Brussels Bruges Ghent And Antwerp

Prepare to embark on a journey through the crowded cafes, cobbled streets, and chocolate-laden delights of Belgium with "Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp," a travelogue that may or may not inspire you to hop on the Eurostar or simply indulge in a calorie-laden binge of Belgian waffles from the comfort of your sofa. Authored by the dynamic duo of Georgina Harris and Michelle de Larrabeiti, this tome ponders the existential question: "Why is Belgium so often overlooked?" while inadvertently revealing that it might just have been more interesting to discuss the obscure uses of mayonnaise on fries instead.

The year 2007—ah, what an optimistic time it was! The world was aglow with the promise of new tech, and everyone seemed to be contemplating the merits of artisanal cheeses. In this delightful snapshot of Belgium, Harris and de Larrabeiti serve up the four Belgian cities like a gourmet platter, complete with a side of witty commentary. Will you be compelled to visit the iconic Atomium? Or perhaps you’ll discover a new appreciation for the style of buildings that look like they’ve spent the last century trying to remember where they left their keys?

Readers may find themselves wondering whether the authors have actually spent any time in these cities or if they’ve simply spent too long in the local bar, sipping Trappist ales and taking notes on the local pigeons’ approach to urban life. Did you know, for instance, that Antwerp is the diamond capital of the world? Or that Bruges is often labelled ’the Venice of the North’—which sounds great until you realise that Venice is also a city which is unfortunately sinking? Brace yourself for insights that may lead you to question your very existence—or at least your choice of travel destinations.

Harris and de Larrabeiti take us on a whirlwind tour through cobblestone alleys that could make even the most ardent urban explorer weep with joy—or confusion. Here’s what you can expect from this charmingly chaotic guide:

• Intriguing tidbits about regional cuisine that will either make your stomach rumble or your eyebrows raise.
• A series of breathtaking photos that might lead you to believe you’ve actually been there yourself—without the hassle of airport security.
• Curiously placed maps that seem to assume you have an innate sense of direction, which we all know is a lie.
• Endless references to the various ways one can eat chocolate, including but not limited to ’with beer,’ ’on a waffle,’ and ’just because.’
• A guiding ethos that suggests getting lost is preferable to following the well-trodden tourist traps—if you can find your way back, that is.

Condition: Used, but lovingly preserved in that special way books from Crappy Old Books often are. It bears the marks of previous readers who may have used it as both a travel companion and a makeshift paperweight. You might find a few dog-eared pages or coffee stains that add character—or evidence of a frantic search for the best local frites. Either way, it’s likely to be the most well-loved travel book you’ll ever encounter.

In conclusion, "Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp" is not just a guide; it’s an invitation to question why we ever thought visiting Belgium was a good idea and whether we should instead settle for a local Belgian beer and an episode of a travel documentary. Brought to you by Crappy Old Books, where every book has a story worth telling—even if that story involves more mayonnaise than you ever wanted to know about.

Keep browsing: See more Travel books Other books by Georgina Harris and Michelle de Larrabeiti