Travel to the city of gingerbread

Gingerbread town in the north of Belgium, the capital of West Flanders, officially recognized as one of the most beautiful places in Europe. Walking through the old Bruges - a real pleasure.

The famous Bruges

The first information about Bruges   It appeared in the III century BC, but, of course, since then nothing left - no buildings, no manuscripts. However, from the VII century, Bruges   It became the main city of West Flanders, and from that time began its prosperity.

One of the most famous "residents" is considered Till Eulenspiegel, the hero of the novel by Charles de Coster. Well, today the name of the city glorified film director Martin McDonagh, whose 2008 film "lie low in Bruges "Colin Farrell in the title role was nominated for an Oscar.

To go to the first

Entrance to the old town begins with a sumptuous old park Minnenwaterpark, which surrounds a very romantic place - the Lake of Love. On its banks leisurely walk in the incredible number of swans, why all the grass is densely covered with white down like snow. Here, near the lake - horse "parking lot." In Bruges you can ride in a carriage or stroller: price, depending on the route varies from 20 to 50 euros. By the way, the horses rush through the narrow streets at high speed, so be careful and do not yawn at intersections.

The second option: you can hire a bike (if you are traveling alone, take a tandem), it is quite cheap, but you get the opportunity to travel around the city entirely: many streets in the center are closed for car and for equine movement, but a bike can be to get anywhere. Veloparkingi stand on every street corner, near all cafes and restaurants, so the problems with this transport you will not have any.

The third option: to sail the canals by boat or tourist boat. It is worth the walk, depending on the boats, from 8 to 20 euros, but be sure to bring a windbreaker: blowing strongly over the channels.

However, if all modes of transport you prefer to own feet, go straight to the Market Square (where the market is long gone, but karuselkah and cafes were) because it's best to start from here.

Begin with a tour of the city from the top of the Belfry (the tallest building in Bruges). Climb the tower is not easy, the old stone stairs sometimes rubbed up holes - in the literal sense, but the panorama of the city, which opens to the upper observation deck is worth the effort. After going down, drink the local beer (it describe below) and go further ...

Where to eat and drink

Whatever migration route of Bruges you choose (and get around in a single day all the museums and cathedrals is impossible - stop, perhaps, at the Museum of Salvador Dali Museum Groningen and the Church of St. Anne), you sometimes have to make a "technical pause" .  Snack in Bruges almost every corner .  If you regret the time the seat in the restaurant (although service is very fast and good), can be purchased at the kiosk plate fries drizzled with mayonnaise, and move on, eating on the go: so do many Europeans .  But it is better to go to a restaurant to taste the most famous local dish - mussels, roasted on the fire in a cast iron pot .  They certainly will be served a plate ... no, still, perhaps, a small bucket of fries (it's everywhere, it seems, just do not give her the ice cream!) And a lot of lemon .  Happy drinking, usually beer - and the usual bright and traditional Belgian fruit: cherry, raspberry, currant, blueberry .  Often it is slightly weaker - the alcohol content of 2-3% .

A snack, go to the next museum or shopping.

What to buy

Since Belgium as a whole - a paradise for the sweet tooth, then Bruges entices its confectionery shop windows. Chocolate and sweets are produced here, crazy. Especially candy with a praline filling - in fact they come up here! From chocolate make houses, rabbits, birds, flowers, ordinary chocolate sets, liqueurs. You can buy Easter eggs to half a meter in diameter, the chocolate part of the human body (made at times very naturalistic) toy furniture ... And in general - Chocolate Bruges - the best gift to friends and relatives.

Belgian second miracle - it certainly lace. Stores and shops selling them are on every corner. However, they are not cheap: if a souvenir picture with a tiny lace flower or SEAL can still be purchased for 4-5 euro, then something like a woven collar will cost about 20 euros, and the tablecloth -more 100. The most popular of most tourist souvenir - little lace parasol.

We are returning to the beer. Special beer stores more like a museum: this diversity is not only varieties, but also beer accessories in conventional supermarkets to be found. There is a bottle volume of 150 ml to 3 liters, beer champagne glasses natipohmelnye, automatic equalizer gait, all kinds of glasses and mugs funny shapes.

Not too well known Belgian such things as clothing and accessories from the brightly colored wool, dishes, stylized mediaeval (crumpled copper kettles and pots, tripods for cooking pots), as well as exquisite leather handbags and purses.

Lovers of antiques can go to the flea market (incidentally, one of the biggest in Europe): it is located on two streets, going straight from the Market Square. What is there just no! Clothing centenary (literally) years ago, dishes (I personally bought a large plate 1924 release, and only 7 euros!), Lovely ladies stuff released in post-war Europe - metal powder boxes, jewelry boxes, tortoiseshell combs ... bargain at the flea market is not It accepted, but not smoking, especially if you want to buy a few items.

Leisure & SPA

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