Alright, buckle up for our whirlwind Euro trip! We hit Belgium, France, and Switzerland in October, and let me tell you, it was a rollercoaster of experiences!
Belgium 🇧🇪 - Waffles, Beer, and a Bit of Edge
We landed in Brussels, hopped on a train straight to the city center, and checked into the Brussels Marriott (find it here: https://www.booking.com/hotel/be/brussels-marriott.vi.html?aid=2176036&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2). Prime location right by the Bourse, a 5-minute stroll to the Grand Palace! Brussels is gorgeous, bustling with energy during the day. * **Day Trips are a MUST:** We hopped around to Bruges, Ghent, and Antwerp using the super convenient Belgian Train. Seriously, a train leaves Midi station every 10-15 minutes! (Keep your ticket handy, they check!). * **Ghent Stole Our Hearts:** We only spent 2 hours there, but the city's ancient charm and peaceful vibe on a Sunday was just *chef's kiss*. Plus, the street food was amazing and cheap! Bruges was pretty (and packed), while Antwerp had a cool mix of old and new.Foodie Adventures in Brussels
Belgian cuisine is surprisingly diverse! Day 1? Fries and beer at the Bourse, of course! Day 2, we braved the hour-long line at Nüetnigenough in the old town. Pricey, but worth it for traditional Belgian fare. Their raw shrimp appetizer? Adventurous and surprisingly delicious! We also hit Chaloupe d'or at the Grand Palace – solid choice! And waffles! Oh man, the waffles. Brussels is waffle heaven, with tons of visually stunning shops.A Word of Caution (Early Birds Beware!)
Here's the thing: jet lag meant I was up at 6 AM in Brussels, exploring near the Bourse. Let's just say it's not the prettiest sight before sunrise. Lots of homeless folks congregate around the McDonald's, and there can be some... tense situations. The old town also gets a bit rough with early morning revelers. My advice? Maybe choose a hotel a bit further out. * **Overall Score:** 8/10. Safety at night was a concern, but the easy travel and awesome food made up for it.France 🇫🇷 - Paris Stole Our Hearts!
Ugh, the Eurostar. First snag of the trip. Our original train got canceled, so they crammed everyone onto ours. People were standing for almost 2 hours! In Paris, we snagged an Airbnb in the 16th arrondissement – a quick 5-10 minute bike ride to the Eiffel Tower. Despite the warnings about Paris being unsafe, we had an AMAZING time. Seriously, it was the highlight of the whole trip! We used the metro and electric bikes to get around. Certain streets felt just like Hanoi, but cleaner. * **Parisian Perfection:** We hit all the iconic spots along the Seine: Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre Dame (still under construction), and Disneyland Paris!Lyon - The Underrated Gem
Our last stop before heading home? Lyon! This city is seriously underrated. It's gorgeous and ancient, but while Paris feels like a tourist hub, Lyon had this traditional, peaceful French vibe. We had the BEST meal here at La Gache, right by the famous Charvet Clock. Brave enough for Beef Tartare? Lyon's version was the best I had! * **Foodie Recs:** Comptoir de la Gastronomie in Paris is touristy but worth it for the foie gras. Or, if you're craving pho, check out Mắm from Hanoi in the 2nd arrondissement (Michelin Guide approved! 🤣). * **Overall Score:** 9.5/10. Definitely coming back! Only downside? The metro tickets sometimes glitched, leaving us trapped. **Want to find hotel deals in Paris?** Click here: https://www.booking.com/city/fr/paris.en.html?aid=2176036&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2Switzerland 🇨🇭 - Serene, Expensive, and Multilingual
We only explored the Lausanne - Nyon - Geneva area. So, I missed some of Switzerland's biggest highlights, but I can say this: it's incredibly peaceful. We visited Geneva and the UN headquarters. Geneva is a blend of old and new, and the luxury watch shops are everywhere! We stayed at the Moxy Hotel in Lausanne, which got us discounts at the Olympic Museum and other attractions, plus free public transport (even though no one checked tickets!). * **Food Fact:** Food was average and EXPENSIVE. Cheese Fondue is a must-try (it's an experience!), but prepare for a salty punch. Also, be aware that many people in Lausanne speak Italian and French, and some shops don't speak English. Check out hotels in Lausanne here: https://www.booking.com/city/ch/lausanne.en.html?aid=2176036&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2 * **Overall Score:** 6/10. I need to visit during peak season and explore the more famous spots to really appreciate Switzerland's beauty. **Pro Tip:** If you're in Belgium or France, download Uber, Lime, or Bolt for electric bikes! Scooters are fun and convenient in Belgium, but banned in Paris (electric bikes are still an option). We easily dropped a small fortune on those! 😂
Tags:
europe travel
