abrikozen

Visiting Ghent is always a good idea. The beautiful buildings, the cosy cafés, cool restaurants and fun and trendy shops. There’s always a new exhibition, a music performance or cultural event to attend. You’re never bored in Ghent. Thanks to visitgent we discovered a few new places that are worth a visit!

Mémé Gusta

Jan and Nele, the founders of Mémé Gusta, participated in the television programma “Mijn pop-up restaurant”. Afterwards, they found this beautifil building to open their permanent restaurant. The kitchen serves traditional Flemish cuisine, often with a surprising touch. We started with cocktails: a Gin Fizz and a ‘Belgian 75′ (with Geuze and Gin). For starters we had schrimp croquettes, followed by vol-au-vent (me) and sol meuniere (my boo) and ended with a real speciality from Ghent: ‘gestreken mastel’. This pastry with cinnamon, served with ice cream and apple, put a big smile on my face. I’m a sweet tooth :) We enjoyed every course of our dinner, and the friendly service. Next time we’re in Ghent, well come back to Mémé Gusta!

Burgstraat 19 - website

Volta.

Our second night we had dinner at Volta. No flemish cuisine or vintage interior here. Instead, as this restaurant is located in the former transformer station of Electrabel, the design could be best described as ‘industrial chique’. This place is for those who love trendy restaurants, top-class, experimental cuisine and spending good money on a 5, 6, or 7 course dinner. We got the ‘Volt’ menu (5 courses) with adapted wines:

Ceviche sea bass - Red onion - Mais - Tiger milk

Veal tongue - Tomato - Basil - Salsa

Belly bacon - Carrot - Tom kha - Green mung bean

Crispy lamb shoulder (On the side: Ratatouille - Fregola / Spring onion - String bean - Pea)

Rhubarb - Yogurt - Shiso

Again, the dessert got the most points ;) Although the prices and courses were high class, the overall atmosphere at Volta. is relaxed. The staff members are friendly and easy to approach. The perfect place for a decadent night out!

Nieuwewandeling 2b - website

Hotel De Flandre****

We stayed two nights at Hotel De Flandre, ideally located in the historic city centre. The city highlights are at walking distance, as well as some trendy restaurants and laid-back cafés. You can have a good night rest since the street is quiet. Breakfast was served in the beautiful communal room: a buffet with savory and sweet products. In Summer you can enjoy your meal on the terrace.

The last couple of weeks my patience has been tested. And I failed.

First I got sick. I started to acknowledge the signals my body gave me way too late. It was tired. Too much work, too much to do, too much stress. I thought it would be fit again in a heartbeat, just some good night rest, cancelling a few evenings out. But my body was firm: “Hey you, you’ve done enough. It ends here and now. Go to bed and stay there for a while.”

A few days became a few weeks where tiredness was accompagnied by headaches, a sore throat, couching and an ear infection. Why not have it all at once, I guessed? For a while it seemed the world outside my bedroom, a pile of tissues and Netflix, didn’t exist. Honestly, I have to say I didn’t miss it (that much). I finally had some me-time. 

(It’s a pity I felt like an old rag.)

Next, I started feeling better, I was ready and driven to resume my life. Energy was building up slowly, the weather changed and Spring begun. My enthousiasm pushed me.. 

too far.. and I fell again.

When Harry Met Sally

A film for those who aren’t sure if they’re in love with their best friend or hate him/her from the bottom of their heart. Great soundtrack. 

Notting Hill

For people who like to believe that one day they will stumble upon their idol and he/she will fall in love with their awkward gestures and stammering. Set in the pretty neighbourhood Notting Hill, London.

500 Days of Summer

If you’ve just got dumped, watch this film and realise it’s not the end of the world. Although it feels like it. But still be a bit sad that there are people as good-looking as Zooey Deschanel and Josphen Gordon-Levitt... who love The Smiths.

10 Things I Hate About You

Heath Ledger. Heath Ledger. Heath Ledger. Heath Ledger. Heath Ledger. Heath Ledger. Heath Ledger. Heath Ledger. Heath Ledger. Heath Ledger. 10 Things I Love About This Film. 

