OUR HOSTELS
Youth hostels in the beating heart of Brussels

This is Peter.  Peter Paul Rubens – a Flemish artist and diplomat (1577-1640) considered to be the most influential artist of the Flemish baroque tradition.

His paintings emphasized movement, color and sensuality and reference elements of classical and christian history.

Rubens was a prolific artist, running a workshop in Antwerp where he worked on paintings that were popular with nobility and art collectors throughout Europe.  Some 1.400+ works are referenced today including altarpieces, portraits, landscapes, historic paintings and cartoons for the flemish tapestry workshops and ateliers.

Rubens is all over the city of Antwerp. The Rubenshuis, the many museum and exhibitions are certainly worth a visit at some ½ hour by train or car from Brussels.  

“Redcoat” also referred to as scarlet tunic, is a military garment formerly used by British infantry servicemen – so much so that the term became a reference for the servicemen themselves.  

It dates back to the Tudor period, and was widely used fom the 16th to the 19th century.  By the start of the 20th century the red coat was abandoned for practical reasons by khaki, worn by all British Empire military units.

Today it is still used during full dress ceremonial events in many countries of the Commonwealth of Nations – and can be seen worn by many actors and extras during the Battle of Waterloo reenactment that takes place every year in Waterloo, some 20 kms outside of Brussels.

And did you notice some of the outfits that Michael Jackson would wear on stage during his world tours, such as his 1996 World History Tour? His outfits were inspired by military dress such as the redcoat – and redesigned for fit, fashion and wearability for the man and his moonwalk.  

Every couple of years the trend of military inspired gear returns – and in 2023 it seems to be the case again with tips and style-tricks coming from the likes of Vogue or the Editorialist.

And if that’s your thing – go and take a stroll down the Marolles and the flea market at Place de Jeu de Balles/Vossenplein – where you’ll surely find something to your taste.

This is a coal bucket – also called a fireside bin with ceramic handles.

We found it when we started doing the renovation works at The Classic.

It is a decorative bucket shaped container made to hold and carry coal.  They are generally made from brass or copper with a swinging handle and were popular in the Victorian and Edwardian Arts & Crafts period, when these non-inflammable buckets stood proudly at the chimney or stove.

The handles are made of ceramic for the same reasons – and in this particular case are manufacturered with the famous Dutch Delft Ceramics.

With airco and heating pretty much present everywhere, we now use it to assemble the books our guests left us when they departed – so you can enjoy them too.

Want to check out some local antiques and décor shops?  Go and take a stroll down The Sablon for high-end antiquities and design or walk down to the Marolles and its well-known flea-market and vintage design shops. And if you’re into authentic Dutch tableware and decorative pieces - Delft, the Dutch city famous for it’s Blue Delft ceramic throughout the centuries, is only at some 170km away, just next to Den Haag, the official Capital of The Netherlands

A pillow – but not just n’importe quel pillow – one that proudly puts the Lion’s Mound, le Lion de Waterloo in focus.

Erected between 1824 and 1826, 9 years after the battle of Waterloo, the Lion’s Mound is the most widely recognized landmark of the Waterloo battlefield – and celebrates the victory of the allied armies defying France’s Napoleon Bonaparte.

Its size is impressive: 28 tons of iron, 4,5 meters long and 4,45 meters high, it stands tall on a mound that can be seen from several miles around. There are 227 steps that, once at the top, treat visitors to a panoramic view of the different parts of the battlefield.

Each year, a full-blown reconstruction of this iconic battle takes place in Waterloo, during 2 days, where 100s of actors and extras in historic costumes, horses, workshops, animations and camps come together to showcase and illustrate the history and context of the Battle.

One of the most iconic buildings of the battlefield, is the Mont Saint Jean Farm. It served as a surgical field hospital for the British and Allied troops during the famous battle and played a major role with more than 6.000 servicemen being treated under the supervision of the British Royal Army Medical Corps, only a couple of days after the Duke of Wellington set up the field hospital.  The farm became known as The English Hospital. The building dates to 1719 and is now host to a micro-brewery brasserie that brews local Waterloo beer.  Under it’s roof you’ll find a  brasserie, hotel, museum and many exhibitions and events around the Battle of Waterloo and its history.

Did you know that Belgium has the largest number of castles per square metre in the world? There are more than 3000 castles, beating even France. Some regions have an average of two castles per village.‍

Chateau de Walzin has been a source of fascination for centuries and has been depicted in many paintings and drawings, including this one in Delfts Blauw ceramic style.  

Looking down on the river Lesse, the Chateau de Walzin rises on a steep rock right above the bank of the river.  It has a fascinating history that include stories of horror, bloody tales of war and even paranormal activities.  The castle has known different periods of decline and prosperity throughout history –its initial construction dates back to the 13th century and the latest rebuild took place from 1930 to 1932.  

Today’s castles gardens were designed by Louis Julien Breydel, who also has the Jardin Botanique in Brussels to his name.

Today, Le Bota, is one of Brussels culture temples hosting exhibitions, concerts, and events.

The Chateau de Walzin and it’s grounds can be visited by taking a walking tour with an official guide.  It also is host to a series of special events during the year including concerts, festivals, food events and other activities such as horseback riding, archery, mountainbiking  or paintball.

If you’re looking to discover a different part of Belgium, with beautiful landscapes, historic buildings, monuments, rivers and natural sites, head over to the city of Dinant. Take a walk, a hike or a bicycle tour around the region – or even go on down the river Lesse by kayak to get another perspective on what Belgium has to offer.

On a last note, it’s interesting to know that Dinant is also the birthplace of Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone.  Saxophone statues and references can be found throughout the city and there is even an Adolphe Sax museum, La Maison de Monsieur Sax.

We eat waffles – but not just any kind.

First showcased at the Universal Exhibition in Brussels, Expo58, Belgian waffles were introduced to the US in 1962 – and have gone on to live their own life across the Atlantic combining them with fresh fruit, sirups or creme.

There are many myths around the original Brussels waffle, but it is said to be born between 1842 and 1864, with lighter batter, crispy texture, deeper pockets and larger squares, becoming a true Belgian gastronomic icon – gaining popularity through the street vendors selling waffles in the streets of Brussels.

And yes, there’s also the Gaufre de Liège, which is also sold in Brussels, but be aware that there is a difference in waffles : on one hand the Brussels waffle – mostly rectangular, light and golden that one eats with only a tiny bit of powdered sugar or fresh cream and then there’s the Liège waffle, aka Gaufre de Liège.  These gaufres de Liège are much heavier, usually square with rounded corners, come with clusters of sugar in the dough and are eaten hot and on the spot.  

Just take note: a true Belgian will never eat waffles with any weird toppings.  Just a bit of powdered sugar and perhaps a tiny bit of freshly whipped cream.  That’s it.