The Travel Brats

Brussels is not just known for these things but for some of the BEST things - waffles, chocolate, beer, and fries. You can find all of these treats in abundance in Brussels. There are also many traditional Belgian restaurants that serve dishes such as steak tartare, mussels, and French fries.

Fun fact - what we Americans refer to as French fries actually originated in Belgium. So we should be calling them BELGIAN fries…. although that doesn’t have the same ring as French fries, does it? 

Brussels has something to offer to everyone! Here are some of the top things to do in the city.

Visit the Grand Place: It is one of the most iconic attractions in Brussels. This large public square is surrounded by stunning baroque buildings filled with cafes, restaurants, and shops. The Grand Place is also home to the daily flower market, which is a great spot to pick up some souvenirs.

Walk the Parc Du Cinquantenaire: this stunning park has a U-shaped complex made up of two museums - the Auto World Vintage Car Museum and the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History. This structure was built in 1880 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Belgian independence. 

Tour the Atomium and Mini-Europe: The Atomium is a giant model of an iron crystal that was built for the 1958 World’s Fair. It stands 102 meters high and is a popular attraction in Brussels. You can take an elevator to the top and enjoy a panoramic view of the city. It was one of my favorite sites! And you can also tour Mini-Europe, which is right next to the Atomium. You get a tour of reproductions of the most famous monuments of each country in the EU. 

Explore the Cathedrals: Brussels is home to several beautiful cathedrals, including the Notre Dame du Sablon, Saint Michel, Notre Dame du Finistère, and the National Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Koekelberg. These churches offer a stunning display of Gothic architecture and are a must-see for any visitor.

One of the things I love about Brussels is the train/bus/tram system. It feels similar to the underground in London or the subway in NYC. It’s so easy to get around the city with public transportation!

These are just a few of the top things to do in Brussels. With so much to explore, you’re sure to find something that will make your trip to Brussels an unforgettable one.

• Bacon Spots 
  • Jimmy P’s - Bonita & Naples
  • Circle C Farms - Bonita
• Healthy Spots
  • Cafe You - Fort Myers
  • Big Energy Cafe - Fort Myers
• Tea Spots
  • Banyan Cafe - Fort Myers
  • Forever Grounded Coffee Mobile Bar - Food Truck - SWFL
  • Arts & Eats - Fort Myers
  • Spa Tini - Downtown Ft Myers
  • The Boba Shop - Bonita
• Happy Hours
  • Ruth Chris - Estero
  • Duffy’s - SWFL
  • Seaside - Bonita
  • City Tavern - Downtown Fort Myers
  • Lansdowne Street - Bonita
• Cheesesteak
  • Double Dee’s - Food Truck
  • The City Tavern - Downtown Fort Myers
    • City Tavern holds a fantastic St. Patty's Day Event every year!

Visit the White House

While you can't actually enter the White House, you can take a self-guided tour of the grounds and snap some photos of the iconic facade. 

The Smithsonian Museums

The Smithsonian Institution is home to 19 museums, galleries, and the National Zoo. Whether you're interested in art, history, or science, the museums offer something for everyone. Some of the most popular Smithsonian museums include the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of Natural History, and the National Portrait Gallery. 

National Museum of American history

The First Ladies’ inaugural dress exhibit was one of my personal favorites at the National Museum of American history. This exhibit also included pieces of china from some of the presidential administrations. 

The National Archives Museum

The National Archives were fascinating, and seeing the actual constitution was surreal. Don't forget - no pictures!

The Monuments and Memorials

No visit to DC is complete without seeing the city's monuments and memorials. With their mighty stone pillars, delicate engravings, and somber yet heroic sculptures, I was in awe. All within walking distance, the monuments were the highlight of my trip. My favorites were the Lincoln Memorial, the WWII Memorial, the Vietnam War Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, and the Washington Monument. 

The Lincoln Memorial

This iconic monument was built to honor the legacy of President Abraham Lincoln. It's a great place to reflect on American history and enjoy stunning views of the city. 

