Every
European country seems to have one: a city that thoroughly encompasses all that
the nation holds dear. Brugge is such for Belgium, sitting there all proud and
pretty, epitomizing the grandeur and perfection otherwise relegated to
storybooks. With canal boats, horse-drawn carriages and bicycles, the ethnic
spirit is swallows visitors whole.
It
is difficult to sum up the magic of Brugge placid bottle-green canals with
steeped-roofed medieval houses, market squares and slumbering parks in just a
few words. The city’s impressive cultural and artistic heritage is famed
throughout the world and has turned Brugge into one of Europe’s major tourist
destinations. Its medieval streets, its winding canals and its green ramparts
charm hundred of thousands of visitors each year and in 2000 its historic city
centre was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. Its classic buildings and
excellent, well deserved reputation for gastronomy and a wide range of
interesting things to see and do, this fascinating and cosmopolitan city fully
deserves its status as a congress and holiday centre par excellence.
The
name Brugge first appeared in our history books in the 9th century. It was the
most prosperous city in Europe, but the silting up of the River Zwyn and
changing political circumstances made it literally a backwater, and for 500
years, whilst other cities grew and were endlessly transformed, Brugge remained
forgotten and untouched.
Brugge
is truly a rare place steeped in ancient history. This is a city you’ll need to
explore thrice over - the first tour should be on your own in order that you can
walk around freely with your mouth hanging open, agog at all around you. Like
the domed ceilings of St Saviour’s Cathedral – Brugge oldest parish church
dating back to the 12th century; and the neo-gothic palace; the old fish market
beside the canal, trading fresh seafood from the nearby North Sea; the Groeninge
Museum displaying great masters of the 15th century; and the Beguinage, its
courtyard lawns swimming in daffodils. Every building in Brugge has a long
history; to list them all here is near impossible.
Brugge
is tagged as the ‘Venice of the North’, so it makes sense that your second tour
should be by boat – you will be astounded at the concentrations of pure
perfection and discover Brugge from a surprisingly different angle.
Your final tour should be with a guide
who will overdose you on the city’s remarkable history.
You
will be hard pressed to find a street you wouldn’t want to live on, a pub you
wouldn’t like to get to know, a view you wouldn’t wish to call my own. After all
this exploring you’ll needs to catch your breath and unwind; and the best place
to do this would be the Hotel Heritage,
an
intimate family run hotel just a block away from the Market Square, in the heart
of Brugge. The Heritage, a recently renovated mansion house dating back to the
14th century, is for the traveller who appreciates only the finest. Here luxury
has been taken to a new level with gracious 18th century furnishing and rich
Italian and French fabrics.
No
detail has been overlooked: complimentary Hermes bathroom toiletries; a computer
in each room; a nightly turndown service; a note slipped under the door
forecasting the weather for the following day; a well equipped gym beneath a
14th century vaulted ceiling in the cellar; a sumptuous breakfast served in a
stately room akin to a Venetian palace.
The
hotel is owned and managed by Johan and Isabelle Creytens, who clearly love
their role in promoting tourism to Brugge, and as such have set an unreasonably
high standard for other European hotels.
When
you travel to Brugge and enjoy the Heritage experience you will no doubt agree
that this boutique hotel is well overdue a five star rating.
TM
Every
European country seems to have one: a city that thoroughly encompasses all that
the nation holds dear. Brugge is such for Belgium, sitting there all proud and
pretty, epitomizing the grandeur and perfection otherwise relegated to
storybooks. With canal boats, horse-drawn carriages and bicycles, the ethnic
spirit is swallows visitors whole. 
It
is difficult to sum up the magic of Brugge placid bottle-green canals with
steeped-roofed medieval houses, market squares and slumbering parks in just a
few words. The city’s impressive cultural and artistic heritage is famed
throughout the world and has turned Brugge into one of Europe’s major tourist
destinations. Its medieval streets, its winding canals and its green ramparts
charm hundred of thousands of visitors each year and in 2000 its historic city
centre was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. Its classic buildings and
excellent, well deserved reputation for gastronomy and a wide range of
interesting things to see and do, this fascinating and cosmopolitan city fully
deserves its status as a congress and holiday centre par excellence. 
The
name Brugge first appeared in our history books in the 9th century. It was the
most prosperous city in Europe, but the silting up of the River Zwyn and
changing political circumstances made it literally a backwater, and for 500
years, whilst other cities grew and were endlessly transformed, Brugge remained
forgotten and untouched.
Brugge
is truly a rare place steeped in ancient history. This is a city you’ll need to
explore thrice over - the first tour should be on your own in order that you can
walk around freely with your mouth hanging open, agog at all around you. Like
the domed ceilings of St Saviour’s Cathedral – Brugge oldest parish church
dating back to the 12th century; and the neo-gothic palace; the old fish market
beside the canal, trading fresh seafood from the nearby North Sea; the Groeninge
Museum displaying great masters of the 15th century; and the Beguinage, its
courtyard lawns swimming in daffodils. Every building in Brugge has a long
history; to list them all here is near impossible.
Brugge
is tagged as the ‘Venice of the North’, so it makes sense that your second tour
should be by boat – you will be astounded at the concentrations of pure
perfection and discover Brugge from a surprisingly different angle.
You
will be hard pressed to find a street you wouldn’t want to live on, a pub you
wouldn’t like to get to know, a view you wouldn’t wish to call my own. After all
this exploring you’ll needs to catch your breath and unwind; and the best place
to do this would be the Hotel Heritage,
an
intimate family run hotel just a block away from the Market Square, in the heart
of Brugge. The Heritage, a recently renovated mansion house dating back to the
14th century, is for the traveller who appreciates only the finest. Here luxury
has been taken to a new level with gracious 18th century furnishing and rich
Italian and French fabrics.
The
hotel is owned and managed by Johan and Isabelle Creytens, who clearly love
their role in promoting tourism to Brugge, and as such have set an unreasonably
high standard for other European hotels.
When
you travel to Brugge and enjoy the Heritage experience you will no doubt agree
that this boutique hotel is well overdue a five star rating.