My travel choices in 2024 (part 4)
Exploring Belgium and London
Although I don’t consider myself an extremely active traveler, every year I try to fill my calendar with as much travel as possible, and 2024 was an exciting one. It was full of new sights and ticking off bucket-list sites, of solo, coupled and group unforgettable adventures. I’ve become a pro at squeezing travel into weekends and holidays.
I have to say that travel for me is not about counting cities and countries – it’s about learning, growing, and connecting with the world in a way that keeps my curiosity alive.
Here’s a look at how my 2024 unrolled and how each trip brought its own unique story and lessons, reminding me why I love exploring Europe and, my home, Croatia.
I had to split this post into 4 parts because when I started adding photos, I realized my plan wasn’t sustainable. Read more:
My two couples’ trips abroad
As I said in the previous part (3), I can take a week or more off only during summer, due to my work. And over the year, I try to spend at least one week abroad with my significant other. Since he doesn’t really like traveling abroad anymore, but he loves sports, I first ‘lured’ him into a road trip through Belgium and seeing 2 Olympic Games matches in Lille, France, and then for a weekend in London in November, a Premier League football game included. I believe in compromises :)
Of course, I don’t get to explore those sites as I would do solo, but I can always go back for a culture fix.
1) Belgium in August
This was my first trip to Belgium and since we rented a car, we managed to visit many sites. What can I say about the experience in general? We ate really well and the prices were reasonable, highways were free and easy to navigate, and the people were very nice and friendly.
Bruges
Bruges, often called the “Venice of the North," is a charming city in Belgium famous for its medieval architecture, winding canals, and timeless beauty. It was a thriving commercial hub in the Middle Ages, and its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site today.
With its enchanting canals, world-class chocolate shops, and cozy atmosphere, Bruges offers a perfect blend of history, charm, and romance.
Ghent
This city blew my mind! It impressed me more than Bruges, probably because it had fewer tourists, lower prices, better canal rides and the Graslei quay.
