Brugge, Belgium

After the fiasco in Amsterdam, we arrived this morning back in Brussels at 8:30. Ran to the Conrad and showered and got on the Bruges train by 10:00. We arrived in Bruges, low on sleep, ego, and money. But ready for a new adventure.

We had heard Bruges described as the Venice of the north. A medieval city untouched by the destruction of World War II. A relaxed city with a laid back pace and that was a perfect fit for our current condition.

The city did not disappoint. Bruges was a trading port until the river silted up in the 1600’s. The town slowly declined but the old buildings from its better days survive. Now the local economy survives on tourism. Bruges feels like a trip back in time and this was a pleasant relaxing day.

The main highlight is the untouched medieval city. The canal system can be used to go most anywhere in the city and is mainly filled with tour boats these days.

The city hall was built in 1376 during the most prosperous period of the history of Bruges. The style is called “flamboyant” Gothic by the locals.

The Market Hall is lined by Medieval gabled houses and a market is still held here every Saturday.

Bruges is an excellent day trip. The streets are to small for tour buses. This is one of the best sites to get the feel of medieval Europe. Sometime the charm of the city is much better the the sites listed in the tour books. This is definitely the case for Bruges.