Old Europe Romance in Bruges

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A November 2000 trip to Bruges by jim Best of IgoUgo

During a week-long trip to Amsterdam, my girlfriend and I took a road trip to Bruges and found it to be as romantic and charming as people had claimed.

5 reviews
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5 photos

Hansa Hotel

Hotel

The lobby and common areas of the hotel were very elegant and fairly intimate (it was a converted house built in 1869). The rooms themselves were pretty standard and modern (which seemed a bit strange considering the environment). The hotel had a sauna and fitness room (which was minimal at best - as our most European fitness areas in hotels). Breakfast was included in the price of the room. Basically, the breakfast included breads, cheeses, eggs, meats and cereals (the standard breakfast we had throughout the Netherlands and Belgium).

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by jim on June 13, 2000

Hansa Hotel
Niklaas Desparsstraat 11 Bruges, Belgium
32 (0) 5033-8444

Pinogri

Restaurant

We were looking for Belgian food and this restaurant was excellent. Basically, it seemed like a French restaurant and the food was excellent. I had the steak frites and enjoyed it very much. The service was excellent (just remember you are in Europe and food is supposed to be savored, no matter how frustrating that gets sometimes). The atmosphere in the restaurant was also a plus (quiet, romantic, dim lighting).

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by jim on June 13, 2000

Pinogri
Bruges, Belgium
50-343536

Cafe des Arts

Restaurant

We went to this cafe for dessert after dinner. The cafe is on the main square so it is a little touristy, but I still really enjoyed it. The interior has painted walls of different scenery and the view out the window is of the beautiful cathedral in the center of town. We sat next to the fireplace and had wine, dessert and then coffee. The crepes were exceptional.

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by jim on June 13, 2000

Cafe des Arts
Bruges, Belgium

Running

Attraction | "Running around 'Old' Bruges"

This run is very scenic and with things like windmills along the way you have some neat things to look forward to. Also, the majority of the run is through a park with a hard pack surface (much better for your knees than asphalt). Other than a few spots where you have to be careful about traffic, this a leisurely, relaxing, flat run.

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by jim on June 13, 2000

Running
Old Bruges Bruges, Belgium

Biking along the Canals

Attraction

This definitely was more sightseeing and relaxing than exercise. The bikes are single gear, basic bikes (but taller than what I was used to). You basically ride at a leisurely pace throughout the city and take pictures along the way. We also stopped on a few benches, got pastries at a couple of bakeries and just had fun.