Belgium borders the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg and France. With a flag similar to Germany and their shared love of beer, I (wrongly) assumed Belgium would be similar to Germany. It actually wasn’t at all. The Belgians spoke French and the food and architecture definitely leaned more to the French side, at least in Brussels. In the northern part of Belgium, by the border of the Netherlands, people speak Dutch/Flemish. Lucky for us, at least where we went, Belgians have a great working knowledge of English.
Belgium, along with it’s neighbors, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, have a constitutional monarchy. The Palais Royal, the official palace of the King and Queen of Belgium. They don’t actually live there, as it is used for work functions. Sadly, when we went it was closed to visitors. It is only open from late July to September.
The Palace of Justice houses Brussel’s Supreme Court. It was finished in the 1880s, and at the time was thought to be the biggest building constructed in that century (it’s bigger then St. Peter’s Basilica.) It is a mammoth cavernous structure, currently undergoing renovation. 
Right beside the Palace of Justice is the Infantry Memorial. It honors the foot soldiers of World War I and II.
We were checking online for a good lunch place one day, and Andy comes across this sandwich shop, Tonton Garby. It is run by one amazingly kind man, who does everything- bakes the bread, makes the sandwiches, handles the payment, buses the tables. He spends ten to fifteen minutes with each person helping them select the perfect sandwich for them. You have to taste it before you pay (its only six Euros per sandwich.) Since it is such a personalized experience, there is a line. We waited about an hour. Seriously.
The sandwiches are cheese baguettes. Each sandwich gets a very generous (think a whole cheese round) amount of cheese in it. Andy got one with blue Shropshire, magor (mascarpone and gorgonzola), honey, and chorizo. I had one with papaya covered brie, a date/nut mixture, pear, and honey.
It was the best sandwich experience of my life. Andy and I have tried (obviously not as successfully) to duplicate cheese baguettes at home. The secret is the honey.
Jardin du Petit Sablon is a jewel. A small formal garden, lined with statues, with a fountain at the top. It was built in 1890. Atop the fountain are the Count of Egmont and the Count of Hornes. The statues around the inside perimeter hedges are celebrated Belgian humanists and scholars. 48 little bronze statues ring the outside perimeter.
The St. Nicolas Church and The Lady of Sablon Church.
How we watched the World Cup one night. A little outdoor viewing.
The Belgium version of apple pie. It was actually really good, Andy even liked it.
Before we left we managed to eat at this yummy place, Bia Mara. We actually tried to eat here a different day, but it was closed. It has short lunch hours. Fish and chips. Worth the revisit.
With all the different languages over here, I’m always entertained (and I’m easily entertained) by store’s signage.
xoxo-sk
ps. If you ever decide to visit Brussels- most of the shops are closed on Sundays. I was not expecting that. (I just thought this vase was cool.)
xoxo-sk 