A quiet treasure
By Albert Alvarez
Called the “Venice of North”, Bruges, also known as Brugge, is a jewel waiting to be found by more and more people.
It was no wonder that I could not stop myself from joining the frenzy of photographers who were taking pictures of the beautiful canals and houses that dotted the city of Bruges.
Who would have ever thought that this treasure of a place, not too far from Brussels, the capital of Belgium, would be a stunning and romantic getaway.
The entire area has recently been declared by Unesco as a World Heritage City, so you can imagine what sort of beauty to expect when you arrive.
Getting there is not a problem at all. Upon arrival at any major airport in Europe, there are train and bus services to Bruges. One can check out the Belgian train service website at www.b-rail.be/main/index.html for more details.
Accommodations are plentiful, from the modest and affordable to the more upscale. A trip to the tourist office will be of great help in finding a place to stay.
Exploring Bruges is best done on foot, for the most part. A handy map is necessary because the streets and alleys may be confusing. If you are feeling a bit adventurous, rent a bike. One can also buy a multi-journey bus ticket if the bus suits you more.
But remember, Bruges is famous for its picturesque views of intricate canals and quaint architecture, so a boat tour is a must on your “things to do” list. In my opinion, the boat tour was the highlight of my trip and capturing it on a camera was essential.
Within this medieval port city, there are several monuments worth visiting, such as the Church of our Lady, with a spire of around 122 meters tall. Upon arriving in the big market square, one will immediately notice the huge belfry that houses a carillon of 47 bells.
Get to visit the Béguinage, a collection of small buildings. Don’t forget the Basilica of the Holy Blood, Concertgebouw (Concert Building), the old St. John’s hospital, Sint-Salvator Cathedral, Groeningemuseum, the Provinciaal Hof (Provincial Court) and the city’s famous gates, such as, the Kruispoort, Gentpoort, Smedenpoort and Ezelpoort.
Bruges is also home to a lot of contemporary art, so be prepared for amazing museums, art galleries, concert halls and performances. There are many cultural events that happen at different times of the year, so if you are an art lover, check out their cultural events calendar at their tourism website, www.brugge.be.
On matters of food and drink, I can mention three significant items: beer, chocolate and Flemish fries. All these can be easily found anywhere and sampling the different varieties is a treat in itself! By the way, Bruges is proud of its own official city chocolate, the Bruges swan (Brugsch Swaentje). Find out more at www.brugsechocoladegilde.be.
For shopping, I found out that lace is quite famous in Belgium, so a trip to these kinds of shops would be worth looking into. Check out www.kantcentrum.com for an idea of what their lace is all about.
Bruges is a beautiful display of canals, cobbled roads, ornate gables that blend into a postcard perfect scene. You will feel like you are in a fairy-tale as you walk its streets and lanes, cross canal bridges, or see the waters, filled with swimming swans. Enjoy the city of Bruges, and don’t ever forget to bring your camera!