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January 30, 2019 By Hailey

In Love with Bruges: 7 Reasons to Fall for This Belgian Beauty

Many traveling souls have fallen head over heels for a particular Belgian beauty named Bruges. The Flemish capital was the first stop on our epic babymoon adventure back in 2017. Little did Justin and I know that it would be the perfect place to start a trip that celebrated our marriage and our love. Allow me to give you a glimpse of this city and share seven reasons to fall madly in love with Bruges!

Just a little note: Bruges is the French spelling, while in Dutch and German, it’s spelled Brugge/Brügge. Because we are focusing on the romantic side of this city, I will refer to it using “the language of love” – French! :)

7 Reasons to Fall in Love With Bruges

Reason 1: Whimsical Waterways and Whirling Windmills

The small network of connected canals that wind their way through the historic center of Bruges puts this city’s charm off the charts. Couple them with beautiful architecture and you have yourself a postcard perfect place.

Bruges Belgium Canal
Bruges Canal Boat Ride

Boat tours glide through the main canals, giving cruisers a unique vantage point to see the city. Tours run from March to November and most companies offer half-hour rides for around 10 Euro.

As if the water element wasn’t romantic enough, Bruges has historic windmills still standing just outside the old city walls, and now the entire rampart circle is a park – great for biking, running, or leisurely strolls through greenery. Interestingly enough, some of these wind-powered machines are still operational, but all of them make for picturesque landmarks!

Reason 2: Outstanding Architecture and Standing History

Reaching its Golden Age during the early Middle Ages thanks to a vibrant trade economy and its oceanside location, Bruges blossomed from a wealthy merchant class that set new architectural standards for the city. Even if you are not a building buff, it’s hard to deny the appeal to the centuries-old brick homes and storefronts with stepped gables juxtaposed to neighboring gothic cathedral spires. Plus, those canals really do add another level of enchantment to the winsome architectural styles!

Bruges Old Town Architecture
Bruges Belgium Blue Door
Bruges Belgium Architecture
Bruges Homes on Canals
The City Hall and Palace of Justice in Burg Square are fanciful examples of Golden Era architecture.

The Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaerde is another architectural and historical point of interest of Bruges. The Beguinage of Bruges is a remarkable walled complex of brick row homes and courtyards dating back to the 16th-18th centuries. The Beguinage served as a community home for lay-women, providing safe space for pious and independent women to live and work. Now, these well-preserved buildings belong to Benedictine nuns who use the gorgeous grounds as a convent. It’s open to the public during daylight hours.

Reason 3: A Bustling Market Square And An Impressive Carillon Tower

With its commanding belfry tower from the 12th century (prominently featured in the black comedy film In Bruges), the gleaming neo-Gothic Provincial Court of West Flanders, more colorful buildings, and an army of horse-drawn carriages waiting for starry-eyed customers, the “Markt” of Bruges has become a central source of entertainment and enjoyment for travelers and locals alike.

Passing through the Market Square at different times of day will reveal the many personalities of this central city space. It’s most quiet in the mornings and most exciting in the early evenings.

Reason 4: Sacred Relics, Sculpted Masterpieces and Other Timeless Treasures

Bruges is home to the Basilica of the Holy Blood, which regularly displays its most prized possession, the Relic of Precious Blood. Since it was brought to Bruges in the 12th century, many have asserted that this small phial contains a bloodstained cloth, a cloth that Joseph of Arimathea used to clean Jesus Christ’s body after his crucifixion and before his burial. Whether you believe this relic to be a sacred treasure or not, the basilica is still a fascinating site to visit.

Basilica of the Holy Blood Bruges Exterior
Basilica of the Holy Blood Bruges Interior
Basilica of the Holy Blood Bruges Relic

Bruges is also the surprising residence of a sculpture by one of Italy’s most famous artists, Michelangelo! A modestly sized model of The Madonna and Child poses inside The Church of Our Lady. This marvelous work of art is a valuable piece to the Belgian collection and was captured by opposing forces during the French Revolution and in WWII. Now, you can view Michelangelo’s work for a small admission price to enter the church.

The Church of Our Lady is another notable landmark of Bruges in its own right. The bell tower is still the tallest structure in the city, and it is the second tallest tower built of bricks in the world. Truly, something worth admiring!

Church of Our Lady
Bruges Church of Our Lady Spire
Bruges Outdoor Flea Market

And if all those wondrous items give you the itch to acquire something special for yourself, maybe you can find the perfect antique souvenir at the flea market along the Dijver River!?!

Reason 5: Rich Flavors and Flavorful Brews

From the tantalizingly sweet scent of waffles wafting through the air to the salty snacks available street-side (I’m looking at you, frites!), Bruges is a wonderful destination for finding rich fare. Almost inescapable, chocolate shops – seemingly posted on every corner in the historic district – contain rows and rows of edible works of art. And with a number of local breweries serving up a vast array of Belgian beers, what’s not to love about Bruges with a belly full of delicious goodness?

