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Wonderful Wanderings shares tips on things to do, where to eat and where to stay around the world - plus useful travel gear reviews.

Coloma rose garden: Visit the biggest rose garden of Europe! 1

Coloma rose garden: Visit the biggest rose garden of Europe!

The beautiful rose garden Coloma in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, close to Brussels, Belgium, is one of the largest in Europe, with more than 3,000 rose varieties. I went there for a walk on a troubled day and left again feeling better and lighter.

Guylian Chocolate: History, Products, Facts and Tours 2

Guylian Chocolate: History, Products, Facts and Tours

As many of you already know I’m a big chocolate lover. Luckily I live in Belgium. We have amazing chocolate brands over here. One of them…

Waterloo Battlefield: A Travelers Guide, 200+ years after the Battle 3

Waterloo Battlefield: A Travelers Guide, 200+ years after the Battle

The Waterloo Battlefield is located 15 kilometers (9 miles) south of Brussels in Belgium and covers an area of 5 square kilometers (2 square miles). It…

Fort Liefkenshoek: History, Traveler’s Guide and Review! 4

Fort Liefkenshoek: History, Traveler’s Guide and Review!

Fort Liefkenshoek, also known as Fort Kallo, is a star-shaped structure that was built in the 16th century and played an important role in the battle…

Belgium WW1 battlefields, memorials, and more 5

Belgium WW1 battlefields, memorials, and more

2014-2018 marked four years of commemorating the end of the Great War, World War I, now more than 100 years ago. There was an influx of…

Salade Liègeoise, the Belgian potato salad with bacon and egg 6

Salade Liègeoise, the Belgian potato salad with bacon and egg

There’s a high likelihood that you’ve made a potato salad before – or at least eaten one. You might not, however, have stumbled across this simple…

21 Amazing things to do in Liege: Museums, History and Travel Guide 7

21 Amazing things to do in Liege: Museums, History and Travel Guide

Liege, a capital city in the Wallonia region of Belgium, is located alongside the Meuse River, in Belgium. Liege has grown to become a hub with…

23 Best things to do in Ostend: Sights, Museums and Travel Guide 8

23 Best things to do in Ostend: Sights, Museums and Travel Guide

Ostend is a coastal city located in the province of West Flanders in Belgium, along the North Sea. Ostend started as a small fishing village in…

10 Cafés in Mechelen for breakfast, brunch or drinks! 9

10 Cafés in Mechelen for breakfast, brunch or drinks!

Mechelen is a historic city located in the center of Flanders, one of the three regions in Belgium. It lies about halfway between the major port…

22 Best Things to do in Mechelen, Belgium in a weekend! 10

22 Best Things to do in Mechelen, Belgium in a weekend!

It might not be as famous as some other Belgian cities, but there are plenty of things to do in Mechelen! This article lists the sights and activities I think you shouldn't miss when visiting the city, based on my own experience. Check it out!

Graffiti in Ghent: Streets, Murals, Neighborhoods and Artists 11

Graffiti in Ghent: Streets, Murals, Neighborhoods and Artists

Ghent is a creative city and street art is part of the city's look. Some of the coolest graffiti in Ghent can be found at the Werregarenstraatje and the Tweebruggenstraat. Check it out!

Ghent Light Festival 2024: Dates, Route and How to Visit 12

Ghent Light Festival 2024: Dates, Route and How to Visit

Ghent Light Festival is a free light art festival happening every three years in Ghent, Belgium. It runs for five nights and features light installations by…

20 Best Things to do in Leuven: Attractions, Museums and Festivals 13

20 Best Things to do in Leuven: Attractions, Museums and Festivals

Leuven is a historic university town located about 30 km east of Brussels in Belgium’s Flemish Brabant province. Some of Leuven’s top attractions highlighted in the…

11 Best Cafés in Bruges for Coffee, Tea and Breakfast! 14

11 Best Cafés in Bruges for Coffee, Tea and Breakfast!

Bruges is a picturesque medieval town located in the Flemish region of Belgium. With its well-preserved historic architecture, winding canals and cobblestone streets, Bruges is often…

