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