Unique Family Traveler is a Travel Blog written by Mollie Mandell, Travel Agent @ Herricks Travel, a full-service travel agency
Bruges, Belgium is one of those rare places that lives up to its “fairytale” cliché. It’s a city of mist covered canals, gingerbread houses, and the lingering scent of chocolate.
Stepping into Bruges feels like wandering into a 13th-century painting. Known as the “Venice of the North,” this UNESCO World Heritage site is a dreamscape of winding canals, centuries-old bridges, and iconic stepped-gable houses. Although impeccably preserved, the city is more like a modern open-air museum. When planning a trip to Belgium, I recommend a three day stay here to fully immerse yourself in the charms of this intimate city and take advantage of its charming cafes, excellent boutique hotels, and eclectic dining scene. While most river boat cruises dedicate only one day to Bruges, a day is simply not enough! And, wandering the storybook streets of the city at dusk and after dark was a true highlight — once the daytime crowds faded, the city glowed beneath its enchanting evening lights, revealing an entirely different kind of magic
WHAT TO SEE:
Conquer Belfry Tower: climb the 366 steps of this 13th-century bell tower and be rewarded with a panoramic view of a sea of red-tiled roofs below.
The Pulse of Market Square: the beating heart of the city, take a seat at one of the surrounding cafes and enjoy the bustle of the crowd, the colorful guild houses, and the neo-Gothic majesty of the Provincial Palace.
Drift the Canals: hop aboard a canal boat to get the best view of the city’s hidden bridges and secret gardens.
Art and intrigue at Church of Our Lady: home to Michelangelo’s world-famous Madonna of Bruges, this masterpiece has a cinematic history – it was stolen by the Nazis during WWII and recovered from an Austrian salt mine, a story immortalized in the film, The Monuments Men.
A CONNOISSEUR’S GUIDE TO CHOCOLATE & BEER:
The Chocolate Line: this quaint shop sells nontraditional truffles infused with unique flavors like wasabi, cigar leaf, and tequila.
The Old Chocolate House: a cozy, family-run tearoom serving the best hot chocolate.
Chocolate & Happiness: the place to buy beautifully packaged truffles –they make excellent gifts!
De Halve Maan Brewery: historic family run brewery famous for its underground beer pipeline and stunning roof top view.
PARKS & HIGH ART
Minnewater Park: this “Lake of Love” comes complete with graceful swans and a picturesque bridge, perfect for those photo ops.
Groeninge Museum: a premier art institution with a collection of Belgian art spanning six centuries: an abundance of Flemish, Renaissance, Baroque pieces, and works by Belgian Modern artist René Magritte.
WHERE TO STAY:
Hotel Van Cleef: nestled along a quiet canal in the heart of Bruges, Hotel Van Cleef blends aristocratic charm, contemporary design, and intimate luxury in one of the city’s most elegant boutique stays.
DAY TRIPS FROM BRUGES:
Bruges is a great point to explore the rest of Belgium including Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp — all a quick drive or train ride away. Email me to help you plan the perfect Belgium itinerary with stops in all four cities complete with tours. transfer, and hotels.
Dunkirk: a great day trip, drive just over the border from Bruges into France and take a poignant journey through WWII history, You can stand on the very beaches where the mass evacuation of British Soldiers took place – locations made famous again by Christopher Nolan’s epic film of the same name: Dunkirk. This tour was a highlight for our history loving, cinephile sons!
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