Recommended: Bruges

Visiting Bruges

Like Colin Farell and Brendon Gleeson did in the classic movie 'In Bruges', you can visit the belgian city of Bruges (Brugge) for a long weekend, although you probably won't end up in a gunfight at the Grote Markt. Instead you will probably do as we did and enjoy the food, beers, shopping, canals, museums, churches, architecture and above all chocolates that make this city famous.

We stayed at the beautiful De Tuillerien hotel which has been a popular spot for royalty and famous actors over the years. The walls of the bar are lined with photos of famous guests of the past.

The breakfasts are pretty legendary of themselves. Flowing champagne and a chocolate fountain are just two elements of the sumptuous buffet that really meant we started our morning of sightseeing with big smiles on our faces.

And what sights! Bruges is a truly irresistable city. If you enjoyed Venice or Prague, you will love Bruges. It is a beautiful city full of highly decorated houses that retain a classic old world charm. The hotel is on a canal and just around the corner from the Rozenhoedkaai, the most picturesque spot in town where photographers are always lurking.

Just as close was the Gruuthuse house and museum which has a good display of archaeological finds, but is also the house where Charles Stuart lived while in exile before returning to England to be crowned as Charles II. Much of the building is just as he would have remembered it (including the incredibly creaky floors upstairs).

Other sights of note are the Grote Kirk, De Halve Maan (Straffe Hendrik) Brewery and Bruge's most famous relic at the Heilige Bloed Basiliek (Basilica of the Holy Blood).

A great city for exploring on foot, Bruges is a network of canals and alleyways. It is like a minature version of Amsterdam, but with all the seedy stuff removed. Keen photographers flock here all year round because almost every street seems like a picture postcard. Do be aware that it is all cobbled rather than tarmac in the old twn of Bruges. This is lovely, but ladies may want to swap their high heels for sensible flat shoes.

We found lots of shops selling local handicrafts, including bruges lace and wooden toys, but the artisan chocolates were what we brought home for our friends. The variety, quality and low prices were all really appreciated.

If you want to work off a few of the inevitable calories that get piled on in such a gastronomic city, we heartily recommend hiring cycles for a gentle traffic-free canalside ride to neighbouring Damme, just 6Km northeast along the canalside path.

A lazy but fun tour of Bruges is available on Segway personal transporters. Very cool and surprisingly easy to master.

If the town centre is too busy for you (ocassionally at the height of summer this happens, although not too often) head south to the Wijngaard behind the Minnewater park. Perfectly peaceful and beautiful.

Restaurants in Bruges

We didn't find Bruges to be cheap, with most starters costing at least 10 euros and main courses double that. However we were really impressed by the quality. We ate plenty of dishes with seafood, rabbit, steaks and of courses waffles being highlights which will be fondly remembered. 'Den Dyver', 'De Stove' and Maria Van Bourgondie" were three fondly remembered restaurants where we ate very well indeed.

We are going back to Bruges very soon because we loved it so. I am sure you will to.

P.S. Don't forget about the breakfasts at De Tuillerien hotel.