Bruges, Belgium

Easter weekend of 2012 found us traveling to Bruges, Belgium and Amsterdam, Netherlands.

We wanted to see both cities, but Easter weekend seemed too long for either one of them. I figured they were close enough together to see in one big extended Easter weekend. Unfortunately, the most budget-minded trip I could arrange involved a round trip flight to Amsterdam, and a train to Bruges moments after landing so as to be able to see both cities in one fell swoop! The result? A full 8 hours in transit with a 17-month-old mobile toddler. Jeff was skeptical. He already knew he didn't like Brussels from previous travels sans Sarah (and pre-Will); what made him think he'd like Bruges?

Come on, Bruges, Sarah needs your help. Could you please just be really awesome to justify Jeff's wife's crazy travel planning?? Pretty please???

Bruges to the rescue!!!! This little gem of a town in Belgium is quaint, personable, and picturesque -- such a delight and easily in our top 5 favorite places we've seen since we've been out here. (Let me pause here to take a quick swipe of brow and to proclaim, "Phew!" This over-adventurous travel planner lives to book another trip and write another blog post at her husband's blessing.)

Bruge's stair-step rooflines on the storefronts lining the town square

One of Bruge's many, many canals

The curse of early-rising toddlers can be a blessing when traveling. It's during these early morning outings that we have some of our most memorable moments of any trip. The city is just waking up, store owners are sweeping their stoop for the start of a busy day, sidewalks are yet to be crowded, and the only noise is of birds and/or my squealing son.

Wow! We found someone out and about in the early morning to take our picture!

My favorite photo of the trip

Part of Jeff's love of Bruges was its overall coolness. And yes, you all-knowing Belgium knowledge hounds, part of Jeff's love of Bruges was thanks to its amazing beer. The sheer amount of different types of beer was overwhelming. We'd walk into restaurants and be handed a BOOK.

I'd be thinking: "Wow! This restaurant is the Cheesecake Factory of Belgium!"

Meanwhile, Jeff had settled in and begun reading his novel of a beer menu.

Me: "Ohhhhhh. The book is for the beer only!" (With impressive color coding organization I might add.)

I settled in to peruse the pamphlet of slim food offerings to accompany the beer.

The beer wall above features every single beer produced in Belgium standing next to its glass. Yes, every beer has its only unique glass chosen and/or designed to enhance the taste and overall beer experience for each unique beer. Can you imagine the shelving and storing of all these different glasses in the restaurants? Crazy!

William had fun watching ducks in the canals.

We even tried the ever-famous Belgium waffles. William wasn't a huge fan; his gelato palate would not tolerate the modest attempt at dessert. More for us!

We had fun taking a brewery tour which there are surprisingly few of in Bruges, not to mention, Belgium. There were plenty of stairs at the De Halve Maan (Straffe Hendrik) Brewery and by stairs I mean ladders. Whoops! Did we forget the Ergo? Thanks super dad for toting our toddler through it all!

We finally hopped aboard a canal boat to take a cruise.

William didn't like it at all.

Thanks, Bruges for an amazing start to our Easter weekend!

Next stop: back to Amsterdam!