Bruges, Belgium - Visitor Information

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By James Andrew A Wright


Bruges is a charming medieval town in Belgium, Europe. The city is known as the 'Venice of the North', and is a renowned World Heritage Site.
Picturesque buildings, medieval architecture and winding waterways will take you back to days gone by.
Many tourists take a short visit to Bruges from Brussels, but there is too much to see in this charming city in one day - so many visitors opt for a longer break. When the sun goes down, after many tourists leave, the City becomes even more beautiful.
Brugge is a beautiful day trip location throughout the year, and makes a perfect trip from the Calais region of France.

Visit Medieval Bruges - A Great Travel Destination

Image via Wikipedia
By Jason Markum
There are basically two or three different types of vacations that you can go on these days, either by yourself or with your family. The first type of vacation is the sad and ordinary vacation that just about everybody else goes on to the major vacation spots around the world.
These places include Disney World, the Grand Canyon, Silver Dollar City, or either your regular major European spots or your regular tropical beach destinations.
The other type of vacation you can go on is something a little bit out of the ordinary and hopefully I can convince you to take a look at Bruges today, as one of those slightly less than ordinary holiday destinations.
First of all, what is it?
Bruges is known as the Venice of the North. It is located in Northern Europe in the country of Belgium which not a lot of people think about as a travel destination... but they should!
The town has many canals crisscrossing throughout. It has a historic center with cobbled streets and quaint gabled houses that are a real treat to explore.

Christmas markets in Brussels

Image by fototineke.be via Flickr
Author: Paul Buchanan

Belgium has become a haven for those looking for an authentic way to celebrate the festive season, thanks to the famous Christmas markets in Brussels offering yuletide gifts, snacks and entertainments in the heart of the historic city.

The two largest Christmas markets in the city - easily found at the Grand Place and St Catherine's area, respectively - offer a plethora of attractions and entertainments for visitors of all ages throughout the Christmas period, a far cry from the overly commercialised and sanitised Christmas celebrations found in many cities in the UK and elsewhere.

Belgium may not have invented the Christmas market tradition - that honour belongs to Germany - but this smaller nation has undoubtedly taken the top spot in the minds of travellers from around the world, looking for a city break destination ideal for celebrating the season of goodwill. With fairground attractions including a big wheel and carousels, not to mention skating events held at the city's ice skating rink, ensuring that 21st century kids will be just as satisfied with the entertainment on offer as older generations.

That's not to say Brussels' Christmas markets are all about exerting energy though, as the Brussels Winter Wonderland is packed with cultural attractions to appeal to lovers of the arts too - with a number of free performances and remarkable ice sculptures gracing the streets during the period. The market stalls themselves are a major highlight, of course, and whether you're looking for home-made decorations, seasonal snacks or mulled wine, Brussels won't disappoint.

The city hosts around 240 wooden chalets specially constructed for the winter season, where visitors can buy all manner of gifts, and they transform the Belgian capital into a true winter wonderland. The shops open late into the night throughout December - typically 9pm on weekdays and 10pm on weekends - meaning you'll never feel rushed to get your Christmas shopping in during the day time. Even if you prefer to visit Brussels after spending Christmas at home with the family, the Winter Wonderland festivities take place right through to New Year.

Brussels' Christmas markets are conveniently located if you're staying near the city centre, whether at the Hotel Brussels Midi or other popular accommodation, and if you're staying in Belgium for a longer period, you could also consider taking the trip to nearby Bruges. The markets here may be less impressive in size and scale, but the yuletide atmosphere is still on par with the best Christmas markets in Europe.

Related articles

• Top Six Christmas Markets To Visit In Europe (vino-con-vista.blogspot.com)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/christmas-markets-in-brussels-3802422.html
About the Author

Paul Buchanan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.