Brugge Vacations, Brugge Vacation Reviews, Tourism Guide

Brugge Vacation Guide

Bruges reputation for being overrun with tourists is something you’ll probably hear of well before you arrive, but, fortunately, that’s nothing like enough of a reason to strike it off your ‘must see’ list. Medieval, picturesque and constructed over a selection of fantastic looking, Amsterdam-like canals (get your timing right in winter, and you can have a great time skating down them), Bruges implores you to drift amongst its chocolate shops and cobblestoned, roadside restaurants.

The Basilica of the Holy Blood is an astonishing, rustic old building that supposedly contains a phial of Christ’s blood brought back from the crusades; the phial itself will underwhelm anyone of minimal religious bent, but the astounding old architecture is well worth a trip. The Church of Our Lady is another astonishing religious spot, home to a Michelangelo’s masterpiece Madonna and Child, and dating back to the 12th century.

Another ancient sight well worth checking out is the World Heritage Site of the Belfry and Market Halls; you’ll hear the bells ring out over the cobbled square in the center of town every so often, while the impressive tower at the top of the intricate building is beautifully lit up at night.

If you feel like escaping the city, you can head to the harrowing Flanders Fields, Passchenendaele and plenty of other hills, bunkers and monuments dating back to sad early 20th century events, or enjoy some beer tasting, after a day trip to the nearby, old-world Monastery Ter Doest, or a quick tour of some of the region’s substantial, fairytale castles.

Cut through the seemingly relentless parade of tourists, and Bruges is a city of romance, picturesque (though dig deep and you’ll learn that many of the buildings are actually re-creations of the originals; most of Bruges isn’t that old), enticing restaurants and a scene that seems to glitter through every season. Whether it’s the summer daffodils of spring or the golden leaves of autumn, though, Bruges is a city rammed full of fascinating streets and alluring history.