Brugge

[Deleted]

We had a few days in Brugge in 05.

Brugge is an unspoilt little haven with lots of wonderful bars, cafés and chocolate shops!

First photo is of the hotel we stayed in.

[mich64]

Rita, Lovely lovely pictures! This has evoked so many wonderful memories of our trip there. We also stayed at Hotel Ter Brughe, we had the room in the basement by the breakfast room, it was so lovely and the window opened right onto the canal where the swans came right up to our window.

It seems you had a wonderful time there too!
Cheers!
Mich

[Deleted]

We certainly did Mich and we'd like to go back there again one day.

[mich64]

We will be, perhaps next year as my sister is next on the list to come with us to Europe and she desperately wants to go to Brugge. Did you enjoy the Hotel? I thought the breakfast was amazing, not just the food, but sitting right on the canal almost at water level with the swans.
Cheers,
Mich

[Deleted]

We enjoyed the hotel very much indeed, breakfast was really good - I don't remember the swans though, maybe they were busy doing other things during our stay there!

[hwinpp]

Looks like few people were on the street, was it a holiday?

I've been wanting to see Brugge but never made it while I lived in Europe. Now chances are quite remote.

But keep up the posting, Rita, and I won't mind so much

[Deleted]

hwinpp - to be honest I can't remember - just happened that there weren't many people around when I took some of those photo's - at other times the streets were really busy.

If we ever visit Brugge again, I'll be sure to post more photo's just for you.

[mich64]

Our View
Our Room
The swans that would come up to our window

[bjd]

What I find interesting is that Bruges/Brugge was an important centre for cloth-making and a huge port in the medieval period. Now the water access is totally silted over and there is no impression of a port at all.

[Deleted]

I love Bruges, but I have never had a really good meal there, since I have always ended up at tourist traps (the worst being on the main square across from the belfry with my parents -- we had some of the worst moules frites ever in a place where they should be wonderful).

I have spoken with numerous Walloons who have told me that they pretend to be French in Bruges, because if you are French you get acceptable friendly service but if you are a Walloon, they pretend that they cannot speak French at all.

(Then again, I have always found it incredible that every single person in Belgium is not taught to speak the two main national languages as an obligation. And it must be admitted that while the majority of Flemish learn French, the majority of Walloons do not learn to speak Flemish.)

[mich64]

When we arrived in Brugge after a long drive from the Rouen area with a stop at Vimy to see the Canadian monument at Vimy Ridge, we were tired and quickly got lost.

We stopped at a gas station and asked for directions and my father-in-law began speaking French asking for assistance, the man said he would prefer English if we could speak that. So he did so, the man then asked where we were from and when we said Canada he asked if we could wait about 10 minutes, we said sure. He then had his wife drive her car in front of ours and took us to the door step of our Hotel. We were so surprised and happy.

We had great service when we were in Brugge, as I have written before, most people assume my husband's families accent sounds Belguim, so we did okay.
Cheers,
Mich

[bpollet]

Nice pictures!

did you try the brugse's zot brewery (halve maan)? for those who attend to visit this city do not forget to get there and taste the fresh brew!

www.halvemaan.be/

[lagatta]

The Guardian's compilation of its articles on Bruges / Brugge. www.guardian.co.uk/travel/bruges

I see Bruges even has a museum dedicated to the friet. www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2008/may/03/bruges.foodanddrink No doubt they can direct kerouac to some worthy ones and their mussel friends.

[Deleted]

I need to return to Bruges one of these days. It is one of the most touristy cities in Europe, but absolutely worth one day.

While the movie "In Bruges" was probably not meant as a travelogue, it displays the city beautifully.

[lagatta]

I went there in February - certainly not overrun with tourists that time of year. The city looks great in grey mist, but of course I was lucky it wasn't pouring rain, as could also happen.

[Deleted]

I've been there completely out of season as well. I don't mind.

[nycgirl]

Lovely photos! Brugge looks absolutely charming.

[thill25]

"In Bruges" is a great movie...great pics Mich.

[mich64]

Thanks Thill! I have rooms booked at Hotel Ter Brughe for our September vacation! Three nights in Brugge. This weekend I am presenting my sister with our vacation itinerary, so exciting!
Cheers!
Mich

[Deleted]

Hmmmm.... I'm afraid that I find three nights in Bruges a bit much unless you are renting a car to see other things. In three days, I would find it necessary to see Ghent and also the coast.

[bjd]

Back in the days before the euro, my husband and I were driving from the Netherlands to France and decided to stop in Bruges. Well, it was certainly picturesque, the weather was cool and damp (it was July), the central areas were packed with tourists, and we didn't stay long enough to change money to eat something. So after walking around for a few hours, we hungrily drove to France, looking for moules/frites, but got there too late and none of the restaurants were still serving after lunchtime.

So, yes, I agree with Kerouac -- 3 days in Bruges would be too much for me too.

[mich64]

I agree 3 days would be too much if you do not have a car or plans in place.

We will have a car and have quite a lot planned.

Brugge will be a wonderful base to return back to each afternoon where my sister will enjoy walking, shopping and dining after days of visiting sites.

We will be taking a day to drive to Bergen-Op-Zoom, The Netherlands. We did this on a previous trip to visit the Canadian War Cemetery where we visited and took pictures of the grave site of my husbands uncle, however, by accident, he deleted the photos. He promised himself and his father he would return someday, so this is a good opportunity.

I also have a day planned in and around Ieper visiting historical sites and to watch the daily salute to Canadian soldiers at the town gate.

My sister and brother-in-law are avid readers of history so I have many sites planned for them to visit. Three days might not even be enough!

Cheers,
Mich

[Deleted]

With a car, that's great -- you can see lots of other stuff!

[auntieannie]

allow me this musical interlude:


He loved Marieke so much between the towers of Brugge and Ghent...