Not so ordinary hostels in the 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.

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.

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

Founded in Grasse in 1853, La Savonnerie et Parfumerie Jean Giraud Fils is a family business, specialized in the creation and production of exotic perfumes, located in the world-capital of perfume : Grasse.

Grasse is located in the Provence, on the Côte d’Azur (French Riviera), and is home to a prospering perfume industry since the 18th century.

2/3 of France’s natural aromas for perfume and food are produced in Grasse and some of the most famous “noses” in the world are trained or have spent time in Grasse to distinguish and work with over 2000 kinds of scents.  

Grasse still hosts some of the oldest fragrance houses such as Galimard, Molinard and Fragonard – each offering guided tours and museums to visit.  The international Perfume Museum, created in 1989 is open to the public, showcasing the different techniques used throughout the +5.000 years of perfume making and Grasses contribution to the industry.

Premium global brands such as Dior and Chanel have their own fields of Jasmine and Rose in the vicinity of Grasse.  

The globally successful novel “Le Parfum” by Patrick Süsskind tells a story around the power of aroma and perfume and takes the reader to Paris, Auvergne, Montpellier and Grasse.