Take It All In

Take It All In

1 Day: Get thee to Brugge as early as possible on the first day. Must-see spots include the Begijnhof near Minnewater, as well as the great buildings around Burg and Markt squares. Soak up the artwork, including the Groeninge and Memling museums, and Michelangelo's sculpture in the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk. You might take an afternoon canal ride—or, after dinner, when crowds have thinned, you can wander alongside the water.

3 Days: Follow the previous itinerary but spend two nights in Brugge. On the second day, visit more of the city's sights and museums or take a side trip to Damme. Spend the last day exploring the rural countryside of western Flanders: serene villages and World War I sights, such as the battlefields around Ieper and the massive British cemetery of Tyne Cot Alternatively, you could head to one of the North Sea coastal towns, such as Oostende or Knokke, for sun (sometimes), fun, and fresh seafood.