From Bugle Calls to Chocolate Dreams: My Week in Belgium

I was invited by one of my favorite tour companies, Trafalgar, to explore Amsterdam and Belgium, and I jumped at the chance. I’ve been to Amsterdam many times (more on those visits in another blog), but Belgium was entirely new territory – and what a journey it turned out to be. Belgium may be small, but it offers a staggering variety of experiences within its compact borders.

Medieval cities like Bruges and Ghent make you feel like you’ve stepped into a fairy tale, with winding canals, cobbled streets and ornate guildhalls (opulent buildings which served as headquarters for various trade and craft associations).

From world-class chocolatiers and buttery waffles to more than a thousand distinctive beer styles poured in cozy taverns; Belgium is a food and drink lover’s paradise.

History buffs will find poignant reminders of the Great War at sites like Tyne Cot Cemetery and Ypres, where rows of white headstones and nightly bugle calls bring home the scale of sacrifice. ​​​​

• Seamless Logistics: Hotels, guided excursions, luggage transfers and select meals are all arranged for you.
• Insider Access: A dedicated Tour Director and Local Specialists open doors to experiences you simply can’t arrange on your own.
• On-the-Ground Support: Any question or hiccup is handled swiftly so you can focus entirely on enjoying the journey.

Our first stop in Belgium was Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in the world. Row upon row of white headstones stretch across the lawns, each marking a life lost in the Great War. The scale is a humbling and beautiful tribute to sacrifice. Later, we crossed into nearby Ypres, often called the “City of Peace.” At night we gathered at the Menin Gate Memorial for the nightly Last Post Ceremony which honors the 54,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers who were killed in the World War I. Hearing the bugle echo into silence helped me realize how history, remembrance, and hope converge in this place.​​​​

We spent an entire day soaking up Bruges’s charm. In the morning, we climbed into a horse-drawn carriage and ambled along canals lined with colorful 17th-century façades, pausing to admire the swans on the Lake of Love and hear the Belfry bells chiming overhead. From there, our Local Specialist led us through winding cobblestone streets, pointing out hidden courtyards and soaring Gothic façades before we settled into a small sightseeing boat for a canal cruise under arched bridges.​​​​

Ghent greeted us with its trio of iconic towers – Saint Nicholas Church, the Belfry and Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, Gravensteen Castle, the 12th-century fortress perched above the Leie River and Werregarenstraat, Ghent’s famous “Graffiti Street.” Here, brick walls serve as a living canvas of ever-evolving murals, stenciled slogans and vibrant tags. The juxtaposition of modern street art against the backdrop of ancient stone felt perfectly emblematic of Ghent itself – a city that honors its storied past while embracing creativity in every corner.​​​​

Before stopping in Brussels, we had a quick stop at the Atomium, a 335-foot-tall structure of nine gleaming stainless-steel spheres connected by tubular steel struts. Designed by engineer André Waterkeyn for the 1958 World’s Fair. In Brussels, our Travel Director gave  us a quick tour of the city’s highlights and we were left to explore this magnificent city on our own. I couldn’t resist a cheeky photo of Manneken Pis, who, legend says, saved Brussels by peeing on it. The Grand Place, with its gilded guild-hall façades and intricate stonework, left me speechless. Even in just a few hours, the capital’s blend of historic grandeur and modern creativity shone through.​​​​

The rolling fields of Waterloo tell the dramatic story of conflict and consequence. If you climb the Butte du Lion, you can see where Napoleon was defeated by the Duke of Wellington in 1815. Our guide shared the poignant tale of the local widows who commissioned the iron lion statue as a tribute to their fallen husbands, adding a deeply personal note to this defining moment in European history. And yes, the ABBA song was going through my head.​​​​

I couldn’t resist one more day in Brussels. My morning began with chocolates at Mary Grand Place – a chocolatier to the Royal Family. Then I wandered narrow alleys checking out all the little nooks and crannies I had missed earlier. For lunch, I enjoyed mussels & frites paired with a crisp waffle. Later a quick elevator ride to the City Hall rooftop rewarded me with panoramic views over the city. ​​​​

Ready to craft your own Belgian story? Email me at SARA@PLATINUMTRAVELWI.COM or call me at 414.377.8611 and let’s begin planning your next adventure.​​​​