| General summary of city: | | | | selections for dining out, as might be |
| | | | expected, are in the variety of seafood that |
| Bruges, Belgium, from the Norse word | | | | is available, from fresh salted herring to |
| 'Bryggja' meaning "mooring place," is one of | | | | North Sea shrimp. Chocolate is a must for |
| the three regions and the capital of | | | | dessert or for purchase in the many shops or |
| Flanders. Bruges has a population of over | | | | patisseries that surround the city and the |
| 100,000 and covers an area of approximately | | | | Cote d'Or, with an inexpensive selection of |
| 138 km. This historic city, with its natural | | | | chocolate bars. Wine is served in most |
| link to the sea, became a commercial center | | | | places; however, with over 100 breweries in |
| for European trade in early medieval times, | | | | Belgium and 400 varieties, beer is the |
| as the harbor filled with ships carrying | | | | national drink in Bruges. There are three |
| wool, grain, and wine. In a short while, the | | | | types of beer, lager or dark, white, and the |
| door opened for trade with countries on the | | | | lambic homebrewed beer, often flavoured with |
| Mediterranean Sea and the first fleet of | | | | fruit. Beer is relatively expensive, but much |
| ships arrived from Genoa, Italy. With the | | | | stronger than beer from other countries. |
| increase in international trade and the | | | | There are a number of restaurants and pubs |
| influx of capital, Bruges soon became an | | | | such as De Garre that have great atmosphere |
| extremely wealthy city and a worldwide | | | | and serve over 100 different varieties of |
| banking market. Over time, however, internal | | | | beer. |
| revolts between the prosperous tradesmen and | | | | |
| the common people of Bruges led to the | | | | Hotels & Accommodation: |
| subsequent decline of the city as an | | | | |
| important center for trade. As silt began to | | | | Hotel Prinsenhof |
| form and fill the waterway, Bruges was | | | | |
| replaced as a major seaport by the more | | | | Sofitel Brugge |
| accessible city of Antwerp. After its | | | | |
| separation from the Netherlands near the end | | | | Portinari |
| of the medieval period, Bruges today is no | | | | |
| longer known for its maritime prowess, but | | | | Patritius |
| for its preservation as a provincial city | | | | |
| with a wealth of culture and history. | | | | Best Western Premier Hotel Navarra |
| | | | |
| Places of interest: | | | | Small Luxury Hotel The Pand |
| | | | |
| Bruges, often called the Venice of the North, | | | | Relais Oud Huis Amsterdam |
| is actually much further inland, amid | | | | |
| different arms from the sea, waterways | | | | Minotel Azalea |
| created by repeated flooding from the North | | | | |
| Sea. After constant dredging, the Reie River | | | | Hotel De Tuilerieen |
| was turned into a network of canals, the | | | | |
| Water Halls of the Market. The Court of the | | | | Die Swaene |
| Market (Grote Markt), the Castle, and the | | | | |
| small towns of Damma and Suis are visited by | | | | Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce |
| tourists in Bruges on riverboats owned by | | | | |
| five families. The Market has a belfry tower | | | | Crowne Plaza Hotel Brugge |
| from which you have a spectacular view of the | | | | |
| city and the Provincial Court, on the east | | | | Walburg Hotel ****Restaurant |
| side of the square where the original water | | | | |
| halls existed, is a wonderful example of | | | | Hotel de Orangerie |
| neo-Gothic architecture. The statues of Jan | | | | |
| Breydel and Pieter de Coninck, national | | | | Hotel De Castillion |
| heroes, are located In the middle of the | | | | |
| market square. Within the museum adjacent to | | | | Brugsche Suites |
| the Castle, The Shrine of the Sacred Blood | | | | |
| houses the vessel that is carried in a | | | | Graaf Van Vlaanderen |
| procession every year on Ascension Day. The | | | | |
| southern area of modern reconstructed | | | | Hotel Asiris |
| medieval houses still reflects the original | | | | |