You've Got Mail

Travel back in time. Pre-Tinder, Pre-Facebook, Pre-Instagram, Pre-onlinedating. Enjoy the nostalgia of the nineties, were everyone wished they were as classy as Meg Ryan.

My Best Friend’s Wedding

Jealousy.. Oh jealousy.. Such an ugly emotion. Better keep it hidden away, behind closed doors, while drinking a box of wine and raging about it during a good film.

Silver Linings Playbook

“You have to do everything you can, and if you keep positive you have a shot at a silver lining.” Weirdos can also find luck. Keep dancing, people, and it will all work out.

It's Complicated

A feel-good movie set in Santa Barbara. Yes, please, let me dream away. Also, amazing cast: Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin. (A small part by John Krasinski is my personal luck)

Something's Gotta Give

Next to “It’s Complicated” one of the few romantic comedies that focusses on people in their fifties. Diane Keaton is hilarious. The crying scene makes me laugh my head off every time I see it.

La Vie d'Adele

Tearjerker.

Moulin Rouge

If you’re feeling a bit dramatic on Valentine’s Day. Bawl your eyes out and don’t hold back if you feel like singing.

Call Me By Your Name

Beautiful film about falling in love. Also, when I saw it I wanted to jump on a plane and go live in Italy.

Submarine

British coming-of-age comedy. 3 words that make me go: Bingo! Finest soundtrack by Alex Turner.

Like Crazy

Long-distance relationships are hard. Only watch this film if you really want to feel sad and have a break-down. Otherwise, please go out and meet with friends and loved-ones.

Last week it snowed in Belgium and the landscape was transformed in a Winter Wonderland. On Wednesday the sky was blue and I longed to be outside so I quit work early and took the most beautiful walk.

Let me say, we should do this more often. Leave the office and the pile of work and go outside. Fresh air and a relaxing walk can do wonderful things to your spirit. Especially in winter, when darkness, cold and a lack of energy seem to rule daily life.

Also, I finally got to explore some green areas in Brussels that I hadn’t visited before: the swamp of Ganshoren - Jette, Laarbeekbos, Poelbos and Koning Boudewijnpark. Furthermore, they’re all connected to each other, so a long, extended walk is possible.

Belgium is famous for it’s delicious beers, chocolate and fries. Both tourists and locals like to stuff their faces with these yummie goodies. And our fries, we like to eat them with a greasy sauce. In Belgium we’ve got a large variety of sauces to choose from. The classic mayonnaise, the sweet ketchup, the exotic samouraï and many other colourful and tasty dips.

Brussels Ketjep is a Belgian brand of sauces, imagined by a Brussels ‘ketje’ (kid). Maybe you’ve spotted them at a restaurant or in a supermarket? Their branding is fun and they taste great with a burger, fries and even make Brussels sprouts tasteful! Their Ketjep is made with extra tomatoes, their Mayo is a real classic and their Mostoed (mustard) makes your tastebuds happy as a hippo. Specialities include Vismet (tartar sauce), Dallas (for Dikkenekke), Cowboy (BBQ sauce) and 1620 (a mysterious sauce).

When you’ve tried them and become an aficionado you can express your love for the brand through their merch on the webshop: next to the products you can buy t-shirts, bottle openers and, off course, golf balls. Brussels Ketjep is as surrealistic and fun as the Belgians themselves! 

My fridge contains all the flavours now and I’m looking forward to a big sauce-party when I get my fries from the ‘fritkot’ in the weekends! 

Time is a precious thing, you understand when you haven’t got enough of it. Sadly, you can’t buy time. You have to handle the amount you get with the deepest care. You have to decide who and what deserves your personal, treasured hours, days, lifespan. And sometimes, when you’re living life on autopilot or in a hustling blitz, it’s good to stop rushing for a moment and reconsider how you’re spending your time. 

