Anyone been to Brugge(Bruge or Brouge)

[Aberdeenplotter]

Planning to have a weekend break there for better half's birthday in March as she said recently she would really like to see the place. Has anyone been there? is there anything of real interest there horticulturally or otherwise? I don't mean the Belgian beer. It's the main reason for my enthusiasm

[smallfrog]

Watched the film In Brouge and it all looked very pretty. No nothing else about the place though sorry.

[chris]

Yep, we went there for a cheapo break (weekend). Wasn't into gardening back then (uni days), so didn't really take much interest in gardens. The town was under heavy construction when we went, but it was still nice, mostly town-y - there was one garden with water falls that I remember walking through, sculputred hedges, lawn - think that was above it. It was at the top of the city, overlooking it (impressive!). Erm, bar that I'd stay away from the handbag shops, as I seem to remember our bank being empty when we returned

[Glutton4...]

We went on a cheapy weekend break there yeeeeeeeeeaaaars ago. Don't remember anything much, apart from Chocolate, Beer and Lace. Can't be bad! LOL Actually, I do remember it was very attractive, and the people were very hospitable. Go for it.

[Alison]

Went there 10 years ago for my mate's 30th, is really really pretty and a lovely place to just meander round. Worth going on a boat trip, the brewery trip is good and so are the waffles. The beer is lovely but very strong (doesn't taste it though so it creeps up on you ) and the chocolates are best bought out of the main square as they're much cheaper. Kept away from the lace as it's not really my thing but as said above, there are a lot of beer, chocolate and lace shops about.

[vicky]

I went there many years ago, mainly remember the chocolates and chips! Quite pretty to wander round as other have said.

[Dottie]

As everyone has already said, it is a great old town to wander around. Lots of bricks, high walls and a bit of a built-in feel to the place, but in a nice way. However, that does mean not a lot of flowers and stuff in the actual town centre, but there is a park. It's a great mini break place, food, bars, shopping and lots of wandering around, reflecting and relaxing.

[Jeanied]

Take a boat tour on the canals, stop off in the lace quarter, Bruges is a lovely place to walk around.

[lettucegrow!]

I went to the christmas markets on a weekend break a few years ago, lovely place. Very pretty and as others have said lots of chocolatiers and lace makers.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Thank you people, that has all been very helpful.

[dave_norm_smith]

Watch the beer, it kicks like a mule in the morning! The mussels and frittes are amazing and I had the best Chateaubriand I have had in my life down a small alley just off the the main square!

Wonderful place, you'll have a ball.

Dave

[susieq100]

We went at October half term on Eurostar - was so impressed with the transport, the friendliness of the locals, the beauty of the place, it was just fab. The film "In Bruges" does not do it justice! Belgian trains are superb! Beer is great but very expensive as exchange rate is rubbish at the moment. We had three nights there and spent one day on a First World War battlefield tour which was just excellent ... can't recommend that enough. PM me if you want details of the company we did it with.

[Pompeylottie]

we went to Bruge 2 years ago, very pretty town, medieval architecture, nice to wander around but we thought alot of the shops were expensive. Walks by the canal with a windmill, Belgian beer lovely and best of all a CHIP museum and a CHOCOLATE museum! Good for cycling as very flat and loads of bikes around. Very good for a short break., gentle, restful place. Have a great time wherever you go.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Dave, Susie and Lottie, thanks to you also. It sounds a really nice place and apart from cost not really a bad word from anyone.

[SueA]

I went there when I was about 10 on a school trip so my info. is a bit out of date! As everyone says though it is/was a pretty place, the frites/chips, chocolate & lace makers are all worth trying/visiting & the boat trips on the canals great, I think I won a prize at school for a painting I did of swans on the canal if I remember correctly (was over 40 years ago!)