Visit My Adventures to read about our trip to Brussels, Belgium and check out pictures on my Photos page or by clicking into the album through one of the images posted.

Bruges is by far the most famous place in Belgium and the most visited. This is primarily because, unlike many European cities, it was untouched during the two World Wars and therefore it retains all of its original medieval architecture. It is very often called the most beautiful city in Europe.

Highlights:

-Bruges is sometimes compared to Amsterdam because of its many canals and cobblestone streets. In truth, it is actually much prettier. Boat rides through the canals are popular but the boats tend to get very crowded. I recommend walking everywhere. It’s just as nice, you can see everything from the streets and bridges and you can stop if something cool catches your eye.

-The most famous building in Bruges is the Belfort, the belfry tower in the main square. It was built in the 1200s and stands over 272ft high. The view from the top is the best in the city, but it’s a tough 366 narrow stairs to the top. Unfortunately, it was being renovated during our visit but we were lucky enough to be in the square at noon and got to listen to the 47 bells chime to announce the hour.

-There is no shortage of churches in Bruges, but there were two that I found particularly interesting. The Church of Our Lady is known for the stunning sculpture of the Madonna and Child by Michelangelo on its altar. It is one of the few pieces by Michelangelo that can be seen outside of Italy. The Church of the Holy Blood is also home to precious cargo in the form of a relic said to be the blood of Christ! Legend has it that Joseph of Arimathea washed the body of Christ after his death and saved a piece of cloth that was stained with his blood. The cloth was preserved in a vial which is guarded by a priest and can be seen, and even touched, inside the church.

-St John’s Hospital is one of the oldest standing hospital buildings in Europe and the architecture alone makes it worth visiting, but the interesting medical artifacts and the collection of paintings by Hans Memling inside make it a must see. There are six works by Memling here, the most impressive being the large, detailed altar which is truly a masterpiece.

-If you’re looking for something light and fun, the Frietmuseum fits the bill. Here you can learn all about the history of Belgium’s famous fries from the origin of the potato to its journey into oil. I thought it would be silly, but the exhibits are actually interesting and I learned quite a bit. Of course, with all the talk of fries, not to mention the smell permeating the building, you are going to want to taste them after your visit. Luckily, there is a fry shop downstairs!

Bruges is touristy, but that’s only because it’s such a special place. If you visit during the week and get an early start, you can avoid the crowds and enjoy the city at a leisurely pace. Visiting Belgium and skipping Bruges would be like visiting France and skipping Paris….the idea is unheard of.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Bruges Links:
Brugge Official Site
Church of Our Lady
Frietmuseum

Tripadvisor’s Most Talked About Attractions 2012

Visit My Adventures to read about our trip to Brussels, Belgium and check out pictures on my Photos page or by clicking into the album through one of the images posted.

Most of the time when I’ve read about Brussels, it’s about political upheaval or something going on with the E.U., as the city is their capitol. Brussels might be the biggest melting pot in Europe and you will see just about every race and hear every language there. I thought perhaps I would find unrest but, despite their differences, Belgians are some of the friendliest and open people I’ve met!

Highlights:

-The main square in Brussels is the Grand Place and it is grand indeed. It is surrounded by massive buildings, most from the 17th century, the majority of which are government offices. Every two years, it is filled with hundreds of thousands of flowers that form a beautiful flower carpet.

-Not far from the Grand Place you can find Brussels most famous resident, Manneken Pis. Yes, that does mean “little man pee” and he is just that-a statue of a little man peeing! What sets the little guy apart from other fountains, aside from his pose, is his wardrobe. He is clothed several times a week with carefully selected costumes, sent from admirers from around the world. When we visited, he was dressed as a surgeon! After you visit Manneken Pis, check out a display of his old costumes at the City Museum in the Grand Place.

-Belgian chocolate is considered the best in the world and the reputation is well deserved. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also plentiful. You can’t walk more than a block in Brussels without coming upon a chocolate shop. One of the best is Mary Chocolatier, the official chocolate shop of the Belgian royal family. All the treats are delicious, but the truffles are heavenly.

-If you are a fan of art, you’ll probably visit the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, but don’t miss the Magritte Museum which is connected to it. Rene Magritte was a famous Belgian surrealist (think Dali) and the museum has an excellent, well presented collection of his work, including some cool, vintage videos he made with his wife and friends.

-There are many international cities with a landmark built for a world’s fair and Brussels is no exception. The Atomium was built for the exposition in 1958. Consisting of nine giant, connected steel spheres, it’s meant look like a magnified iron crystal cell. Visitors can take a combination of elevators and stairs through the structure which is over 300ft tall. The spheres feature exhibits about the Atomium and architecture and, of course, an amazing view of the city!

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Brussels Links:
Brussels Official Site
Mary Chocolatier
Magritte Museum
Atomium