7 Best Leuven Shopping Streets and Markets 15

7 Best Leuven Shopping Streets and Markets

Leuven is a historic university city located in the Flemish region of Belgium. With its Gothic architecture, vibrant student population, and lively culinary scene, Leuven offers…

Beguinages in Leuven: Discover the Grand and Small Beguinage 16

Beguinages in Leuven: Discover the Grand and Small Beguinage

Leuven doesn't have one, but two beguinages. The Small Beguinage is only a street and two alleys big, while the Grand Beguinage of Leuven is a large UNESCO site and a great place to go for a quiet stroll. It's pretty photogenetic too. Have a look!

14 Top Antwerp Museums: History, Photo & Art Galleries 17

14 Top Antwerp Museums: History, Photo & Art Galleries

Antwerp is known as Belgium’s “capital of diamonds”. It is located just 15 kilometers south of the Dutch border, on the banks of the River Scheldt.…

Kruidtuin Botanical Garden Leuven: Does is worth a visit? 18

Kruidtuin Botanical Garden Leuven: Does is worth a visit?

The Botanical Garden of Leuven, Belgium is the oldest botanical garden in the country, founded by the Catholic University of Leuven in 1735. It's a lovely place to go for a walk or read a book on one of the benches. Have a look.

Park Abbey Leuven: Explore Belgium’s Most Picturesque Abbey

Park abbey is a Norbertine abbey located in Leuven. There's a small museum and guided tours of the abbey grounds are available upon request. We visited the museum and the parochial church and also went for a walk around the large ponds. Come along?

14 Best Hotels in Antwerp and Best Neighbourhoods to Stay 19

14 Best Hotels in Antwerp and Best Neighbourhoods to Stay

Antwerp is a historic port city known as a global diamond trading and fashion hub. Antwerp provides places to stay, from luxurious 5-star properties to budget…

Bruges Travel Guide: History, Attractions, Hotels and Restaurants 20

Bruges Travel Guide: History, Attractions, Hotels and Restaurants

Bruges is in northwest Belgium, in the province of West Flanders. It’s near major cities like Brussels and Amsterdam and is 64 kilometers inland from the…

13 Best Hotels in Bruges and Cool Neightbourhoods 21

13 Best Hotels in Bruges and Cool Neightbourhoods

Bruges, a medieval city in Belgium that exudes charm and history. Its well-preserved medieval architecture and UNESCO World Heritage Site status make it a must-visit destination.…

14 Best Cafés and Bars in Antwerp 22

14 Best Cafés and Bars in Antwerp

The city of Antwerp in Belgium is known as a hip place. So it won't surprise that there are tons of cool coffee bars where you can get re-energized, take a break, read a book or grab some cake. The list below consists of the Antwerp coffee bars I've already been to. Whenever I visit a new one, I'll add it here, so make sure to check back!

Arc'teryx Sabria pants for women: Tested and Reviewed 23

Arc’teryx Sabria pants for women: Tested and Reviewed

When I go hiking in summer, I just wear comfortable shorts, but up until last year, hiking in any weather below 22°C posed outfit issues. You…

10 Best Beaches in Belgium and their town centers 24

10 Best Beaches in Belgium and their town centers

If you’ve ever wondered if there are any nice beaches in Belgium, you’re in for a treat. The Belgian coast is over 65 km (40 miles)…

Where to Go Walking in Belgium: 6 Great Trails 25

Where to Go Walking in Belgium: 6 Great Trails

Belgium might not be the place you think of first when you plan to go hiking. It’s not the hilliest of countries, but there still has…

87 fun facts about Belgium that'll blow your mind 26

87 fun facts about Belgium that’ll blow your mind

Looking for some fun facts about Belgium? You’ve come to the right place! There’s much more to Belgium than beer, chocolate, and waffles. This treasure trove…

This Flemish stew recipe tastes like a warm hug 27

This Flemish stew recipe tastes like a warm hug

This flew stew recipe is a warm hug in a bowl. Flemish beef stew is a classic Belgian dish that is sure to put a smile…

