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Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Bruges in a day

Bruges is one of the most favorite west European tourist spots with a medieval outlook. So keeping that in mind, after traveling for over 4 hours by train, we were quite surprised to find the place so serene and barely crowded. A perfect spot for a weekend and bit of a stretch for a day trip (which is what we did). What is great about the place is that once you reach the city center, you can see quite a bit without walking to the extreme ends of the city.

We began with the Onze Lieve Vrowekerk (there seems to be one in every major city in Europe!), which has one of Michaelangelo's pieces - >Madonna and Child.


Before the weather got fussy, we got into a Canal cruise, my very first after coming to Europe. It is indeed a relaxing way to see things.


At the absolute center of the city is the Markt, a large square flanked with huge monuments on all sides.


Around the Markt area lies several important places. Belfort, a world heritage site is a 366 steps, squeezy climb up a tower. The view from the top is worth the effort. Just around the corner are also Gotische Zaal, a hall with carvings and murals depicting the city's history and Brugse Vrije, containing an immense chimney piece.



We next visited the Heilig-Bloedbasiliek (Basilica of the Holy Blood), getting its name from a relic containing Christ's blood.

We took a break at the highly recommended Craenenburg Cafe for cappuccino and waffles. A much deserved break! At last we visited a chocolate museum Choco Story. I just sat down watching a demo of how to make chocolates mostly! :D

Oh and did I mention plenty and plenty of chocolate stores, all over the place! Simply the best I have had so far!

For the rest of the evening we sat down at a corner, watched the people buzz by and relaxed! We wanted to somehow get to this highly recommended restaurant for dinner and got lost a bit. After going a complete circle, it turned out the place was just behind the corner bench we were sitting on :). And as we happily set two steps into the place, the waitress came to us to tell us that the place was fully booked! We walked back to the station and on the way spotted a Thai restaurant. The food in the end turned out to be just fine.

I slept most of the way back home. Even with 8 hours of travel, I had a grand time.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi nice to see you can travel to Bruges a peaceful lonely place.
Can u pl. tell way of travelling..
Is there any boating as i see some canals..

Do we need to walk a lot or what.

thanks for the info :)

~ Lopa said...

hahaha, this laugh is result of that last para :)

So you are back and good to know that you had a nice time :)
I am still looking fwd to visit Bruges, have planned so many times and it got cancelled with some or other reason, may be one of the weekends this summer :)

Invader_Stu said...

Bruges is great. I love the place. I used to go there with my parents as a teenager. IT would be good to go back sometime.

Anita said...

Highly recommended place for a weekend. I have been there many times, winter and summer, alone and with my husband, with my parents and friends... I never get tired of it !!

thamarai said...

Ooooi Lopa, thanks a lot! :) I am sure you will enjoy your trip to Bruges..I have a lot to catch up in your blog..

Invader_Stu and Anita, agreed!It is one place worth visiting several times..

LizzeeB said...

We just spent a week in Brugge, it was absolutely gorgeous, we also saw that chocolate rabbit, it was tres cute. Lucky you only spent a day, cos in a week we ate way too much cheese and drank way too much belgium beer.

Orange said...

I have heard some nice things about Bruges and now your post too points at the same. Its definitely come up a few rungs on my list of week end getaways! A Choc musuem sounds great, ummmmm, mouth has started to water:)

Pinay in Dutchland said...

My three day in Bruges was a lovely trip but yes, one day in that city can get you to almost all the sights. The cathedral is amazing, I wonder if the construction is finish already. What Ive enjoyed most in the city was the coffee and the climb to the big tower. Sooo scary.

thamarai said...

LizzeeB, thanks for the comment..aah! lucky you! I totally think it is a cool place to hang out minus the gaining calories problem! :)

Orangesplaash, I am sure you will have a great time..just pick a sunny weekend..

Pinay in Dutchland, the construction is still on actually! The climb was indeed claustrophobic! Narrow and with so many people climbing up and down on the same way, rather slow!

Naveen said...

bruges nice place...the accomodation where I stayed made me wonder if im in some other century...btw nice posts overall in the blog

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