Official Announcement: Well-Fed by Art and Food in Brussels!

✅Before coming, I mostly saw posts by bloggers about avoiding tourist traps in Belgium, complaining about Brussels’ “lack of charm.” But this time, apart from the weather, I truly felt nourished by the art and food here! (Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, after all 😊) ✅The temperature has been around 0 degrees with heavy fog for the past few days, making outdoor photography less appealing. So today, I chose to visit the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium. This gallery is right next to the René Magritte Museum, a national treasure of the surrealism artist. The student combo ticket (19-25 years old) is only 5 euros, and it’s free for those under 18. The adult combo ticket is 15 euros (including old masters and Magritte), and there’s also a separate ticket for other exhibits. ✅Bag storage is mandatory; no liquids allowed inside. After buying the ticket, head to the cloakrooms to deposit your items. You’ll need to insert 1-2 euros into the key card slot to retrieve your key 🔑 ✅Let’s talk about the old masters. With this ticket, you can go upstairs to admire a vast collection of paintings and sculptures, including the famous “The Death of Marat.” The quantity and grandeur are overwhelming. Since I’ve studied oil painting, I spent about 2 hours appreciating the works. The attention to detail in the characters and scenery, as well as the mastery of light and facial expressions, is truly impressive. ✅After that, I headed straight to the Magritte Museum. I gained some understanding of surrealism, which I was previously unfamiliar with. His works seem to carry a sense of humor with a touch of seriousness. Art seems to be a playful toy in his hands. I really admire his creative spirit. The exhibits are arranged chronologically by the artist’s career. You start at the third floor by elevator and then walk down to the second and first floors. My favorite works are “Ceci n’est pas une pipe,” “He is not speaking,” and “The return.” Unfortunately, his most famous works, “The Son of Man” and “The False Mirror,” were not on display. ✅After visiting these two museums, it was around 4:30 PM. In winter, it gets dark quickly in Belgium. Following the guide, I walked to the restaurant Fin de Siècle. Although the price of their famous ribs has gone up to 22.25 euros, the portion is huge and comes with salad and cheese potatoes, very satisfying. I must commend the service here; it’s much better than many places I’ve been to in Italy. The waitstaff are gentle and provide detailed explanations of the menu. ✅After eating, I passed by the landmark Manneken Pis and bought a delicious Nutella waffle from a nearby waffle stand. My day’s itinerary ended quite relaxed. #Brussels #Belgium #BrusselsBelgium #RoyalMuseumsOfFineArtsOfBelgium #Belgium #Artistic Charm #Surrealism