Back in good old Belgium! We have been a bit absent from our website, but that is mainly because we have been doing some exploring, in and around Iznalloz (mainly). I still have a lot of pictures and videos to edit, but expect lots of new content very soon.

Today, we introduce you to the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken (Brussels).

As you can see on the map, the Greenhouses are not far from the Palace of Laeken, which is actually the private residence of the Royal Family. Those grounds are never open to the public. The Greenhouses, on the other hand, can be visited 2 weeks every year, in April-May, depending on when the flowers bloom.

Once you have paid a small entrance fee, you find yourself in a magnificent complex of tropical, subtropical, and cold greenhouses. Part of the trail also takes you outside.

The Royal Gardens are private however and date from the 18th century. The construction of the greenhouses themselves is from the second half of the 19th century.

At a certain moment, you will pass a small cottage, which is actually the studio of Queen Elisabeth.

In the background, you can see the Japanese Tower, which is unfortunately closed to the public as well.

Enter the first greenhouse and allow yourself to be amazed!

This is the interior of Queen Elisabeth’s studio. Keep on following the trail and admire the Winter Garden, the Palm Greenhouse, the Azalea Greenhouse, The Iron Church, the Sacristy, and so on.

You can access the Royal Greenhouses by car and public transport (www.mivb.be). The opening of the greenhouses is usually announced in the Belgian press and on the official website of the Belgian Royal family.

By the way, did you know that some of the original plants from the greenhouses still exist? And that there are some really big quantities of rare and valuable plants?

Later this week, you can dine with us in Albania and explore another corner of Spain!

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