Make it yours!

Travelers all around the world!

Internet is full of travel websites which offer poor information and a vital approach that is -many times- far from reality. We have always seen incredible snapshots about glorious places which, to be honest, are much less glorious than we expected. They try to show us something that is, sometimes, even untrue. And that's my commitment: show you every single place... just the way every single place is. 

Through my life, I've been to many different countries, taken awesome pics here and there, and of course, they're sometimes just wondrous themselves, but other times they are not different from other ordinary snaps. I'm not gonna exclude them, I'm just gonna show you everything, all you can do, see, touch, enjoy... 

So if you're looking up for something special, THIS IS YOUR PLACE! :)

As all of you know, Brussels is the European Union's heart: all major institutions -the European Comission, the European Union Council, the European Parliament, the Regions Comittee...- have their HQ in this amazing city, in a fabulous quartier in eastern Brussels which, through theyears, became the European Quartier, the home of Europe!

The Berlaymont

Though that name may not be familiar to you, the Berlaymont is, indeed, the European Comission HQ, a place of meeting for all European leaders and politicians -and politician leaders as well-. This famous cross-shaped building -which appears on TV constantly- is located in Schuman Square, one of the fathers of the EU, and looks flamboyantly in its modern appearance. A place that you should not miss if you're in Brussels!

The European Parliament

Though the official HQ for the European Parliament are located in Strasbourg (France), the second HQ -which are used for special meetings and comissions- are located in Brussels's European Quartier. Officially, the parliament building's name is Espace Léopold. And since Leopold Park is just next to parliament building, I have to say that it's an incredible place to have a wonderful walk and... why not, some relax!

The Cinquantenaire

This wondrous park, with its enormous triumphal arch, is located in eastern Brussels, within the European Quartier and just a few steps away from the European Comission HQ. Originally, the Cinquantenaire was erected in 1880 to commemorate the Belgian Independence. Today, the complex is the home for the Belgian Royal Army Museum, the Royal History and Art Museum and the Cars Museum -I decided to visit the Belgian Royal Army Museum as it seemed to be the most interesting of all them, as in fact it was-. Another fantastic place to have a walk and even to enjoy some sunbathing -like plenty of locals do-. Great!

Brussels offers many different cultural attractions to enjoy -contrary to the popular belief which states that Brussels is such a city with not much to offer-. And among all those wondrous places, you can find the Grand Place, the heart of Brussels city. A point of meeting, or a place to start... you can always do it your own way, that's the good thing about traveling! 

The Broodhuis/Maison du Roi

Among the buildings located in the Grand Place, the Maison du Roi is surely the one that attracted all of my attention. With its ornamented columns and impossible silhouettes, this building was turned into a visitable museum. Nice place to take a few of amazing snapshots!

The Brussels City Hall

Just opposite the Broodhuis, you can find the local City Hall. With one of the tallest towers in the city, the City Hall is nowadays the house for the town's museum. The Grand Place is also a place of remarkable events a, such as the creation of a flower carpet in the center of the square every month of August. Alongside the townhall's pictures, I have attached a picture in which appears the Brouwerhuis -the House of Brussels's brewers-. Great view of course!

The Maneken Pis

This tiny sculpure of a boy while peeing is, don't ask me why, Brussels's most well-known symbol. And of course, surrounding the little sculpture you can always find a lot of people taking pictures and having a laugh... at times. Located in Stoofstraat/Rue de L'Etuve, is, like Daniel Diges would say, 'Something Tiny'... Algo pequeñito! 

The Saint Hubert Royal Galeries

Just a few meters from the Grand Place, another great place awaits: The St Hubert Galeries -Royaux, of course!-. Inside this crystal-roofed street you can find some of the finest stores in Brussels: from chocolate to books, from jewelry to cosmetics... A good place to go shopping and get some fantastic souvenirs... though it's not that fantastic when it comes to price. Despite that, nice place to do some window shopping!

And to finish this post, a wonderful sunset picture. The sun sets behind Koekelberg Basilique, what a wonderful view from my hotel room! :D

Since the very first time that I travelled abroad, I have always been interested in putting on a map all those places that I would go, and all those places that, in the foreseeable future, I would go to. So today, here I am to get that goal that I had always wanted to achieve: here's my European map, including all the cities I have been to (orange), all the cities I have been to twice, or even more than twice (in light blue) and all the cities and places that I would like to visit in an early future (coloured in light green). In addition, all those countries whose borders I have surpassed are painted in grey. 
I don't know how much time will it take to go to places like Sweden or Iceland, but I am a quite patient individual, so for now, all I have to do is live this wonderful life, and go on! :D

As my trip to Belgium went on, I decided to stop in Ghent, on of the most wonderful cities in Belgium. With its perfectly arranged wharfs, medieval castles and great squares, Ghent remains one of the most visited places in the Belgian region of Flanders: a mandatory visit for an uncomparable place... enjoy Ghent your way! :D

The Korenmarkt
Welcome to one of the most important meeting points within the city og Ghent. The Korenmarkt -literally, corn market- remains a strategic location between the Koren/Graslei -the most famous wharfs in the city- and the Cathedral of Sint-Baaf. Lovely place!

The Korenlei

Probably the most visited place in Ghent alongside the Graslei, the Korenlei -corn wharf- is one of the several wharfs you can find in the Flemish town. A great place to chill out and have some beers!

The Graslei

Alongside the already mentioned Korenlei, the Graslei -herbs wharf in Dutch- remains -at least to me- the symbol of this wondrous city. Nice place to have some chilling again!

The Gravensteen

Back to Middle Ages, the Gravensteen -the Castle of the Counts of Flanders- is one of the places that you shouldn't miss if you're there in fair Ghent. Though found the visit a bit expensive when it comes to fees, it's nice to learn about Belgian history, and in that sense it's an extraordinary building.

The Kraanlei

Though most tourists in Ghent focus their visits on the Koren/Graslei and the Korenmarkt area, if you're just as curious as I am, you'll surely discover fascinating places all around the city. Among one of those, mine is undoubtedly the Kraanlei. With its loads of colorful flowers and its peaceful inhabitants, the Kraanlei offers you the true and unique opportunity to feel Ghent on your own. Great place, great pics! 

The Patershol

Welcome to Ghent's Medieval quartier! A little place full of great memories that you should not miss if you ever decide to visit this wonderful Flemish town!