Belgian Chocolate Shop
Belgian Chocolate

Hailey Drinking 0.0 Alcohol
Justin Waffle

Luckily, pregnant women (like myself at the time) do have some alcohol-free beer choices in Belgium. Bless them!

Reason 6: Bike Rides and Country Sights

Hiring a bike and heading out of town is one of Bruges’ more active options for travelers. A ride through the Belgian countryside reveals windmills slowly turning, sheep grazing in pastures, and fertile farmland lying between creeks and canals – scenes that inspires poets to pen romantic verses.

The historic village of Damme is less than 8 km away from Bruges’ city center and is easily accessible by bike (just follow the bike path along the Damse Vaart canal). Damme is a great place to grab a meal at one of its many restaurants, and it’s also a haven for book-lovers! A ride out to this village is certainly an enchanting endeavor, but I can’t quite say the same for the round-trip excursion out to the seaside town of Blankenberge (which we did, against strong winds and on failing bicycles). After all, not everyone would find much romance in a 50+ km biking day…

Damme Bruges Village Belgium
Bruges Beach Belgium

Regardless of our ‘accidental’ adventure to the coast and back, I can say with confidence that renting a bike was an absolutely delightful way to spend a day in Bruges. You’ll love it!

Reason 7: Dazzling Colors and Romantic Settings

When the tulips are blossoming, you can join other travelers in marveling at the gardens bursting with colors. With over 400 varieties of vibrant blooms, you’re sure to find at least one that captures your heart.

For a city its size and history, Bruges has a remarkable amount of green space and park settings. With outdoor cafes, trails and gardens, historic towers and ancient walls, the city is primed for leisurely moments with your loved one. You’ll have no lack of opportunity to pick out a favorite spot and spend time soaking up the many reasons to love each other and this Belgian city!

Truly – whether exploring Bruges by foot, on a bike or in a horse drawn carriage – you can’t help but fall in love with this city!

Bruges Belgium Horse Drawn Carriage
Bruges Belgium Bike Rides in Old Town
Domecks in Bruges

At least, that’s how we felt!

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN TO SHARE…
Hey there! Have you ever been to Bruges before? Is it on your Travel Bucket List now? Which Belgian food or drink most excites you? Did you know there were so many varieties of tulips? 

Postcards from Hailey
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Hailey Domeck is a Southern girl with a Spanish heart and Swiss soul.

As a wife, mom, and travel addict, her love for mountains, fairy-tales, and great food keep her mind and heart always on the lookout for the next great adventure.

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💫 2020 - not about travel; all about family. 💫

#littleAlpenRose #WaveyBow
For me, this year was all about #motherhood - the For me, this year was all about #motherhood - the beauty of growing a child in the womb and then nurturing a precious newborn around the clock; the wild roller coaster of shepherding a toddler, whose contagious joy and  stubborn defiance make each day a challenge and a gift; the mundane tasks that help make a home feel warm and welcoming; and a bunch of other things. 

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#littleAlpenRose #WaveyBow
📷: @whitneykeilman
Merry Christmas, y’all! 🤍 No matter your circ Merry Christmas, y’all! 🤍 No matter your circumstances, may you experience JOY in this holiday season and have HOPE  for a brighter year ahead. 

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#littleAlpenRose #WaveyBow 

📷: @whitneykeilman
• T H A N K F U L • We are saying thanks for • T H A N K F U L • 

We are saying thanks for all things in life this week. It’s so easy to get stuck on either the big picture or the tiny details, but I believe it’s important to take it all in - like I did on this ridge overlooking #Manang Village last year while trekking the #AnnapurnaCircuit in #Nepal. 

Creating a culture of gratitude takes intentionality and discipline... and it’s especially not easy when babies and toddlers demand so much of you at all hours of the day and night. Yet, here we are at the start of the holiday season, and I’m choosing to be grateful for the whole lot. 

What are you thankful for this year?
Hooray, it’s the weekend! 🥳 I don’t have a Hooray, it’s the weekend! 🥳

I don’t have any big plans today (#newbornlife), but I’m recalling the joy of “Heidi Hailey” in the Himalayas last November. ☺️ Shout out to @thatdutchieguy for bringing his Polaroid camera on our #CreateConnectNepal journey... what a fun way to capture special moments, - like my favorite stretch of the #AnnapurnaCircuit in the #Manang District ❣️

What are you up to this weekend?
As I sit here nursing an 8-week old babe, it’s j As I sit here nursing an 8-week old babe, it’s just wild to me that on this date exactly one year ago, I was walking among giants and completed the most difficult hike of my life. 

On November 11, 2019, the #CreateConnectNepal team and I went up and over the Thorong La Pass. At 17,769 feet (5416m), this is the pinnacle of the Annapurna Circuit and one of the highest mountain passes in the world. The day began in the dark with a grueling 4+ hour ascent through snow-kissed trails and then required a fierce descent down a bone dry valley. It demanded everything of me. 

Yet, that day up and over Thorong La was just one part of my epic adventure in #Nepal last November. I am eternally grateful for that experience and cherish those memories dearly. I also miss those people a lot. ❣️
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