Brugge the Scone, the beautiful Brugge, the people call (35 000 inhabitants. In the historic center) their city. In no other city of Flanders there are so many well-preserved old buildings.

Begijnhof Ten Wijngaarde Timeless are looking the whitewashed houses - they are grouped around the wide lawn, on which Easter bells in spring bloom. March-Nov. daily 10am to 12pm and 1.45pm-5.30pm, Dec. to Feb. Mon/Tue, Fri 11am-12pm, Wed/Thu 1.45pm-4.15pm, Sat/Sun 10am to 12pm and 1.45pm-5.30pm Wijngaardstraat

Heilig Bloedbasiliek The ground floor is the oldest church of Brugge (1139). On it was later built another room. Here, a revered relic is kept, in which a drop of the blood of Christ is inside. daily. 9.30am-11.50am and 2pm-5.50pm, entrance free. Castle

Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk The gothic church of Our Lady with its striking, angular tower awaits with the lovely "Madonna and Child" from Michelangelo. daily. 9am-12pm and 2pm-5pm, entrance free. Mariastraat

Sint-Walburgakerk Jesuits built this light, elegant baroque church. daily. 9am-6pm, entrance free Boomgaardstraat/Hoornstraat

Stadhuis Brugge has the oldest city hall of Belgium (1376). Tue to Sun 9.30am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-5pm, entrance 2,50 Euro Burg

shopping The shopping district is located between Noordzandstraat, Geldmuntstraat, Zuidzandstraat and Steenstraat.              Hoet Who wants to be in in Flanders buys his extravagant (sun) glasses here. Vlamingstraat 19                                        Raaklijn Leading bookstore, competent staff. Sint-Jakobsstraat 7

food                                                                                                                                                                             Den Dijver Creative kitchen with belgian beers in an elegant city palace. Pleasant terrace at the canal. Wed-Thu Dijver 5                     Pâtisserie Servais Van Mullem Elegant cafe at the theater. Delicious pastries, classic music, stylish service. Tue closed. Vlamingstraat 56

where to stay                                                                                                                                                             Adornes Modern rooms, the best under the roof. Good breakfast buffet. 20 rooms. Sint-Annarei 26                                              Hotel Patritius Big patrician palace, quiet, pleasant garden. 16 rooms. Ridderstraat 11                                                              Pandhotel The 18th-century (Pandreitje 16, €150-€170) is an impressive 24-room mansion but, thanks to the family owners, it manages to avoid stuffiness. The walls are lined with restored wood panels and mouldings, with added modern touches like skylights and copper fittings; some rooms overlook the cathedral.