What is the perfect day in Bruges?
Mar 17th, 2015, 01:38 PM
#1
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What is the perfect day in Bruges?
I read the heart-felt post that one day in Bruges in inadequate--but one day is all we have.
So give me a perfect day in Bruges. We are staying in Brussels, so we will hop a train. How early should we arrive? What should we do in the morning? Where should we eat lunch? An afternoon activity? A place for tea and pastries in the afternoon? What about a light supper before we get back on the train to Brussels?
Art and history are everything to us. The food we want to eat will be traditional Belgian food and it will be served in a casual, family atmosphere.
Thank you all so much!
Ellen
So give me a perfect day in Bruges. We are staying in Brussels, so we will hop a train. How early should we arrive? What should we do in the morning? Where should we eat lunch? An afternoon activity? A place for tea and pastries in the afternoon? What about a light supper before we get back on the train to Brussels?
Art and history are everything to us. The food we want to eat will be traditional Belgian food and it will be served in a casual, family atmosphere.
Thank you all so much!
Ellen
Mar 17th, 2015, 02:14 PM
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Bruges looks like such a post card, it is easy to dismiss as touristy, but it is filled with art and has fine food.
Since art is important to you, do not miss the Hans Memling Museum.
There are 26 art museums and galleries in Bruges. Just google them to see which interests you. I have a minor in art history and a special interest in Flemish and Northern Renaissance painting. We went to Bruges intending to stay one night and ended up staying a week for me to see more.
The area is famous for a stew which I can't remember the name (waterzooi, I think), but I enjoyed it made with chicken. I had it every day we were there. I hated the waffles. We ate in the square or at one of the cafes behind the square. It is touristy, but nice to sit outside enjoying all the flowers.
A canal cruise is fun, but not my favorite thing.
I loved renting bikes and going out by the windmills. You could bike all the way along the canal to Damme.
If you can stay really late, Bruges is gorgeous after dark.
Have ice cream at the place right on the square - the best I ever had anywhere in the world.
If you get there early enough for the market in the square, buy strawberries if they are still in season. They will be small, but taste better than any others you will ever eat.
If you like tea, there is a little shop on one of the side streets where they do their own blends. Great to take home.
Get some Apple tarts to eat later in your hotel. They are delicious. I got one every evening we were there. Plus the ice cream, you need to walk a lot.
Since art is important to you, do not miss the Hans Memling Museum.
There are 26 art museums and galleries in Bruges. Just google them to see which interests you. I have a minor in art history and a special interest in Flemish and Northern Renaissance painting. We went to Bruges intending to stay one night and ended up staying a week for me to see more.
The area is famous for a stew which I can't remember the name (waterzooi, I think), but I enjoyed it made with chicken. I had it every day we were there. I hated the waffles. We ate in the square or at one of the cafes behind the square. It is touristy, but nice to sit outside enjoying all the flowers.
A canal cruise is fun, but not my favorite thing.
I loved renting bikes and going out by the windmills. You could bike all the way along the canal to Damme.
If you can stay really late, Bruges is gorgeous after dark.
Have ice cream at the place right on the square - the best I ever had anywhere in the world.
If you get there early enough for the market in the square, buy strawberries if they are still in season. They will be small, but taste better than any others you will ever eat.
If you like tea, there is a little shop on one of the side streets where they do their own blends. Great to take home.
Get some Apple tarts to eat later in your hotel. They are delicious. I got one every evening we were there. Plus the ice cream, you need to walk a lot.
Mar 17th, 2015, 08:06 PM
#3
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Unfortunately, NONE of us can say what YOU will most enjoy. I recommend that you identify the things you most want to see, note their opening/closing times, and mark them on a calendar. Then see how things fit together.
it's a lovely place - enjoy!
it's a lovely place - enjoy!
Mar 31st, 2015, 02:42 PM
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Thank you both. And kja, I totally agree with you, but sometimes I just want to know what thrills someone else without telling them the kinds of things I myself like to do. It can get me out of my box and opening me up to surprising experiences!
