Our private English speaking driver guide will meet clients at their Brussels hotel at 09.00AM. Bruges, named “The Venice of the North”, did not usurp his title. In winter or by moonlight, Bruges can seem a dream-like vision of the Middle-Ages With its houses of mellow time-worn brick, its majestic public buildings and its canals where swans glide gracefully over the dark waters. The medieval illusion is complete when melodious chimes ring out from the belfries of the city’s ancient churches. In summer and even during out-of-season weekends a metamorphosis takes place, when visitors fill the streets and squares and the whole town buzzes with activity. Bruges’ unique character was recognized by UNESCO in 2000 when it was placed on the World Heritage List.
As Bruges is mostly closed to cars, the visit will be a “Walking About” tour. To give a first real feeling, we would suggest the “canal tour”; this is a “must”. Small boats will serpentine trough the town, passing under medieval bridges and giving you a sight you can never admire from elsewhere.
After digesting this event, we will start our walking visit, passing “The Markt”, flanked by houses with crow-stepped gables, old guildhalls and the covered market in the shadow of the magnificent town belfry built in the 13C. The “Burg”, excavations have uncovered remains of the early-9C ramparts, however, these were pulled down in the 10C to enable the construction of St. Donaaskerk (church). Subsequently, the walls were replaced by brick ramparts. Four of Bruges’ main buildings surround this square: The Basilica church dedicated to the Holy Blood - The Gothic town hall The Renaissance court record office.
All these edifices will be visited jumping from one century to the other and leaving the visitor in ecstasy.
We won’t miss to visit the Gothic church dedicated to Our Lady and admire the Michelangelo’s splendid
white marble “Madonna and Child”, The “Beguine Convent of the Vine” founded in 1245, The Groeningemuseum from 15C, devoted to the Flemish Primitive painters and also the Memlingmuseum housed in the old 12C St. Jans Hospitaal. |
