17 Comments
User's avatar
RIcardo Munsel's avatar

Thank you for reminding us of the beautiful things in this world and taking us for.this nice visit. I am thankful to be able to enjoy some of them live.

Expand full comment
Alexander Verbeek's avatar

Enjoy Brussels and the island Ricardo!

Expand full comment
Dawna Stromsoe's avatar

Alex, thank you for the lovely walk. The contrasts between the traditional building details and innovative Apple store, plus the awesome Magritte museum, provide a wonderful textured historical journey. I think we don’t truly appreciate the present without first knowing the history of the people and places.

Expand full comment
Alexander Verbeek's avatar

I do so much agree, I always try to find a history book about the region or country when traveling, it is indeed a way to truly appreciate the present.

Expand full comment
Dawna Stromsoe's avatar

It’s so helpful to appreciate and understand

Expand full comment
Mischa Geracoulis's avatar

Totally beautiful and thoughtful.

Expand full comment
Alexander Verbeek's avatar

Thank you, Mischa :-)

Expand full comment
Marian NoΓ«'s avatar

Thank you for letting me look over your shoulder into Brussels this evening. I haven ever been there sofar I can remember. Awesome photos and bw sketch (-:

Expand full comment
Alexander Verbeek's avatar

Thank you Marian :-)

Expand full comment
Evelyne Luethy's avatar

Your newsletter arrived at a moment when I was in desperate need of a distraction this afternoon. It transported me to Brussels, made me check the train timetable (fastest train from Basel takes 5h22 via Strasbourg), introduced me to RenΓ© Magritte (I'd seen some of his works obviously), reminded me of how much I also enjoy walks like that, made me look through some of my own pictures and above all it made me smile. Thank you for that.

Your pictures in this one are exquisite - I might copy one or two ideas. Also, as I said above it felt like I was walking the streets of Brussels myself. Brilliant storytelling.

Interesting questions about geographers who like history experiencing the past differently from historians. If I find a study on that I'll let you know.

Expand full comment
Alexander Verbeek's avatar

Just a five hour trip, with a stop in beautiful Strasbourg. Europe has become smaller now that the international train connections a slowly but surely improving. I try to use the trains as much as possible now to avoid flying within Europe.

Expand full comment
Evelyne Luethy's avatar

Strasbourg is only a short train ride away. I also love (possibly prefer) Colmar. The entire Alsace region is fascinating in terms of its history - just look at all those castles - and also its language. Oh and the food of course.

Loving European trains - have explored most of Northern Europe by train. Looking forward to future trips. Paris, Vienna and Brussels have now firmly been put on my list. When it comes to cities in the Netherlands, I'm thinking Utrecht, The Hague, Arnhem and Maastricht. Now this reminds me of a quick stop in Schengen (Luxembourg) on my way to visit a friend in Belgium. Very important place for Switzerland.

Expand full comment
Maia Kumari Bree Chowdhury's avatar

Wonderful post!

Expand full comment
Alexander Verbeek's avatar

Thank you Maia!

Expand full comment
Ginna's avatar

Aww thank you for the mini vacation that some of us desperately need. As always, Thank you for all the amazing pictures.

Expand full comment
Alexander Verbeek's avatar

It was a mini-vacation for me as well; just a day-trip to Brussels from the island, and nearly all pictures are taken in just a half-hour walk in the dark, cold, and rain. Glad you enjoyed it.

Expand full comment
User's avatar
Comment deleted
Jan 14, 2022
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
Alexander Verbeek's avatar

happy to read that, Lizzie

Expand full comment