If we found our time in Brussels a bit lackluster, the quaint little tourist town of
Brugges, just a forty-minute train ride from the city, more than amply made up for it. When I saw the pictures of one of my
favorite blogger's trip there, it not only sold me on the destination, but catalysed our entire trip. With its picturesque views, beautiful canals, and medieval architecture, it was like walking around a little fairy tale city. I absolutely fell in love with it. Hope it's not hard to see why!
There were hordes of people coming out of the train station to cross through the walled city's gates, including my favorite type of tourists.
The canal surrounding the entire city.
Making our way through the little cobbled streets toward the main square.
Entering the downtown area, where the most prominent building punctuating the Brugges skyline is a 13th-century belfry.
The famed belfry up close.
Main city square.
City Hall.
Much like the Ashbury Apartment, Brugges' government is represented by a Lion and a Bear.
Brugges City Hall > Yours.
Our new friend, Bert, couldn't direct us to the Folk Museum, but he could show us the world's smallest street (that could probably use a little fact-checking).
These folks are serious about three things: chocolate, Easter, and Easter chocolate.
Our first canal-view inside the city!
Time for refreshment, Belgium-style.
The beautiful sights continued as we ventured outside of the main city area and into the surrounding neighborhoods, still in search of the elusive Folk Musuem.
One of my favorite pictures.
At last! Though the Folk Museum was closed, I was happy to get a picture with their awesome sign.
As the day wore on, we only seemed to enjoy Brugges more. The setting sun put such a different glow on the buildings and streets that we could have easily taken every picture over again. As the afternoon gave way to twilight, an evening breeze lifted each little flag up, and the less-hearty tourists departed for the train station, the whole city took on a magical air. From the reflections of the canals to the swans to the dark, empty streets, I felt like I had been transported to another time and could have stayed forever.
