I loved Bruges, we only spent 2 days there but I can’t wait to go back. It’s just an amazing place. Below is what we packed into those 2 days.

Go get a waffle. BEST BREAKFAST EVER. Hot, fresh and slightly crispy. With strawberries and whipped cream or banana’s and chocolate. I think there are other choices as well but I didn’t make it past those two. Both are sooooo good. They aren’t just for breakfast or dessert, enjoy the waffle anytime. They are easy to find and well worth it. I don’t have a picture. Too busy eating I guess and I did squeal the first time I saw one with all the strawberries and whipped cream (may have even clapped my hands).

Go for a bike ride. There are many tour companys and we did a tour that went outside the city and into the countryside. So beautiful and it’s flat, so no BIG hills. The cycling is easy and relaxing, except for the cobblestones which are horrible but don’t last long. Other than the cobbles just pedal and enjoy! There are lots of places to rent bikes from and dozens of tour companies. The one we used was Quasimundo.

Chocolate, the chocolate is sooooo good. While wandering around stop in and get one or two chocolates (or truffles) from several places. The choices are amazing. There are old favourites and most stores have one that is their specialty. We started out shopping for a scarf and ended up just searching for more chocolate shops. (Hmmm no pictures, in the future I will take pictures of food before I eat it. I didn’t know I was going to start a blog at the time).

Go up the stairs in Belfry of Bruges. Have you seen “In Bruges”? These are those stairs. It does get very narrow, is a bit of a haul to get to the top (366 steps) but the view. The view is amazing, 360 degree view of Bruges.

Christs blood. Really. You can go to The Basilica of the Holy Blood and touch a container holding a vile that is said to contain Christ’s blood. I went and touched it. Becca, my travelling partner, wanted nothing to do with it. The container is ornate and it’s all very proper. You wait quietly in line and then go up one at a time. There is a lady holding it and she wipes it down after every visitor. Some go by and glance at it but don’t touch, some clutch the box and look like they don’t want to let go, some (me) just kinda poke the box with one finger, some start to cry (not me). Watching the other people go up was my favourite part of the experience. Why are you crying????

More churches, if you like churches there is no shortage of them in Bruges. We visited I think 4 or 5 and then Becca was churched out. The Church of Our Lady has a white marble sculpture of the Madonna and child created by Michelangelo.

Parks and canals. Wander along the canal, go to Minnewater Park and visit with the swans. It’s so picturesque and beautiful. The town IS like a Fairytale, cobbled streets and old medieval buildings. There are statues and art everywhere. We happily just wandered around for several hours. Bruges is also pretty small so it’s hard to get lost. Also you can always see the Belfry as a reference point.

Groeningemuseum has a great collection of  Flemish Primitive paintings.

Beer. The Belgian’s know their beer. Often the beer menu is fifteen pages and the food menu is one. Not kidding. With so many choices it can be hard to decide. Do ask for reccomendations. We found that people like to talk about beer and are more than happy to recommend their favourites or the ones that you really should try. St. Bernardus was one we really liked and  also a blushing monk one which was raspberry flavoured.

Bruges is wonderful there is a Christmas market every year and when I do go to visit in the winter I’ll come back with pictures and tell you all about it!