The National Mall

The National Mall is an iconic green space stretching for two miles between the Lincoln Memorial and the US Capitol Building. Here, you can explore a variety of monuments, memorials, and museums, as well as take in stunning views of the city skyline. 

The National Gallery of Art

A close second on my highlights, right up with the Monuments, was the Washington National Art Gallery. This incredible museum houses a world-class collection of artworks, from ancient to modern. Whether you're a painting, sculpture, or photography fan, you'll find something to admire here. From Monet to Dega, this has one of the most spectacular art collections in not only the country but the world. It was so stunning we got stuck in there for an entire day from opening to close.

Washington National Cathedral

My husband's favorite stop on our DC adventure was the Washington National Cathedral. Washington National Cathedral is an iconic landmark of the nation's capital. Located in Northwest Washington, DC, it is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city. The cathedral has a long and rich history, built in 1907 and dedicated by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1912. It is a Gothic-style structure built in the tradition of classic European cathedrals. It is one of the largest and most impressive churches in the world, standing at the height of 300 feet and with a length of 600 feet. The interior is breathtaking, with its ornate details, including stained glass windows, intricate carvings, and marble pillars. The cathedral is also home to many important national events, including the funerals of presidents, state funerals, the National Prayer Breakfast, and royal visits. It is also the site of special events such as concerts, lectures, and services. The cathedral is also home to a number of significant monuments, including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which honors those who lost their lives in World War I, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. We took a tour, came just in time for an organ demonstration, and returned after dinner for evensong. The music was spectacular.

Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill is one of the most iconic neighborhoods in the United States. Located in the heart of Washington, DC, it is home to the US Capitol building and a host of other important national landmarks. The area is steeped in history, and its streets are lined with many of the city's most impressive monuments, memorials, and government buildings. For visitors, Capitol Hill offers a variety of attractions, including the US Capitol building, the National Mall, and the Smithsonian Museum. Tourists can explore the area's many museums, galleries, and monuments or take a walking tour of the historic buildings and monuments that line the streets. Capitol Hill is also home to a vibrant nightlife, with many of the city's hottest restaurants, bars, and clubs.

Check out the National Zoo

The National Zoo is home to a variety of animals, from pandas to tigers. It's a great place to take the kids for a fun and educational day out. 

The Museum of the Bible

Located just blocks away from the National Mall and the White House, the Museum of the Bible offers eight floors of interactive exhibits, displays, and educational experiences that tell the story of the Bible and its influence on our world. The museum's mission is to invite all people to engage with the Bible through a unique and interactive museum experience. Visitors can explore the Bible's history, its impact on world cultures, its influence on art, music, and literature, and the ways it has changed the lives of millions of people.

Weather

My husband and I visited DC in October, and the weather was freezing and drizzly when we arrived, but as soon as we went to Marshalls and got hats, coats, and scarves, the next two days were sunny and in the 60s & 70s. When you go to DC, check the weather, especially if you are going in the Spring or the Fall. Weather can still be very uncertain at those times of the year. However, the most beautiful time to visit is in April, during the blooming of the cherry blossoms. 

Where to Stay

I recommend staying in Georgetown. This way, you can walk anywhere and don't rent a car, just uber. The city is so beautiful that walking is an event in itself. 

We started our adventure by staying our first two nights at the Westin in the heart of Washington, within a 10-minute drive of the Smithsonian, the National Zoo, and the White House. This 4-star hotel is 1.2 mi from Capital One Arena and 1.3 mi from National Mall. This Westin had a tiny yet cozy room and a great bathroom with a soaking tub.

Then we moved to the Glover Park inn for some different scenery. Glover was artsier with a spacious room, a lovely dining area, and a shabby chic vibe. On the downside, it was further out from all the attractions except for the Washington National Cathedral.

We ended our adventure by staying in the Royal Sonesta. This spot was in another artsy nook of DC that had a very cool 70s vibe, and our room had a super nice bathroom.

The three other hotels we recommend are the River Inn, the Lombardy, and the Modus Hotel. 

