Helen Page

World-Class Belgian Lace

July 26, 2014 By Helen Page

BELGIAN LACE IS ANOTHER OF THE COUNTRY'S FAMOUS EXPORTS: Belgium is famous for its chocolates and beers, but one important Belgian export which is perhaps not too well-publicised is Belgian lace. Belgium's lacemakers have been a vital contributor to the country's economy since the 12th … [Read more...]

An Encounter with Paradiso Perduto’s Charming Chef

July 25, 2014 By Helen Page

PARADISO PERDUTO - A SEAFOOD RESTAURANT AND HOTSPOT IN VENICE: On our brief visit to Venice, we went looking for Paradiso Perduto (Paradise Lost), a seafood restaurant on Fondamenta della Misericordia in the Cannaregio district. Jonathan Phang had dined at this restaurant when he was doing his … [Read more...]

NH Brugge Hotel in Bruges

July 15, 2014 By Helen Page

HOTEL REVIEW - NH BRUGGE HOTEL: In Bruges, we stayed for two nights at the NH Brugge Hotel. The NH Brugge is a four-star hotel located on the Brugge ring road. Although the hotel describes its location as being "tucked away in the historic centre", it is actually about one km from de Markt … [Read more...]

A Visit to Orval, Famous for its Trappist Beer

July 14, 2014 By Helen Page

THE ORVAL BREWERY IS ONE OF THE TEN TRAPPIST BREWERIES IN EXISTENCE: From Dinant, we travelled south, taking the pretty country roads of the Semois Valley to Orval. Orval is of course famous for its Trappist beer and this visit was going to be one of the highlights of Tony's Belgium visit. … [Read more...]

A Visit to the Waterloo Battlefield

July 8, 2014 By Helen Page

AT THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO, NAPOLEON WAS FINALLY DEFEATED IN 1815: For anyone with a passion for history, a trip out to the Waterloo Battlefield is an opportunity to learn more about this famous battle almost 200 years ago. The Battle of Waterloo was fought at a site about 13 kms south of … [Read more...]

Mussels and Kwak – A Delicious Belgian Meal

July 3, 2014 By Helen Page

MUSSELS AND KWAK WAS ONE OF OUR FAVOURITE MEALS IN BRUGES: In Bruges, it was suggested that we may like to try a dinner of 'Belgian Stoemp and Kwak'. The Dutch language is not an easy one to figure out, well at least not for me. If you're not a beer person, you may well think that a 'Kwak' is … [Read more...]

Cafedraal Restaurant in Bruges

July 2, 2014 By Helen Page

FINE-DINING IN BRUGES AT THE CAFEDRAAL RESTAURANT: For one of our dinners in Bruges, we tossed up between the Cafedraal Restaurant and La Belle Epoque. Both these restaurants are within walking distance to the NH Hotel where we were staying. Not knowing anything about either restaurant, we chose … [Read more...]

How Antwerp Got its Name – The Antigoon Giant Legend

July 1, 2014 By Helen Page

ANTWERP'S BRABO FOUNTAIN TELLS THE ANTIGOON GIANT LEGEND: When you visit the Grote Markt (main square) in Antwerp, the Brabo Fountain in the centre stands out. In front of the Town Hall (Stadhuis), the fountain includes a statue which, according to a legend, explains how the city of Antwerp got … [Read more...]

Orval Abbey – Famous for its Trappist Beer

June 30, 2014 By Helen Page

ORVAL ABBEY IS AN IMPRESSIVE CISTERCIAN MONASTERY IN THE GAUME REGION: Mention Orval, and beer lovers will immediately think of the prized Trappist beer. The Orval Abbey may be famous the world over for its beer, but the Abbey (Abbaye Notre-Dame d'Orval) site itself is an impressive place as we … [Read more...]

The Magnificent Brussels Hôtel de Ville

June 29, 2014 By Helen Page

BRUSSELS' HOTEL DE VILLE IS THE MOST MAGNIFICENT BUILDING ON THE GRAND PLACE: There are many great buildings on Brussels' Grand Place, but none beats the magnificence of the Hôtel de Ville (Brussels Town Hall or Stadhuis in Dutch). This Gothic building from the Middle Ages is one of Belgium's … [Read more...]