cruise chef 866 Posted November 11, 2015 Report Share Posted November 11, 2015 The stop off point for many of the cruise ships for either the short break or longer Baltic voyages, but what does it have to offer?? The sights, the famous Belfry with its winding spiral staircase, not for the vertigo suffers or the even the unfit amongst us with over 360 steps to the top it’s great for the panoramic views of the city at 8 euros each it’s a great way to build up an appetite. Or for the culture visit many of the cities museum and religious buildings, again all tastes catered for from various forms of Art to Lace or Diamonds and if you fancy something really of the wall why not try the Potato museum (yes it does exist!) Travel around the city is easy with guided walking tours or if you fancy putting your feet up why not take advantage of one of the many horse drawn carriages which trot their way around the cobbled stone streets. Shopping is easy also, with all the shops and markets leading from the main square, from the usual tourist shops which adorn any large city or holiday resort to the boutique clothes, shoes & homeware shops that will make you smile (except maybe at the price tag!) Chocolate – Belgian of course, with shops to cater for everyone’s taste & budget. From the cheeky novelty shops to the decadent high class chocolatiers with magnificent works of art that you have to stop and admire, you may stop off for a waffle smothered in Belgian chocolate sauce!! And finally of course Beer, clearly something the Belgians have taken to heart. Whether it’s the beer museum or beer wall adorned with different shapes of bottles to cater for anyone’s taste. Why not try one of the hostelry’s that give you the opportunity to sample smaller measures of several beers to maybe find the one you wish to take home. At least then you will find your way back to your hotel or cruise ship! Oldworldtraveller, Matilda_1, DavidH and 3 others 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Seven Seas 147 Posted November 11, 2015 Report Share Posted November 11, 2015 I love Bruges and definitely want to go back there again but this time instead of going around Easter, I’d love to go around Christmas. Climbing up the Belfort tower was an experience, a scary one at that, as the stairs are so narrow it proves much harder to get down than up, as you’re navigating your way amongst those who are making the way up the spiral staircase to the top. The views at the top are worth it though. We didn’t give the potato museum a try but we did give the chocolate museum a visit where we were given a free bar of chocolate on entry and a short chocolate making demonstration on exit. I would also recommend a boat tour on the canal, though they are only short (ours was around 20 minutes long) we found our guide to be very friendly and informative. The chocolate was amazing, and there definitely was no shortage of chocolatiers, we lost count of how many we actually went in. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
roseyroo 77 Posted November 11, 2015 Report Share Posted November 11, 2015 I loved Bruges at xmas, went a couple of years ago when the xmas markets were on and the ice rink was there, sampled the mulled wine on one of the stalls, would have been rude not to tj42 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DavidH 596 Posted November 11, 2015 Report Share Posted November 11, 2015 It's also a great place for Moules et Frites. The Belgian version of frites is more substantial than their French neighbours and all the better for that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
louise 22 Posted November 11, 2015 Report Share Posted November 11, 2015 we haven't been to bruges for a couple of years now I think a revisit is in order! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
*Dancing Queen* 394 Posted November 11, 2015 Report Share Posted November 11, 2015 Love Bruges especially at Christmas time, nice to see the photo of the best chocolatier in Bruges imo, always pay a visit to Dumon and they never disappoint. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cruise chef 866 Posted November 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 Your right Dancing Queen we tried several but they were head & shoulders above the rest, I hear they now even export although you have to order half a kilo! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Maddie3 55 Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 My mother in laws just got back from Bruges and it looks amazing! Was wondering if anyone knew what date the christmas markets begin? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Seven Seas 147 Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 Was looking at short breaks to Bruges over Christmas last night... Would love to experience the Christmas market! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mimosa 116 Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 I could go back to Bruges again & again. Love the place. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rachel 44 Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 Hi, i love Bruges, you can get the train really easily from Blankeburge to Bruge and it is only about 5 euros return. I have attached the link to the timetable http://www.thetrainline-europe.com/train/blankenberge-to-bruges~8800039~8800029 iknowlescourier 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WAVES 125 Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 would love to go Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sammy sun 1084 Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 A place I have never been. I'd like to visit Bruges one day but I think I would want more time there than just the day. It looks a lovely place and calling in on a cruise would be nice as it would give a taster of the place but not the full feeling for the city. Big fan of the photos cruise chef, particularly the beers, which look pretty special. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Captain Kidd II 798 Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 We are there in May. Thanks for giving some ideas. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cruise chef 866 Posted November 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 They certainly were Sammy, that was my 1st 3 samples, I did have another tray too!! It was an amazing place offering a large variety of local beers and knowledgeable to, you gave her an idea of what you liked she would suggest a particular beer and from there would offer an alternative to your taste. Not the run of the mill Carling or Carlsberg! sammy sun 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cruise chef 866 Posted November 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 If you dont try anything else Captain Kidd II make sure you try Dumon chocolates. If there is anything else you particularly like let me know and I will try to help Captain Kidd II 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sammy sun 1084 Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 They certainly were Sammy, that was my 1st 3 samples, I did have another tray too!! It was an amazing place offering a large variety of local beers and knowledgeable to, you gave her an idea of what you liked she would suggest a particular beer and from there would offer an alternative to your taste. Not the run of the mill Carling or Carlsberg! Sounds good to me! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Oldworldtraveller 2225 Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 Great thread cruise chef and one of my favourite destinations. I have been lucky enough to have been invited there several times over the last couple of years and thoroughly endorse everything you say. I would add that if you are there for several days spend one of them visiting the Battlefields and Cemeteries and another take a cruise along the canals. Go at the start of December and see all the Christmas chocolate displays, they are wonderful. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
*Dancing Queen* 394 Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 My mother in laws just got back from Bruges and it looks amazing! Was wondering if anyone knew what date the christmas markets begin? Here you are Maddie it looks as if they start from the 20th November through to th the 3rd January. http://www.christmasmarkets.com/Belgium.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cruise chef 866 Posted November 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 Thanks OWT, definitely something I want to do. The chocolate displays are good during the year so I bet Christmas is spectacular for them, another trip on the cards for winter sometime soon. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wanderlust 18 Posted November 13, 2015 Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 How far is the cruise port from bruge? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cruise chef 866 Posted November 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 You dock into Zebrugge and its about 25 mins by road, although you can take the ship shuttle to blankenburge board a train whihc is about 12 mins into bruge Usually the ship excursions are expensive for the bus Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Matilda_1 79 Posted November 13, 2015 Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 How far is the cruise port from bruge? It's not far wanderlust, only about 7 or 8 miles I think. There's a shuttle from the port. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
*Dancing Queen* 394 Posted November 13, 2015 Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 The shuttle only goes to Blankenburg Matilda not Bruges. As cruise chef says it's about 25 minutes from the port by road. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wheels36 450 Posted November 13, 2015 Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 One of those places that you have to accept will always be busy, but even more so when a couple of cruise ships are docked. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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