Our self guided tour today began in the bustling port of Zeebrugge, Belgium. We are starting to visit ports now that we haven’t seen so this will be fun! We had a short shuttle ride to Bruges. A medieval city that we are excited to explore.
Bruges, or Brugge in Flemish (Dutch), is another city filled with history. I’m beginning to learn that all countries have lots of history but this one has chocolate! 😁
Once a thriving commercial hub during the Middle Ages, its wealth and influence are evident in the stunning architecture that line its streets. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site, with millions of visitors each year who come to marvel at its preserved beauty and probably its chocolate.
With a population of around 120,000, Bruges offers a perfect blend of historic charm and modern-day comforts. Everyone spoke great English here with a slight accent. They were so friendly and inviting.
The best and most important part of our visit to Belgium is indulging in its culinary treasures. Bruges offers the best chocolate, waffles and fries. I’m sitting here having some chocolates while writing!
Belgium chocolate is a rich, creamy, and utterly divine, Belgian chocolate and if you’ve never heard of it, I think your head has been in the sand! Its history dates back to the 16th century when Spanish conquistadors brought cocoa beans to Europe. Bruges has embraced this heritage, and we found ourselves lost in a world of chocolate shops, each offering a unique array of tempting treats. We bought so much, they offered us an insulated bag to carry them home with.
Our next stop was for some Belgian Waffles. They are crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside. We enjoyed ours on a stick dipped in chocolate and covered in different treats such as cookies and salted caramel chips. YUM!
I have never heard of Belgian Fries but they are popular here. They are golden brown and crispy but are served with a generous serving of mayonnaise. The secret to their perfect texture lies in the twice-frying process, a tradition here in Belgium. We didn’t taste these but our friend’s said it was surprisingly good! I’ll take their word for it. Maybe without the mayonnaise?!?
As we strolled through the city, we were drawn to a woman handling a musical marionette playing a violin. Several puppeteers were around and brought these charming characters to life, their movements synchronized with the music. This delightful tradition has been a part of Bruges for centuries, adding a touch of whimsy to the city’s charm.
Our exploration led us to two of Bruges’ most iconic landmarks: the City Hall and the Basilica of the Holy Blood. The City Hall, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, stands tall in the heart of the city. Its ornate facade and imposing tower demonstrate Bruges’ rich history.
The Basilica of the Holy Blood is a unique and revered religious site. It is claimed that a relic of Christ’s blood is inside, drawing tourists from around the world.
The Basilica was one of the highlight of our trip, even though we were unable to step inside. Its imposing exterior, a blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles, hinted at the what was housed within. It was next to the City hall and almost dwarfed in size. At first we thought the city hall was the church.
A wonderful day to walk and explore a new city and a new country. Our world cruise is almost over, only 43 days left in our adventure but so much more to see! Our next port is Skagen, Denmark.
May God bless you always.
Chuck and Lea Ann
WorldTravelReynolds 