Breezing Through Bruges (and Occasionally Brussels)

The second major part of my travels circa June, 2016 began and ended in Belgium, a small and rather Sylvanian Families-like country famed for its obesity rendering foodstuffs and its incomprehensibly confusing polyglot population. During my three and a half day stint, my friend and I stayed in a hotel in Brussels, yet traveled two of those days to Bruges, Belgium's crowning glory as far as architecture, ambiance, and beauty is concerned.

When Disney made Snow White (I'm not sure why Disney's animations seem to be my consistent point of reference, but let's go with it) they undoubtedly looked to Bruges for inspiration. Unwinding like a labyrinth tailor made for the Seven Dwarfs, turrets, gold leaf, pastel facades and flower boxes flow past its visiting population as seamlessly as the water which enhances the city's enchantment.

During our time in Bruges, my friend and I enjoyed a boat cruise - you'll see many of these little bateaux floating around town - as well as takeaway Chinese next to the water, a visit to hundreds upon hundreds of chocolate shops, while also finding the time to pull up a chair in two of the wide selection of outdoor cafe terraces in order to enjoy a hot beverage. Although it's a shame that a few of the waiters we received were unreasonably frosty, Bruges is a wonderful city full of friendly faces, and permeates a relaxed atmosphere.

The train to Bruges from Brussels - while operating one of the least reliable and confusing train services I have ever experienced - took around 90 minutes from start to finish. Why did we insist on escaping to this beautiful place in favour of Belgium's actual capital? Simply because, by comparison, Brussels was a little lacklustre ...

Don't get me wrong, it's not like the city housing the European Parliament alongside the most concentrated selection of waffles ever to be found is a bad place, I just wouldn't recommend going out of your way to take a visit. Besides the Grand Place, the Mannekin Pis is feeble, the atmosphere is less than buzzing, the opportunities for good shopping is lacking, and other sights such as the Royal Palace appear in a state of near desertion. Focused most heavily on its role of diplomacy, Brussels' status as a European capital lays in its importance as a political powerhouse. Other than that, its seeming lack of authentic charm would be enough to put off a second visit.
xoxo

Waltzing Through Wien

I am currently sitting in a room situated a very far distance from the cultural delights of the continent. When you throw into the mix that very soon, I will most likely be a social pariah in the very land which Britain for some reason thinks that it doesn't need (yes, English people are so classy and smart), the Chantilly drenched dreams of Europe seem even further away. However, to cure said boredom (I didn't say I was bored? Okay, well I am B-O-R-E-D) I have decided to share a few snapshots of my most favourite views of a city known as Vienna.

Vienna, although the capital city of Austria, is a rather compact place; an absolute dream location to walk off all of the cake that you are going to consume - trust me, you are going to. Cake is embedded in the very fabric of the city. Each building appears like a tiered wedding cake suffocated in icing sugar. People, and by people I mean me, venture from lands far and wide to get a taste for what Vienna has to offer. And tasty it is.

Of course, a trip to the infamous Hotel Sacher is completely necessary. Not only serving the well-known and well-loved Sachertorte, a rich chocolate cake covered in apricot jam, the hotel offers a wide variety of treats, rendering it a world-class institution of civilised yet accessible dining.

Speaking as I was before of wedding cake architecture, one only has to peep this ceiling to understand that incredible interior decoration is kind of a pre-requisite. For the best interiors that your spare change can buy, check out the Austrian National Library (pictured below) as an invocation of Disney's Beauty & the Beast.

As a tourist on a mission in Vienna, there are three important palaces to feast your eyes upon. Firstly, the Hofburg Palace, which sits almost directly adjacent to the city's main shopping district, houses the beautiful Kaiserappartments, the Spanish Riding School, the deeply interesting Sisi Museum, as well as the aforementioned Disney dream library! Phew, I know - impressive. To lavishly drape the cherry a-top our Sachertorte, it was also the birth place of my personal home girl, Marie Antoinette.

While most people believe that Versailles is the place to be if, like me, you love anything to do with those pesky Habsburgs, Vienna not only boasts the Hofburg, but the Schönbrunn Palace. Situated outside of the centre, the Schönbrunn Palace is by far one of the most visually stunning, and interesting places I have ever visited.

However, one may argue that Vienna's Belvedere Gallery is the true creme de la creme of the city. Appearing like one elegant, sensational, frosted marshmallow, the Upper Belvedere houses artwork by Klimt and Schiele, Monet and Van Gogh, while maintaining its utter beauty both dedans and dehors. Not to mention the gardens, which soar downward, providing a breathtaking view of one of Europe's crowning jewels.

My best friend and I outside the Upper Belvedere.

What else?

- Demel: a world renowned shop of, you guessed it, CAKES, I recommend that you skip the somewhat disappointing apfelstrudel (ew, raisins) and head straight toward the Cleopatra torte. Rich, chocolatey, with a chocolate ganache, coffee creme icing and additional raspberry filling, this is one accomplished slice.

- Zanoni & Zanoni: Probably one of the best ice cream parlours I have come across, the Austrian Chocolate flavour is a must. As *the most chocolatey thing I have ever put in my mouth*, it comprises a blend of rich dark chocolate and apricot jam to enhance the existing chocolate taste. Chocolate. Other flavours include beer (although it tastes more like passion fruit) and hazelnut.

- Der Mann:  Wherever you go in the city, Der Mann will be there. He'll be watching you. You will go to Der Mann. Oh trust me, it's an inevitability. Don't fight it. When you're down and out, and need a helping hand, Der Mann will be there, like the pastry-filled hug he truly is. Swoon.
xoxo