We left Amsterdam and got the the Centraal Station and took the next fast train to Antwerp where we would change and head to Brugge for the next leg of our European Decembers Adventures! We arrived in Antwerp to a gorgeous train station!
Below is my mom, brother and me waiting for our train to Brugge
Tell me the train to the righ does not look like the train in Harry Potter headed to Hogwarts?
We arrived in Brugge around dinner time and checked in to our lovely hotel, Relais Bourgondisch Bruyce, where Scott and I and Chris had the whole top floor of the older part of the hotel. My parents were 2 floors below us but the place was PERFECT! We all got changed and ready to head out for dinner and met in the lobby and had a cocktail or two.
View of one of the canals outside the hotel
We had a recommendation from the hotel to try Christophe Bistro which was only about a 10min walk from the hotel (everything is relatively close in Brugge). The food was absolutely AMAZING. I would highly recommend trying the restaurant if you ever go to Brugge.
On our way back from dinner we walked by one of the chocolate shops and saw this interesting sculpture. Do you see something disturbing in this photo?
The next morning we grabbed some breakfast which was of course some waffles and a cup of coffee and then grabbed a few pictures before headed off for our walking tour.
The last picture above is the hotel we stayed at.
We headed up to the markt to start the walking tour, my brother's walking tour. Flashback to 3 years ago, Scott, Chris and I headed over to Brugge for out last weekend while living in London. Chris had flown over for a long weekend to join us on my going away dinner and drinks at work and then for a long weekend in Brugge. We did the Chris walking tour three years ago and he has been refining his tour ever since.
Back to December now.... we had to first grab a gluhwein (mulled hot red wine) before we started the official tour, which also happens to start in the markt.
One of the first points of interest along the walking tour is the 1st stock exchange known. Chris being in the Bond business felt at home here.
You can see by the photo below that the walking tour is going well and that the tour guide (in the blue jacket) is ensuring we are on the correct route! Also a few pictures along the route.
The next main highlight of the walking tour was a stop at the watering hole (oldest pub) for a few beverages to wet the pallette. By the way they only have 2 beers on tap and the place is extremly small and quiant which was perfect.
After leaving the pub we continued walking saw this "peeing pole" as we dubbed it by a church. A little odd but nonetheless I think all dogs would flock there regardless due to all the smells.
We then came upon the "Bobbin Lace Museaum" which my mom was waiting to go to. Of course when we got there they were closed for lunch but would be back in a few minutes, so my mom and I stayed there and waited for it to open while the gents continued on the walking tour.
When we met back up with the gents, we found them like this:
All smiles and a few bottles of a christmas brew down. We joined them and continued to drink bottle after bottle after bottle when we then thought it would probably be a good idea to get some dinner.
We headed back out for dinner that night and here is a nice photo of Scott, Chris and my dad right outside the hotel.
We had a nice meal out and then headed to a pub or two after dinner and called it a night. In the morning walked around for a bit and then packed up our stuff and headed to the train station. We took the train to Brussels, checked in and checked out the sights and the Christmas market.
That night we wanted to see the Packers game so I reached out to some friends whom lived in Brussels for a little while. They had suggested "Fat Boys" which is run by an American and they show the American Football games. When we got there Scott was in heaven, Chelsea was on the big screen. After the European Football games were over the place basically clears out and then a new crowd came in for the American football games. We had dinner and drinks and watched the Packers. We headed in then for the night as Scott, Chris and I were on a flight the next am back to New Jersey and my parents were staying in Brussels for a few more days.
We had a great time and my parents truly enjoyed their first time in Brugge and Brussels! You know it is a good trip when your dad says, "I am really glad to came here since you all talked so highly about Brugge, I would love to come back again in 2 years." Vacation = success after that!
Since this trip we decided that it will be a trip to Paris first then to Brugge in December 2012.
1 comment:
We stayed at that hotel both times we were in Brugge! It's *so* gorgeous :)
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