Planning a Trip to West-Vlaanderen Region

Take your time and walk around this beutiful city. The people are friendly and willing to tell you where the best restaurants are!

In Summer, Bruges is packed with tourist but come autumn, the capital city of Belgium’s East Flanders is a picture-perfect composition of romantic canals and old buildings hung with red and golden vines. The best way to see, feel and experience its charms is on foot. Strolling through the city, it’s easy imagine being back in the 11th Century, or even an earlier time.

The relative quietness of autumn also provides the chance to linger over Northern Renaissance art and the best place to start is at the Groeninge Museum, to see the works of Flemish Primitives artists. Then visit the Memling Museum to admire the work of the 15th Century artist Hans Memling. Nearby is the Gruuthuse Museum, a mansion built in Gothic style. To view an example of Renaissance Chamber.

For all its museum prices, however, Bruges best work of art in the town itself, whose most panaromic view can be observed from Belfry Tower, a 83 metre high bell tower located at the centre of the town. If you have the stamina to climb the 366 steps to the top, you will be rewarded with a breath taking vista. The whole of flanders at your feet, not unlike a toy city.

Belgian etiquette varies from Dutch etiquette in a number of ways, so don't treat Belgians as if they were Dutch. Belgian etiquette is more like that of France and Italy. Both the Flemish and the Walloons prefer to be addressed in the polite form and using tu or toi when addressing others is generally considered impolite. It's not allowed to smoke in public buildings and although service is included in the bill at cafes and restaurants, it's customary to leave a small tip.
Belgium has the same universal emergency telephone number for ambulance, fire and police assistance as other EU countries: 112. If you dial this number, you'll be connected to the emergency service you need, whether that be the police, fire or ambulance. The operator who takes your call speaks Dutch, French and English. Various police stations are located throughout Bruges. If you want to report a complaint, it's best to go to the big police station at the Hauwertstraat.
Bruges has an excellent public transport system. The station lies within walking distance of the historic centre and the shopping streets. A bus departs from the station to the centre on average every two minutes. During the morning and evening rushes, that frequency increases to one every minute. The best way to get to your destination at night is by bus. Bus departures continue until 23.10 p.m. during the week, and 2.10 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. It's cheaper to buy a ticket in advance rather than on the bus.

If you're looking to have a good night out, then head to Bruges' Eiermarkt, just behind the town square. You'll find a mix of small cafes, bars and a discotheque for the young and not-so-young crowd. Various dance cafes like Coolcat, Pick, Ambiorix and 't Ei all have their own specific character and all draw a totally different crowd. The Eiermarkt is an especially good place to relax on a terrace during the summer. DJs often feature at the weekend.

Bruges really is a fairytale city! The winding alleys and paved roads, coupled with the old, medeival feel to the buildings makes for great photo opportunities! Particularly from the top of the tower in the main square, just hope your camera has good zoom! For food, restaurants either seem to be high class and expensive, or cheap and grotty. Ignore the modern tourist centre building, its a big red shape that looks horribly out of place in such a picturesque old town.

Oostduinkerke is the only town in the entire world where they still fish for shrimp with a horse. You can still visit the Horse-fishermen on the Oostduinkerke Beach.

If you're back packing your way around Europe, I'd definitely suggest trying one of Brugge's many youth hostels. The Passage is a pretty nice little hostel with a BB feel to it. The Bauhaus is a quirky little place that's good to lay your head for a while and the nightlife definitely makes an impression. Another good place to drop your packs for a while with a nice lively nightlife is the Snuffle . They're all pretty cheap and you definitely won't be disappointed with the city.

Wonderful and charming town. You must not miss it!

The Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival comes to Brugge each winter. It is well worth a visit but to avoid the crowds try going towards the end of the festival. We went on the last day it was open in mid January and it was busy but not as bad as it had been when it first opened in late November. www.brugesinfo.com holds a competition each year to win free tickets but otherwise it is around EUR11 for an adult ticket.

You have a verry classy Casino there. James Bond style.