Best Eats

We ate some of the best food I had all year when we were in DC, from GCDC grilled cheese sandwiches to Chef Geoffs for a fabulous outdoor lunch, Circa for dinner, and Captain Cookie & the Milk Man for a late-night snack; we ate our way through DC and loved every minute of it. Some other note-worthy restaurants were Bindaas & Juniper, Roti (lunch), North Italia (dinner), Tonic At Quigley's (lunch) & GW Delicatessen (lunch).

The National Theatre & The Kennedy Center

There are many theaters in DC, but my two favorites are The National Theatre and The Kennedy Center. We went to the National Theatre on this trip to see the Tina Turner Musical, and the show was spectacular. The entire production was phenomenal, from the lights, sound, and actors. This was, hands down, one of my favorite theaters of all time because it was smaller than the Kennedy center but tactfully designed to be just as grand. The entire staff was so friendly, and we sat in the center bottom row. It was the best seat in the house!

If you happen to be traveling to DC in April for the Cherry Blossoms, and like the weather, The National Theatre has some must-see shows coming up; Jagged Little Pill (March 14-26), My Fair Lady (April 6- 9), Disney's Aladdin (April 19-30), and Beetlejuice (May 16-28). Walk over early, and you can visit the WWI memorial, which sits right outside.

As soon as we left DC, I was dying to go back. From the tall, proud monuments and rich history to the melting pot of people and the exciting city life, I could even see myself loving DC as home.

What to Wear & Bring out to Ski

• Sunglasses
• Goggles
• Ski Socks - usually wool or blend
• Base Layers - long underwear top & bottom
  • Many of us now wear cold-weather tights & tops.
  • If you have exercise tights and tops - that will work.
• Fleece or Sweatshirt
  • Wear on top of the base layer & underneath the jacket
  • Bring one fleece
• Ski Jacket - can be a shell or a padded jacket
• Ski Pants - shell or lined - both work
• neck gaiter - Weather dependent.
• Swimsuit - for the hot tub and/or Athletic Center
  • Ex: The Copper Athletic Center has a pool & hot tub.

Deals

• REI is having a good winter sale - 40-50% off.
• They just finished a great sale with 70% off.
  • Here, you can get good goggles and ski gloves on sale for less than $50.
• Bang for your buck
  • 32 Degrees brand at Costco
    • You can get a couple of sets of long underwear for $32.
    • Two pairs of bottoms & 32 Degree Base Layers for $9.97
    • Costco had some Columbia winter gear as well.

What to Rent 

• You can rent skis, poles, boots, and helmets at the Mountain.
• Skis, poles, boots
  • $50 - $80 a day
• Passes are usually between $150 & $300 a day, depending on the mountain.
• You can get packs
  • Ex: 3-day pack for Copper Mountain is $471.51 at the end of Feb.
• Check deals on lessons.
  • Ex: $209 for a full lesson with a $50 lift pass
• If your friend has a season pass; Epic, Ikon, Copper, etc, you can get between 10- 25% off on food, merch, rentals, lessons, and lift tickets.

