Easter Break Part 2 - Trier, Bruges and a bit of Luxembourg

Let's see where were we...oh yes, on our way to Bruges! Everyone we'd spoken to about Belgium said Bruges was their favorite city, including Rick Steve's travel guide, so we decided to take advantage of being closer to Belgium and drive to Bruges.  On the way, we stopped in Trier, Germany, as it is a short drive from Michaele and Josh's home.

Trier is the oldest City in Germany, founded in 16 B.C. b Augustus, and was an ancient Roman capital . It is situated close to the border with Luxembourg, and while we wanted to take a trip much to do in the same day as Trier. We made it late morning and parked near the Porta Nigra, the remaining Roman gate to the city.

To the right is a church that was added to it, which is possibly was it was saved from destruction during various wars. 

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Photography by Emmy

Happy girl at lunch.

We walked down to eat lunch at a restaurant that had been recommended to us: The Potato Restaurant, Kartoffel Restaurant Kiste. It was yummy!

The Basilica is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

As we left lunch, rain had begun to fall again. We walked over to the Basilica of Constantine, which is the oldest Christian church in Germany.

Outside of a restaurant, I just love Europe for all of it's charm. When the weather warms up, this place will be amazing. 

Plan showing the original plan of the church.

We were back on the road fairly quickly in order to get to Bruges by suppertime. We had arranged to rent a flat from a lovely couple who runs a B&B and have recently remodeled a couple of flats nearby.

Walking to supper, one of the lovely canals in Bruges

We were a little later because of construction, so we checked in, threw our stuff in the flat, parked the car (parking is tight in the city, one reason we picked this place is they offered secure parking a couple of blocks away that our big American car barely squeezed into), and went to eat at the closest restaurant recommendation to our location from Rick Steve's guide, a delicious Italian place called Carlito's. Fortunately we got a table and the kids, while tired, did not embarrass us too much while we inhaled food and got out of there. Ha! I always feel a bit self conscious taking the kids out to eat in Europe. I'm not sure about Belgium specifically, but eating out in Poland is expensive for Poles, so you don't see children out as much as were used to.

YUM!

The next day we slept in a bit. The time did not change here until Easter weekend, so we were all adjusting and sleeping in later, which was pretty glorious. Our goals for the day were to cover the basics: Belgian beer, chocolate, waffles, and fries. We ate a small breakfast and took off for the city center in search of our 2nd breakfast: Belgian waffles!

After waffles and walking around the square some, we opted not to climb to the top of the tower so we could make the brewery tour at 11 am. Along the way, we stopped at a couple of recommended chocolate shops for some Belgian chocolate, of course!

Belgian Chocolate!

Brewery tour! One of the best we've ever been on. 

Learning all about the different grains used for making beer and how they add flavor.

After climbing a lot of stairs, we made it to the roof of the brewery. 

These are the tanks they used to ferment the beer in. 

Belgian Beer! Beer tasting after the tour.

Emmy enjoyed hot chocolate instead.

Matthew enjoyed playing around. 

After the brewery tour, it was time for some lunch, to include Belgian fries, of course! 

Belgian fries! 

Sharing a delicious piece of chocolate.

Beautiful statue of the Madonna and child. 

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Canal boat tour! It rained on us off and on, but we enjoyed it. 

The next day we had to pack up and start the trek back home. We made a quick stop for Belgian beer, then headed into Luxembourg. We'd hoped to go into Luxembourg City for lunch, but time was tight making it to our stop for the night, so we opted to stop at the American Cemetery instead.  General George Patton is buried there. We walked around a bit before heading back to the car to make it to Ramstein for the night. 

On the way out of Belgium we had to stop at a grocery store so Charles could fill the car with beer. 

We barely fit! 

American Cemetery in Luxembourg. 

General Patton's grave

Emmy loved the fountains.

We spent the night back at Ramstein AFB (well, just off base this time) so we could pick up a few more things at the commissary, then we headed home the next day. It was a wonderful trip!