Scenic, picturesque & petite. 3 words to describe Bruges. The words sum up the essence but not the spirit. For the spirit, the magnanimity of this magnetic medieval town situated about 110 kms from the capital city Brussels , Belgium is too grand to be captured in a few words. If you are coming by car, the station would be a good place to park. There is a Park & Ride right in front of the station. 24 hour parking costs a measely Euro 2.5. And for those whose who park, a too & fro ticket to the grote is free. Thus paid parking & a free ride to the centre. Bruges is also well-connected by Brussels with a train running every hour and each train taking about an hour to reach Bruges. The station is just a stone’s throw from the central square or the grotte, as the Belge call it.
However, it would be sinful to take a bus ride in Bruges. Sinful because walking on the streets is an experience unmatched. On a warm sunny afternoon, with the moist wind blowing into your face, holding arms of your loved one, capturing the magical moments in the camera, appreciating architecture dating way back to 1200, is a surreal experience that no skyscrapers ridden modern day jungles of concrete can promise to offer.
A good start to this beautiful town is a walk on the old ancient cobbled streets, counting the cobbles and the years written and footsteps imprinted over those hundreds of year old stones. Looking at the cobbles I kept my foot on, I felt each had a story to tell. Story of those millions of tourists that had flocked this little Venice of Northern Europe over years and written on the sands of time, beautiful moments of love.
Divine white coloured swans numbering over 250 swarm over the lake of love or lac d’amour, as the French call it, making it look even more romantic in the beautiful medieval set-up, is a good place to rest & aimlesslessly look around to capture the beauty of the scenic town.
Right next to the lake of love is Begijnhof, undoubtedly the most priceless place in all of Bruges. The home to the religious community of unmarried and widowed women in the 13th century, Begijnhof to this day, has houses for the old & the unmarried dedicated to the religious cause. So make sure to maintain silence as you enjoy the celestial charm of delightful daffodils in this enigmatic quiet dwelling.
As we walked down the street, we came across the College of Europe. The lawyer in me, fell instantaneously in love with the College. Set-up on the banks of Den Dijver, Bruges’ most magnificent canal, College of Europe looks like a feminine figure enrapping in its structure the Beauty with Brains. Rated as one of the finest colleges for European Law, the college is not just a temple for learning the EU law, politics and policy-making, but the environs create a prefect set-up to evoke the poet in you.
Bruges is the heaven for sea food lovers. Lined up with restaurants, the cobbled streets lead us to centuries old fish market. About a stone’s throw away from the Burg square & gothic town hall, the fish market dates back to 1821 and the fishes from the nearby North Sea is available on sale from Tuesdays to Saturdays from 6 am to 1 pm.
Talking about food & love, Burges has one of the three most romantic hotels in Europe. Rated as the Best Charming hotel of Europe, the Pand Hotel, captures in its mansion the mystical charm of the 18th century Europe. Owned by the family Vanhaecke, the beautiful modern day hotel captures the longing medieval charm with its traditional fireplace, like an old English country house, historic classics with their old original versions neatly packed on the shelfs of the library and not to forget the collectors Louis Vuitton suitcases, wooden & glass collectables. The old day set-up is well backed up by modern day luxuries such as Wi-Fi, central heating etc to make the stay a complete holistic experience captured in space & time.
Another very romantic hotel, glorified further by the magical touch of Pieter Porters who has created a magnum opus in each room is the Hotel "De Tuilerieën". The 15 century maison preserving its historic appeal has all the modern day luxuries to make it an ideal stay. Overlooking Burges’ inarguably most beautiful canal, ‘Den Dijver’, Hotel "De Tuilerieën", is small Dutch House in an enchanting setting. Sipping Belgian beer or simply muching the world famous Belgian chocolates with an overview through the Hotels all original Venetian glass windows is perfect date with time.
Bruges has something for everyone. For the art lovers, Groeningmuseum, Memlingmuseum & Onze Lieve Vrouwkerk are a must visit. Onze Lieve Vrouwkerk or the Church of our Lady has Michelangelo’s 15th century masterpiece Madonna & Child.
The historic buildings of Burges are a savor for the eyes as one sees different kinds of architecture lined one after another, providing an occasion to cotton on the subtleties of architecture. The different forms of Dutch architecture followed by the Gothic with its pointed arch, ribbed vault & flying buttress, lined right next to the Renaissance architecture, present a spectrum of construction over centuries.
Bruges for the romantic should begin with a walk and finish with a boat ride. Watching the buildings, the attractions in Boat ride with the multilingual commentary from our driver, gave a feeling so profound, so intense that I felt a day that began on a good note ended on a perfect one!
Despite its tourist rush, expensive eating outlets, the city of canals is never too touristy for a second visit!