Are you doing the things that bring you fulfilment? What about your job? Count the hours you spent at work, and the daily traffic that comes with it. Does this make you wince? No? That’s good. If the answer is yes, maybe you should rethink your career. And what about the guy or girl you’re dating? Does he or she deserves your time, attention, being in your future plans? Think about unhealthy relationships that take up all your energy or travels you’ve always wanted to do and projects you’ve been planning for years but always pushed back... “Later, when I’ll have time” is a tricky phrase, before you know it the years have gone by!

Therefore, what I wish for the new year, for everyone and myself, is time. Reclaim the time you spend on useless things that only make you feel bad. Choose for time to relax and read that book that’s been on your nightstand for months. Time for gazing at a starry sky, not worrying about what the next day will bring. Time to take a look at your life and rethink your greater plan. Time to visit and old friend, paint the children’s room, try out something new, spend with your loved ones... or just some time for yourself.

When I was a teenager I used to lie in whenever I could. Most family members regarded this, and expressed clearly, as me being a lazy lassie. I loved going to school, meeting friends, be active and partying hard to pumping, pumping technomusic. (and 90s hits, R&B classics and sing-a-long masterpieces, off course!) But it weren’t (just) the hangovers that kept me lounging in bed.

Later, I read articles about how all teenagers like staying in bed as if they’ve got nothing to do all day, and that it has to do with hormones and the natural body clock. Reflecting on my puberty years I could only agree with these theories, the only problem with them was that this feeling didn’t end when I started working.

When I hear other people’s morning routines, and especially at what time their alarm clock sets off, I feel embarrased to even complain about mine. Since half of the time I work at walking distance from our house, I have the luxury to wake up in daylight, even in winter (it’s a close call this week though). I do function early in the morning, it’s just that I LOVE sleeping so much!

Not only in the morning that is! I also like a cozy nap in the afternoon and dozing off in front of the telly, in the back of a car or on a warm beach. When I do this I don’t feel lazy, I think of it as really listening to my body. And what it needs is a lot of sleep, time to recover and time for my mind to wander off a bit. And when I wake up, I stretch and yawn, and take another minute -or ten- before I start the day.

Daydreaming in December

Blimey, is it December yet? They say the older you get the quicker time goes by. I say, the older you get the more organizing and juggling things there is to do! Which means there's almost no time left to just hang around and daydream. Such a shame, 'cause daydreaming is one of the best things in life. It's just wondrous how the human brain can imagine just..everything!

It's December which means it's getting really dark when waking up and leaving the office. Except for the cold I quite like this part of the year. When I'm walking home, hiding in my warm winter coat and comfy scarf, I like to catch a glimse of the people in their aluminated apartments. These rooms function as television screens in the pitch black dark outside in the streets. I see a family around the dining table, a grandpa in his rocking chair, a man cooking a meal for one and a young girl practising her piano lesson. I watch the different interiors in one building. I get inspired, I make up stories.

In our new house, I have my own cocoon where I can let my imagination run wild. While my boyfriend claimed the basement for music rehearsels and one of the rooms for his record collection, I choose the attic to set up my creative hub. A space where I can write, craft and even do yoga. I can peep outside the window and smell the excitement of the city. 

This Summer, my dear friend Anne and I were brainstorming about a destination for a short vacation, when she came up with ‘Ireland’. It didn’t sound like a typical Summer holiday destination, but we could use a break from the extreme temperatures in Belgium. In a few days we planned our visit, jumped on the plane and were welcomed with a satisfactory shower.

We stayed one night and half a day in Dublin. Next we rented a car, drove to the other side of the country and ended up in Connemara National Park. This part of Ireland has the most beautiful scenery with mountains, lakes, 50 shades of gorgeous greens, waterfalls and desolated coastlines. You can drive for hours and rarely see other people. On the other hand the land is packed with sheep. Beware of the ones that are taking a relaxed walk in the middle of the road! They own the streets of Ireland like a wooly gang of thugs.

