11 articles tagged with belgium
The first time I stood beneath the Menin Gate in Ypres, listening to the Last Post ceremony at dusk, I felt a profound connection to history that no textbook could ever provide. As both a doctor and history enthusiast, I've...
Five years ago, while cycling through Belgium on my journey that would eventually lead me to call France home, I stumbled upon a city that's inexplicably absent from most travelers' itineraries. Mechelen sits quietly between Brussels and Antwerp, just 20...
Standing on the arched stone bridge spanning one of Bruges' countless canals, I watched as late afternoon sunlight gilded the step-gabled facades that have remained largely unchanged since medieval merchants walked these same cobblestone streets. The reflection of centuries-old architecture...
When my marine biology colleague invited me to guest lecture at KU Leuven (Belgium's oldest university founded in 1425!), I was thrilled to explore this charming Flemish city. What I discovered was a perfect blend of historic architecture, vibrant student...
I've spent the better part of two decades chasing craft beer around the globe, from Portland's hipster havens to Germany's centuries-old breweries. But sometimes the most remarkable discoveries happen when you step just slightly off the well-trodden path. That's exactly...
As someone who frequently finds himself navigating European cities between client meetings, I've developed a particular appreciation for destinations that offer intellectual stimulation alongside sensory pleasures. Leuven—a city I initially visited for a patent conference at KU Leuven—has since become...
The first time I wandered through Bruges' cobblestone streets, I realized I was experiencing something photographers dream about—a perfectly preserved medieval city where every canal turn and market square feels like stepping into a living painting. As the autumn leaves...
While I typically travel solo to chase down craft breweries and tennis clubs across the globe, last summer I found myself in Ostend with my sister's family, including my energetic niece and nephew (ages 8 and 10). What I discovered...
I've wandered through many sacred spaces in my travels, but cycling the hallowed grounds around Ypres delivered a different kind of spiritual experience altogether. The Belgian spring air carried whispers of history—and the scent of fresh waffles—as I pedaled past...
Brussels surprised me in ways I never expected. Five years into my French adventure, I've cycled through countless European cities, but Belgium's capital remains uniquely deceptive. Tourists flock to Grand Place, gawk at Manneken Pis, and tick their chocolate boxes...
Standing on the medieval Sint-Michielsbrug bridge at dusk, watching the amber glow of street lamps illuminate Ghent's three iconic towers, I can't help but feel the transformation beginning. By day, this Flemish gem is a living museum—Gothic spires and cobblestone...
