[If you're new here, consider following me on Twitter and liking me on Facebook. Just a thought.]
You don’t have to eat at the overpriced restaurants in the Market Square to have an authentic Belgian meal in Bruges. Pas Partout will serve up traditional food at half the cost. And making a “Golden Triangle” picnic and eating it in Astrid Park is a great way to spend a long summer night.
For all those non-Dutch speakers, “Friet” means “fry.” But don’t dare call it a French fry. Those golden taters came from Belgium, not France. The museum takes you through the history of the potato, and there is a surprising amount to learn. For instance, at one point in history, potatoes were considered to increase debauchery in people. Crazy. A trip here wouldn’t be complete without tasting some delicious fries. After all, book learnin’ can only teach you so much about food. At some point, it’s time to eat.
This wonderfully preserved example of medieval architecture sits in the Market Square of Bruges, a prime viewing location for all the surrounding outdoor restaurants. Buy an overpriced plate of mussels and frites and stare at it all day. Or, pay some Euros and climb to the top. Unfortunately, this is one of those tourist attractions that doesn’t live up to the hype. The view isn’t good enough to justify the excruciating climb. They do have a few artifacts you can look at in some rooms during your climb, but honestly, the pieces aren’t that interesting. Only use these rooms as an excuse for stopping to rest. As in, “Hey honey, let’s stop to look at that tiny statue for an extended period of time! It looks so detailed!” They also have a few benches along the way, but as resting strategies go, sitting on a bench is not nearly as manly as stopping to look at medieval works of art. A better option for a great view of Bruges is at the Half Moon Brewery tour. They have a much less strenuous climb and arguably comparable view of Bruges for about the same price. And they throw in a free pint of beer. Plus, their view is unobstructed by wire mesh, so photographs will look much better and the chance of tetanus is practically nill.
An hour outside of Brussels can do wonders. The city center of Bruges is something out of a fairy tale. Well, if a fairy tale had hordes of tourists jamming the quaint, cobbled streets. The entire city center is a World Heritage Site, and with good reason. The 12th Century architecture is some of the best preserved in the world. Walking around, it feels like Williamsburg, Virginia or a World Showcase pavilion in Epcot. The only difference is Bruges isn’t fake.
It might not look like much from the outside, but once you enter Casa Belgo Argentina, you get to see a well-preserved, historical house from the 1800s. In true Brussels fashion, the owners speak French, but they also speak English, Dutch, and Spanish. And they love Art Nouveau architecture and love to share their passion with others. Stay here, and you’ll get a side of Brussels you wouldn’t see if you stayed at a chain hotel.
