Brugge is on my list of favorite cities in Europe. A lot more fun than I had anticipated after hearing it described as the Venice of the north. However, I will say that Brugge is nothing like Venice, apart from the few canals in the city – and to me, that is a good thing.
The cobblestone streets, the beautiful facades and the zig zag roofs are much like the rest of Belgium, but unlike Antwerp and Brussels, Brugge has a little bit of its own charm.
The rainy drizzly weather was almost fitting in this city. Everything has a bit of a dim, old and gritty look to it. However, when the sun did come out, everything was transformed. The cafes near the canals were full of people drinking Belgian beer and enjoying the view.
One evening we stumbled upon a huge fun fair that was going on. It was fun to have a wander around and listen to all the screams coming from the crazy rides! Its funny that somethings are exactly the same no matter where in the world you are and what language you speak!
The tour around De Halve Maan brewery is a must. The building is no longer in use for mass production of beer, but is amazing how beer was made in this maze of a factory. The best part, however, is the climb to the very top of the building where you can look out over the whole city. A close second is the tasty beer you pick up after completing the tour!
We really enjoyed wandering around the narrow streets and finding little cafes and restaurants. The food is good, the scenery is great, and the culture is amazing – what more could you ask for?
Fig & Honey 