syuonthedot

Hi all,
I have one extra day for my Europe trip and now I am torn between:
Luxembourg vs Brugge/Bruges.

I am more interested with scenery compared to buildings/architecture.

If I choose Luxembourg, it will be a day trip from Paris.
If I choose Brugge, it will be a day trip from Amsterdam.

Which one would you recommend and why?

isabel

Well they are both cities so buildings/architecture is going to be an important part. Luxembourg is built up on the side of a huge gorge with some parts down by the river so there are some great views from the cornice. Brugge is flatter but has the canals. I like Brugge better overall but since you specifically say scenery I guess it could be a toss up.

Here are links to my photos of both - maybe they can help you decide.
http://www.pbase.com/annforcier/luxembourg
http://www.pbase.com/annforcier/belgium

hetismij2

Why choose a city if you aren't interested in buildings and architecture?
Why not spend the day seeing something other than a city?

PalenQ

Why choose a city if you aren't interested in buildings and architecture?>

well Luxembourg City is one of the most beautiful in Europe - bisected by a deep deep gorge thru which runs a river - you can tour the Casements, ancient tunnels burrowed out for military reasons thru the years - the architecture in the city itself is IME of being there dozens of times on business rather blah - there are some imposing newish buildings of the E U installations outside of town.

But for natural beauty it's Luxembourg for gorgeous cities.

Bruges on the other hand is all about old Flemish architecture lining quaint canals - I guess canals can by physically beautiful as well.

99% of average travelers will enjoy Bruges infinitely more than Luxembourg, which offers nearly nothing to see besides itself and the Casements but the OP may like Luxembourg a bit better bet given his/her requisites!

brendonb29

Instead of going to Luxembourg city, I recommend seeing the towns inside the country. Mullerthal, Vianden, Clervaux, Esch-sur-sure, Bourcheid castle and Echternach should keep you busy for a day. Brugges is amazing IMO, but besides the canal it is mainly a big city.

bilboburgler

Go to Luxembourg, this is a vibrant city built into a cliff with some fine views

Brugges is pretty but it only came about because of economic decline and now focuses on the tourist trade. Why would one want to go just to a tourist destination?

Aramis

B-r-u-g-g-e

isabel

You would go to Brugge as a tourist destination for the same reason you would go to a museum. To see something well preserved. There are very few well preserved medieval cities left. Most have been changed and modernized as the times changed - or damaged or destroyed during war, earthquakes, etc. Brugge is a 'real' place - people live there and there are modern businesses,etc. but due to specifics of its history (location, economics, etc) it ended up being very unchanged compared to most places. So going there today you get a 'feel' for what it, and similar places, must have looked liked hundreds of years ago.

The architecture, the canals, the setting - all are just very pleasing to look at.

Also, it is not a 'big city' - most people when they think big cities are talking about London, Paris, Rome, Brussels, etc. Compared to those places Brugge is a small town. You can walk around most of it in a couple of hours.

ucsun

Spent a day in Brugge and it was amazing and beautiful. I haven't been to Luxembourg. Watch the movie In Brugge and you can get a real good idea of what the city is like.

greg

The 2008 movie "In Bruges" shows many scenes from this well preserved Flemish city. The DVD extra shows the canal tour. There is also a poor quality version of the DVD extra at youtube. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cqawqeh_1gM

syuonthedot

Thank you everyone. Really appreciate all your opinions.

PalenQ

Why would one want to go just to a tourist destination?>

What an oxymoronic question?

bilboburgler

I also don't understand why anyone would want to go to Disney World? But lots do