Bruges is the most romantic destination in Belgium, it has got 80 bridges, over 50 chocolate houses, you are allowed to have 5grams of cannabis in your pocket, here and Wally de Gotye (you know, ”Somebody That I Used to Know”) was born in this wonderful city.

And, as the poetical maths of Bruges has the potential of an endless novel, I thought I had better move on with the 15 ”must do” things  in the Venice of the North :

Bruges must do colored list :

1. Colored recommendation: Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce Hotel, cosy and extremely romantic (which was seen in the movie ”In Bruges”, with Colin Farrell). In 2008, it was given the award for the Best Luxury Hotel Worldwide by Travelers Choice, not by accident; antiquities, works of art, exquisite fabrics, Persian carpets and fabulous flower arrangements, all of them place it on the list of “quiet and certain luxury” with an aristocratic care. Being an old building, with a wooden floor, ask for a room at the top floor.
   
   

2. Market Square with its Belfry Tower (which appears in many stills of the “In Bruges”, the winner of the Golden Globe and BAFTA, six years ago) and which is a medieval landmark of the town, with 366 steps and bells that used to organize people`s lives 4 centuries ago.
   
   

3. Burg Square, with the Holy Blood basilica, a Roman-Catholic church dating back to the XII th century, famous for hosting a valuable bottle, with a bit of cloth inside, seemingly soaked with Jesus` blood.
   
   

4. Groeningemuseum, St.John`s Hospital Museum (Memling Museum), Gruuthuse Museum. Art, art, art. It should be visited!
   
   

5. A walk in the little, paved streets of the burgh, with their gothic atmosphere, full of romanticism.
   
   

6. Go boating on the channels of the town.
   
   

7. Check Church of our Lady, with Michelangelo`s sculpture, Madonna with her infant(1504)
   
   

8. Taste some chocolate in, at least 10 chocolate houses in Bruges (mind you see the “handmade sign” in the window, to be sure it`s “the real stuff”
   
   

9. The Flemish are highly renowned for their lace, they had been providing the fashion lovers with spectacular fabrics for 6 centuries. The way they developed the fabrics, the kinds of cuts, styles and textures turned them into fairy tale lace makers.
   
   

 10. Go to Den Dyver restaurant, unique in Bruges, where every course is accompanied by a different kind of beer, and if you want Michelin stars, choose Karmeliet (3stars)

   11. If you like pubs (especially beer), then Café Vllissinghe, the oldest pub in the town is option nr.1, or Brugs Beertje, very nice and cool

   12.You mustn`t miss the beer factory, when in Belgium, De Halve Maan, to find out EVERYTHING about beer.

           13. Go for a walk in Walplein and go into the antiquities shops.

14. Taste the best hot chocolate at De Proeverie and taste a cupcake, by all means. It`s divine!

     15. When you fancy eating some delicacies and drink a glass of prosecco or good wine, then go to D`s Deldycke Traiteurs.

Colored tip: Bruges is worth visiting, particularly in May or June, so that you won`t carry your umbrella with you each and every day.