And today, I take you to Bruges – a city which has no sightseeing points but is still named as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The entire city is a spectacle – a sight to behold – it’s like one fine painting where every stroke was done with a lot of detailing but more so love.
I reached Bruges in the dead of night. From the train station, it took roughly 30 minutes to walk to the historic city center. The picture you see above was my first view of the city. Guess what, it was the love at the first sight.
Next few days passed away like a breeze. Most people visit Bruges for a day or two and there I was who could have spent an entire lifetime walking around this little joy.
Bruges has been really lucky as far as historical sites are concerned, none of its medieval attractions was damaged during the two world wars. Walking on the cobbled streets to the sights of medieval architecture and sounds of the horse-drawn carriages, it felt like I had time traveled to middle ages.
The other thing I loved about Bruges for was its canals and bridges. Bruges resembles the Italian Venice minus the gondolas. I prefer Bruges over Venice (YES!!! I have visited both) for the canals and lakes of Bruges are surrounded by extraordinarily picturesque facades and manicured waterfronts.
These channels are home to delightfully regal and graceful swans.
It is believed that citizens started raising and feeding swans after they were punished by Emperor Maximilian-I for wrongly killing his advisor Peter Lanchals. In memory of Lanchals (meaning ‘the long neck’ ), he asked his people make sure swans live in Bruges forever.
A visit to Bruges is something I totally recommend. There are some places that deserve to be visited for the charm and warmth they extend. Picturesque canals, cosy streets, garden of Love, towers, bridges, water rides, churches, swans, restaurants, and chocolate shops; it’s difficult to understand why world took so much time to discover Bruges.
So if Bruges is in your bucket list, here are some quick suggestions:
- The city is not meant for big crowds so book your stay beforehand.
- Please, please, please take the boat tower. You might feel it is touristy, but it is a wonderful way of discovering Bruges. Not expensive (6.40 euros for a ride), it will take you to corners otherwise unreachable for not every canal runs next to a street.
P.S. If you are a Bollywood lover there is a big chance you have already seen Bruges and that you still might not ever consider visiting it. A couple of days before, Aamir Khan- starrer PK was being telecasted and it was the first time ever (for me) that I switched off the movie in few minutes. The way the scenes were shot did no justice to a place as unusually beautiful as Bruges. Sorry for being overly sentimental! But what can I do, I have left pieces of my heart everywhere I go and any injustice to these lands bring disappointment to me.
35 thoughts on “In Bruges”
your skills with words and the camera lens just adds so much to walking shoes…keep writing!
Thank you very much for your kind words, Anuj! Really appreciate it.
pristine
thank you
u r my hero…though i dunno whether i wud evr be able to travel or write about it like u…i still keep it as my best wish…n until i start on my ventures i will travel tru ur eyes…
You will definitely write and travel like me or even better than me. All you need is to start and then magic happens.
B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L
and especially d last Bollywood part <3
thank you so much!
Lovely post Leena. You are one brave girl !
Following your blog religiously. Keep travelling. Keep inspiring !
Thanks Snehal!
Loved your photos. I am also planning a trip to Europe this fall. Let’s see how things pan out
Things will turn out to be awesome! I wish you have a lovely vacation.
Hey! Thanks so much
I’m so disappointed that I didn’t have the opportunity to take a boat tour in Bruges – I’m definitely going to go back in the summer and take the boat tour!
I hope you will love it! Happy vacations!
beautiful shots
Thanks Pamela!
awesome <3 it
Thanks Sachin!
Wow…I wish , someday…I’ll be able to visit this place!! I <3 your blog!
I totally wish you get to visit this beauty and all the other wonderful places on the earth. God bless.
Beautiful place, nice photographs and well written!!
Thanks, Sarvana!
Reblogged this on recipesandroli.
thanks @recipesandroli
Hi,
Thank you sharing your trip with us. It sounds like a very calm and salubrious place. I can read that there is a plenty of stuff that a traveler like me could do out there. I have heard that the place has started attracting a lot of crowds. What do you suggest would be a great time to visit?
Hi Jaspreet. Honestly, there is not much a traveler can do there. It is a really tiny place. It is meant as a place to relax. As you already know, this place has started attracting crowd. I would recommend you to go in the month of September to April. That’s when the tourism is less in entire Europe. I will suggest September/ April as it would neither be too hot nor too cold. Hope this helps. Do let me know if you need any more info. Cheers.
The city has got its own beauty and your words always act like a wizard, whose stick make the blood of excitement to flow with a blow. Your clicks are enough to make someone jealous(in funny tone :P) to visit the heaven of peace(Bruges) at least once.
Thanks Chiku!
Miss walking shoes, your writing is truly inspirational and you seem like a wonderful human being. All the best.
Thanks a lot, Neha for your kind words! Love.
Lovely photos. One of my favorite places. I rented a bike and road to Damme. An amazing way to explore!
I have been three times to Brugges and it’s a superb place. As I write Brugges City Film Office is looking into In Bruges Film sequel😀 try Gruuthuse Hof restaurant great value great food
Say, you got a nice article.Thanks Again. Keep writing.