Travel Agent - May 12, 2008 - (Page 19)

Bruges keeps most cars outside of the city, maintaining its rustic charm OF ALL THE EUROPEAN CITIES NICKNAMED “VENICE OF THE NORTH,” Bruges stands out as one of the continent’s most charming destinations. Just an hour from the Belgian capital of Brussels, this storybook city has picturesque canals and some of the most immaculately preserved Medieval buildings in Europe. In fact, the entire historic center was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000. In the summer months, day trippers from Brussels crowd the cobblestones but miss out on the city’s atmospheric ambiance when dusk falls over the Gothic spires and gingerbread houses. Your clients could easily spend a few days here soaking up Bruges’ charm: touring the Halve Maan (www.halvemaan.be) beer brewery, biking and boating along the canals, shopping for lace and fine chocolates and visiting the museums and churches that showcase celebrated Flemish art. And it’s not just for the grown-ups: Kids are delighted by Bruges’ attractions, which also include horse carriage rides, excursions to Bambinoland and tours of the Chocolate Museum. The best part of all? Bruges is an astonish- A cozy room in the Hotel Adornes We’ve scouted out the deals in this charming Belgian city BY ANNE-SOPHIE GUÉRIN ingly affordable alternative to other European hot spots: Your clients can enjoy even the most luxurious, top-tier rooms for under 200 euro a night. At a time when the dollar continues to nosedive, this will be music to their ears. We’ve also scouted out some charming, three-star hotels known for their exceptional personal service. Tip: If your clients will be driving, recommend that they park outside the city walls, as Bruges is quiet and (mostly) carless. When booking rooms, you can secure a (limited) parking spot with most hotels. Hotel Adornes (www.adornes.be) is an excellent mid-range choice, which is extremely popular with visitors, who rave about its warm reception. With room rates starting at 110 euro per night (double occupancy), the Hotel Adornes is a great value. The 20-room property is family-owned, now managed by Nathalie Standaert (info@adornes.be, 011-32-50-34-1336), and the building is a gabled 17th-century house overlooking a canal. She trusts in her experienced team members, who have worked CONTINUED ON PAGE 20 May 12, 2008 TravelAgent | 19 http://www.adornes.be http://www.halvemaan.be

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - May 12, 2008

Travel Agent - May 12, 2008 Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor From the Publisher Europe: Bruges Might be One of Belgium’s Best-Kept Secrets Hawaii: Condo Resorts Provide a Plethora of Vacation Choices Pacific/Asia: Manila has Plenty to Offer Visitors of Every Taste Alaska: Icy Strait Point Offers Authentic Alaskan Adventure Pacific Northwest: Airplane Buffs and Wine Aficionados Enjoy Washington Las Vegas: Let Your Hair Down at Some of these Casual Bars Central & South America: History and Culture Beckon in Guatemala Caribbean & The Bahamas: Recent Renovations Have Made the Westin Aruba Resort a Jewel of the Island Cruises: A New Musical is Making Waves on Disney Wonder San Diego Becomes a Major Cruise Port Cover Story: Top Tips for Selling in a Down Economy Rail Travel: Sightseeing and a Gourmet Meal on the Royal Livingstone Express Hotels: There is Plenty to Do at Ski Resorts in the Summer Tours: Photos from the 33rd Annual Mountain Travel Symposium Agent: Eric Ardolino has Won the Technology War Customer Relations: Ensemble Agents use CRM tools Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Luxury Travel Expo Jamaica Will License Casinos Enormous Cruise Ships are Planned ResortQuest Hawaii Continues to Grow 2008 TMU Conference Recap In the Spotlight Agent Access Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - May 12, 2008

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