| architecture of Bruges. In addition, there | | | | Hotel Ibis Brugge Centrum |
| are several wonderful museums in the city | | | | |
| such as the archaeological museum, with | | | | Hotel Cordoeanier |
| historical exhibits from the Stone Age and | | | | |
| beyond. Another place of interest is the | | | | Hotel Botaniek |
| Groeninge Museum, which houses a magnificent | | | | |
| collection of fine art, containing works by | | | | Hotel Koffieboontje |
| Flemish masters such as Van Eyck, Hugo van | | | | |
| der Goes, Jacob van Oost, and the more recent | | | | Hotel Jacobs |
| expressionist masterpieces. | | | | |
| | | | Scandic Brugge |
| Things to do: | | | | |
| | | | Novotel Brugge Zuid |
| Walking through and around the ramparts that | | | | |
| enclose this delightful, small city is one of | | | | Hotel Groeninghe |
| the best ways to discover its charm. | | | | |
| Carriages can be hired and scooters can be | | | | Hotel 't Voermanshuys |
| rented for an hour or a day of sightseeing, | | | | |
| as well. Day trips by buses (fares are | | | | Hotel de Pauw |
| extremely reasonable) can be arranged to | | | | |
| Sint-Trudo Abbey Male, former castle of the | | | | Hotel Goezeput |
| Counts of Flanders, and the Boudewijnpark and | | | | |
| Dolphinarium, a theme park and panoramic | | | | Campanile Brugge / Bruges |
| aquarena. Take time for a stop at the Lace | | | | |
| Center to watch the local artisans at work | | | | Hotel Malleberg |
| and the Antique and Flea Market where arts | | | | |
| and crafts are featured. Exploring a bit | | | | Hotel Gulden Vlies |
| further in the area around Bruges, you'll | | | | |
| enjoy the beaches at Zeebruge, a small | | | | De Tassche |
| seaside resort, and the quaint village of | | | | |
| Lissewege located between the city and the | | | | Entertainment: |
| coast. Zeebruge lies within 8 miles from | | | | |
| Bruges, connected by a canal, and boat trips | | | | Bruges is a fun-filled city, if you're |
| and visits to the exhibitions of the sea are | | | | looking for some friendly nightlife. The |
| popular things to do. There is no end to | | | | nightclubs are small, but filled with lively |
| great shopping in Bruges, largely between the | | | | conversation, drinking, and dancing. The |
| Market square and the old city gates. A | | | | Grand Café du Theatre features music from |
| number of small specialty shops are situated | | | | the 60's through the 90's, a large selection |
| in the center such as De Kaarsengieterij, the | | | | of beer, and snacks from 6 to 8 p.m. nightly. |
| oldest and only candle shop in Bruges. Here, | | | | If you enjoy sports, the Snooker Palace is |
| you can find garden and interior candles, | | | | equipped with nine snooker tables, three dart |
| candle holders, and t-lights, or if staying | | | | boards, and a pool table. Backpackers in |
| in the city a while, take the opportunity to | | | | Burges will enjoy the Snuffels Sleep-In Bar, |
| order hand-painted candles for gifts and | | | | where plenty of beer is available and free |
| special occasions. | | | | concerts are held every two weeks. Another |
| | | | favorite nightspot is Kant, a sophisticated |
| Food & Drink: | | | | club with a great dance floor, serving the |
| | | | best champagnes and a variety of local beer |
| Bruges is known for excellent food and | | | | and wine. Bars and pubs are popular, as |
| restaurants, featuring French and Flemish | | | | well, such as Celtic Ireland on Burg Square |
| cuisine. Mussels, steamed in beer or wine, | | | | and De Versteende nacht, for Wednesday night |
| are a favorite of the people in Bruges and | | | | jazz. Larger nightspots are nearby in |
| are often served with a side order of French | | | | Antwerp and Ghent. Evening strolls to the |
| fries with mayonnaise. Waterzooi is a type | | | | market square of beautifully illuminated |
| of soup with cream, vegetables, chicken, or | | | | historic buildings, the tranquil parks, or |
| fish, and paling in't groen consists of eels | | | | lovers' lake, are enjoyable pastimes while in |
| with vegetables and herbs. Popular | | | | the delightful city of Bruges. |