Brugge is a beautiful city, and one of the highlights of my visit to Belgium in August 2018. The first evening I spent in Brugge, I enjoyed traditional moules-frites with friends at a cafe on the market square, admiring the Gothic architecture with the doubly-inscribed belfry towering overhead. Over the course of two days, we spent memorable hours wandering the city, admiring canals, churches, chocolate shops, and the walls and windmills surrounding the city. We also climbed the belfry for overhead views of the winding streets and waterways. Back at ground level, the beguinage delivered a quiet respite from tourist crowds, and I loved its location on the water. In fact, the canals were perhaps my favorite aspect of the city, providing a backdrop to historical buildings and offering scenic boat tours that crossed under the numerous bridges from which the city gets its name. Along one of the canals we encountered a Sunday market with numerous stalls we enjoyed perusing. I'd been uncertain of how much I would enjoy Brugge after reading Rodenbach's Bruges-la-Morte prior to the trip, but I was pleased to find it as photogenic and welcoming as I had heard from others who have visited the city.

Logistics: Brugge is easily accessible by train or private transport, and the city is quite navigable on foot, though I highly recommend making time for at least one boat tour.