Southwest Florida's Best Pics for Date Night Spots in February

V-Day Dinners 

• Naples, FL
  • The Local - Farm Fresh Rotating Menu - Naples, FL
  • Three60 Market -  Alternative American- Naples, FL
    • App - Calamari
    • Meals
      • Scallops
      • Pork Chop
    • Dessert - Limnocello
  • Hogfish Harry’s - Seafood - Naples, FL
    • Meal - 
    • Dessert - Carrot Cake
  • The Vine Room - Cocktail Bar - Naples, FL
    • Drink order: Cherry Blossom Old Fashioned with Japanese Whiskey
  • Flemings - Steak House - Naples, FL
  • Namba - Asian Cuisine - Naples, FL
    • Green tea ice cream
  • Nemos - Seafood - Naples, FL
    • Grilled Mediterranean Octopus
    • Grilled Black Grouper “ÀLA NICOISE”
    • Hawaiian Poke
    • Volcano Yellowtail Snapper
  • Sophia’s - Italian - Naples, FL
    • Calamari
    • Bread
    • Veal
    • Pasta Bolognese
    • Pasta with Vodka Sauce
• Bonita Springs, FL
  • The Bohemian - Tapas - Bonita Springs, FL
  • Charred Bistro - Steak House - Bonita Springs, FL
  • Chartreuse - Cocktail Bar - Bonita Springs, FL
    • Drink order: King Kong (Rum Old Fashioned)
  • Corner Spot Diner + Drink - Boutique Kitchen - Bonita Springs, FL
  • De Romos - Bonita Springs, FL
    • Bread
    • Dry Olive Martini
    • Pasta Bolognese
    • Parmesan Chicken or Veal
    • Meatball Ravioli
    • They also have an Italian market.
• Estero, FL
  • Caffe’ da Michele Osteria Italiana - Italian - Estero, FL
    • Meal - Gnocchi 
  • Divieto - Italian - Estero, FL
    • Great Event or Private Dining
    • Prosciutto
    • Ruota Di Parmigiano
    • Lamb
    • Chicken Marsala
• Fort Myers, FL
  • Colleoni’s Italian Ristorante - Italian - Fort Myers, FL
    • Wagyu Ravioli
    • Ossobuco 
  • Fancy’s Southern Cafe - Southern - Fort Myers, FL
    • Fried Chicken & Waffles (favorite meal)
    • Sweet Potato Fries
    • Mac & Cheese
    • Sangria
  • Liberty - Alternative American - Fort Myers, FL
  • Harolds Cuisine - American Cuisine - Fort Myers, FL
  • Cold Water Oysters Bar - Seafood - Fort Myers, FL
    • Drink order: Blue Berry Cobbler Old Fashioned
  • Artisan Eatery - American Cuisine - Fort Myers, FL
    • Reuben
    • Desserts - any of their cakes
  • The Silver King Ocean Brasserie - Seafood & Steak - Fort Myers, FL
  • De Adriatico restaurant - Mediterranean - Fort Myers, FL
  • The Beacon - Cocktail Bar - Fort Myers, FL
  • 86 Room - Cocktail Bar - Fort Myers, FL
    • Old Fashioned 
  • The Luminary’s Beacon Social Drinkery - Fort Myers, FL
    • Go on a weeknight
  • Downtown House of Pizza - Fort Myers, FL
  • Capones - Italian - Fort Myers, FL
    • Sausage
    • Caprese Salad
• Doggy Dates
  • Downtown Coffee and Wine, Bonita Springs, FL
  • Fort Myers Brewery - Brewery - Fort Myers, FL
• Ice Cream 
  • Love Boat - Ice Cream - Fort Myers, FL
  • Tipsy Udder - Ice Cream - Fort Myers, FL
  • Peter’s German Ice Cream & Coffee - Fort Myers, FL
  • Belgian Yummies - Gelato & Ice Cream - Fort Myers, FL
  • Birdie’s Gelato - Ice cream & gelato - SWFL pop up
  • Kilwins - Ice cream & Chocolates - Estero, FL
• Carrot Cake
  • Ocean Prime - Seafood - Naples, FL
  • Hogfish Harry’s - Seafood - Naples, FL
• Pie
  • Fancy’s Southern Cafe - Fort Myers, FL
    • Chicken Pot pie
  • Artisan Eatery - Fort Myers, FL
    • Deep Dish Apple Pie

How to enter:

1. Like or Giveaway post
2. Follow @cordbrick & @thetravelbrats in instagram and Tik Tok
3. Click on the link in our Bio, Download this episode and Subscribe to our Podcast
4. Tag 3 friends on this post using @cordbrick, @thetravelbrats, and #Giveaway

We will be selecting 5 lucky winners who will each be receiving a pack of 2 cordbricks.

This giveaway ends March 31!

CordBrick is a NEW product designed to help you hate cords less and improve your daily charging experience! It solves multiple cord problems – at home and on the go. 

