Bruges Guide
Bourgeois, enchanting and atmospheric, Bruges is a mish-mash of charming medieval streets, criss-crossing canals, red brick buildings and museums. Encircled by a ring road housing its four ancient gates, the Venice of the North's 12th-century core is bursting with history, culture, markets and breweries.
Survey UNESCO listed Bruges atop the 88-metre Belfort Tower in medieval Markt Square before ambling to the neo-gothic Basilica of the Holy Blood. Take a canal-side cruise past crooked houses to the Church of Our Lady, home to Michelangelo's Madonna and Child. Stop off for a Brugse Zot beer on the way to the Groeninge Museum (closed from 21 July-3 October, 2009) for Flemish fine art.
Pick up sumptuous Belgian chocolates at Pralinette on Wollestraat, handmade lace along Breidelstraat and designer fashions on Noordzandstraat. Bag some locally brewed Trapist ales around Markt Square and drop into department stores on Steenstraat.
Ride high in a horse-drawn carriage, stroll along the maze of cobblestone streets or cruise the winding waterways until you reach the Lake of Love (Minnewater to locals). When the sun shines have a picnic at Boudewijnpark with its Dolphinarium, or relax in the grounds of a former Franciscan Abbey at tranquil Koningin Astridpark.
Catch opera, dance and drama at the contemporary Concertgebouw, take in art house movies at the central Cinema Lumière and hear contemporary local tunes at the Cactus Muziekcentrum on Magdalenastraat. Learn about Bruges through English-speaking storytellers at the Erfgoedcel (heritage cell) on Wollestraat.
With more three star restaurants than France, Nouvelle Cuisine Belge is up there with the very best. Sample gourmet versions of local favourites beef stew with beer, fried fish balls and steamed mussels with upscale locals at De Karmeliet on Langestraat. For a snack try street stall frietjes (fries) and Belgian waffles, quenching your thirst with a glass of Blanche de Bruges witbier (white beer) on Markt Square.
Wake up at the crack of dawn, pack a thermos of coffee and head north along the Rozenhoedkaai canal to the top of Spanjaardstraat. From here watch the city come to life as the sun creeps up from behind the Belfort Tower and crooked gabled houses.