Classic chicken vol au vent recipe from mom's kitchen 28

Classic chicken vol au vent recipe from mom’s kitchen

Vol au vents are light puff pastry shells filled with yummy ingredients such as chicken, small meatballs, and mushrooms. They’re a typical Belgian food and often…

Easy Dame Blanche Recipe That'll Make Your Mouth Water 29

Easy Dame Blanche Recipe That’ll Make Your Mouth Water

Some of the best desserts are the simplest ones, and Dame Blanche is a sure-fire winner every time. You might recognize it as a variant of…

The Best Beef Tartare Recipe - My Mom's 30

The Best Beef Tartare Recipe – My Mom’s

For such a simple recipe that takes next to no time to prepare, steak tartare certainly packs a punch! This is a classic dish with a…

Try making this delicious Waterzooi recipe from Ghent, Belgium 31

Try making this delicious Waterzooi recipe from Ghent, Belgium

Is it a stew? Is it a soup? Is it a chowder? It’s waterzooi! This is a beautiful classic Flemish dish that will warm your soul…

Visiting Belgium in September - What you need to know 32

Visiting Belgium in September – What you need to know

The summer sunshine is still sticking around for a few weeks when you visit Belgium in September and temperatures are generally warm and comfortable. This and…

Visiting Belgium in October - Top tips to plan your trip 33

Visiting Belgium in October – Top tips to plan your trip

There are many reasons why autumn is a good time of year to visit Belgium. One of them is the fact that the cities and countryside…

Visiting Belgium in November - What you need to know 34

Visiting Belgium in November – What you need to know

By November, the weather in Belgium is starting to get pretty chilly and the days are much shorter. Although this might mean you have to plan…

Visiting Belgium in June - What you should know 35

Visiting Belgium in June – What you should know

Visiting Belgium in June is a great idea. The summer weather’s just getting into its stride, the days are long, and you can very comfortably sip…

Visiting Belgium in July 36

Visiting Belgium in July

Visiting Belgium in July can be quite wonderful. It’s the time for outdoor dining, sunny cycle rides, picnics in parks, and exploring shady churches. It’s the…

Visiting Belgium in August? Here's what you should know 37

Visiting Belgium in August? Here’s what you should know

August is peak tourist season in Belgium and it’s not hard to see why. Belgium’s moderate climate means that even in high summer the temperature doesn’t…

10 Belgian bloggers reveal their secret Belgian gems 38

10 Belgian bloggers reveal their secret Belgian gems

On my quest to put the lesser-known gems of Belgium in the spotlight, I asked nine other Belgian bloggers to share which places they think deserve a bit more attention. These are their replies. Have a look: do any of these places ring a bell?

Keeping your sh*t together with EagleCreek Pack-It cubes 39

Keeping your sh*t together with EagleCreek Pack-It cubes

Eagle Creek Packing cubes are great for traveling. They keep your stuff together, so that it's more compact, and offer an easy way to organize your gear and clothes. They can also serve as dirty laundry bags. But are they practical? Here's my review.

Fun things to do in Newcastle: activities for a weekend away 40

Fun things to do in Newcastle: activities for a weekend away

I’d wanted to visit Newcastle, the city in the north of England in the UK for a while and so when I was invited there as…

Airalo review: Why use an eSIM for travel? 41

Airalo review: Why use an eSIM for travel?

Something that has long been the traveler’s nemesis is the dreaded mobile data roaming charge. We’ve all been in that agonizing situation where you have no…

I went to learn Spanish in Seville: a CLIC Sevilla review 43

I went to learn Spanish in Seville: a CLIC Sevilla review

When I went to learn Spanish in Seville last month, I knew I would write about it afterward. What I didn’t know, is that I’d have…

Travel photo shoots: Flytographer review (+ flytographer coupon code!) 44

Travel photo shoots: Flytographer review (+ flytographer coupon code!)

Want some great travel photos of your next trip that you're actually in as well? Then photo shoot service Flytographer is the solution. Flytographer has photographers all over the world to capture your travel moments. I tried them in Berlin and this is the result.

