Because how could I not have a Belgian Waffle from Belgium?
There are some travel experiences that require a lot of research, careful planning, and a detailed itinerary that make a trip something to remember. And then there are the experiences that happen because you make a decision on a whim.
So I drove from Paris to Brussels
For a waffle….
Because how could I be that close to Belgium and not experience a Belgian waffle in Belgium?
Honestly, I don’t recall the actual moment that it was decided that we were even going to do it. My friend and I were visiting Paris for the first time and somehow we got on the topic of waffles, Belgian waffles to be specific. Anyone who knows me personally knows that I have a love for a good waffle, specifically the combination of chicken and waffles, but that is a story for another time. Whether it was my friends idea or mine, once the seed was planted there was no stopping us. We figured out what we needed to do in order to drive a rental car in a foreign country and we looked up locations for getting Belgian Waffles.
From Paris to Brussels
The morning of our trip, we got up at about 5 in the morning and got a taxi to the airport to pick up a rental car. The process was fairly easy for us, all we needed was a U.S. Drivers License, valid U.S. passport, and an International Driving Permit. We were also required to obtain car insurance, which we got through the rental car company. Once we had the car, we were off. The drive was just under 3 1/2 hours… which was perfect because my road trip threshold is typically 4 hours. The roads were clear and it was a straight shot via the E19 highway, and we were one step closer to WAFFLES.
The thing that I remember being the biggest shock on the drive was stopping at a gas station to use the restroom and realizing I had to pay to use the facilities. And somewhere along the drive, I don’t know when, the language switched from French to Dutch and neither of us noticed, but then again how could we have?
It took a very kind and patient gas attendant waiting for us to figure out which language to switch our google translate to in order for us to get a clue. We paid, walked through a turnstile, and out came a ticket that included a discount for a purchase for something in the store if we wanted to buy something that day or at a later time. Honestly, it was one of those little travel moments that you don’t think about until you’re in the middle of it but it’s something I will never forget.
So was the waffle worth it?
We were seated with a great view of the city and as someone who loves to people watch I could admire the beautiful architecture and business of what was just outside.
Our chosen destination was Gaufres de Bruxelles
I ordered an original Belgian waffle with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and strawberries, and as a waffle connoisseur the waffle itself is NOT worth it, however the view was.
In my opinion the waffle lacked the two key things I look for. As far as the taste goes, I’d rate it a 2 out of 5, but the thing that really threw me was the texture, it was a little too airy for me, I like more substance in the middle, and the toppings were ok but they kind of took over the experience. IF I were to try it again, and I seriously doubt I would, I would maybe try one without the toppings. The staff was very polite and attentive and we were in and out in about 30 minutes. The overall experience was a 4 out of 10.
WAFFLE: CHECK. WHAT’S NEXT? A LITTLE MORE BRUSSELS.
After our waffle we decided to explore the Royal Square, we were there right after Christmas and there were lots of little shops and street vendors. My friend decided that she needed to create a custom perfume to smell like a chocolate chip cookie, so while she did that I walked around the square and surrounding area to admire the buildings.
The city is such a beautiful place and I honestly wish I’d had more time to get a good feel of it, which is why its on my list to return there when I can spend more than a few hours there.
Even though the city was bustling, there was a sense of calm and stillness in the architecture, one of my favorite things was how visually cohesive the buildings felt from the street, especially how many of the buildings seemed to be around the same height.
Fun fact: Later I learned that Brussels has a long history of using urban planning regulations to preserve the character and cohesion of its historic areas. It wasn’t something I was aware of in the moment, but looking back, I think that’s the part of what made the city so beautiful to me.
WOULD I DO IT AGAIN? WAS BRUSSELS WORTH THE DETOUR?
Definitely Yes! Just not for the waffle.
I wouldn’t recommend driving nearly 3 1/2 hours from Paris just for the waffle I had… especially since mine didn’t deliver. If it did I would totally go back for a top tier waffle.
But here’s the thing about travel: sometimes the experience isn’t really about the thing you set out to find or do. We ended up in Brussels because we wanted a waffle and we thought it would be cool to mark off another country in our I’ve been there list.
However, we ended up getting a spontaneous road trip, a few hours of exploring a different country that was never on the list to begin with, a great party story about trying to use the bathroom in another country, beautiful architecture, and just enough of the city to make me want to come back.
If I ever return and hopefully I do, I’ll have to give Brussels more than a few hours.
Sometimes you don’t need a perfectly planned itinerary and that’s just how I like it. I have to leave room for the whimsy because sometimes those spontaneous decisions make for the best travel stories.
Want to know the traveler behind the stories?
Leave a Reply