Belgium: What a Country

Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp all worth a visit.

Belgium is a country most famous for its fries and chocolate. To visit in Belgium are most certainly the cities Bruges, Antwerp and Brussels. All historical cities who have a rich past and are a must for any tourist visiting here.

The most important cities in Belgium are as said before: Bruges and Brussels. Of course Belgium offers way more than just these two cities. Less known amongst regular visitors but certainly worth the trip and time are Knokke and Ostend ( these cities only during summer time as the Belgian coast is quiet during wintertimes), Ghent, a bustling city in the middle of Flanders and on the other side of the country Bastogne and Dinant in the Ardennen and if you are a fan of cycling and walking, a trip to the province of Limburg can be most promising.

Bruges: Part of the World's History

The amount of visitors yearly received by bruges are hugh but what is to wonder. Who has not yet heard of this marvellous city at 20km from the sea. Bruges has a name which is not easily forgotten and will always be remebered, certainly not for someone who has visited this city and wandered around in the curling alleys. This city is all about the world's history. The entire inner city was declared Word Heritage by the Unesco.

During the middle ages Bruges gave birth to the concept of modern banking and modern trade. Historic facts most people don't know. The canals through Bruges were once the blood of the beating heart of the world's leading tradepower. Bruges is a city which you should visit at least once. The charm and romance found in this European city will easily enchant you.

Of course in such a city it is difficult to know what to visit first so i have pointed out a few important places:

• The basilic of the holy blood: They have a relic containing Christ's Blood. It is on display every day and absolute worth visiting. The basilic itself is a very old roman church unique in Flanders
• The famous belfry which you should be climbed all the way to the top. At clear weather the towers of Ghent maybe even Antwerp and a major part of the coast can be seen from up there
• A little well known are the diamond museum, the chocolate museum and the lamp musuem (Lumina Domestica). But they are certainly worth a visit
• The kathedral of our Lady with the famous work of Michelangelo (Madonna with child) and the graves of Maria of Burgundy and her husband

Bruges has a rich amoutn of hotels and restaurants to offer. The overwhelming choice makes it rather difficult to decide on your hotel in Bruges aswell as on your place for dinner.

Hotels in Bruges, many types and sorts

Hotels Bruges come in different sizes and shapes. There are quite some luxurious and very expensive hotels but the largest part of hotels in bruges are found in smaller charming family run hotels. I do believe that those are the hotels in Bruges were you should spend the night as they will most certainly add to the experience of medieval Bruges.

Luxurious hotels in Bruges

The Pand hotel in Bruges is a very luxurious charmant and cosy hotel but of course has a priceticket to it. If money is not the issue than The Pand hotel in Bruges is an absolute preferred choice. The Pand Hotel is situated just of the most beautiful canal in Bruges right in the middle of the city's centre. A romantic stay in absolute luxury is guarateed in the Pand Hotel.

Hotel de Tuilerieën in Bruges is close to the Pand Hotel and offers the same amount of luxury but is a different style. It is one of Bruges' most reknown hotels so expect to be charmed upon arrival. Hotel de Tuilerieën is located along the canal "The Dijver" close to the beautiful cathedral of our holy lady. In short, hotel de Tuilerieën in Bruges: Charming 4 star hotel in Bruges.

Hotel Relais Ravestein in Bruges offers a perfect marriage between classic and new style which will make your stay in Bruges magnificent. Relais Ravestein Hotel Bruges is a top end hotel with a really extraordinary decor where personalised service from the staff and details are paramount. The concept of the hotel Relais Ravestein is based on the well-known boutique hotels Bruges. The 16 suites offer all the facilities the international guest can expect. This is a perfect hotel for a perfect stay in Bruges.

Small romantic hotels in Bruges

Hotel Goezeput in Bruges is the best spot for visiting Bruges and its inhabitants. The hotel Bruges is recommended by "The Rough Guide" and "Le Guide Routard". Hotel Goezeput in Bruges is a charming family run and owned hotel located in an eighteenth century monastery ideally situated at no more than five minutes walk from the Main Market Square. Hotel Goezeput is close to the railway station in Bruges and to all the main attractions Bruges has to offer.

Hotel Walwyck in Bruges is a fairly new hotel and just newly renovated, offers a very good price/quality and is located calmly in the heart of Bruges Hotel Walwyck is most definitely worth a visit and guarantees a pleasant stay in Bruges.

The elegant Hotel De Castillion in Bruges is located at the very heart of the historic city of Bruges. You will fancy yourself in an 18th century mansion during your stay in this hotel. Bruges is a city to explore and the hotel De Castillion has the perfect location to do so. It is found in the shadows of the Sint-Salvators church. Also this hotel offers quite some specials and arrangements as the have an excellent restaurant in house.

Hotel Malleberg in Bruges is a charming family hotel in Bruges, on a truely more than priviliged location in the city centre, very close to the Burg Square and the main Market Square of Bruges. Hotel Malleberg in Bruges welcome you in a very contemporary and beautiful setting. All hotelrooms of Hotel Malleberg have private facilities with shower and toilet, hairdryer and tea & coffee-facilities. In the morning , a delicious breakfastbuffet is served in Hotel Malleberg.

Nice places to have dinner in Bruges

Restaurants in Bruges are even more numerous than hotels Bruges in this city. Choosing your preferred dinner table is best done during the day, while you are wandering through the streets keep an eye open for a lovely restaurant where you would like to have dinner. There is one restaurant on the other hand which you will probably never pass but has an excellent kitchen and charming atmosphere. Restaurant Aneth is a restaurant with only 7 tables so an early reservation is probably the best.

From Bruges to where ... ?

From your hotel in Bruges it is easy to visit some other regions worht visiting. For example we have the coastal region closeby. No more than 20km away you will find Knokke-Heist, a city to be seen, this coastal city is one of the most expensive places of Belgium. Also just a 30min trainride away is the harbourtown of Ostend, well known amongst UK travellers. A day in Ostend at the sea can be a welcome intermezzo from visits in Bruges. It might be an idea to choose Bruges as a base to visit Brussels. This city is a must see when you are in Belgium but although many times stated otherwise, Bruges has far more to offer than Brussels if you are looking for historic visits and want to have a romantic vacation.

Maybe a good idea would be start your vacation in Bruges and then from there move on to one night spend in a hotel in Ghent to live the lively evening atmosphere of Ghent.

The next day you could move on easily by train to a hotel in Antwerp where you can visit the Rubenscity and biggest harbour of Belgium. Antwerp is a city where you can enjoy a very nice meal and for shopping is this the best place in Belgium. Hotels in Antwerpen are fairly cheap compared to Bruges and Brussels.

After a 2 day stay in Antwerp you take the train once more to visit Brussels, the capital of Belgium and Europe. During the weekend the city is much calmer and prices of the hotels in Brussels are far lower than in Bruges. During the week on the other hand a hotel in Brussels is very expensive and althought Brussels hotels has many hotels they can be fastly fully booked. Brussels is always worth the trip but i believe Bruges should always be preferred over Brussels.