Here we GO! Bruges, Belgium was the first stop on our whirlwind tour of Western Continental Europe. I must say right in the beginning that I am terribly sad that I didn't get to spend more time in this amazing canal city. Bruges is known for it's hand made lace and chocolate....mmmm. There is the only Michelangelo sculpture to ever leave Italy in the cathedral here in Bruges. The city is old, quaint, and the canals are amazing. Bruges is a city that you could in fact spend a weekend in, but you probably wouldn't want to stay longer than that. Three days would be enough to have, "been there - seen that." The vibe in Bruges is great and it was warm, friendly, and accessible.
We arrived in Bruges, parked in the centrum, and walked into the town. Many people cycle through the town maximising their chances of seeing everything in a shorter amount of time. Had we been child free, we would have done this, however, we weren't and so we strolled through the town instead. Europe is very cycle friendly and most towns are filled with cyclists.
Hubby posing with the piggies by the canal.
Me posing with the piggies by the canal.
There are lace curtains in the windows of most houses in the UK and continental Europe. Lace curtains seem to be the window covering of choice, and they look really pretty in the windows with the buildings.
Bruges has cobble stone streets, crooked, and colourful buildings.
Handmade lace in the process of being made.
The Pink One loved watching the lace being made.
I found it interesting that on a wall covered in wooden shoes painted as many countries flags the US and Sweden would be right next together, it was as if the wall was meant for me ;)
Souvenir? Oh come on! Who wouldn't want a cork screw like this one? Lol.
The Mrkt- also known as the market. The market is the town square, and here in Bruges there was food and carnival rides in the Mrkt. I had a burger the size of the blue One's head :) while Hubby and the Pink One settled for corn dog sausages and chips.
1 of the many churches in Bruges. I find it interesting that in the churches and Cathedrals they have warning signs for the patrons telling them to beware of pick pockets. We didn't go inside, but many people were coming in and out of the church paying their respects and worshipping.
Ornate and FABULOUS!
Bruges and Belgium's colours.
We waited in line for the canal ride with a fantastic family from Italy. The Blue One and Marguerite hit it off. Amazing how kids and adults can just sort of chat and connect no matter what country you come from or how well you speak the language.
The windows in this hotel are not made from glass, but are crystal. I can't remember just how many crystals he said were used, but it was a lot.
Excited to ride on the boat and thinking of a way to break free from mom and head dangerously close to the water.
The canals.
You can see the line in the distance of anxious tourists waiting to cruise the canals.
Waiting patiently for our turn to board the boat.
View from our boat ride down the canal.
The smallest Gothic window.
The windows in this hotel are not made from glass, but are crystal. I can't remember just how many crystals he said were used, but it was a lot.
The film "In Bruges," with Collin Farrell was filmed at this B&B in Bruges.
The landscape driving from Bruges to Holland was very flat, beautiful, but flat. I can see why Holland is dotted with windmills and dikes, the place is tornado alley flat.
In the end, we probably spent only 3hrs. in Bruges, but like I said, we could have stayed much longer. We had to leave Bruges and hurry on to Holland where we stayed the night. Our trip entailed a 10 day tour staying in a different hotel for each of the 9 nights. We had an agenda and had to hurry out of Bruges to make it to our next stop. Bruges ranks high on my list of favourite places on our trip.
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