This past week I was able to tag along on a work trip of my hubby. Sun was shining, and the weather forecast was good for the coming days.
The meeting in Antwerpen, Belgium went smoothly, and both parties were able to efficiently work through the agenda points, and we were able to be on our way to our getaway destination.
As we drove to Brugge, the evening began to set in. The warm soft glow of a spring evening guided us to our hotel. We were staying in a quaint old family hotel. When I say old, I mean OLD. The hotel actually a castle, from the 17th century.
Each room has its own style and unique feel. Our room was the only one, that had a complete and direct view of the cathedral next door. I felt very safe, just knowing a huge church was beside us.
As the evening bells tolled, we explored our room, and the other areas of the hotel. It was still light enough to walk to the main market square, and gaze at all the historical buildings, and shops. The marketplace was edged with restaurants and cafes. We wandered along all the establishments, reading the menus offered, and inhaling the enticing fragrances. We found a cafe, that had a view of the government building, and that was next to the waiting area for the carriage tours.
Dinner was delightful, and tasty. The sun had in the meantime almost crawled beneath the horizon. We still had a bit of time left to further explore the area, and try to find out way back to our hotel. Each side street was enchanting. Historical houses, and monuments were everywhere. As it became too dark, and too chilly, we went back to our suite, and turned in for the night. The glass of wine, seemed to have also enhanced itself, just because of our unique surroundings. A lovely way to go to sleep, tucked up next to a 12th century church as our "guardian" of the night.
Breakfast was graced with fresh products, and good coffee. A great start to a sunny adventure day. Our walking city tour map said that we would be walking several kilometers, but would see the highlights of this city. The old city center has 56 churches, has also more restaurants and hotels, than the cities of Antwerpen, and Brussels; combined. The canal boat tour was a great way to orientate ourselves to the layout of the city. We meandered along the streets and alleys for several hours, stopping for a coffee, or a light lunch, on the terraces; soaking up the sunshine, and the pleasant views. We were completely in tourist mode. No hurry, lapping up the sights, sounds and smells of the day.
As the day progressed and we completed the walking tour later in the afternoon. we split ways for an hour, as I still wanted to savor the shopping street, and enjoy window shopping in my way. Hubby was tired, and is not good shopping company for such things.
Dinner was pleasant, but we had maybe overdone the sightseeing. After dinner, we sauntered back to the hotel, and relaxed for the rest of the evening in our room.
We slept well, and woke up to the bells chiming and calling people to the Sunday services. In a city of 56 churches, the bells were pealing from every corner, from deep royal tones, to cheery light chimes. A rainbow of bells.
Breakfast was enjoyed, and we packed our bags. As we drove in a northerly direction, back to Holland, we both agreed that this was a wonderful city, to escape to, for a mini holiday. Brugge, Belgium....go there if you ever have a chance. You will be amazed and delighted.
The meeting in Antwerpen, Belgium went smoothly, and both parties were able to efficiently work through the agenda points, and we were able to be on our way to our getaway destination.
As we drove to Brugge, the evening began to set in. The warm soft glow of a spring evening guided us to our hotel. We were staying in a quaint old family hotel. When I say old, I mean OLD. The hotel actually a castle, from the 17th century.
Each room has its own style and unique feel. Our room was the only one, that had a complete and direct view of the cathedral next door. I felt very safe, just knowing a huge church was beside us.
As the evening bells tolled, we explored our room, and the other areas of the hotel. It was still light enough to walk to the main market square, and gaze at all the historical buildings, and shops. The marketplace was edged with restaurants and cafes. We wandered along all the establishments, reading the menus offered, and inhaling the enticing fragrances. We found a cafe, that had a view of the government building, and that was next to the waiting area for the carriage tours.
Dinner was delightful, and tasty. The sun had in the meantime almost crawled beneath the horizon. We still had a bit of time left to further explore the area, and try to find out way back to our hotel. Each side street was enchanting. Historical houses, and monuments were everywhere. As it became too dark, and too chilly, we went back to our suite, and turned in for the night. The glass of wine, seemed to have also enhanced itself, just because of our unique surroundings. A lovely way to go to sleep, tucked up next to a 12th century church as our "guardian" of the night.
Breakfast was graced with fresh products, and good coffee. A great start to a sunny adventure day. Our walking city tour map said that we would be walking several kilometers, but would see the highlights of this city. The old city center has 56 churches, has also more restaurants and hotels, than the cities of Antwerpen, and Brussels; combined. The canal boat tour was a great way to orientate ourselves to the layout of the city. We meandered along the streets and alleys for several hours, stopping for a coffee, or a light lunch, on the terraces; soaking up the sunshine, and the pleasant views. We were completely in tourist mode. No hurry, lapping up the sights, sounds and smells of the day.
As the day progressed and we completed the walking tour later in the afternoon. we split ways for an hour, as I still wanted to savor the shopping street, and enjoy window shopping in my way. Hubby was tired, and is not good shopping company for such things.
Dinner was pleasant, but we had maybe overdone the sightseeing. After dinner, we sauntered back to the hotel, and relaxed for the rest of the evening in our room.
We slept well, and woke up to the bells chiming and calling people to the Sunday services. In a city of 56 churches, the bells were pealing from every corner, from deep royal tones, to cheery light chimes. A rainbow of bells.
Breakfast was enjoyed, and we packed our bags. As we drove in a northerly direction, back to Holland, we both agreed that this was a wonderful city, to escape to, for a mini holiday. Brugge, Belgium....go there if you ever have a chance. You will be amazed and delighted.
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