Mar 31st, 2015, 04:29 PM
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https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...russelsAntwerp
coincidence KJA...I was going to suggest the Minnewater in the morning, followed by a walk into town. See the ancient Church of the Blood of Christ just off the Gros Markt and take in one or two of the Museums and/or one of the lace schools in session. (fascinating "show").
Suggest taking the little paddle-wheel ferry for a short sail to Damme and have lunch in Damme at the "Paliateler" (sp.) restaurant.(see [pic). There are countless pastry and chocolate shops all around town and the main street back to the RR Station. Other attractive, very good Belgian food at "Carpe Diem" on walk from Minnewater to Gros Markt, also "Minnewater Tavern" for great mussels and across the street for an appealing menu, "The Dentaliere"....excellent dinner. (Try to find time and room for the best frites anywhere..off of the little green portable kiosks in Gros Markt..even different flavr sauces for each order, next to the bell tower...walk up for great view of the town ad its canals.
There is no shortage of restaurants, beer pubs, museums, waffles and chocolate anywhere in the country. I have made three visits to Brugge over a 20 year period and my adult family has followed on occasion. We all have stayed at The Hotel Egmond...out of the hustle and bustle...but you're not staying overnight. Wish you could.
coincidence KJA...I was going to suggest the Minnewater in the morning, followed by a walk into town. See the ancient Church of the Blood of Christ just off the Gros Markt and take in one or two of the Museums and/or one of the lace schools in session. (fascinating "show").
Suggest taking the little paddle-wheel ferry for a short sail to Damme and have lunch in Damme at the "Paliateler" (sp.) restaurant.(see [pic). There are countless pastry and chocolate shops all around town and the main street back to the RR Station. Other attractive, very good Belgian food at "Carpe Diem" on walk from Minnewater to Gros Markt, also "Minnewater Tavern" for great mussels and across the street for an appealing menu, "The Dentaliere"....excellent dinner. (Try to find time and room for the best frites anywhere..off of the little green portable kiosks in Gros Markt..even different flavr sauces for each order, next to the bell tower...walk up for great view of the town ad its canals.
There is no shortage of restaurants, beer pubs, museums, waffles and chocolate anywhere in the country. I have made three visits to Brugge over a 20 year period and my adult family has followed on occasion. We all have stayed at The Hotel Egmond...out of the hustle and bustle...but you're not staying overnight. Wish you could.
Mar 31st, 2015, 04:35 PM
#7
Just walk around, take a canal cruise, have lunch at outside café ,and enjoy.
You should do a little homework so you will know what you are looking at.
You should do a little homework so you will know what you are looking at.
Mar 31st, 2015, 09:39 PM
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Any day in Bruges is perfect. Seriously, it's adorable. I only had a day - I walked around and popped into some churches, including the one with the blood of the Christ (fortunately on a day when the vial was out for viewing so I got a chance to see it which was a nice surprise). I also looked at all the cute Easter-themed chocolate displays, took a canal ride and went to the old square and it was all just really, really pretty and a lovely day. Whatever you do, you won't regret it.
Apr 1st, 2015, 02:53 PM
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kja, tower, Percy and papillon, you all are on my wavelength! I had discovered the Minnewater and definitely want to wander there. I think we'd love a canal ride, at least if the weather is decent that day. And I found the lace-making museum and put it on the list. Tower, I wish we were staying, too. I always find I need more time, whether I am somewhere for a day, a week or a month. But at least I get my day!
Apr 1st, 2015, 05:08 PM
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"I found the lace-making museum and put it on the list."
I missed that, but suspect I would like it. I think you can probably see bobbin-lace making in any number of shops selling lace in/around town....
I missed that, but suspect I would like it. I think you can probably see bobbin-lace making in any number of shops selling lace in/around town....
Apr 2nd, 2015, 09:13 AM
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Apr 2nd, 2015, 09:29 AM
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If you're taking the train from Brussels, you see the Minnewater as soon as you enter the city once you go towards the forested area and not the city, if I'm remembering correctly. Also be sure to walk through the Beguinage area - it's right past the Minnewater - it's beautiful and very serene.
