in bruges

it's hard to pick a "favorite" anything. I've been to a lot of beautiful cities, but none quite compare to bruges. it quickly became my favorite city on the very night we arrived (back in may when we visited for our 5th anniversary. I'm a wee bit delayed in writing this post).

we arrived in the city at night, coming by train from london. we made it to our b&b & were greeted by the sweet owner, who gave us late a night snack & showed us our room. it was an adorable space, with high ceilings, wooden beams & modern art on the wall, created by the owner.

we decided we'd have a very late dinner & walked to the most amazing bar/restaurant right around the corner. it was almost midnight, but this dimly-lit local hangout was packed. we grabbed a high top table in the corner & perused the giant beer menu (see first photo). it was an amazingly romantic first night in a new city. and the rest of our time there only continued to impress us.

walking the streets of bruges is like stepping into a storybook. it's almost medieval-looking, with cobblestone streets & little bridges over canals that are filled with swans. it is certainly the most beautiful & friendliest city I have ever visited. and if you haven't seen the film "in bruges," you must! not only is it a wonderful film, but it really captures the magic that is bruges.

 {check out that beer menu- seriously insane!}

  {the bell tower}

  {366 narrow, squeaky steps to the top}

{and the view from the top was worth it}

 {47 bells in the tower, weighing from 2 pounds to 11,000 pounds}

{frites with mayo. seriously delicious- if you like mayo!}

 {we stumbled across a carnival in bruges}

 {there are swans in the canals}

 {sugared waffles = amazing}

 {the market}

 {a freshly baked meringue}

 {basilica of the holy blood}

 {procession of the holy blood, which only happens once a year}

    {we did a tour of the half moon brewery}

 {you might recognize this from a scene in "in bruges"}

 {I told ya it's romantic here}

  {the best chocolates in bruges are at dumon!}

  {windmills!}

 {we rode bikes to another adorable city, dame}

 {cafe vissinghe - the oldest pub in bruges - est. 1515}