The capital of Connemara is Clifden. Great for some shopping and drinking cold Irish cider. We went on a hike outside of the city and discovered the beautiful ruin of the Clifden Castle. Another great day trip was to the Inishbofin Island. We travelled by ferry from Cleggan, rented bikes and spent a splendid time on beaches with crystal clear water, having stunning views of the mountains, cliffs and the Atlantic. For lunch we had delicious fresh fish and mash in the cutest restaurant on the island, with Irish music playing along.

The last part of Ireland we visited was the magnificent Dingle Peninsula area. We stayed at the home of the friendliest Irish gal (Irish people are warm and cheery human beings) who served homemade breakfast every morning (blueberry muffins and sodabread right from the oven) and gave us the best tips for the area. We had dinner with the prettiest sunset over the Dingle bay, drove along the scenic Slea Head Drive and had an intensive hike in a gloomy mist with two sheep who showed us the path (don’t ask - Ireland is a mystical world).

I fell in love with this mysterious, desolated land of wonders. And can’t wait for my next visit.

Hi there!

Yes, I know, it’s been a very, very long time since I showed any sign of life here. I’ve been busy, so busy that I neglected my writing. And I’ve missed it. Gosh, I did! There were numerous occassions when my heart and fingers ached so hard I just started writing words. But my head was full and my agenda packed with things to do, so it took me about 6 months to sit down and just do this.

I’ve started a new, full time job which consumed the majority of my days, I travelled around and didn’t have energy left to put my pictures and recommendations online, I’ve started working on some side projects and, last but not least... we bought a house (yay!), which demands an awful lot of time and stress (nay yay!).

There was a lot of excitement these past months, and so it seems no time left. But we’re here now, so let’s talk about these travels! I’ve been to Paris, Berlin, Ireland and did some citytrippin’ in good old Belgium. I discovered a new love for quiet, full-of-nature and breathtaking scenery-holidays. I will always be a lover of cities but I intend to spend more of my spare time in places with less buildings and more relaxing vibes.

Although..My 4 days in Paris were a dream. I booked a bustrip and hostel very last minute and basically just went there with very little plans. I walked around until my feet went sore, enjoying the beautiful buildings, romantic cobbled streets and fantastic flea markets. I brought my new Paris-bible “Don’t Be A Tourist” which contains the most wonderful secret spots of the city. Seriously, buy this book and a Parisian treasure vault will open to you! 

Now, here are my additional tips. I made first-class trips to the Opera Garnier and the Musée Yves Saint Laurent, which are all about beauty and splendor. The flea market at Saint-Ouen put the brightest smile on my face. Imagine a tiny village built with only garages, which contain the weirdest antique and funniest clutter and has some kitshy restaurants hidden in their nooks, because that’s exactly what it is! I went to see a concert at Le Pop-Up du Label, a hip hang-out with a restaurant and grungy downstairs where parties and concerts are organised. But the most stunning thing in Paris will always be the city itself.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with some self-love

Yes, self-love has been a topic of many conversations, articles and books last year. But the idea has been practised in many people’s lives before. And you should try it (more often) too. That’s why Valentine’s Day should be filled with self-love. And if you have some spare love, with love for others. 

Whether you’ve had a bad day/week/year, are sad but you don’t know why or how to shake it off, recovering from a relationship that has gone wrong/a physical or mental challenge/any event that has left you tired in any possible way.. give yourself a break. Even if you think you don’t deserve it.

Find a way how to treat yourself. Be offline for a day (or two), stay at home/go out, be alone/with loved ones, read a book, watch a film or listen to that record that has been on your list for a long time. Call a friend, go for a walk, hop on the train, have cake for breakfast, dance. Anything is possible.

If you enjoyed it, let it become a way of life. Even on busy days I’m sure you can squeeze in at least 4 minutes of pure joy that can give you the boost that you need.

A quick visit/worktrip to Rotterdam

One of the perks of writing for Time To Momo (travel guide company) is that every year the authors get invited at their headquarters for a fun day of workshops, sightseeing and testing new food and drinkspots. Since two years the offices are located in Rotterdam, and they couldn’t have chosen a better place.

