Top Ten Travel: Brugge, Belgium

So you found out your taking a trip to Belgium and want to do something original and exciting, how about a trip through Brugge with stops to sample taste and experience all the local beer brews…and the local local’s!

In May of 2011 I did exactly that. On a spur of the moment with a couple I had just me I decided to take them up on their generous offer and headed on a Belgian Beer tour with the destination…Brugge. What is life if you don’t stop and take an un-planned adventure every so often? We had a blast, so much fun in fact that I had to make a top ten travel list of the city so that you can experience the fun too!

Top Ten List for Brugge, Belgium

1. Hop in car and start driving! You will quickly be amazed to see a beautiful brick walled city surrounded by yes…a moat!

2. Drive through the winding streets and arrive at your home away from home, Hotel Cordoeanier. This unique small hotel features all the amenities you could ask for, breakfast a nice little garden and a hotel owner who really understands Belgian Beer.

3. When at the Hotel Cordoeanier make sure you take the time to have a drink at the hotel bar. They have a great selection, good conversation and the owner can give you the details on where to find the local beer markets outside the city for really great deals.

3. Make sure to stop in the main town square and to buy some authentic Belgian fries. Did you know french fries actually originate from Belgium? And that the map of the city features icons for…can you guess? French fries!

4. Slow down, and talk to people around you. I was amazed at how much fun I had conversing with the locals and other visitors. We were lucky enough to talk Belgian politics with the locals and meet the best British WWII veterans imaginable. Dressed up in their white linen suits, out to see the world (or at least parts of Europe) while grieving over the recent loss of both their wives. Marriage advice from two gentlemen who had been married for 60+ years and best friends even longer (they were groomsmen at each others wedding’s) is some of the best relationship advice you can receive!

5. Stop to visit the Abbey of Saint Sixtus of Westvleteren for a unique dining experience, truly local trappist beer and beer ice cream…so delicious and a gorgeous view.

6. Use your GPS, and get lost in the area surrounding the city. Nothing like being lost in the midst of farm fields and dirt one lane roads when you need a restroom!

7. Sample a Belgian waffle, eat a bar of chocolate and stop at the local outdoor market if in the city for a Saturday morning.

8. Buy an embroidery kit at one of the many needle craft stores, did you know DMC embroidery floss is produced in Belgium?

9. Check out the night life and dance the night away in one of the unique day pubs turned clubs with people from all over the world. But make sure if you go you remember two things…your party ring aka wedding ring (and yes a drunk girl did think that the ring below was my wedding ring!) and directions on how to navigate back to your hotel at four in the morning, otherwise you may end up circling the city for several hours before finally resting your head on you comfy bed.

10. Have fun, and most of all take the time to simply pause and enjoy the beauty of this unique gem on your next Belgium or European adventure. And…buy a lot of beer to take home with you!

Loading up the beer cart, it’s great to be able to drive home!

 

My supposed wedding ring (haha!)

Note: This top ten trip is based upon my trip to Brugge in May 2011. If you have any questions about the trip please feel free to contact me as it is a great city and I would love to help with recommendations!

- Katie