Brussels

In my opinion, the best time to visit Brussels is just before Christmas. The Grand Place is beautifully lit with Christmas lights. It looked positively magical. We ate dinner both nights at Aux Paves de Bruxelles, right off the Grand Place. Their ribs are the best in the world!!! No kidding. I would love to get that recipe.

We visited the National Museum and it was quite impressive and, of course, we spent our fair share of time there. The other thing every tourist must do while in Brussels is buy plenty of chocolate. The chocolate shops are everywhere. Marcolini’s (which displays their chocolate more like jewelry than chocolate and their prices reflect that attitude), Leonidas, Godiva, etc., etc. but the locals know the best places and our favorite was Chocopolis. They were super nice and were well acquainted with several of the Delta pilots who visit routinely and give them a frequent buyer’s discount. They let you sample any of their chocolates before buying, in fact they encourage it. I had to keep telling Maria (the young lady that worked there) that I had had plenty, but she kept handing me chocolates saying, “Try this one.” What can you when chocolate ends up in your hand? It’s good thing we walked all over town because I would have put on 10 lbs otherwise.

We also visited the Cathedral of St. Michael. It was amazing. I never tire of these beautiful Europeans cathedrals.