First, CordBrick is a weighted phone cord holder that keeps your phone charger within reach by your bedside or nightstand on a desk or countertop. Then, it solves an additional problem by significantly improving the process of traveling with cords. Just Snap-Wrap – Trap your cord on CordBrick, then release it to unwrap and untangle it instantly. CordBrick has no adhesive, is made of flexy, durable silicone, and is weighted with dense steel. CordBrick even stands your phone in a variety of positions – including most cases! 

Bottom line: CordBrick is your new forever cord management tool. It’s a multi-problem-solving reusable device that improves your experience with charger cords every day by reducing frustrations and preventing distractions, increasing your efficiency, and creating a new and better process of managing your most used cords. 

Find several colors of CordBrick (even glow-in-the-dark!) in select retail stores, on Amazon, and on CordBrick.com!

Namur is a beautiful city full of history and stunning views! My sister Rachel, who lives in Brussels, took me to Namur to celebrate my 30th birthday. But it is also the perfect place to enjoy yourself with your partner!

Belgium is made up of a few distinctive regions. You have Flanders, which is the northern region of the country close to Holland, where they speak Flemish (similar to Dutch), and Wallonia in the southern part of the country bordering France. They speak French there. Brussels is the middle-man, so French, Dutch, and English are all spoken there. 

Namur is the capital of Wallonia, which is a French-speaking region!

We stayed at the most beautiful and unique bed and breakfast I would highly recommend - La Villa Balat. It’s considered one of the most beautiful and unique homes in Namur and was turned into a bed and breakfast by the family who owned it in the early 1900s.

 La Villa Balat sits between the bridge of Jambes and the bridge of the Ardennes, offering a direct view over the Citadel and the Walloon parliament at the junction of the two rivers. My sister got us a room with this adorable little outdoors overlooking the river. We loved just sitting out there people-watching and enjoying the views I mentioned. Everything in the home is so well-placed and thoughtful. The breakfast was amazing, too! 

One of the most epic aspects of the city is The Citadel! This was such a highlight of the trip. It’s one of the only citadels of its kind in this part of Europe and has been so well kept. It sits above the town and has been around since the 10-hundreds. It makes sense that the counts of Namur would want to put their castle and fortress up there! It is so incredible and expansive! You can drive up there, walk, or take a cable car. 

The cable car is really cool, but we decided to walk our way up, and then we walked around the whole area for a few hours! There’s a castle, an amphitheater, what looks like a sports arena, a modern restaurant, shops, and a gorgeous hotel. It’s a stunning site and worth visiting the city just for that. 

There is a famous turtle sculpture called Searching for Utopia (also called the turtle crowns the citadel) sits at one of the walking entrances. It’s fascinating and a fun and random landmark!

The city itself is really colorful, and there are, as with many European cities, many twists and turns and special pockets and corners to discover. So we loved strolling through the city and stopping in cafes and shops!

The cathedral of Saint Aubain was closed for construction when we were there, but we were told that it was a favorite spot to tour. Every European city has its lofty and architecturally interesting cathedrals. This one was built in the mid-1700s. Not as old as some of the other cathedrals in Belgium, but very beautiful nonetheless!

They also offer little boat cruises along the river. These are relatively cheap and so fun. Who doesn’t love cruising on the river? This was the final thing that we did on this trip, and it was such a lovely way to end our excursion. 

This region is so different from Brussels, which is more of a city feel and is flat, whereas Namur is more expansive and mountainous. Take your sweetie there and enjoy beautiful views, delicious food, historic sites, and much more!

