With finances being as they are, short breaks are becoming a more popular, wallet-friendly option.
Being UK-based, central and western Europe is the obvious target.
Where?
Bruges is a small town about an hour’s train journey from Belgian capital Brussels. It’s locally known by its Flemish name of Brugge.
Why?
Thanks to some very sympathetic 19th and early 20th century building, Bruges has managed to retain a the virtually seamless appearance of a medieval market town. It’s very flat, cobbled to within an inch of its life and jam-packed with museums, galleries, churches and chocolate shops.
The main draws to Bruges are art and food. The former is mainly early Flemish masters, of which the most famous is Jan van Eyck, and the latter consists of traditional Flemish beer-based stews, extensive collections of Belgian beers, the classic mosselen (mussels) and, of course, Belgian waffles.
How?
It’s easily reached by Eurostar and local trains (the latter don’t cost extra if you stay within Belgium and travel the same day you arrive) from St Pancras International or by car using ferries or the Channel Tunnel car shuttles. You could of course fly to Brussels instead.
When?
Any time. Summer can be very warm and sunny, but also has more rainfall than winter (not to mention a battery of mosquitos thanks to its winding canals). It’s apparently stunning carpeted in winter frost and snow.
Who?
Anyone! The streets bustled with couples of all ages, both with extended family and without. There seemed an exceptionally high number of people with either very young children in buggies or some sort of mobility impairment. Despite the cobbles, the flat streets and short distances between landmarks make it surprisingly easy for someone in a wheelchair or with a mobility aid to get around.
Bruges is also very dog-friendly, so if you’re travelling with pets it’s definitely one to consider.
Highlights
The main museum draw is the Groeninge. This houses a rotating permanent collection of early Flemish masters and more, containing works from van Eyck, Jacob Ensor and Bosch among others. Unfortunately it is very small, and has a propensity to shut from August to October in order to switch to special exhibitions, shutting for another long period later to change back to the per,manent collection. So if this is what you’re coming to see, check if it’s open before you book.
The Church of the Holy Blood, in which a phial of the blood washed from the body of Christ is said to reside, is also worth a visit from culture vultures if only for its motley collection of architectural influences.
A half hour canal boat ride is worth the seven Euro fee in the summer for a relaxing way to get a feel for the city. Even just wandering aimlessly is profitable – the town is so stunningly, consistently pretty that just taking long walks is a pleasure. If you’re feeling fit, scale the 366 steps to the top of the Belfort and survey the beauty from above.
The worst value dining is found in the two main hubs of tourism, the Markt and the Brug. Both are large town squares, connected by a narrow street, the first containing the imposing, unmissable Belfort (belfry).
That said, prices are pretty much level across the board. There are some exceptionally expensive places, but in most you’re look at 15-25 Euros for a main course. One place we particularly liked was the Dell ‘Arte, a pleasant bar and restaurant serving good quality classics five minutes walk south of the Markt. A good way to save money is to picnic on supermarket lunches and save your cash for a decent dinner – most hotels will include a plentiful continental breakfast.
One of the most expensive but correspondingly worthwhile chocolate shops is The Chocolate Line. Prepare to dribble.
Aside from the unpredictable closures of the Groeninge, Bruges can become a little predictable; I’d say three nights is your maximum. If you have more time, plan in a trip to nearby Ghent or Damme, or perhaps a local tour of the Flanders battlefields.
Local Info
The local language is Flemish, a description for a group of Dutch dialects. However, practically everyone speaks English with near-embarrassing proficiency.
By foot or bicycle are the best ways to get around – bike rentals are common and safety such that locals rarely lock their cycles away. Driving is impractical given a circuitous one-way system and limited daytime weekday street parking, making a longer-term stay in one of the town car parks the best option if you’ve brought the car.
Note: If you’re stuck for a loo when you’re out and about, head for the Belfort. Under the arches are very clean, cheap public loos, including facilities for visitors with disabilities and baby changing gear.
Cost
I travelled with my husband, and we found a deal through Eurostar for a three night stay in charming four-star hotel Jan Brito, including breakfast, for £600 total at the end of July. Deals started, however, at closer to £400 - £450 for two, and other times of year are bound to be cheaper. It’s next to impossible to stay all that far from the centre of town.
I’m hoping to expand this into a series of travel posts, mainly focussing on Europe, but if you’ve got the low-down on somewhere near you and have a short guide to share, contact the BitchBuzz editorial team.
Image via Rich B-S's Flickr