Sure you can stay in the city center in and around the Grote Markt area, eat overpriced food, buy cheap trinkets from souvenir shops, and window shop for genitalia-shaped chocolates (yes, you can do that), but there’s so much more to Brugge. My first impressions of Brugge were less than stellar, and I almost ended up leaving the following morning, but after a good night's … [Read more...] about Brugge Beyond the Grote Markt
attractions
Lacemaking Lives On in Brugge
If you enjoy history and craftsmanship, then no visit to Brugge is complete without a stop at the Kantcentrum, or Lace Center. It is, in my opinion, one of the best things to do in Brugge and was the highlight of my time in the city. I know what you’re thinking. Oh gawd. Lace? Hear me out. A bit off the beaten path, the Kantcentrum is, at its essence, a museum dedicated to … [Read more...] about Lacemaking Lives On in Brugge
Burnout in Brugge’s Grote Markt
Brugge can be overwhelming. Many of the guidebooks, web guides, and travel forums I consulted prior to my trip say you can spend one day in the city and see everything there is to see. I'm here to tell you that couldn't be further from the truth. Although I didn't like Brugge at first, I learned (eventually) that like any other city, it needs to be savored--slowly--to be … [Read more...] about Burnout in Brugge’s Grote Markt
5 Reasons It’s Okay to Love the Manneken Pis
When I arrived in Brussels I had no fixed plans. I had prepared myself to walk around and simply explore and find the city’s treasures on my own. However, there was one well-known attraction that didn’t interest me in the least. Call me stuffy or call me a prude but at no time did I have any intention of seeking out Brussels’ most famous resident: the Manneken Pis. … [Read more...] about 5 Reasons It’s Okay to Love the Manneken Pis
The One That Got Away
Destinations are like lovers—ask any seasoned traveler and I’m sure they’d agree. When you first arrive in a new place, you feel that initial rush of wild excitement in the same way you do when you meet someone new. And like any introduction, although you’re uncertain how it will all turn out, the air still crackles with the electricity of potential. Over the next few days or … [Read more...] about The One That Got Away