Everybody was right on time for the welcome-reception at the Grand Hotel Mercure Royal Crown**** in the Rue Royale in downtown Brussels. Some of the group members had arrived the day before and had been exploring the city center.

Everyone got acquainted and after a few drinks we walked down Rue Royale towards the Central Station, where the bus was waiting to take us to the Automobile Museum in the Cinquantenaire. The weather was beautiful and it was to remain like that for the whole journey. How lucky we were! During one hour, we were able to visit “Autoworld” and see some of the prettiest cars man has made since their invention in the late 19th century.

After the visit, Dirk, who was to be our coach driver for the rest of the trip, and who did an excellent job, took us back to the center where we walked to the Grand Place and admired the magnificent 17th and 18th century architecture. Some of the group found the “ Biertempel” and bought some good beers and glasses.

Later on, sitting at the tables of restaurant “ Béguine des Béguines”, we enjoyed the first of many exquisite beer dinners. We were served a homemade aperitif, based on Fuvrl and picon, which is a French herbal drink. For starter we had two salmons stuffed with vegetables and served with horseradish and Duvel sauce. The main course consisted of duck breast with cherries and cherry beer and for desert we had an “iced soufflé with biscuits and Chimay beer.

Menu House aperitif based on picon and gueuze (Picon is French spiced and fortified wine) 2 salmons stuffed with vegetables, served with horseradish and Duvel beer sauce Duvel Duck breast with cherries and cherry beer from belle vue Belle Vue Iced soufflé with biscuits and chimay beer

After we had gone back to the hotel, some of us walked in the warm summer night to “Biercircus”, one of Brussels’ highly recommended beer bars, and tasted some rare gueuzes and a unique test brew of Caracole. These beers, served by the friendly owner Patrick himself, were highly appreciated.

Day II