Take a Walk Back in Time at Enchanting Bruges - (L&M3WO)
Written: Nov 19 '04 (Updated Nov 20 '04)
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Pros: Practically unchanged by the passage of time, CHOCOLATE!!
Cons: Not much to do - don't go unless you want a relaxing time!!
The Bottom Line: An enchanting little place that seems to have changed very little over the years.
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| captaind's Full Review: Bruges |
I've been on a couple of day trips to Bruges and, though they were both a few years ago, I can confidently predict that it won't have changed much in that time. In fact that's the whole appeal of the little city – it doesn't seem to have changed significantly for a couple of centuries. If it weren't fo this fact I might be reluctant to voice an opinion on somewhere I visited so long ago.
Bruges is a small place and you wouldn't really want to spend more than a day there. There's not a great deal to see – some nice gardens to walk around, some walks down by the canals, and some wonderful quaint architecture in the town square, but that's it. (I readily admit that on my visits I might well have missed something, but I can only describe what I saw, not what I didn't!!) There are plenty of nice little restaurants and cafés dotted around, serving good food and drink at reasonable prices. (Like in all EU countries except Britain, who sensibly kept the pound – so far - the prices across Belgium were probably surreptitiously pushed up when the Euro was adopted as the national currency.) Most have outdoor seating for you to enjoy the ambience of the outdoor surroundings. There are several shops selling souvenirs and the like, including some good quality reproductions of local artists' work, one of which now hangs proudly on my living room wall. There is less of the cheap and tacky here than in tourist traps, which is a welcome
At least a third of all the shops in Bruges sold the best produce of the country - chocolate. And what chocolate it is! Be warned - don't visit Bruges if you're on a diet! The sheer range of chocolates and chocolate-based cakes is staggering, the prices aren't bad, and the chocolate is oh so nice… Mmmm…
Erm… and there's also beer, which Belgium is quite famous for. The Belgians are not quite as high up on the scale of European beer drinkers as the Czech's, but they're not far off. And they'll make beer out of anything - even cabbages! We took back a trunk of twenty different types of Belgian beer, all made from different things… and I have to say that most of them were foul! But it's an experience if nothing else…
Well, that just about rounds it up. If you're looking for action, adventure, and excitement – look elsewhere. What Bruges is all about is a relaxed attitude and a city that seems like it has its own little time bubble around it to prevent it from changing with the times. If that sounds good to you, you'll enjoy visiting Bruges. If you enjoy seeing old buildings kept in good condition you'll find them here, and if you love chocolate you'll be in heaven (at least until you weigh yourself!). If you like your beer… erm… interesting, there's a lot of new taste sensations for you explore! (Of course, more common beers are available for those with less eclectic palates! For a relaxing day trip, whether alone, as a couple, or as a family, Bruges is a quite enchanting location
This was an entry to Tom's Lean 'n' Mean III WO.
MORE EUROPEAN DESTINATIONS:
AUSTRIA
Kitzbuhel
Salzburg
ENGLAND
London
Birmingham
York
FRANCE
Paris
Eiffel Tower
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Couples
Best Time to Travel Here: Mar - May
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