Christmas Market in Brussels

There is a very special time of the year, when dreams come true, hearts are full of love and faith and magic is pervasive.

 This special time is just around the corner – Christmas.

No matter where you are, no matter if it’s sunny and warm or snowy and cold, there is no better place to feel Christmas atmosphere that a Christmas Market.

Glass of mulled wine, cornet of chestnuts and a portion of tartiflette followed by churros dipped in the chocolate… my treasures.

You can find it all going to the Brussels Christmas Market, which is always located close to la Bourse and at the Place St. Catherine.

 Glass of mulled wine will cost you 2 euros and a portion of tartiflette 7 euros.

Milky Chance - Down by the river

Lazy weekend in Barcelona

Barcelona is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, finely combining tradition and modernity. Art nouveau townhouses, modernism, sky-scapers, all seasoned with the flamboyant art of Gaudi; make up the picturesque landscape of the Catalonian capital. A hint of sea breezes, a taste of red wine and the exquisite Mediterranean cuisine all create an irresistible combination.

There are so many things to see in Barcelona, but when the time is very limited you need to pick only a few. This time I decided to spend a lazy, slow weekend and just roam around streets of the city, enjoying the atmosphere, sun, Christmas Market and the smell of food. Yes, the city really smells like herbs, meat, seafood, cookies and during this particular time of the year, pine trees and I love it.

Walking around and looking for a friendly, charming place where I could drink a good coffee I found a wonderful Portuguese cafeteria.

In there you will drink delightful bica and any other coffee you might be willing to have. Even if you don’t see something on the menu, just ask and you will probably get what you are looking for.

But the place is not only about coffee. You have to try their tasty patisserie – Nata – egg tart. Watch out, once you try, you will ask for more!

Address: Calle Mallorca 277, 08037 Bracelona

Nata cookie is a cost of 1,7 euro

Seduced by the taste of Nata I continued the yummy afternoon walking on La Rambla. This pedestrians promenade, located in the very center of the city links Plaza de Cataluna with the entrance to the harbor, the site of the Columbus Monument. Halfway is located my favorite part of La Rambla - La Boqueria – a huge local market with local delicacies. The mix of colors and smells you can find there is unforgettable.

Antoni Gaudi, an architect, artist and a visionary whose spirit is visually present in Barcelona. The Sagrada Familia church was conceived in his studio and its curvilinear Art Nouveau suggests an enormous life form that has become a symbol of Barcelona. Park Guell, part of a housing estate designed for the Spanish bourgeois, but never finished. Casa Mila, an apartment building in the city center, which takes us into a fairy-tale world, those are places always worth coming back to.

With all temptations around, my appetite was much sharpened. Catalonian cuisine is dominated by seafood, game meat and fowl, seasoned with olive oil and aromatic, mountain herbs.

Breakfast is time for coffee with milk, biscuits or toast.

Around 11 am the Spanish have their second breakfast usually consisting of tortilla: an omelet with potatoes or pan tumaca: a slice of bread with tomatoes, olive oil and garlic.

Here you will find an argentinian variation about late breakfast.

Address: Carrer de Sant Pere Més Alt 4, 08033 Bracelona

Argentinian breakfast which consists of 3 tosts + marmolade + dulce de leche, alfajor cookie and coffee or tea  - cost 5,9 euro

French breakfast which is set of 2 croissants + marmolade and freshly squeezed orange juice + tea or coffe - cost 6,5 euro

 Lunch is around 2 or 3 pm and dinner very late in the evening.

If you don't want to spend a fortune and eat good seafood in a typical spanish restaurant you should consider going to La Bombeta.

Address: Calle de la Maquinista 3, 08003 Barcelona

Prices of the starters begin from 3,9 euro and dishes  from 5,7 euro, with the average of 9 euro.

And of course you can't miss a tapas bar.

In this case, whichever place you will pick you will not be disappointed.

Bakermat - Zomer

let summer never ends

Pearl of the Semois valley - Bouillon (Ardennes)

If you are looking for an interesting weekend gateway idea to the Belgian mountains, Ardennes, called the 'Pearl of the Semois valley' Bouillon city is without doubt the place worth going.

You will find there perfectly preserved, fortified medieval castle, which cut above the town. Its construction started in the 8^th century and till now, it is one of the oldest and most interesting remains of feudalism in Belgium.

Castle is open every day.

Entrance costs 6.5 euro for adults and 4.5 for students.

English-language theatre in Brussels

If you are looking for a nice cultural experience and you don’t necessarily speak French or Dutch, Brussels Light Opera is a place to go.

In Brussels Light Opera shows you will not find worldwide known names or actors but a quite big, enthusiastic group of expats passionate about the theater and musicals. 

The effect of their work is really impressive. Scenography is very well done and costumes are carefully chosen. Life orchestra gives a wonderful libretto accompaniment. 

If you wouldn’t know, you would never say that actors are not professionals. In the repertoire you will find musicals like Evita or Sweeney Todd.