Brussels, Belgium

We really liked Brussels, a 3 hour car ride away, which we visited in mid-August. As we tend to do, we didn't pack too many museums or tours into this trip, just a few key sites and then lots of time walking and enjoying this pretty city. My camera wasn't working for most of the trip, so most of the pictures were taken by Ethan - it's a hobby he's getting into and I think he has a good eye for capturing interesting shots (I'm totally unbiased of course ;-)).

Museum of Musical Instruments

The main square Grand Place (next 6 pictures)

Manneken Pis statue - one of the biggest attractions in the city (he's only about 1 foot tall)

Lots of Manneken Pis souvenirs

One of the prettiest places in the city, and we only found it getting lost on our way someplace else! The garden is the Place du Petit Sablon, just across the street from a gorgeous Gothic cathedral Eglise Notre Dame du Sablon.

The Palais Royal

We also went to Bruparck just outside of the city, where they have this crazy Atomium structure (built for the 1958 World Fair), which we walked inside to the top, and a Mini-Europe.

View from inside the Atomium

Inside Mini-Europe

There's Big Ben in the background

Scott & Ethan spotted this in one of the mini city scenes - the A-Team!!

Zons, Germany

Zons, in Dormagen, Germany was a 45 minute ride away, and we visited in early August. It was a fortified town established around 1400, and has some Medieval walls and gates still standing. Usually the boys enjoy scootering around these day-trip towns, but the cobblestone was especially rough here so we ended up carrying scooters more than usual (which inevitably end up whacking you in the back of the ankles). A nice city to explore, and there was a windmill - always a plus for me!

He couldn't resist!