Our first stop for our pre-trip on “Rhineland Discovery” (courtesy of Viking River Cruises) was the beautiful medieval city of Bruges, Belgium. My boyfriend L and I spent time exploring on our own and with a Viking guide.*
The night before we left home we watched In Bruge, a comedic thriller with Colin Farrell. (Note: It was the movie that prompted me when I arrived in Bruges to attempt to climb the 346 spiral steps up to the top of the Belfort. I never made it to the top – I was too dizzy after the first 173 steps. I still gave myself an A+ for the awesome view halfway up and allowed myself a few extra pieces of chocolate for the calories I burned climbing.)
Fit for a king and queen
Bruges is about 45 minutes from the Brussels airport. We were shuttled by taxi to our lodging at Hotel Dukes Palace. Did I say we were treated like kings and queens? We stayed in the former residence of the Burgundian aristocracy and only five-star hotel in Flanders.
Wow-o-wow, there was a complimentary spa with sauna, steam room, and salt wall. I made sure L and I tried each treatment after our long plane ride. Plus our room had a soaking tub and makeup mirror – two important amenities when traveling during my life after 50. (Did I mention that they also served Belgian chocolate for breakfast? They did. They did.)
Belgian chocolates are the best and so is the food
L and I enjoyed walking around Bruge’s cobblestone streets, the market square where the Belfort stands tall, and meandering alleyways. The Belgian chocolatiers won us over with their expansive varieties of milk and dark sweets –we never resisted samples when offered.
In Bruges, we did what every good Belgian does, we dipped our pommes frites (fries) in mayonnaise and ate moules, mussels steamed in big pots. We missed eating Belgian waffles (no worries, I had one in Amsterdam) because we were too full after our first lunch at Le Pain Quotidien (this bistro is also in NYC but originated in Belgium) and our second lunch at Salade Folle, a delicious natural foods restaurant. We went to Bierbrasserie Cambrinus for dinner one evening, since Belgium is known for its expansive menu of beers. Not being beer drinkers, we sipped wine instead and dined on fresh fish dishes from the region.
Each evening we stopped at Gelateria Da Vinci for a cone of homemade gelato — Stracciatella on Monday and hazelnut on Tuesday. I was a nice girlfriend and shared my cones with L, even though I could have eaten them all by myself.
Venice of the north
On our second day in Bruge, our Viking guide Annike gave us a walking tour of the city, which is the fifth largest in Belgium. She shared Bruges’ founding in the 9th century, its good times and bad times through the Golden Ages, Gothic periods, Napoleon era, and how it developed as a port for trading with its waterways and canals. Thankfully, Bruges had very little damage during WWII, since the Germans used it as an administrative city.
“Economically Bruges was a real busy port,” said Annike. “The first Stock Exchange was here. That’s where the term ‘bursar’ originates. They made parchment books, Flemish paintings, jewelry, cut diamonds.”
She encouraged us to take a boat ride on the canal. “Bruges is known as Venice of the north,” said Annike. The canal ride was lovely and only cost about $7 euro pp.
I did about 20,000 steps on my FitBit while I was in Bruges. It’s a great walking city, especially when the sun is shining, which it was for our stay.
“Catch the vibrations in Europe, it’s so old,” said our Viking program director Fred. I definitely was feeling good vibrations in Bruges. There was no doubt that our Viking voyage was off to a fantastic start.
As they say in Bruges, tot ziens and au revoir for now. Coming soon, next stop Amsterdam.
Judi
P.S. – In case you missed my first recap you can find it at My Travels on “Rhineland Discovery” – A Delight for the Senses.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” Viking River Cruises provided me with a complimentary press trip river cruise on the Rhine. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
What a fabulous trip! I\’ve been wanting to take a Viking cruise for a long time. This one looks amazing.
Suzanne, I was a wonderful experience and so educational. Viking does an amazing job.
You know how much I love Viking River Cruises and adding chocolate to it just makes it even more perfect! I’ve always wanted to visit Bruges. Maybe on our next cruise!
Lois, definitely recommend adding Rhineland Discovery to your list of upcoming cruises. Bruges is such a charming city. You will love the chocolate.
You really can find the best food and take the most amazing pictures in Europe. Beautiful.
Thanks Liv. The scenery is really like a postcard.
Reader L said: Beautiful documentary. So gorgeous!
Looks like you really enjoyed your time in Bruges, Judi! the Belgians really do know how to make great chocolate. I hope the rest of your cruise was equally as delish.
Yes Doreen, it was a fabulous trip.
Bruges is without any doubt one of our fondest memories. You have managed to rekindle the desire to return.
Arnie, Bruges was one of my favorite cities on the Viking pre-trip. Although Amsterdam was great too.
I’ve wanted to see Bruges ever since seeing that Colin Farrell film. It looks lovely. Mussels, fries with mayonnaise and chocolate – perfect!
Definitely book a trip Donna. It was wonderful.
I visited Bruges many years ago and also enjoyed it very much, especially the small museums and flea market. Unfortunately, unlike you with a spa, I stayed in an old-fashioned bathroom-down-the-hall kind of place where I remember actually standing in line to use the shower. Even that had its charm.
Carole, glad you liked Bruges.
What a lucky boyfriend, for more than one reason:-)
Bruges is like a fairytale; one of my very favorite places in Europe. Sounds like a great Viking River Cruise.
Irene, it was wonderful. Yes, L is very, very lucky.