Tie breaker - Edinburgh or Bruges
 

We're headed back to London in mid-November to visit our son studying there, and we have three nights to spend either in Edinburgh (not considering the sleeper train) or Bruges - either will be a first time visit. My husband prefers Edinburgh and son wants Bruges. I'm the tiebreaker and I'm torn. Opinions? Thank you.

Brugge! I've been to both places twice but I would choose Brugge because the food, scenery, and architecture will be very different from what you see in the UK. The people are lovely and there is enough to do in Brugge for a couple of days. You could take a short train ride to Antwerp or Ghent if you have a 3rd day in Belgium.

Ditto to Adrienne. Bruges hands down.

Edinburgh!!! (though Brgge would be fine too IME)

But Edinburgh is just magical w/ the castle looming over the whole city, the Royal Mile, etc.

Food the nod goes to Brugge -- but there are some really terrific restaurants in Edinburgh too. But for sightseeing and atmosphere - Edinburgh.

Edinburgh is <i>nothing</i> like anything you'd see in London.

Edinburgh - no question!

Flip a coin; you can't go wrong.

Edinburgh.

Brugge no contest!

Thank you for all your responses! What fun to read them. We all couldn't decide either so we flipped a coin as per Viajero2 (cool screen name by the way) and Bruges won! We definitely will find our way to Edinburgh since we'll be visiting London again and again. Plus I promised my husband it'll definitely be Edinburgh next time.

Three nights is too long in Edinburg,IMHO. Glad Bruges won the coin toss.
Now , go rent the movie "In Bruges" (-; (It's avail via Netflix) An interesting film, set entirely in the city.

We've seen the movie "In Bruges" and that actually what sparked our interest a few years ago.

Bruges will be wonderful . . . But honestly, to say "<i>Three nights is too long in Edinburg</i>" is just weird IMHO.

But then maybe you really did mean Edinburg (as in Texas) and not Edinburg<B><blue>h</B></blue> Scotland . . . .

yes Janis, i meant Edinburg, Texas.

Three days is too long in either, so i'm wierd, in your humble opinion (-:

I've spent weeks in Edinburgh (not all at one time unfortunately) and still haven't see it all. So honestly can't see how 3 days could be too much. But perhaps if you just mean the Castle and Royal Mile and maybe one museum . . . .

Sounds like you just aren't "into" Scotland . . .

Different strokes.

Been to both Bruges no question.

janisj-- you need to take a Chill Pill. You always seems to have organisms going up higher positions of your anatomy; an uncomfortable feeling no doubt, but no reason to take it on nice posters.....

janisj - agree with you about Edinburgh! We were there last
year for 4 days and I'd love to go back.

Great choice. And you have so many other interesting places to visit (Ghent, Ypres/Ieper, etc) an easy train ride away.

I didn't find anything particularly troublesome about janis' posts. She thinks Edinburgh is worth at least 3 days, CaliNurse doesn't, so different strokes. What's wrong with that? People have different interests and travel styles.

Anyway - I think Bruges is an excellent choice and 3 days there is great. We had 2.5 days there and loved it. We didn't take any day trips except a bike ride to De Haan(inclement weather) but we had come from Brussels, which was an easy trip and when we left we travelled through Antwerp, which was also an easy trip. The trains in Belgium are very easy.

I think three nights IN Bruges is too long

Given you're going in November, I think Edinburgh the better choice. It's much bigger, has lots of indoor options.

Edinburgh.
I adore Edinburgh.
It is one of the most atmospheric cities in the whole world.
Bruges is pretty and charming, but Edinburro has so much more history IMO.

If it were not November yes Edinburgh hands down but i were there once in November and the sun sets about 3pm and don't peep back out to about 10am if i recall right.

But toss the coin - you can't go wrong.

"<i>i were there once in November and the sun sets about 3pm and don't peep back out to about 10am if i recall right.</i>"

Nope -- you're 'mis-recalling'

On Nov 15 in Edinburgh, the sun rises at 07:49 AM and sets at 4:05PM

Which is only slightly less daylight then in Bruges @ 7:58 AM and 4:56 PM (a grand total of 25 mins more daylight in Bruges)

I've been to both but only returned to Edinburgh for a repeat visit. It is one of my favorite cities in Europe and indeed is magical. I also think there's plenty to do for more than a week, but that's just mho.

#
Dukey1 on Sep 27, 10 at 1:51pm

I think three nights IN Bruges is too long"

Agree. It is a small place.
Much more to do and see in Edinburgh.

We're actually spending 2 nights in Bruges and one night in Brussels. So we'll have two full days in Bruges, with one day spent earmarked for the Flanders Fields tour. We have about half a day in Brussels to check it out before we head back.

Well, you've already made your decision, but for the record (or posterity, or other readers of this forum struggling with the same decision...), I'd say that there is far more to do and see in Edinburgh than in Bruges. It's a much bigger city, for a start! And much more beautiful IMO.

But I'm sure that two nights in Bruges will be very enjoyable nonetheless.

Why are so many of you squabbling like fishwives? What makes it so difficult for you to accept Nena's choice and wish her a pleasant stay in Bruges?

MLF: The only "squabbling" was one semi-nasty post that seems to have been deleted by the editors.

Several have said Bruges will be just fine even though they might personally choose Edinburgh.

Well if anyone is in Edinburgh in November, come to my orchestra's concert....http://scottishsinfonia.org.uk/

Edinburgh! (I know you already chose though).

We had 3 nights in Bruges, which we thought was great.

Oh man alihutch, I so wish I was there. It sounds wonderful...sigh.

Viajero2, I think that one chill pill is not enough. She clearly should up the dose! Although I do agree that Edinburgh would also be my choice. Brugge was sort of a disappointment to me as was most if Belgium.

Personally i'd go for 2.5 days in Brussels and half a day in Bruges - different strokes agin...