Recommend September 2011 - (Page 53)

Bruges Romantic Bruges, a UNESCO World Heritage site city and a treasure trove of medieval architecture and design, is arguably one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. This city, very often referred to as the “Venice of the North,” thanks to its intricate network of canals lined by centuries-old homes and buildings, is also one of the oldest cities in Europe. It can trace its lineage back to the first century B.C. when it began as a Roman outpost. From its very first days as a city in the early part of the 12th century, however, Bruges focused on becoming a major port with the building of the city walls and canals, many of which still remain today. Indeed, within 150 years, Bruges had become the first port city to become the main link to trade in the Mediterranean. It became a major player in the cloth trade and by the early part of the 14th century, the city started what was probably the first stock exchange in the world. Today, much of Bruges’ early legacy is still very much evident, with a major focus on traditional Flemish culture. The city’s streets are filled with shops that create and sell the fine Belgian lace that’s popular and envied the world over, as well as the rich, delectable Belgian chocolates for which the city has gained international renown. It wasn’t too many years ago that Bruges’ historic city-center was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The current city boundaries still coincide exactly with those of the medieval city-center, and the spaces and structures that were so typical of Bruges in the past have been preserved. The city’s historical architecture and artistic treasures with fascinating museums and attractions, not to mention an enormous amount of restaurants and romantic spots make a vacation here an experience to remember. 48 Hours in bruges Morning—Day 1 Where to start, where to start. In fact, in Bruges you can start just about anywhere and get caught up in its magical and timeless medieval allure. This is nirvana for the photo enthusiast. With its unforgettable architecture and bustling crowds, there are photo ops everywhere. It’s time to discover that this town which many people have called, “the town that time forgot” is also one of the most magnificently romantic places in the world. There are those wonderfully languid-looking and beautiful canals that wind so romantically around. that resided outside of Italy during his lifetime. It’s a very simple statue of Mary with her son Jesus, with Christ depicted as a young boy called, “The Madonna and Child.” Don’t miss, too, the nearby Basilica of the Holy Blood, with a relic of the blood of Christ. Each year on Ascension Thursday there’s a “Procession of the Holy Blood” when the Bishop of Bruges carries the relic through the streets accompanied by costumed residents acting out Biblical scenes. This procession began in 1291 and has been held ever since. The Hospital Museum is the collective name of two historical hospitals: the eight-centuries-old St. John’s Hospital and the Museum of Our Lady of the Pottery. The old Saint John’s Hospital is one of the oldest existing hospitals in Europe, operating from the 11th century all the way up to 1978. It now houses the Memling Museum, the hospital museum and the old pharmacy. The Museum of Our Lady of the Pottery is known for its spectacular church and silver treasure. Afternoon—Day 1 For history buffs, art lovers and cultural aficionados, there’s no better place to scratch your personal interest itch than with the varied museums under the Bruges Museum umbrella whose diversity has become legendary in this city where arts and other types of museums showcase everything from Flemish Primitives to contemporary art, classical arts to archaeological finds, as well as furniture, silver, tapestries, folklore and poetry. Artistic pieces from the 15th to the 21st centuries are grouped in the internationally renowned Groeninge Museum. This is a don’t-miss, with an extensive collection of pieces by Flemish Primitives such as Van Eyck, Memling and Van der Weyden. Meanwhile, the group of historical museums include the Gruuthuse, the Welcome Church of Our Lady, the Archaeological Museum, Belfry, and City Hall. You’ll find a wealth of art and each site tells the history of Bruges from a different thematic approach. But a must-see is the Welcome Church of Our Lady, which has two distinctions—it has the highest spire in Bruges and inside is the only statue by Michelangelo Evening—Day 1 Take an evening walking tour or better yet, go for a horse-drawn carriage ride that will pick you up at your hotel or restaurant. After you enjoy a romantic dinner at Restaurant Den Dyver, don’t forget the carriage ride back to the hotel. ☞ www.visitflanders.us / F11 http://www.visitflanders.us

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend September 2011

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk: Hilton Hotels & Resorts
Tour Talk: Abercrombie & Kent
Sunset Key Guest Cottages, Key West
Can't Get Enough of Jupiter Beach, Florida
Hanging Out in the Outer Banks
Aloha to Families in Hawaii's Resorts
Cruise Stockholm
Galapagos Islands- Cruising 101: Back to Basics
The Ultimate Family Adventure in Costa Rica
Flanders Travel Planner
Fabulous Family Voyages
China: A Wonderland for Kids
India: Pure Wonderment
An African Adventure
Dreams Punta Cana Resort & Spa, D.R.
The Bahamas: Islands of Adventure
Cayman Islands: A Home Away from Home
Mazatlan Reinvigorated
CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort

Recommend September 2011