3 ways to enjoy local cooking during a home dining experience with locals 45

3 ways to enjoy local cooking during a home dining experience with locals

Do you love meeting locals and making friends worldwide? Then a home dining experience might be just the thing to book for your next trip. There…

Wise, formerly Transferwise review: cheap international transfers 47

Wise, formerly Transferwise review: cheap international transfers

Sick of paying high fees to transfer money abroad and convert currencies? I've switched to TransferWise because it allows me to convert at a mid-market rate AND lets me receive foreign currencies for free. Click to read my detailed TransferWise review.

18 Hotels in Porto With Pool – For a Refreshing Stay

There’s no better feeling than relaxing by a swimming pool after a long day of exploring a new city. If you’re thinking of taking a trip…

How to Make International Calls for Free or Cheap 48

How to Make International Calls for Free or Cheap

If both you and your loved ones are within the EU, staying in touch isn’t so expensive thanks to the EU removing roaming costs back in…

15 of the best cafes and restaurants in Cologne, Germany 49

15 of the best cafes and restaurants in Cologne, Germany

When I went on a city trip to Cologne, Germany, I was determined to find the coolest coffee bars and food places. Here's a list of 15 foodie hotspots I tested and approved that will leave you drooling for a bite and craving for a sip. Promise :-)

Fun things to do in Münster, Germany in 3 days 50

Fun things to do in Münster, Germany in 3 days

You might have heard of Münster cheese, but this German city has a lot more to offer. On a three-day trip, I discovered there are three kinds of Münster catering to visitors of all ages, with all kinds of interests. There's a Green Münster, a Historical Münster and a Modern Münster.

Thule Guidepost review - A great suitcase alternative 51

Thule Guidepost review – A great suitcase alternative

I’ve always preferred rolling luggage over big trekking backpacks but there are times at which a backpack is just more practical. This was the case when…

How to teach English abroad? Here's what to know 52

How to teach English abroad? Here’s what to know

Have you ever wanted to take a year abroad or travel long-term but don’t have the savings to finance it? Perhaps there’s a country you’ve always…

Rock en Seine 2023: The Festival in Paris You Don’t Want to Miss

If there is only one European festival you attend in 2023, then make sure it’s the Rock en Seine Festival in Paris, France. Enjoy a weekend…

Belgium WW2 sites: overview of tours, museums, and more 53

Belgium WW2 sites: overview of tours, museums, and more

Just like many other European countries, Belgium suffered a great deal during World War 2. Withe the country being stuck between Germany and France, there have…

Girls weekend in Paris: itinerary for 2 days of fun 54

Girls weekend in Paris: itinerary for 2 days of fun

What better way to spend some time with the girls than a weekend in Paris, France, right? That’s what my friends and I thought too and…

Where to learn Portuguese in Lisbon: Lusa School review 55

Where to learn Portuguese in Lisbon: Lusa School review

When I set out to find a new base – a new home – abroad, I knew that whichever country I’d end up in, I’d want…

Floralia Brussels: flower show at Groot-Bijgaarden castle and gardens 56

Floralia Brussels: flower show at Groot-Bijgaarden castle and gardens

Floralia is a one-month flower show at the Groot-Bijgaarden castle and gardens, near Brussels. More than 1 million flower bulbs are planted here every year and arranged in beautiful flower beds, sometimes with fun shapes. There's even a flower labyrinth.

Blog Conferences 2023 (You don't want to miss these!) 57

Blog Conferences 2023 (You don’t want to miss these!)

