Still on my list of Christmas markets to explore are those in the French region of Alsace, about 5 hours away from Brussels. Some of the big ones are in Colmar and Strasbourg. But the smaller ones in Kaysersberg, Riquewihr and Ribeauville are also listed as worthy of a trip. Click on this link for a map of the recommended ones.
Some other links:
Article in the Times Online, “For Christmas markets with French flair, try Alsace”.
For a trip to a German Christmas market you have a choice between Aachen or Monschau in the Eifel hills. With half timbered houses, cobblestone streets, brass bands I personally think Monschau, although smaller, is the place to go.
Now if you are already tired of the usual Christmas market, try this Dutch market in Valkenburg near Maastricht for a change. It is an underground Christmas market in a cave system that the Romans mined out. The caves are beautifully lit, this year’s theme is Dicken’s A Christmas Carol. Arrive early this market obviously gets busy. Two section of the quarries now have a market, the Gemeentegrot and the Fluweelengrot.
In close reach to Brussels you are blessed, or cursed depending on your disposition, by the availability of many Christmas markets. The most obvious is Brussel’s own “Plaisirs d’hiver”. Children pleasing activities such as ice skating, the most surreal merry-go-rounds you have ever seen (what about a rocket that shoots through the roof of the merry-go-round to scare your toddler…), a 40 meter ice monster, and of course your usual adult warming offerings such as hot spiced wine.
Do not forget to see the light show on the Grand Place put on by Electrabel, from 4:30 to 10PM. On Saturday nights a juggling troop starts at 8PM and until 11PM a guest DJ stirs things up.
Mers-Les-Bains
In 2 to 3 hours from Brussels you can reach some varied coast line in France. One of the advantages is to avoid the traffic that often plagues any drive back and forth to the Belgian Coast. The other is to see for yourself some of the images you have etched in your mind: the changing houses, the Art Nouveau houses, the chalk cliffs and towers of seafood.
Le Treport
From October ports such as Le Treport start landing scallops. Delicious sautéed with garlic in 3-4 minutes in a hot pan.
For bird lovers the Baie de la Somme is the site of a well known parc, the parc du Marquenterre. So with its mix of cliffs, pebble beaches, sand beaches and mud flats this area offers a good mix of scenery for the hikes to come before of after the seafood feasts!
With summer seeming to drag out it is still time to get out to the Ardennes. Bouillon is a good base with a nice fort and plenty of walks to choose from. From Bouillon you can drive to Botassart and its famous vista on the Semois river. This view is called “Tomb of the Giant” as the wooded hill trapped in the river bend resembles a giant tomb. A further drive takes you to Rochehaut with a nice view on the small village of Frahan encircled by another river bend.
Although this photo was taken during the summer of 2006 it gives you a good idea of how beautiful this garden is and of how it offers a great setting for leading sculpture exhibits. From 20.5 to 18.10.2009 the garden is putting on a display of Pol Bury fountains. These are fascinating moving stainless steel sculptures.
The garden themselves are built around the Art Deco house. The secret heart garden, the classic labyrinth as well as the Art Deco rose garden fit neatly in a very small space.
Where to find the garden:
41 Avenue Leo Errera, 1180 Brussels
Talk about mind blowing architecture! Just type Cogels Osylei in your GPS and go to Antwerp to get your fill of neo, eclectique and Art Nouveau buildings from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. I do not know where to start: the contrast between the styles, the palaces, the kitsch and the subtle, the industrial and the organic… Don’t miss the group of “seasonal” houses or the group of “Time” houses.
When you are tired of architecture and of breaking your neck peering towards the sky, head toward the Dageraadplaats for a nice mix of restaurants, wine bars and all. The public square ensures a nice little show for discussion over some Cava for example!
Some Links:
Trabel: The Zurenborg District
Antwerp Tourist Guide: Zurenborg
And finally Wikipedia.
Just back from Ohio where we enjoyed plenty of varied activities. One of the fun afternoons was spent with daughters and cousins at Hale Farm, a living history museum of the early 19th century farm. Watching the candle making, wool spinning and brick making was fascinating for children and adults. My favorite color was actually the one resulting from onion skins.
Belgium is overflowing with castles. Here is one not too far from Namur and Liege. They put on a beautiful Christmas display.
And for the adults on their way to Disney Paris you can stop at the horse museum in Chantilly. In reality kids love it too!
