For all of you traveling Mommas out there, check this site out www.TravelMamaS.com. It’s a great place to read up and get ready for your trip with little ones. I wish I would have found this site before my trip to Europe, it sure would have helped!

Yes, it exists and it is perfect. Beer can replace lunch, water, cigarettes, and sometimes sex. Like I said – beer is perfect. Except when you are trying to loose weight. But there are always exceptions, and my trip to Europe is one of them.

Actually, in my family we [...]]]>

Enjoying a Waterloo beer

Yes, it exists and it is perfect. Beer can replace lunch, water, cigarettes, and sometimes sex. Like I said – beer is perfect. Except when you are trying to loose weight. But there are always exceptions, and my trip to Europe is one of them.

Actually, in my family we have lots of exceptions: every single birthday and days and weeks that surround them; holidays (European and American), vacations, trips, promotions, demotions and complete loss of job (never happened…); pregnancies and just simple talk of one. Well, you get the point.

Our best friend? Usually beer, some wine, sometimes vodka (when there are pickles and salted bacon available), rum, whiskey. Take your pick. But during this trip to Belgium, we are sticking to what this wonderful country is known for – and its beer.

KRIEG

Do not turn your nose to this wonderful cherry beer. It’s a must to try. Best if you can find a draft. Try every kind you can find since I found some to be a little too sweet. It is best for middle of the day and a nice refresher. I really wish it would be available in the States.

Pink Killer - grapefruit beer at Delerium

BEST BAR – DELIRIUM

Tap beers at Delerium

By all means you can get an excellent beer at any bar or restaurant. But as my friend Andrius bluntly put it, why waist your money on something available everywhere, when you can go to Delirium and get something special?

In 2004 Delirium received Guinness World Record for having the largest amount of beer commercially available in the bottle. They counted 2004. Yes, 2004 bottles of beer and you can try any one from their 2 pound weighing Beer Bible. If that doesn’t strike you, then head over the Delirium Tap bar where they have 24 types of beer on draft. And if that doesn’t make you drool, then head over to the Little Ferries bar where you can taste 150 types of absinthe. I just stuck with the beer, after all, it is a beer diet!

We tried several modes of transportation here. But of course, public transport is the way to go. Plus, with our double Decker Peg Perego stroller and twins and 5 adults, we do not fit into [...]]]> I wonder if this is true for most European cities – forget easy access with multiples or any strollers period!

We tried several modes of transportation here. But of course, public transport is the way to go. Plus, with our double Decker Peg Perego stroller and twins and 5 adults, we do not fit into any miniature car that can be driven or parked (most important!) in Brussels. The only way we can get around is the tram or metro system (some buses also).

When we tried to load into a tram going to Gran Plaza we discovered that the old style wagons have a split going in the middle of the entry way that doesn’t allow our stroller to get through. We had to scramble and find routes that utilize only new style trams that open wide.

If you think this is the culmination of your troubles, just wait till you pull into the station. If you need to take a metro, you will have to use stairs and sometimes escalators. Do not attempt to travel alone with a stroller! We had to carry the stroller up and down the stairs, up and down the escalators. Sometimes, you will find a lonely elevator that will bring to the next floor. We even ran into the situation where the escalator didn’t work and we had to wait until it was fixed!

And last warning – keep your stroller facing the direction of the train while in motion. Yesterday, we got ready for our stop and move the stroller to the door just as the driver decided to put on brakes full force. Our stroller tumbled to the side and Gintare hit her head onto the railing (I always use the seat belts in their stroller, but even that didn’t help.)

So, before you head out sightseeing in Brussels with your multiples do the following:

1. Find shortest routes with least amount of connections;

2. Make sure the tram is new style;

3. Buy your transportation ticket from the vending machine since buying from the driver costs a lot more;

4. Take your passport  – it’s the law. The police can and will arrest you and can hold you for up to 12 hours until you prove your identity and the right to be in Belgium;

5. Always have another set of hands to help you up the stairs or escalator.

Happy travels!