Our next dream is Bruges.
Bruges (/bruːʒ/; Dutch: Brugge [ˈbrʏɣə]; French: Bruges [bʁyːʒ]; German: Brügge) is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium, in the northwest of the country.
The area of the whole city amounts to more than 13,840 hectares (138.4 sq km; 53.44 sq miles), including 1,075 hectares off the coast, at Zeebrugge (from Brugge aan zee,[2] meaning “Bruges by the Sea”).[3] The historic city centre is a prominent World Heritage Site of UNESCO. It is oval in shape and about 430 hectares in size. The city’s total population is 117,073 (1 January 2008),[4] of whom around 20,000 live in the city centre. The metropolitan area, including the outer commuter zone, covers an area of 616 km2 (238 sq mi) and has a total of 255,844 inhabitants as of 1 January 2008.[5]
Cultural program
Bruges is a provincial tourist city and a great place for a relaxing holiday. It is difficult to find a party place, but Flemish architecture, quiet pubs, nice locals and appeasement cannot be avoided. The historical part is listed in UNESCO. Here you can make several walking routes, get lost in romantic parks, climb one of the mills. You can start exploring the city during the Free Walkings Tours in Brugges.
Although a boat trip through the canals seems rather trivial, it is worth it. The streets look completely different. It is advisable to choose a better time, so that the boat was not very closely, there are really many tourists in the city, especially on weekends. Pleasure costs € 8, but the view is fascinating. In the center you can find the pier Boottochten Brugge (Nieuwstraat 11).
If after all walks you are still drawn to history, you should pay a visit to the Historium Bruges Museum of History (Markt 1). It has just been updated, so there’s enough interactive stuff. Will tell about Bruges, neighborhood and Belgium. An additional bonus is one of the most picturesque streets on which it is located.
In the Groeningemuseum (Dijver 12) you can find paintings by Jan van Eyck, a native of Bruges, the same inventor of oil paints and the artist of the early Renaissance – the locals are very proud of him.
If history and silence are boring, drive to the Skate Park or De Comma Youth Center (Binnenwag 4). There are very interesting events on the poster, as a bonus, an additional opportunity to get acquainted with the local get-together.
After long walks, you can lie on the grass or play frisbee in one of the parks. Minnewater-Lake or Lake of Love is located very close to the train station, so you can brighten up the waiting time of the train. And Astridpark arises quite unexpectedly among the narrow streets.
If there is not much time left in stock, do not miss the opportunity to breathe the sea air to the North Sea. The easiest option is to take the train to Ostend (Oostende), it will take no more than 20 minutes. A more interesting option: by bike, drive to Zeebrugg (Zeebrugg), a port city, admire the sand dunes, and is 20 km away. Or at least an attractive option to visit the “kurotny” Knokke (Knokke-Heist) – Belgian Monaco, in the same 20 km. On the streets you can meet famous Belgians, expensive cars and interesting houses. In connection with the “resort” of the town in institutions, the prices are too high (it is worth preparing in advance), but, for example, you can warm up in Restaurant Cézanne (Lippenslaan 98, 8300 Knokke-Heist). The tea room has excellent homemade desserts.
Not far away is the Zwin National Park with a variety of bird species, including flamingos. A place for lovers of nature and sea air, and even in the exhibition hall there are interesting interactive features. Get better by bus from Knokke.
Where to eat
Bruges as a typical tourist town pleases with an abundance of small and very cozy places with a pleasant atmosphere. Prices are Belgian: lunch menu averages from € 12, but portions are excellent.
Start your morning at the Li O Lait coffee shop (Dweerstraat 30), very tasty pastries, interesting coffee mixes and unforgettable hot chocolate with honey and Maltesers. You can catch a Wi-Fi and admire the beautiful pictures on the walls.
For a more serious meal you can