A romantic week-end in Bruges (Belgium)

Last week  we went to Bruges 2 days. That was our 4th stay there but I never had the time to write about it and we enjoyed it so much I thought I should do something about the Venice-of-the-north as people nicknamed it. This city is enchanting, filled with infinite charm that’s why I recommend a hotel the same level : Tuilerieen Hotel, a 4 star charm- hotel , very well located , facing a canal and not far from the historical Grand Place (Great square). We had such a lovely and romantic bed chamber , very cosy, overlooking the canal, offering a great view on mediaeval architecture, with an amazing atmosphere by night :

   

The Spa was just refurbished and we enjoyed the pool after a cold day outside  :

We loved so much the buffet-breakfast with its chocolate fountain 😉

As this is our 4th stay we are used to do a kind of pilgrimage to see the only sculpture by Michel-Angelo in Belgium : it’s the Madonna of Our-Lady church (Notre-Dame), early 16th century, which left Italy from the lifetime of the artist, acquired by wealthy fabric merchants.

We like to stroll in the rooms of Groeningemuseum to admire the splendid flemish primitive artists like Memling or Van Eyck who challenged the imitation of reality with amazing minute details that the use of oil painting allowed.

We always have a lot of fun to rediscover the impressive and extravagant details of Hieronymus Bosch’s Last Judgment :

Bruges is not only a city turned towards the past, you have also contemporary artists exhibited in museums like this month ,and until february 21st, Robert De Vriendt‘s fabulous hyper realist small scale paintings evoking fragmented pieces of tv drama -or web voyeurism- with very seductive colors and appealing manner.

detail of The wood of Love and horror- oil/ canvas- 2011

Food is also an arty contemporary topic today sometimes ! You won’ t be disappointed in Bruges then, from top gastronomic to friendly neo-bistrot or cosy traditional flemish style restaurants, you’ll find what will fit your taste bud and eyes. Here is my top list :

1. De Reften  : top level Bistrot revisiting traditional belgium classic in a contemporary neo70’s like decor. Excellent lunches, always !

2. Poule-Moule : among the best mussels in Bruges, very friendly place, simple and                                    rustic decor

3. Breydel de Conync : The best lobster ! Mussels are very good too. Friendly atmosphere.

4. Lizzie waffles : Simply The best waffles in town !

5. Marcolini chocolates : My favorite high-end chocolate maker ever in Belgium (and also in Paris, in my top 5) !! The best quality , don’t hesitate on more second 😉

Bonus : Aux Merveilleux. Would you like to experience Heaven under you palate ?  A miracle of vaporous cream and aerial meringue, this little dome of pleasure is called Merveilleux, with french/ flemish origins… My favorite is the white one called Incroyable (Uncredible !), tribute to french youngsters who after the Revolution, as a sign of reaction against dark Terror period,  used to parade around Palais Royal area. They wanted to introduce extravagant taste in fashion and original lifestyle, they were nicknamed Incroyables et Merveilleuses and refused to pronounced r letters !

The Boutique is a fairy tale !

Bruges is the perfect trip for lovers, so why not going there for february 14th, Valentine’s day ?! But prepare well your stay as the city is small, the hotels and restaurants will be quickly full booked.

Wish you to fall in love very soon with the Venice of the north 😉