Bruges: A Medieval Gem

In Bruges, the key is to wander, explore, and soak up its charm... Try a waffle, enjoy some chocolates, and sip a beer. You will discover what YOU enjoy most about Bruges, Flanders, and Belgian delights!

Quick Tips:

When in Flanders, don't speak French. Although the official languages of Belgium are both French and Flemish (Dutch), the Flemish-speakers would rather speak English than French!

However, if you are an avid e-mailer to folks back home, watch out for the French keyboards! Unless you are already a poor typer, the letter placement will drive you crazy and you will give up after only a few sentences. Just save yourself time and money by waiting until you get to another city to send messages home!

Best Way To Get Around:

In my opinion, there is no 'best' way to get around. You can take a bus, get by on foot, or rent a bike. It really depends on your preference and how much time you have there. For more information, see my journal entry entitled, 'Exploring Medeival Bruges'.

This hostel is listed as one of the Top 10 in all of Europe. Here are the reasons we enjoyed it:

*Great location
*Excellent dinners
*Includes a bar (where even some locals take their beer!)
*Great place to meet other travelers
*Nearby laundromat

Dorm-style rooms from 380-1300BF (depending on number of beds). Breakfast available for extra (approximately 60F). Reception 8a-2a. Reservations recommended a few days in advance.

To get there from the train station, take bus #6. Tell the driver where you want to go. You'll be taken to the appropriate stop and given directions from there.

No matter how much you like or dislike history, architecture, or how little you know about Flemish culture, you will fall in love with Bruges. And although tourists can be found around just about every corner, the city still retains its charm.

Because Bruges is well-preserved, free from the destruction of World Wars, you need not search far and wide, for its enchantment will allure you!

You can explore this city by foot, bike, or bus. You can see Bruges independently or with an organized tour. Boat tours along the canals are available as well. No method is 'better' than another, just pick one according to your tastes.

As you explore Bruges, you will come across the Belfry towering over the Markt ( the main square of Bruges). If you so desire, climb the towers 300 plus steps to get a view of this magnificent city. Another Square, the Burg , is decorated by the Gothic Stadhuis (Town Hall) built during medieval times. Nearby, is the Basilica of Holy Blood , so named for its relic.

These and other historic sites dot the city. Just wandering, you will get a feel for it and also discover your own favorite corners. It is impossible to describe Bruges' true beauty. This is one of those places that you just have to see for yourself.

Then, if you want to get a glimpse of the Flemish countryside outside of this town, rent a bike or take a guided tour. You'll find more wonders out there. The possibilities are endless.

To begin, I must let you know that I LOVE bike tours. You get some exercise (although it isn't strenuous), you learn a little about the city (often times more than a guidebook can give you), you see some areas that you couldn't cover on foot, and you meet some great people!

We took this tour for those reasons and were satisfied by all. But be prepared! Rain is common in Flanders and you may end up biking in a downpour! We had the pleasure of this experience, but were glad that the tour motivated us, otherwise we think we would have sat in the hostel waiting for the rain to die down (which it didn't for several hours). It is on this laid back tour that you will have the opportunity to explore the historic sites of the city with all the history right at your disposal from the guide.

Quasimodo Tours offers other bike tours:
Bruges by Night
Border by Bike - a 25km to 30km tour to the Dutch border

Quasimodo Tours offers bus tours, too:
Flanders Fields - the infamous battlefields of the 'Great War'
Triple Treat - Lovely tour of Flemish countryside while stopping for the treats of Belgium: waffles, chocolate, and beer!

Lode, native of Flanders, offers a laid-back, entertaining tour of his homeland. He is passionate, knowledgeable, and funny. Enjoy the countryside of Flanders and listen to what Lode has to offer.

You'll stop for lunch and have time to chat. The Belgian waffles served after lunch (included in the trip) are fresh and warm. Later you will stop and see Belgian chocolate being made. Sample some yourself, and if you like, you will be more than welcome to buy some to take home! Finally, you will end your tour at a local brewery in Bruges. You can choose whether you just want to sip one of the many varieties of Belgian beer or take the tour before enjoying your beverage. Because only about half of our tour group decided to tour the brewery, it felt like a personal tour! Of all the brewery tours in Europe, this, I felt, was one of the best. Then we sat back, enjoyed the brew, and reflected on our day of content in Flanders.

Quasimodo Tours offers another bus tour:
Flanders Fields - the infamous battlefields of the 'Great War'

Quasimodo Tours offers bike tours, too:
Bruges by Bike
Bruges by Night
Border by Bike - a 25km to 30km tour to the Dutch border

This bar, serving over 300 varieties of Belgian beer, attracts tourists and locals alike. It is often packed, so come early or prepare to stand. When you order your beer, it will be brought to you, opened, and poured into its own special glass. Food is served as well. So if you go with a group, order some sandwiches and cheeses and do a little taste-testing.

The bar is closed on Wednesdays, so if you happen to forget and wander around for a beer, just hop into De Hobbit across the street. This is more of a restaurant and doesn't have quite as huge of a selection for beers, but the atmosphere is great.

A fellow traveler said, 'The Belgians treat their beer like the French treat their wines.' This is true! Belgians are very proud of their brews and offer over 500 varieties, which is believed to be more than any other country. Each beer is delicately poured into its own 'special' glass.

While in Belgium, learn a bit about the beers and do some taste-testing. Visit a brewery. Try the big names: Jupiler, Leffe, Duval. Enjoy some fruit beers: Kriek (cherry), Frambroise (raspberry), and Pecheresse (peach). And finally, venture off the popular path and try different varieties... i.e. blondes and triples (9% alcohol). Even if you aren't a beer lover, you will find something that you will enjoy.

Mmmmm! The delights of Belgium are on the tip of your tongue. While in Belgium, you must try both waffles (gaufres) and chocolates.

Be aware, however, from where you buy your waffles! A tour guide warned us that many stands buy frozen waffles and warm them up for tourists. Check the place out before you buy them. My two best waffles were homemade. Our tour stopped for lunch where the waffles were made fresh and warm. They only had a few waffle irons, so they weren't served to the whole tour group at once! I had another delicious waffle in Ghent - a light apple filling on the inside and topped with whipped cream.

As for chocolates, the two popular 'gourmet' chains are Godiva and Leonidas . If you are on a budget, you may be able to find chocolate elsewhere besides these specialty stores. Whatever your preference, at least a piece of chocolate is worth the taste!