Antwerp, Belgium

Belgium wasn't exactly a place we were dying to see, but it worked with wanting to see Amsterdam for Christmas and London for New Years.

Studying on the train

The train station in Antwerp was beyond gorgeous. It was an easy, quick trip from Amsterdam and luckily our hotel had a room available for us even though we were early.

Our funky room

We were pretty hungry by lunchtime so we headed out to experience Belgium and have WAFFLES. Obviously.

Fancy hot cocoa

BEHOLD. WAFFLES.

Unable to contain my excitement.

We made friends with the owners of the waffle shop our tour book recommended and they ended up giving us samples of different toppings and styles. They were so excited to have people visiting all the way from FLORIDA to eat at their place. They made our visit so lovely and their food was as incredible as the service. From there we walked into town to see their Christmas market, a personal favorite.

"Sausages?"

Watching ice skaters

Homemade candies that we didn't recognize

It was really chilly that day. I wanted to tour their cathedral, but they charged admission. Jackson is so cheap that he waited outside while I toured! HA! The cathedral is known for its works of art from Peter Paul Rubens. I'm counting on this knowledge to help me in Jeopardy! one day.

The church's spire dominates the skyline

I love a gorgeous cathedral 

I always love the model of the cathedral in the cathedral

The Descent from the Cross by Peter Paul Rubens

I love looking up in these houses of worship

I kept my tour pretty short so that we could continue our tour of the town.

We didn't ride.

Pretty city streets

He found a sausage! All is well! 

They have some gorgeous buildings all around town

We eventually headed back to our hotel to warm up and take a break. The hotel attendant recommended an Italian place in town and who are we to argue with a local?! ;)

Caprese salad! 

Salmon pasta (for me, SO GOOD)
Lasagna (for Jackson, made with ham and not his favorite)

We finished our dinner and then went to a very popular local bar for some drinks for Jackson. I only drink water overseas (they don't do unsweetened, brewed iced tea) so the bartenders always judge me. I'm ok with that these days.

Acting like locals and hitting the bar

Petefish

Sausages hanging by the bar because
why not?!

Jackson looking handsome at the end
of the night so he posed by a pink wall

Jackson enjoyed some local flavors and then we headed back to the hotel for the night. We scheduled an early train to Bruges (a nearby city) for the morning so we needed to get some rest and try to be warmed up for another day of touring.