So last week I combined this worktrip with a day of wandering through this amazing city. It was my 3rd visit to Rotterdam and I can’t get enough of it. The mix of modern and classic architecture, the many restaurants and bars, the beautiful shops and the magnificent skyline at the border of the Maas river.

If you’re planning a trip to Rotterdam and you’re looking for tips, you can read my previous blogpost on the highlights of the city. Also, here are some new spots I discovered.

Lokaal serves coffee, breakfast, lunch and pastries. They try to buy their products as local as possible. Also, the location is quite stunning. It’s a former railway viaduct which has been transformed into a hip hangout place with shops and bars.

A great place to shop fashion and interior items, art, jewelry, furniture etcetera is Collective by Swan. 20 young entrepeneurs sell their designs in this beautiful space in the trendy Witte de Withstraat. Craving a cold beer? Visit Biergarten Rotterdam, close to the Central Station. Next to craft beers you can order snacks from the BBQ.

We ended our day at vietnamese restaurant Little V. The place has intimate corners and feels like an urban jungle, thanks to the trees inside and the round wooden tables. Here you can sip from your exotic cocktail and enjoy the delicious food.

I’m already looking forward to my next visit!

The last day of the year 2017 I spent with a bunch of friends at the seaside. I always forget how much I love the colours of the sand and water, especially in winter, so I was very, very excited when I catched a first glimpse of the sea!

Although it was rainy and windy we went for a walk, arm-in-arm, defying the bad weather 2017 decided to end with. But the laughter was audible and like true bon vivants we ordered pancakes and hot chocolates in the nearest tea-room we could find.

Our day was filled with playing games, talking, dancing and being cheerful. Bubbly drinks and yummy food made us feel warm and happy. At midnight we went outside for the countdown and witnessed a show of fireworks which went down the entire coastline. 

I felt content. Being there, looking back what the year had brought and eager to get surprised by what 2018 has in store for me. I’m ready!

Our trip to Sevilla

All good times come to an end, and so our trip through southern Spain had one last call : Sevilla. The city is packed with beautiful houses, monuments and parks. Eyecatchers are the ghotic Cathedral, Plaza de España and the views at the riverside.

We stayed near Metropol Parasol, the modern, quirky construction that looks like a giant mushroom. In fact, the structure was inspired by the vaults of the Sevilla Cathedral and the ficus trees in Plaza de Cristo de Burgos. You can take an elevator and walk on top of it or chill out in the shades during hot Summer days.

Everywhere you look you can spot wonderful tiles with bright colours or striking typography. Triana is the neighbourhood that is renowned for it’s fabulous ceramics, hand-painted tiles and beautiful old pottery. You can find several shops near the Triana Market.

A great spot to eat is El Pinton, a restaurant with a stylish interior and tasty tapas. It’s located close to the Cathedral, where a lot of rooftop bars offer splendid views. But the most surprisingly good meal we had was at Garage Moto Café! Never judge a book by it’s cover they say, and they’re right. If I wasn’t in such a hungry mood I wouldn’t have thought about spending lunch in a bar dedicated to motocross. But I did, and damn, did I like the food. (note : the tiramisu was devine!)

The memory I cherish the most during out time in Sevilla was my first flamenco show. A friend of mine recommended La Casa del Flamenco, located in the heart of the Santa Cruz neighbourhood, the former Jewish Quarter. Every night two dancers, a singer and a guitarist bring you traditional flamenco in an intimate setting. An amazing experience which left me in total awe. If you’re going to visit Sevilla, make sure to put it on your list. Olé! 

Our trip to Córdoba

We took the fast train from Málaga María Zambrano station and after one hour and a half of drinking in the spectacular views or rural spain we arrived at our next destination : Córdoba.

Córdoba isn’t really big, so in two days/two nights you should be able to see most of the attractions the city has to offer. We stayed at hotel Soho Boutique Capuchinos ****, which has a great location, a spa, a rooftop where you can relax and watch the sunset and air conditioning throughout the building. (important when traveling in Summer, people!)

