Travel Update: Antwerp Grote Markt Kersmarkt

It takes some time to get used to the idea, that leaving the house without gloves, a beanie and a scarf, means borderline frostbite. The sun has crept out these last couple of days and the air feels crisp and fresh at five degrees Celsius. Red noses and blue fingers aside, it is beautiful here in Antwerp come Christmas time.

The market squares are filled with stalls, real Christmas trees and magical decorations. The old buildings appear even more majestic in the frosty air and the shops all conform in a communal spirit of Christmas.

The local hot choco has been tried-very good and the local glu-wijn, a spiced warmed red wine concoction-not so good. The city is also filled with arcade games, an enormous Ferris wheel and a beautiful ice rink.

The streets, filled with Christmas magic. 

Spotted at the first Christmas tree.

The Grote Markt square.

The stalls are tiny wooden houses selling everything from glu wijn to Christmas decorations.

Having fun at the arcade.

Red and white is so last year, wearing my black and gold Santa hat.

The giant Ferris wheel, reminded me of the one at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.

 The ice rink.

This little hut is situated beside the ice rink, it has an open fire place in the middle and you can go inside and sit on the wooden benches to warm up.

Basically, this is what I always imagined Christmas season to be like.