Electronics

• Noise-canceling Bose headphones
• Polaroid camera
• Kindle
• GoPro

Electronic Organizers

• Chordbrick
• Universal travel adapter 
• Chord organizer
• Electronic organizer  

Travel Comfort

• Trtl travel pillow 
• Cozy socks
• PJs
• Shop Best Dressed - Use code VDAY30, valid through Feb14 

Travel Convenience 

• Waterproof phone pouch
• Collapsible Water Bottle
• Savage Selfie Stick

Cosmetics

• Travel Shaving Kit
• GoToob+
• Magnetic capsules for storing creams/etc 
• HiBar Maintain Shampoo and Conditioner Set

Travel Bags

• Cute Fanny pack
• Adventure Weekend Backpack - Cotopaxi
• Waterproof Osprey Bag

What To Do and Don't In The Airport

1. You must tip the early bag check guy outside. $5 is enough. Don't be "that" person. They will not be gentle with your bags. 
2. Use a wrist strap for your wallet or a side purse to keep items you continuously have to pull out.
3. Check to ensure TSA Precheck is on your boarding pass before leaving the check-in kiosk.
4. When going through security, do NOT rush the people in front of you.
5.  Start preparing before you even get to the table when going through security. Have your ID and passport out before walking up to the TSA agent. Start removing your shoes, laptop, & jacket before you arrive at the TSA table. 
6.  When going through security, you will require a full pat down if you have any metal in your body.
7. When going through security, watch your belongings closely.
8. If you lose a carry-on bag, go to the nearest information desk in your terminal.  
9. If you lose or forget your bag, immediately go to the customer service kiosk at the baggage claim and give them the location you are traveling to and your home address. Your Airline can not let you know when you will get your bag. 

What a day with TSA

I am going to blame TSA for 50% of this most memorable travel story and blame the other 50% on my carelessness, forgetfulness, constant zoning out, and hyper-focusing on non-present realities.

I was in the Denver Airport going through security when the man next to me was in an evident and obnoxious hurry. He kept touching my bins and pushing them along. I became a little flustered because, on my last flight, the man next to my husband in the TSA line had his wallet stolen from his security bin. So I hurried up, put my shoes on, grabbed my coat and scarf, threw my computer in my backpack, and headed down the stairs to the plane train. 

I got off the train, took a pit stop, and headed to my gate. As soon as I walked out of the bathroom, I realized I was missing my carry-on suitcase! 

I stood there for a moment, in shock, as the fact that I had left my suitcase on the plane train sunk in. I ran down the stairs in a panic and jumped back on the plane train. When the suitcase wasn't in the spot where I thought I had left it, I realized how many train cars there must be. Standing, I began to panic further as I realized how impossible it would be to find this bag. Correction-I would never find it. 

I knew that I got off at concourse B and the last stop on the plane train was concourse C. Thinking someone could have dropped off the bag in concourse C, lost and found, I dashed back on the train and rode it to C. I ran up the stairs, profusely sweating, trying not to panic. It was difficult not to when I knew what I had placed in that bag. As I frantically looked around, I saw a pilot about to get off a phone call. I hastily walked up to him and said, "hello." Then I began crying as I whimpered, "I left my bag on the plane train. It has all my jewelry in it and my new iPhone 14. I don't know where to go, and I don't think I will ever find it."

This pilot was so kind to me, even though he probably thought I was the most ridiculous person he had ever met (#travelbratforlife). He brought me to the concourse kiosk, and I told the man sitting there about my unfortunate situation. He nearly giggled when he asked for a description, and I told him it was a "Leopard Cavali" mini suitcase. He called the gate B lost and found, and they had nothing. He then asked me if I thought I could have left it at security. I could not remember, but I told him it was a possibility. 

I practically climbed over the desk to put my ear next to the phone when I heard him say, "you do?" 

I had somehow managed to leave my bag in security. I ran back down the stairs, back onto the plane train, got on, and then realized I had no idea how to get back to security without going all the way through it again. So I got off at a different gate, ran back up the stairs, and asked the gate A kiosk lady how to get to security. 

I finally got back on the plane train and returned to security. The TSA rep told me she took it off the belt to check it, but they "did not know where I was. It was bizarre because I had placed the suitcase right in front of all my belongings. They also did not grab it in front of me and tell me they needed to check it.  

The TSA lady began to check my bag, and as she sifted through it, I began to explain that the sketchy objects could be the unopened iPhone box or the sunglass base full of jewelry. She proceeded to look through the bag and found… my styling mousse and hairspray. 

What a day with TSA.