It’s strange how one day the world is functioning and the next it simply stops “working”! With the current events, most of the world is on lockdown, and quarantine. With many left questioning what to do, panicking, and overstocking on food and supplies. I, on the other hand, want to stay positive, calm, and remember my trip to Brugge, Belgium, before the virus outbreak.
To describe the city, I would recommend watching the movie “In Bruges”. The film features the city’s beautiful lake and canals, the old square, the tower, cafes, and shops. The drama/crime movie does a perfect job of showcasing the beauty of this perfectly aged and historic Belgium settlement.
While the city’s appearance is old and de règle, like the English high society, it’s found a way to stay current, opening up a large variety of beer and chocolate shops. The twist is don’t expect a pretty box of square and round chocolates from Belgium world-famous brands such as Godiva, Leonidas, Pierre Marcolini, and Belvas. Here, the chocolate shops take after the adult industry in a very untraditional way. Although far from Amsterdam’s red lights district, the theme is all to similar. Most shop’s future windows with naughty delights.
While beer isn’t part of the “Amsterdam inspired” chocolate extravaganza, it’s without a doubt just as famous. Bruges is a city full of shops and bars serving an unbelievable amount of fresh tap beer. Currently, in Belgium, there are 304 active breweries, talk about “variety”. The history of beer and improving the craft of brewing dates back to the 12th century. Some of the oldest still active breweries in Belgium are Roman, Rodenbach, Liefmans Oud Bruin, and the VanderGhinste Roodbruin. The Belgians (Flemish and Walloons) have done it, creating delicious beer and chocolate country that we all should visit one day.
I hope that once everything settles down and travel resumes, we can all take a vacation to Brugge or any other beautiful places. Tell me where you would like to go after all travel start again.
Books/Guides about Brugge & Belgium:
