed us to then wonder and weave through the Christmas Market lined streets. There was mulled wine, there was hotdogs, there was tree decorations, knitted goods, candles, soaps, lollies, more mulled wine, Christmas music - it was festive and fabulous and a joy to be around.
Of course the afternoon was passing quickly, the streets were becoming more crowded as the Sun dipped lower in the sky. But as the saying goes when the crowds become dense, seek out Hot Chocolate. I promise you that is a real saying, and true words to live by.
Mandatory Hot Chocolate
I said it earlier, the square was our anchor, though we didn't know it until now. Turning a corner from the markets, realising we'd been here earlier. With the madness of 4pm vs 10am, the streets had transformed from their morning calm. A different scene with different props to what we passed in the earlier hours. A seemingly unimportant fact perhaps, but there's a internal fist pump when you connect your baring's in a new city, realising where you are in relation to an experience earlier in the trip/day. Anybody else?
Trodding back through the square, the buildings bordering starting now to glow with coloured lights - an aspect not visible in the morning light, only now beginning to illuminate in the early twilight setting.
We aimed for the Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert again, certain we'd find the Hot Chocolate that we desired. Our desire was specific, we wanted it to be iconic, traditional and delicious.
Alas, the Gallery didn't quite hit the mark but our Google review read up lead us back to the, you guessed it, town square. Right on Grand-Place de Bruxelles, was Godiva. And let me just say - oh my goodness you guys, the smooth, balanced hot chocolate from Godiva was quite possibly the highlight of my day. The joyful, merry lady making it created it with such care, it was a work of art. Such art needs to be enjoyed delicately and immortalised through a few extra minutes reading this blog.
The process: Carefully selecting 3 gourmet pieces of the dark chocolate from their elegant display, they are placed in the bottom of the cup, the hot chocolate mix then poured in on top only half filling the up to begin with. A steady stir takes place, to melt the dark chocolate pieces into the mixture. Once melted, more hot beverage chocolate is added, before being capped with a delightful cone of fluffy, cloud-light whipped cream. A swirl of chocolate sauce drizzled on top the cream. A couple of tiny chocolate bobbles mindfully sprinkled among the boundaries of the chocolate swirl, a carefully placed gold branded chocolate square completing the design.
I don't even like cream but I loved every sip and element of this festive, cosy, chocolate drink.
That's a wrap
The last hour of the day was enjoyed among the festiveness of the square - a parade and an impressive light show - before winding down through the Christmas lit streets back to the station. Our starting point only 8 hours earlier.
By the time we got on the train we were pooped and ready to sit, resting our legs, recapping with joy on what a wonderful day had been had.
A 7.30pm train out, meant we were back in London by 8.30pm - perfect for a cosy winter night at home feeling blessed of the day gone by.
I'm so grateful for the experience to visit Brussels for a day. From the smooth Eurostar experience, the joy and festive atmosphere around Brussels, the food, the chocolate, the architecture, the shopping - everything.
This is your sign to do that day trip you've been thinking about. Making memories and seeing new places with friends, really does fill your cup.
Thanks for stopping by!
Chat again soon,
Dani xo
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