April 2022: On our return flight to the U.S. from Luanda, Angola—Tribal Stay with Muila People in Southern Angola | Venture The Planet via Brussels Airlines—we had a five-hour layover in Brussels. Rather than wait idly at the airport, we decided to make the most of our time with a quick visit into the city.
In my travels, I’ve spent far more time exploring the former colonies of European countries than the European countries themselves—such as visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo-Sleeping on the Rim of a Lava Lake at 11,000 ‘ in One of the World’s Most Dangerous National Parks-Virunga and Camping with the Mbuti Pygmy Tribe in the Ituri Forest | Venture The Planet before ever setting foot in Belgium. So, I figured it was finally time to experience Belgium, even if only for a brief five-hour stay.
Royal Palace of the King and Queen of Belgium
We visited the Royal Palace of the King and Queen of Belgium, which was once home to King Leopold I, Belgium’s first monarch, as well as King Leopold II (1885–1908). Leopold II is infamous for his ruthless rule over the so-called Congo Free State—which was anything but free. He claimed it as his personal possession, enslaving and brutalizing the Congolese people to meet ivory and rubber quotas, amassing over a billion dollars in wealth in the process.
The key to making the most of a short layover is preparation—planning airport transfers, estimating subway travel times, and calculating the total round-trip time. It’s also essential to leave a buffer for airport congestion and unexpected delays. Traveling light, with just a small carry-on, allows for quick movement, and avoiding unnecessary delays when exiting immigration is crucial.
Fortunately, we arrived in Brussels at 7 a.m. when immigration was quiet, allowing us to exit the airport quickly. The city’s subway system connects directly to the airport, making it easy to reach Brussels’ historical center in about 30 minutes.
Once at Central Station, we followed our GPS walking map up the hill to the Royal Palace, spending about an hour exploring the area before heading back. I was glad we had built in extra time—by the time we returned, the airport had gone from quiet to packed. After clearing security, we rewarded ourselves with some Belgian dark beers and waffles before boarding our flight back to the U.S.
