Raman’s Thrillophilia Review of an Exciting Family Trip to Belgium
It all began when my wife casually mentioned, “We need a family getaway.” That's when our daughter immediately jumped in, “Can we go to a place with a lot of royal palaces?” I threw out a random suggestion: “What about Brussels in Belgium?” To which my son responded, “Isn't it the place that's famous for its chocolates? Let's go!”
I shrugged, “Well, it does have amazing chocolate, and there is a lot more to explore...like the Atomium.”
My wife, who had been hearing us all talk about the places in Brussels, declared, “It’s settled then! Brussels it is going to be. History, fun, and chocolate. What more could we need?” Before we knew it, our tickets were booked, and the kids were already jumping with joy!
A Grand Introduction
After settling in and freshening up, we set out to explore Brussels. Our first stop was the Grand Place, a stunning square that had magnificent buildings all around it. It felt like we had stepped into a historical painting, with history written everywhere. My son, with his usual curious energy, asked, “Dad, do people still live in these buildings?”
I chuckled, “Not exactly, but I think they host a lot of events and festivals here.” He nodded seriously as if he understood every word.
After walking around the square for a while, we headed to the Church of Our Lady of Laeken. As we approached, our daughter spotted a stray cat sitting on the church steps. “I’m naming him Mr. Whiskers,” she declared with a smile, much to the cat’s indifference. It was one of those little moments that made the day feel special.
Later, we also stopped at a café where the kids got a chance to try Belgian waffles for the first time. Our boy, ever the experimenter, loaded his waffle with ice cream. After the first bite, he looked at me and said, “Dad, this waffle is the best thing I’ve ever eaten!” Our little girl wasn’t convinced at first, but after a bite, she too was hooked. “How is it so... fluffy?” she wondered aloud.
Atomium, Mini-Europe & Chocolate Delights
The next day, we hopped onto the Tootbus for our sightseeing tour. Our first stop was the Atomium. We found its architecture to be very impressive - it was an absolute wonder. As we got closer, our boy said, “Dad, this place looks like a big alien spaceship!” I couldn’t help but smile at his imagination.
Later, we had a visit scheduled for Mini-Europe - it was one of the places that I was really excited about. It was a park filled with miniatures of famous European landmarks. We even played a fun game where the kids had to identify the countries represented by each miniature.
Our girl, with all her enthusiasm, stood in front of the mini Eiffel Tower and said, “It’s like the real one, but smaller!” On the other hand, our son, always trying to outsmart me, kept saying, “I’m pretty sure I’ve already been to five countries just by looking at these!” It was fun, and the kids seemed to enjoy the interactive feel of the place. Then it was time for us to explore Beer World and Choco-Story (A Chocolate Museum). We had a great time learning about the brewing process.
But when we reached Choco-Story, our kids' excitement knew no bounds. It was as if all of us had stepped into a chocolate heaven. Watching and learning about the art of Belgian chocolate-making was a real treat. Emma found a chocolate shaped like a bear and said, “I’m not eating this one. It’s too cute!”
The Gothic Wonders of Antwerp and Ghent
After exploring Brussels, we also enjoyed a day trip to Antwerp and Ghent for a day full of history and culture. We started with the Cathedral of Our Lady, which had us in awe of its Gothic architecture. The kids, however, were more fascinated by the vibrant stained-glass windows.
“Look, it’s the story of someone who turned water into wine!” our little boy pointed excitedly. I smiled and explained it was a description of an incident from the life of Jesus. He was clearly on a roll with such historical insights.
In Ghent, we visited Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, and while I marvelled at its history, the kids were more captivated by the Belfry of Ghent. As we watched the bells chime, we could feel the weight of the centuries of history around us. Our little lady, still holding onto her chocolate, declared, “Can we please live in a castle like this, Dad!”
I joked, “Well, you’ll need a lot of chocolate to survive in a place like that.”
The kids’ interest in history continued as we explored the streets of Ghent, and we wrapped up the day with a visit to the Belfry of Ghent. As we walked back to the hotel, tired but happy, I looked at my family and realized how much we had packed into a few short days. The kids had learned so much about the rich history of the places we visited, and it was an experience that would stay with us for years to come.
Belgium was like a treasure chest full of history, culture, and pure family fun! Thank you Thrillophilia!
Read More: Thrillophilia Belgium Reviews