Antwerp

I didn’t want to rush through Antwerp, especially since the weather was looking rather icky, so I chose to stay for five nights. Also, I like to slow down periodically when I am traveling, so I don’t get burned out on constantly moving. I booked an AirBnB apartment in an old Art Deco building with a really fun elevator. The elevator is one of those old-fashioned ones that doesn’t have a door on the elevator itself, instead each floor has a door, which you push open to leave the elevator. Maybe I’m simple, but I loved using that elevator, which was necessary for me since the apartment I stayed in is on the 7th floor. The apartment, by the way, is a lovely flat with a wonderful blend of modern conveniences and Art Deco glamour. The views weren’t bad, either, from the 7th floor.

My first full day in Antwerp was spent walking and museum-hopping. In Plantin-Moretus Museum, I got my nerd on and learned about a family printing business that started in the 16th century. Also, 400 year old printing presses!!

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Peter Paul Rubens was one of the great painting masters, and his home in Antwerp has been turned into the Rubenshuis museum. I highly recommend visiting it, as it is more than just a collection of his paintings. The most fascinating thing about this museum is actually not the Rubens paintings, but the insights into his life, his friendships and collaborations with fellow artists, and the political climate of his time.

I spent my second full day on an excursion to Bruges, which is only about an hour train ride from Antwerp. The trip is worth it just to wander around and marvel at the scenery. The buildings are amazing.

Just like in Amsterdam, I decided to take a photography tour, because photographers tend to look at cities a bit differently than other people do. Also, I like taking photographs. Great decision. He took me and the other person on the tour to places that we might not have gone to if we had just wandered around on our own.

Street art in Antwerp is ridiculous and fun. It is also everywhere. I felt like every time I turned around, there was more art to look at, which I loved. Not only were many of the buildings artworks in their own right (Belle Epoque, anyone?), but on the few buildings that weren’t architecturally interesting, there were splashes of color and whimsy that made them beautiful in their own way.

Finally – Belgian fries. Frites. I’ve heard so much about how great they are, and I have to say, they lived up to their reputation. Right next door to the building I was staying in, there was a place where I could get fries, currywurst, and a coke for only 6 euro and it was AWESOME. I loved that place.