DCIM101GOPRO
From the moment we arrived in Antwerp central train station Suzy and I realized we were in a very special city. This train station was absolutely beautiful and originally restored.
Grand Central Station in New York City is one of a kind but this surpasses its wonderment. Walking outside the station you’ll find lots of outdoor cafes and shops selling their wares. Travel a little bit further and you’ll find yourself on “The Meir”, a walking street where cars are not allowed. The architecture along this walkway stems from a time of craftsman and artisans were alive and well. Buildings with statues in between windows, doorways 20 feet tall with wrought iron entry gates of black and gold. Everywhere you look you’ll find a mixture of old and new and it blends perfectly. Along the Meir you’ll find sculptures, monuments and sidewalk minstrels. Just being in this place makes you feel happy and relaxed. You’ll find every face along the way with a smile and a conversation. Once you’ve walked enough, just stop at a sidewalk table and indulge in a cocktail and just sit and people watch. Outside of this walking area you’ll find plenty of great restaurants and the cuisine choices are abundant. The first night there Suzy and I did not wish to walk far as it was cold and drizzling rain. We turned the corner from our hotel and found a courtyard. There we found “Primo” an Italian restaurant with a contemporary flair. The chef there had obviously been to culinary school as the dishes looked as good as they tasted. One other afternoon we tried some Lebanese food and found it to be full of aromas we never knew and the flavors, overwhelming, and the day after we indulged in some Vietnamese Pho Ga, one of our old time favorites. Suzy and I could not get enough of Antwerp, it is certainly on our list of favorite places and we will make sure to come back soon.