Up your blogging game by learning and networking at one of these online entrepreneur and blog conferences in 2020. These conferences on blogging take place all over the world and treat subjects from blog writing to social media, email marketing, and more

Traditional German Food to Try on Your Next Trip There 58

Traditional German Food to Try on Your Next Trip There

Traditional German cuisine has left its mark all over the world, being a country with a rich culinary heritage. But Germany food is not just limited…

4 Baden-Württemberg cities you need to visit 59

4 Baden-Württemberg cities you need to visit

While Germany is only a border away from Belgium, my trips to the country have been fairly limited. I’ve been to Cologne as a teenager, spent…

Top things to do in Dresden in 2 days: a Dresden itinerary 60

Top things to do in Dresden in 2 days: a Dresden itinerary

What to see in Dresden in 2 days? This is my itinerary, including things to do in Dresden, information on where to stay, where to eat, how to get around and what day trip from Dresden you absolutely have to make. Check it out and start planning!

Srprs me surprise holidays: What are they and how do they work? 61

Srprs me surprise holidays: What are they and how do they work?

Gifting experiences, not things, is one of the best ways to show your favorite people you care about them. And you know what’s even better than…

Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of Europe mainland 63

Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of Europe mainland

It was rather by accident that we visited Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of Europe mainland at latitude 38º 47´north and longitude 9º 30´west. The…

Visiting the Quebec City Ice Hotel in Canada: Everything You Need to Know 64

Visiting the Quebec City Ice Hotel in Canada: Everything You Need to Know

Have you ever heard of Quebec City Ice Hotel Canada? It’s s must if you’re visiting the province in winter!   What is the Quebec City…

SafetyWing Travel Insurance: Who is it for and is it worth it? 65

SafetyWing Travel Insurance: Who is it for and is it worth it?

There’s a new kid on the travel insurance block and it’s called SafetyWing. SafetyWing travel insurance offers cover for for short-term and long-term travelers. It provides…

10 things to do in Tynemouth, England on a day trip 66

10 things to do in Tynemouth, England on a day trip

I visited the coastal town of Tynemouth, England on a day trip from Newcastle and researched some things to do in Tynemouth beforehand. Here they are.…

Chartering a yacht in the Caribbean - This is what you need to know 67

Chartering a yacht in the Caribbean – This is what you need to know

The Caribbean is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world for a unique, unforgettable vacation. You’ve seen the pictures; white sand beaches, crystal clear…

3 Days in the Eifel Volcano Region: What to Do and See 68

3 Days in the Eifel Volcano Region: What to Do and See

When I was invited to visit the Eifel Volcano Region, I didn’t know what to expect. In the past few years, I’ve made quite a few…

60 interesting facts about Germany you should know about 69

60 interesting facts about Germany you should know about

Want to dazzle your friends at a party or quiz? Knowing these German facts will definitely help. I've gathered 60 fun and interesting facts about Germany for you. Check them out and let me know if you knew these already.

Ruby Lucy Hotel London: Lean luxury in the South Bank area 70

Ruby Lucy Hotel London: Lean luxury in the South Bank area

Luxury doesn’t have to be complicated — that’s the idea behind the charming Ruby Lucy Hotel London, part of the Ruby Hotels group. Located on the…

Robben Island tour review from Cape Town 71

Robben Island tour review from Cape Town

We did a half-day Robben Island tour from Cape Town, South Africa. This post provides practical information on how to go to Robben Island, some history about the place and the time Nelson Mandela spent there as well as a review of our experience.

Fun Nuremberg things to do on a city trip

I met Kai, a Nuremberg local, at an event in Berlin and when he heard about Wonderful Wanderings, he immediately suggested writing an article about Nuremberg…

Cape Town to Cape of Good Hope: How to Do It 72

Cape Town to Cape of Good Hope: How to Do It

A Cape of Good Hope tour from Cape Town makes for a great day trip with lots of fun stops along the Cape Peninsula. This post includes our itinerary as well as practical information to plan your own day trip and see Cape of Good Hope

Fun things to do in Hyde Park in London, the UK 73

Fun things to do in Hyde Park in London, the UK

We’ve all heard tell of the British capital’s famous green spaces, which stretch over 4,900 acres (1980 hectares) in total throughout Greater London. Hyde Park, which…

Traditional German crafts in the Black Forest, Germany 74

Traditional German crafts in the Black Forest, Germany

I’ve never been good at anything crafts-related. My calligraphy at school was unreadable, I was never able to color between the lines (literally), and whatever object…

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