I had the chance to explore other cities of Belgium during the 2 weeks I stayed in Brussels, the capital of Belgium. We got up early on a breezy Brussels morning and jumped on the metro.. I have my backpack on my back, a bottle of drinking water, my must-have camera and a small notebook…
We get off the subway and pass to the train station in the open air. Everyone is running around. Train plays a major role in the basis of intercity journeys in Belgium.. The road is not a frequently used method in public transportation.
Time to discover Brugge, whose name I first heard during the Champions League match against Galatasaray.. This journey will allow me to discover much more than the Club Brugge football team.
Train from Brussels to Bruges
We check the hours of the round trip ticket we bought for 24.10 euro. The train, which departs at 12.30, will be in Bruges in approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes.. We have enough time to travel. The city is already suitable for walking.. We take our seat on the train. Everyone spends their time reading newspapers or books.. The seats are as flashy and comfortable as an airplane seat. I’m watching passers-by. There are mostly students.
I am diving in the city where it rains frequently, looking at the plain areas with plenty of meadows.. The soil is always dark and wet. The garage doors of all the houses that I can describe as a village house are visible.. Again the roofs are steep and tiled. It is exciting to be in these lands where naturalness and history are preserved on the one hand.. The succession of cottages is well-maintained.
We are now in Bruges, northeast of Brussels. Cobbled, narrow streets welcome us. As we leave the train station, we get a standing snack sandwich. We finish while walking with Tomek. This is a place that is more successful in romance than Paris, but cannot express itself much.
Brugge, the city of canals
It is called the Venice of Northern Europe. It has lost its direct connection with the sea due to reasons such as floods.. The canals passing under historical buildings and some houses are quite magnificent.
You don’t know how surprised I am.. When you look out the window of your room and think that a canal and gondolas pass under you, I am sure you will be surprised.. Seeing raises your heart rate beyond imagination. The connection of the two canals to the North Sea keeps the water in the canals alive.
The first detail you will notice while walking on the streets is the lace you see in all the shops.. Lace embroidery, which is called priestly work, is the first and only in Europe.. Unless you count Turkey, of course.. Some shops sell handicrafts at serious prices, with lace and needlework on entire two or more floors.. It is possible to see many products that lace is adapted to.. Lace was even used as a chocolate coaster in the chocolate museum.
Even though it has a population approaching 150 thousand, the doors are slowly closing from 5 o’clock and the streets are quiet.. Architectural structures that best reflect and reflect the characteristics of medieval Europe are here.. 2nd. The fact that not a single bullet was hit in the World War II ensured that the mystical structure was not destroyed.. The British had a great share in keeping the city intact.. They bought 60 percent of the city and literally restored it.
What to eat in Bruges
While we lost ourselves to the medieval atmosphere, “We’ve traveled so much, what should we eat?” we ask each other the question aloud at the same time.
Fried potatoes on every corner can be a nice taste in a short time you will spare for yourself.. The smell of potatoes attracts many people with its attractive feature.. Right after, a glass of mulled wine you will buy from peddlers and a wonderful waffle, the traditional dessert of Belgium, should be given the right of a trip to Bruges.. For those who don’t like wine, I recommend the magnificent beers of Belgium, one of the countries with the largest beer scale in the world.. Almost everyone has a bike and they don’t give up on this habit no matter the weather.
Forget English, not even French is in demand.. The nationalist people, whom I can say are conservative in nature, speak Dutch.. Every street opens the doors of a different world. With tunnel-style passages, it can reach churches via corridors from under or over the houses.
Of course, one cannot return without souvenirs… I’m finishing the chapter. From Bruges, where I came with one step from the future, I return to Brussels with images of Medieval Europe.
