First things first, for those who have seen the film, we can confirm that Bruges isn't in fact filled with gangsters, prostitutes, drugs and midgets. It is however, rich with culture, history and beer. Not to mention really old buildings and cobbled streets. The cobbled streets should be a point of note; if you intend on getting the train to Bruges, as most people do, a pull-along bag might seem the most convenient. However, making the relatively short distance from the train station side to the side with our hotel on, was slow, tiresome and deafening (And, like us, you may find yourself startling a few residents with your invasion-esque bag-rumbling).
It quickly becomes apparent that Bruges is very, very small. The canal trip takes about half an hour, and don't expect it to be a round trip, you go up one canal, turn around, and come back down the very same canal. Obviously you have to do it though, because you're on holiday, and that's what holiday's are for (and to listen to a man tell the same joke in 17 different languages, appx. €10 each). Another one of those standard holiday must-do's is to climb the 366 steps to the top of the Belfry Tower. It is single file only, so if you happen to be painfully British, then please prepare to apologise and thank people continuously during both ascent and descent. We would also like to note that if you value your ability to hear, start climbing just after the bells at the top have finished ringing. "The Basilica of the Holy Blood" is a minutes walk from the bottom of the belfry tower, they claim to have a vial of Jesus' actual blood, which they present at different times throughout the day, it's free to get in so even if that isn't your sort of thing, its worth having a peek inside like we did.
The stalls were charming and sold anything from complete and utter crap to 14" hot-dogs (Mikey's personal highlight). There was mulled wine and mulled cider, and a chorus of christmas songs, horses and carriages, dodgy dancing and all round great spirit. The food was nice but, as with everywhere, some places are better than others and a general rule of thumb is to avoid the most touristy area's if you want the best food. We can't leave this post without a quick mention of the plethora of chocolatier's, from chocolate willies to life-size dragon's they really do make anything out of chocolate, but if you want the best - make sure you only go to the shop's with "handmade" on the door or window.
Fun fact: Wally de Backer, better known as the pop star Gotye, is originally from Bruges.
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