We landed in Brussels to crisp fall air and the kind of light that makes everything feel golden. The Grand Place shimmered at dusk, its buildings aglow with twinkling lights. We stopped for French fries, perfectly salted and hot, then couldn’t resist a Liège waffle—warm, caramelized sugar crisping at the edges—a small, sweet comfort in hand as we wandered the cobblestone streets.
From there, we traveled south to Luxembourg, a European Vermont filled with hills, color, and quiet beauty. The trees were turning shades of amber and rust, and for a moment, it felt as if we had stepped into a storybook.
Our next stops, Bruges and Ghent, carried us deeper into the past—medieval cities of canals, spires, and stories whispered through centuries. Every turn revealed another postcard-perfect view: a reflection in the water, a clock tower framed by clouds, a street musician playing something that made you stop and listen.
We then headed to Paris, where we filled our days with tours of Giverny and Normandy—standing on the D-Day beaches where so many young lives were lost. As I looked out over the vast shoreline, it was impossible not to think of all the parents who never saw their sons return home. The grief of those families ripples through time, a reminder that love and loss are part of every generation’s story.
In between these historic places, we lingered at cafés, savoring croissants and conversation, explored the Musée d’Orsay, and shopped until we dropped—grateful for the laughter, the light, and the chance to simply be present in the beauty of it all.
Next, we’re off to Amsterdam, our final stop before heading home. I’m looking forward to wandering the canals, soaking in the autumn light, and reflecting on all the places we’ve seen—the history, the heart, and the quiet ways travel reminds us what it means to be alive.
Travel has a way of expanding our hearts—through beauty, through history, through remembrance. Even far from home, I find that the world keeps offering quiet invitations to pause, to feel, to remember. These are the moments that stay with me long after I return.
🌸