The Road Less Traveled: Bruges, Belgium

If you're looking for an authentic feeling Belgian town that will completely take your breath away, look no further than Bruges! We had heard some rumors of this romantic town during our travels and it was highly recommended by our wonderful friend we were staying with in Brussels. So during our short stay in Belgium, we decided to head to Bruges for a day.

We got an early start and rode the train about an hour and fifteen minutes from Brussels to Bruges, enjoying views of the scenic country as it whizzed by our window. We arrived at the train station and took off on foot towards the center of town passing by Beguinage, an adorable little architectural complex that formerly housed Beguines, a group of Christian religious women who lived and invested in the community. We could have spent a few hours exploring the cobblestone streets, hidden gardens, and tiny canals graced with white swans, and pointy gilded architecture. Our weather was perfect, not too cold because of the warm sun lighting our way, so it made for a fairy tale like day and we found ourselves wishing that we had another day or two to explore this quaint little town.

Another goal on our list was to find some authentic Belgian chocolate to take home and share with our family for Christmas. So, with recommendations from a number of our friends who had visited Bruges before, we headed to Dumon Chocolatier in pursuit of these delicacies. These hand made chocolates come at a hefty price, but are well worth it for their superb quality, extensive variety, and amazing taste. We were helped by their friendly staff and walked away with an assortment of dark chocolates which our families were later delighted with.

We made our way into the center of town, passing by the beautiful Belfry of Bruges, enjoying the symphony of ringing bells on the hour. We spent some time exploring the Christmas markets that were bustling in Bruge square, the Markt with its historical buildings and cozy restaurants, and Burg Square.

A highlight of the day was most definitely our stop at the adorable Tearoom Carpe Diem. This cozy little spot is perfect for some decadent Belgian hot chocolate, and a fresh Belgian waffle or crepe topped with your choice of fresh whipped cream, dark Belgian chocolate, fresh fruit, etc. We settled into the dining room and took a table next to the blazing fireplace and enjoyed our delicious treats as we reflected on the beauty of the town and highlights from our trip. Our experience was so good that we stopped in their bakery just before heading back to the train station, and bought some fresh goodies to share with our host back in Brussels.