Editor’s Pick
APRIL 18, 2011 9:28AM
Chocolate, Swans, Flowers, Canals & More: Belgian Spring!
a dog warms himself on ancient pavers in the April sun
Spring continues to warm the top half of the world, including the European country of Belgium. (My alternative headline was: Brussels Sprouts!) And on a recent April trip I took lots of photos of this joyous season, some of which I'm sharing here.
I first visited Belgium in the 1960s, as a young honeymooner, when Bruges was still an undiscovered, enchanting town with few tourists. About 10 years ago I returned as a travel writer and updated the section on Bruges and Ghent in the Fodor's guidebook on Belgium.
By then, the special qualities of this country -- the hearty food, the solemnity of World War I trenches, the fairy tale towns sprinkled in the countryside, the sophistication of Brussels -- were well known to travelers.
It's hard to capture the cool air along the canals, the salty taste of mussels and frites, the tang of Belgian frothy fruit beers. But read along, look at the photos, and perhaps you'll feel the joy of a lovely country reawakening from winter, like a sleeping beauty.
a faux cyclist, bikes behind her, gets ready for the warm days ahead in Brussels 
a misty, morning flower market covers the Belgian blocks of Brussels' historic Grand Place 
windows of fancy Brussels chocolate shops go all out to display Easter eggs and bunnies 
(chocolate) eggs are symbols of rebirth and renewal around the world -- really big eggs!
the art nouveau influence of Brussels (that style started here at the turn of the 20th century) is reflected in this shop window, along with daffodils and Easter eggs 
within, a selection of handmade Belgian chocolates, considered the finest in the world -- and loads of them And on to Bruges spring:
greening trees, mild sunshine, swans on an ancient Bruges canal 
sparkling daffodils carpet the forested meadow at the Beguinage in Bruges, a church complex where single women have lived for centuries 
swans in spring shadows in glorious Bruges 
an angel watches over Bruges from a balcony at the Kempinski hotel, a former great house ending in Ghent spring:
early greenhouse strawberries in a Ghent market 
along a picturesque canal. Good night, Ghent. Farewell, Belgium! Happy Spring everyone! TIP:
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ccdarling
nilesite
cancerdancer
Liberal Southern Democrat
Emily Rapp
Nick Carraway
Salon.com
Comments
My friend used to bring me that chocolate when she visited her parents.
Beautiful! I expect to see it on the front.
HUGGGGGGGGGGGG
:-) / R
rated
♥R
Lea I swear sometimes I'm just plain jealous!
Still loving the fact that you've gotten so much out of life though :).
Rated for sunny skies and chocolate (but of course ;).
Lezlie
Lezlie
You have quite a wonderful life, Ms. Lane.
I have to say that I spent 24 hours in Brussels and didn't like it. Of course, it was pouring rain when we visited Grand Place. At least the Heineken was cold and plentiful!
The Moon.
I was locked inside a Brussels Sprout Store.
You were happy.
I had nausea.
I think it was the chocolate dipped Brussels.
Lean Lane left me.
You went to a redneck barroom with Kerry.
You took a cocker spaniel for conversation.
Kerry ate waxed fruit in the Kennel Window.
Lilac - the beagle - will soon have a new litter.
Lea Lane will be the name of one. K- litterbug?
You want a half Gold Lab & half lil' Poppy Bagel?
You can get a pet White Swan and name Chocolate?
-Erica