Belgium Trip Comes to an End

Wouldn't you know it? The most absolutely beautiful weather awaited us on Sunday, as we made our way back to Dusseldorf from Belgium. All in all a great trip, even with the weather.

Two stops enroute back to Germany: Laarne Castle and Antwerp.

Laarne Castle, also know as Kasteel van Laarne, is a one of the best preserved medieval strongholds in the country. This 14th century castle, located about 8 miles south of Gent, was having a “castle-tour” this morning (think Gingerbread Trail but only with a castle, not Victorian home). Sadly, no interior photos were allowed, although the rooms were filled with Flemish tapestries, antiques, and tons of potted shrubs, flowers, and plants. Simply breathtaking!











Our next stop was Antwerp, if for nothing more than a bite of lunch in the market square, people watch, and check out the fabulous church we’d read so much about. Yes, there are 4 Rubens paintings in this church, 3 of which were painted especially for the cathedral.

Antwerp's Stadhius and market square.





Buddy standing in Antwerp's Grote Markt.



Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal, Antwerps' finest Gothic church.











Note #1: Even with GPS, we almost couldn’t get out of Antwerp. Every road, bridge, and tunnel seemed to be under construction, had a noted detour, or was now a one-way street. Thankfully, we survived and found a way out.

Note #2: Please note that the travellin’ “red jackets” have now been retired. For you veteran readers of the blog, you'll know of what I refer (smile).