BRUNETTE JETSET

PRETENDING TO BE BRAVE, ONE SOLO ADVENTURE AT A TIME

  • HOME
  • BLOG
  • ABOUT ME
  • WHERE I’VE BEEN
  • BUCKET LIST

The Magical Bruges

March 24, 2015 || 3 Comments

There are some places in the world where walking around fills you with a constant feeling of awe. It might be somewhere you’ve never heard of and just happened to stumble across, or it might ďbe one of the most popular destinations in the world: either way, certain cities are just special. Bruges, for me, was one of those places. Every new alley was more beautiful than the next, each building more charming. Bruges is called the Venice of the North because of all its canals, and it’s become extremely popular for its quaint charm and amazing preservation. Here’s a post about the magical Bruges!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Arriving on the train, I was very underwhelmed by my first sight of Bruges. I didn’t realize that the historic part of town was so clearly divided from the rest, and you arrive outside the city gates which makes it seem quite industrial.

Making my way through the gates, I started to see the amazing Bruges that I’d heard so much about. The buildings got more beautiful, the cars disappeared, but much to my shock not that many tourists came into view. Everyone I’d spoken to had complained about the crowds in Bruges, but not once did I feel like the city was at all busy. I guess that’s what happens when you visit on a gloomy day at the end of January!

I’d wander down a side street and see absolutely nobody else. The architecture and solitude transported me back in time, where I could pretend I was walking around in medieval times. I’ll admit that shows like Game of Thrones have convinced me I’m likely romanticizing medieval life, but that doesn’t stop me from pretending.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
The main square was something out of a fairytale and I just wanted to turn around and around to look at everything. I can imagine this place being a bit less charming when it’s packed in the summer, but as you can see from my pictures there was certainly room to breathe!

Going up the Belfry would also totally suck in the summer with that tiny staircase, but I had no problem. That is, until I totally wiped out down one of the flights and smashed my tailbone into a concrete step. A group of Chinese tourists stood there staring while I awkwardly got up and unsuccessfully tried to hold back tears….thanks for the sympathy, guys!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

  • The short train ride from Antwerp to Bruges was just 6 Euros. From the train station I was able to walk to my hostel!
  • I stayed at the Bruges Europa Hostel which was very cheap. It was outside the historic part of Bruges, but very walkable even despite how sick I was. I’d recommend it for the price, the breakfast, and the location right between the train station and the historic center!

Related

Filed Under: Belgium, Europe

Comments

  1. Chloe Logan says

    April 2, 2015 at 8:24 pm

    I stayed at the same hostel, I loved it and I loved Bruges! It was a bit more crowded when I went, as it was January 1, but charming nonetheless. I wish we had time to climb the Belfry. But we still saw an awesome view from the top of De Halve Maan Brewery!

    Chloe | Wanderlust in the Midwest

    Reply
    • bethanydickey says

      April 7, 2015 at 6:37 pm

      I’m so glad you loved it too! The breweries were a big thing I feel like I missed out on in Belgium – I’m not a beer drinker, but if I wasn’t sick I likely would have checked them out anyway. Next time! 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow

About Me!

I started travelling solo in university, and at 24 I've been to six continents and 57 countries.

Now I'm managing a travel agency and constantly planning my next trips.

I'm Bethany - come follow my misadventures around the world!

Next trips:
April 2020 Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand
June 2020 Peru
November 2020 Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay

Subscribe to my mailing list

* indicates required
Choose what you want to receive:
Today I woke up missing India (??) And am trying t Today I woke up missing India (??) And am trying to remind myself that I cried three times on this specific day lol
No other photo accurately captures how thrilled I No other photo accurately captures how thrilled I am about the first woman vice president!!! And the fact that there won't be a racist homophobic bigot running our neighbor!! I can finally go visit post-pandemic!!
Constantly buried under a pile of books 📘 Thes Constantly buried under a pile of books 📘

These are all the books I bought in October (oops) and there's a video on my YouTube channel talking about them all now 🥰
Am I so obsessed with the colours in our backyard Am I so obsessed with the colours in our backyard that I set up a tripod to take this picture? Yes 😉
We carved the pumpkin on the left into a cat speci We carved the pumpkin on the left into a cat specifically for Luna's sake so it's safe to say we are crazy cat parents now 😂
Unemployment adventures with @emma_m_ryan 🥰 Unemployment adventures with @emma_m_ryan 🥰
I've always dreamed of opening a bookstore/coffee I've always dreamed of opening a bookstore/coffee shop combo and today I discovered that my dream already exists in downtown Halifax 🥰🥰🥰
I am definitely not just holding a club for the ph I am definitely not just holding a club for the photo

Top Posts

  • Stories from Morocco: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
    Stories from Morocco: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
  • Alone in the Most Dangerous Neighborhood in Medellin
    Alone in the Most Dangerous Neighborhood in Medellin
  • The Perfect Itinerary for a Month in Morocco (Part One)
    The Perfect Itinerary for a Month in Morocco (Part One)
  • Romania is Very Underrated
    Romania is Very Underrated

WHERE I’VE BEEN

World Map Placeholder
World Map

And Beyond Theme by The Suitcase Designs