Around the block of the hotel you can find the picturesque Cuesta Del Bailio, a corner with cobbled streets and where stairs descend from the convent of the Capuchins. The white walls, blue skies and pink flowers make this place picture perfect.

We found this super romantic place to have dinner not far from where we stayed : Taberna Los Berengueles. Imagine this: enter what seems like an ordinary door in an ordinary, quiet street and find yourself in a pretty courtyard where dressed up locals come to devour typical Spanish dishes. The best non-touristic patio in Córdoba! Another great restaurant was El Boca which had a cool, hip vibe to it.

Three things you should definitely visit are :

1. Mezquita de Córdoba (the Mosque). Be amazed by the gigantic surface that it’s built on, the beautiful white and red arches and pillars throughout the place, the overwhelming Cathedral within the Mosque and all the decorations.

2. Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos. Take a walk through these beautiful gardens of the medieval castle.

3. Roman Bridge. Both stunning in broad daylight or at night.

Next up : our trip to Sevilla!

Our trip to Málaga

A few weeks ago we flew to the south of Spain, hoping to extend our Summer a bit longer. Our first stop was Málaga, located at the coast with splendid views on both the mediterranean sea and the mountains surrounding the city. Next to sunbathing at the beach, relaxing on a boat trip and cycling along the coastline we also enjoyed the beautiful architecture, delicious food and southern culture the city has to offer.

Málaga has long lived in the shadow of the iconic Andalucian cities of Granada, Córdoba and Seville but is now becoming a favourite destination on it’s own for travelers who can appreciate it’s dynamism and love for art. It’s here that the famous artist Pablo Picasso was born, and a visit to the Picasso museum is a must-do! More modern art can be seen at Centre Pompidou Málaga and CAC (Centro de Arte Contemporáneo - free entrance). The city is an open museum for those who love street art. Discover artists such as Lalone in the Soho area and up north the city centre.

The Spanish kitchen in Málaga is a real treat. If you want seafood, go to El Balneario, a restaurant located at the seafront with lush views. At Churrería Malagueña they make authentic churros (order hot chocolate to dip them in). And El Pimpi is the place to be if you want to try local dishes. (Gosh, it was hard not to be eating the whole day!) The best place to watch the sunset is at one of the city’s rooftops. Personally, sipping from my Mango Mojito at the Alcazaba Premium Hostel’s rooftop terrace while enjoying the last sunbeams of the day was one of my favourite moments during our stay here.

The Moorish architecture and great amount of palm trees makes this place feel really exotic. One of the highlights of our trip was visiting the beautiful Alcazaba (citadel). It’s the best-preserved Moorish fortress palace in Spain. From here you can overlook the port and the city down below. Walking around the courtyard gardens and the little cobbled paths felt like being in a fairytale.

So, are you planning your trip yet?

Seedz : healthy fast food that gives you energy

A few weeks ago I was invited at  Seedz to come and check out their new foodstore. It’s located in the pretty area of Brugmann, Brussels, and the place looks fresh and cozy. Seedz had prepared a brunch with smoothies, salads and side dishes. Everything I tried was absolutely yummy!

We started the morning with a Green smoothie (spinach, mango, coco water, honey, mint and lemon) which tasted so refreshing and luscious! Next, there were several bowls with colourful veggies and healthy products that you can choose from the counter: coleslaw, beans, quinoa, carrots, mushrooms, zucchini, cabbage, nuts, beetroot, falafel, chicken drum sticks and so on. Although there’s a focus on vegetarian food you can also order delicious meat. 

Seedz stands for healthy, biological, local and seasonal products. As the tagline ‘It’s my rebirth’ says, it’s a concept about learning to eat quality food again. To choose the good stuff that gives us energy and affects our physical and emotional health in a positive manner. I was intrigued by the story behind their concept.

Next to smoothies and salads you can treat yourself with desserts and pancakes at Seedz. Sit down, order take away or let your lunch be delivered at your doorstop via Deliveroo.

Eating healthy has never looked so delicious!

Georges Brugmann Plein 27, 1050 Brussel

Everyday 8am-6pm