Starbucks, Brussels

Update October 25, 2011:
Starbucks has opened its doors in Gent on Korenmarkt.

Update March 2011:
Belgium now has 3 starbucks at the Brussels airport, 1 at the Antwerp Central Station and 1 in Brussels at the Central Train Station as of April 2011. Full details in this article from DH.be.

With the opening of Abercrombie & Fitch at 20 boulevard of Waterloo in Brussels sometime in the spring (although I can not find anything official) Brussels would see the arrival of two major american brands. As read in Le Vif.

March 2009:
A few months ago a Starbucks at the Antwerp Central Station was announced for opening in 2009. Concourse A and Concourse B at the Brussels airport now also have Starbucks locations, along with the first location in the departure hall.

2008:
Since August we have our first Starbucks in Belgium. OK, not really, it's located in the Brussels airport. I call that international territory. When will they venture into the heart of Belgium and compete with the free speculoos and chocolate wielding local barristas? If you are craving a city experience your closest Starbucks is in Aachen, Germany. A good opportunity to get some culture in (Charlemagne, 500 years of Holy Roman Empire king crowning, cathedral). Afterthought: if you can wait, combine a trip to the local Christmas market with a dose of caramel macchiato!

Domburg Beach, Netherlands

Domburg Beach
Originally uploaded by DanSand

Besides eating mussels and herring in Zeeland it is highly recommended to go have a dip and enjoy the beautiful shore. Bring your bike! The area is more than bike friendly. I was frustrated: the blackberries in the dunes were gorgeous and only about a week from being ripe. 1 hour 30 minutes from Brussels is close but a bit far to justify a round trip for bramble jelly!
Here a link to a map of where the photo was taken:
Domburg Map

Veere, Netherlands

Veere, Netherlands
Originally uploaded by DanSand

The village of Veere in Zeeland, Netherlands is of the perfect size. You can walk around the port and the main village square in the space of 30 minutes before deciding on the right place to get lunch, coffee, herring or an ice cream!

Hollandse Nieuwe

Eating herring in Veere
Originally uploaded by DanSand

In an easy 1 hour 45 you can reach Zeeland, Netherlands from Brussels. We spent a few hours in Veere, an old fishing village. Eating herring at the Lekkerbeck fish stall was a definite highlight. Although technically the New Herring is caught from May to July the August herring still tasted plenty good enough to my uneducated palate. The fried fish on offer at the same outdoor stall was also a treat.