The Busy Person's Guide to Brussels

I'm currently in Orlando, but not for long. Visiting familiar places always feels refreshing. It allows me to relax a bit more, as I've already seen what I wanted to see.

Some of you have asked about how I use credit card points to maximize my mileage and get free flights. I'm working on it. I want to keep it simple and easy since we're all busy. If this interests you, feel free to reply to this email.

I had a blast in Brussels, Belgium. Even if you're not particularly interested in Brussels, consider it as a budget-friendly stopover on your way to destinations like the Netherlands or Germany. The city has a unique vibe, and two days here would be sufficient. Give it a chance.
 

• Grand Place: Visit this beautiful main plaza, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The surrounding architecture, shops, and cafes will impress you. If you look closely at the main building, you'll see that it's not symmetrical.
   

• Manneken Pis: This iconic 17th-century fountain features a small bronze statue of a boy peeing. It's a bit underwhelming but worth checking out. Take the origin stories with a grain of salt.
   

• Atomium: An oversized atom of the iron molecule that you can enter. This attraction is a bit further out, so plan accordingly.

• St Michael and St Gudula Cathedral: This quick stop is Belgium's national church and hosts royal weddings & funerals. You'll notice there are no pigeons around because the cathedral is home to falcons. I'm going to get some falcons for Philly.
   
• Saint-Hubert Royal Galleries: A breathtaking high-fashion area with stores and cafes, designed to attract the wealthy.
   

• Royal Palace (Temporarily Closed): This is the official palace of the King and Queen of Belgium. Even though it was closed during my visit, it's worth checking out.
   
• Parlamentarium: Despite being the home of the European Union, this museum is anything but boring. It features interactive exhibits about the formation of the EU and its contributions to preventing future wars.
   
• Wolf: A cool food hall where you can order everything online at your seat.
   

• Delirium bar: This is a must-visit for beer lovers. They offer a wide selection of beers.

Food Recommendations

• Frites: These double-fried delights are a must-try. Don't call them French Fries!
• Waffles: Visit Maison Dandoy for authentic Belgian waffles with sugar granules baked into the batter.
   

• Beer: Belgian beers are great but can be stronger than they taste.
• Chocolate: Don't forget to try Belgian chocolate. Look for places with the King's official seal.
   

You guys know that I love museums, but on this trip, I didn't enjoy the museums here. I'm not into Protestant or Renaissance art. It's not my style.

Andrew

So, what did you end up doing in Brussels?

Cocktail of the Week

The Maple Bourbon Smash is a unique cocktail that combines the rich flavors of Canadian maple syrup with the warmth of bourbon whiskey. It pays homage to the maple syrup production that Canada is famous for.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon whiskey
• 1 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 oz pure Canadian maple syrup
• 4-5 fresh mint leaves
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

• In a cocktail shaker, muddle the mint leaves gently to release their aroma.
• Add bourbon whiskey, lemon juice, and maple syrup to the shaker.
• Fill the shaker with ice cubes.
• Shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds to combine the. ingredients and chill the drink.
• Strain the mixture into a glass filled with fresh ice.
• Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and serve.

Random Travel Thought

Western cultures overcook their greens.

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The Plug

Cheap flights:

• Going.com: This might be the only discounted flights website you need. It’s a paid service that sends you notifications when deals become available, but they expire in a couple of days so Act Fast!! 
• Secret Flying 🤫: This website emails you about free flight opportunities and even better… it doesn’t cost a thing!!
• Skyscanner: An older, but still reliable website that’s also *FREE* so there’s no reason not to use it. Use the "Explore the World" feature and set your departure date to "Whole Month" to find the cheapest deals.

Insurance:

• Safety Wing: I use Safety Wing as my travel insurance because the plans are flexible. You can easily insure a 1-week trip for like $11 dollars which is less than the cost of a cocktail at the bar.

Travel Gear

• Compression socks: Sitting for extended periods of time is not good for the body, so keep yourself healthy enough to go on more trips. Link
• Apple AirTags: Consider getting Apple AirTags for the peace of mind of always knowing where your luggage is. Link
• Smart Phone holder: It's a foldable sheet that can be used as a stand for your iPhone or iPad.Link
• Packing cubes: Having a separate container works wonders for keeping clothes wrinkle-free. It also makes packing/unpacking much easier.Link
• Donut Power Strip: Power outlets are always in demand, but sometimes they're in weird spots. I use this bagel because it's lightweight, and I don't have to think about it. Link
• Travel Case Organizer: Cable organizers can be a pain, but this is what I use to keep my cables organized. Link
• Backup batteries: I like these backup batteries because they have three important components for me: 1. They have enough power to recharge my phone multiple times at once, 2. Are small enough to put in my pocket, and 3. Are sturdy enough to survive a fall. Link
• Yoga Mat: I use this thin mat to get my stretching in even when I'm traveling. Link
• Jump Rope: It's so easy to bring a jump rope with you for exercise because it weighs almost nothing and takes up no space. Link
• Liquid IV: Great for hydration to keep you from dying. When you're traveling, it's time to live it up!  Link
  
  *Above are Affiliate links at no additional cost to you.

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