A charming city with no hills (Bruges)

Member Name: happypanda

Product:	Bruges
Date:	02/07/09 (26 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Flat, lots to do and lovely canals

Disadvantages: You want to stay

Bruges

~Where is it?~
Bruges is in the province of West Flanders in Belgium, Europe. It is fondly known as 'The Venice of the North' due to the large number of canals. The best way to get there from the UK is by ferry, but don't go directly, it costs significantly more, a ferry to Calais will set up back about 30 pounds each way, a ferry from Hull to Zebrugge will cost you at least 100 pounds each way, but a ferry from Dover to Dunkirk (closer to Bruges than Calais) will cost 19 pounds each way at the lowest price.

Dunkirk to Bruges will take about 52 minutes by car, saving about half an hour from Calais. Just don't get lost like I did, we were very confused on leaving Dunkirk.

~What is it like?~
Bruges is a beautiful medieval city, with eye-catching architecture and lovely people. It is completely flat, and I mean completely, I don't think I saw any hills at all, which coming from Wales, was a bit of a shock. But it is a good thing, since walking is much easier, and you can just walk for miles without tiring. People tend to travel by bike everywhere, which you will see the sense in, considering the narrow lanes and lack of parking.
The lovely canals are lit up at night, and make some wonderful walks, you can also explore the city by boat in summer, we went at Christmas so there wasn't any running. If you fancy something different head to the square and take a horse drawn carriage around the city. We couldn't afford it sadly, but it's supposed to be magical.

~What can you see~
Let's talk chocolate, Belgium Chocolate is considered one of the finest around, and you can take a tour of a chocolate museum and chocolate factory in one, with a free taster at the end. Seeing how they make their chocolate s fascinating and the taste is unrivalled by anything I've had before - or since.

If you fancy history (which I would assume you do, if you are going to Bruges) then visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood (Heilig-Bloedbasiliek). Even if you are not interested in Churches, this place will take your breath away, it was built between 1134 and 1157 and is said to hold a relic containing a cloth with blood from Jesus, it sits in a vial - a perfume bottle made in the area of Constantinople and dating back to the 11th or 12th Century. It has never been opened since that time! It doesn't really matter if you are a Christian or not, I went there mainly to see the building, (although I was born Roman Catholic). It really is a splendid place, and very interesting. Well worth a visit.

If you go just before Christmas you will find Belgium alive with the hustle and bustle of Christmas Markets, and the one in Bruges is very old fashioned and lovely. There are two squares where it is held, and we didn't realize we had missed half until the end of our holiday; there are stalls, hot waffles, an open air ice rink and the who place is lit up like a Christmas Tree.
It really is worth a visit.

At night, we liked to just walk down the cobbled streets, admiring the buildings, taking in the aroma of Belgium waffles and other delights, and gazing out over the shining canals. Very calming, and awe inspiring.

~What about night life~
Bruges is a quiet, gentle, sophisticated city, and makes no attempt to cater to those seeking a wild time, but if you just fancy a drink, then remember Bruges is in Belgium and they have a MASSIVE selection of beer for you to taste. If you really need a night out, then I recommend heading to Ostend, only about 20 minutes away, but it has a huge casino, lots of clubs and bars.

~Where to stay~
We had no money, so our holiday was budget, but I couldn't have been happier with my accommodation. We stayed at the Lady Jane Bed and Breakfast (google it), the rooms were huge, and themed, we got a Japanese Theme, complete with futon, swords and a low table with stools. We didn't have to eat on the table though, as Hugo (the manager) pointed out, that would be silly. You get your own sitting room and dining room, and bathroom, actually you get the whole floor! Yes, really, the living room is massive, with a TV, fridge, microwave, coffee and tea, two sofas, a fireplace etc. You can bring your own food in (Hugo doesn't mind) and have bread, cheese and salami for dinner! Oh and Hugo makes you a HUGE breakfast and leaves it in you dining room for you, he makes sure there is more than enough for breakfast lunch and dinner! We got about 6 bread roll, 4 types of cold meat, 2 drinks, butter, pastries, jam, chocolate spread etc. Plus it is very reasonable, it cost us around 30 euros a night, might be more now though.

~In conclusions (finally)~
Visit Bruges (and Hugo) you wont regret it.

Summary: A really lovely city