A rainy day in Antwerp { & stay at Boulevard Leopold }

After spending the past holidays at home, this winter we felt a sudden rather sentimental urge to hop across the pond for Christmas in the "old world" among family and friends.

And with the affordable last-minute airfares flying into Amsterdam, we decided to get on the plane a couple of days early for a pre-holiday detour ~ revisiting Amsterdam and Antwerp along the way.

After a chilly first day in Amsterdam and rainy day arrival in Antwerp, checking into Boulevard Leopold more than made up for gloomy skies, jet lag and tired eyes ...

Even with heavy rain clouds looming and barely any daylight outside the windows, every details at this magical bed & breakfast housed in a 19th century townhouse seemed to glow, from the gilded wall patina of our room to our host's incredible collection of antique glass domes in the parlor.