BELGIUM city of BRUGGES part 2

BELGIUM city of BRUGGE part 2

The streets of Bruges are winding and narrow, one of them leads to the hump-backed bridge of St. Boniface, which looks onto the Arents Gardens and the chevet of the church of our Lady. Alongside there is the river Reie (Bruge’s main river) with hotels buit just at the edge of the river with picturesque views. During the day many boats, gondolas and other forms of transport use the river to give visitors a tour around the city. Each road, each bridge and each house can be dated and has a long history.

The city of Bruges is known for many things, but lace is one of them, at the city’s folklore museum explores different aspects of lace. The museum is a 17th century house, offers insights into daily life in Bruges throughout the 19th and early 20th century. Every small room has been carefully decorated, with the interiors of a classroom, a tailor shop, chocolatemaker and pharmacy. At the sugar factory, visitors can watch boiled sweeties being made. And in the Black Cat bar, they can actually sit down and have a drink. A real black cat even roams around the museum garden. You can also visit the exhibition at the Gruuthuse museum. Not only is this city palace of the Gruuthhuse lords a stunning place to visit, it also brings together a collection of lacework from the 16th and 17th centuries. The top floor of the Folklore museum shows intricate lacework made by the Fine Arts Academy. The exhibition tells the story of Sophie, a young girl who lived in 1890’s in Bruge.

Dining in holiday hotspots is always a hit-or-miss affair so beware of tourist traps. The Markt’s fritkots are perennial favourites. Fritkots are what we would know as chip shop, very delicious but lots of walking required to burn off the calories. If you are in the mood for something more than a snack, the Olive tree is just a stone’s throw from the main square and serves up delicious Greek cuisine. Or go native and eat at one of the many restaurants on t’Zand, at the edge of the old city.

Bruge still today still remains a wealthy city, a place that attracts intellectuals, artists, romantic travellers and multicultural visitors estimated at over 2 million tourists a year! !

You will need at least two whole days and possibly more to enjoy the city’s views and feel the Brugges unforgettable atmosphere.
The city is recommended as a must when visiting Belgium.