Category Archives: Bruges

Mega photo post! Bruges was so pretty, a really great place to go for a short break. It is so small and easy to get around, every second shop is a chocolate shop, and there are loads of nice cafes and restaurants. Going on the EuroStar made the trip very easy and if you have a EuroStar ticket you get free train travel on the same day within Belgium. We had no trouble with the train this time thank goodness! The weather was baking hot. We spent two nights in Bruges in a lovely hotel and then on the way back stopped for a look at Brussels where we spent most of the time in the park as it was so hot.

I tried a proper Belgian waffle – so delicious. The frites were really good too and was the chocolate – despite all the walking around I don't think that anyone could lose weight on a trip to Belgium. In comparison to France generally there were so many more options for vegetarians or fish eaters, there seemed to be a local specialty of cheese croquettes which were tasty. I enjoyed the great continental breakfast at the hotel, we are so used to staying in budget or backpacker type places that it was such a nice change to be in a posher hotel.

My favorite element of the trip was walking about the streets and coming across little bridges and canals and stopping at cafes for drinks in the sun. We also went on a boat ride and went to the Groeninge Museum which were interesting and very worth doing. It is true that Bruges is very touristy but I didn't think that mattered, what was nice was that there wasn't any of that hassle that can happen at touristy places – no one tried to make us buy things or make go into their stores. It was very peaceful and relaxed. It was much smaller than I was expecting from having seen the film In Bruges, much cuter. We went up the tower that they show in the film, woah what a lot of narrow steps, but the view from the top was great – you can see how extremely flat that part of the country is.

If anyone else was thinking about making the trip these are some tips I can think of: that the trains from Brussels to Bruges go twice an hour, that on the way back Brussels Zuid is the same station as Brussels Midi. That Bruges is almost completely cobbled street so bring shoes that are suitable for this. Note too that it might be a bit hard to wheel a suitcase along these. We only brought a small bag each (my new Kanken bag) which I was glad of. The station is a short pleasant walk from the centre so there was no need for taxis or buses which makes things easier. That many things are closed on a Monday. Oh and that they do not expect a tip in restaurants or cafes.

All-in-all I would love to go back to Belgium some time as it seems like a really nice place with great food and interesting things to see. It was a fun trip :)