1 Day in Bruges and 1 day in Brussels

[sarahg]

travelling to Belgium in may with a few friends...we are taking an afternoon/evening train from Amsterdam to Bruges. We'll spend that night and the whole next day there then take a late train to brussels. We'll spend a full day in Brussels as well and then leave on an early flight for Berlin the next day. What are some of the main things to do/see with one day in each city.

[herrbert]

For Brugges I would stroll through the inner city, and take a look inside of some of the buildings. In my opinion you should see the Basiliek van het heilig bloed (it's in on the Burg, a little bit hidden away in one of the corners of the square, it will take you to one of the most beautiful decorated churches you will see (Small but the art is beautiful). I am digging in my memory if you should take the left or the right entrance, so you just have to try both.

To quote Forrest Gump: Brugge is like a box of Chocolates. But serious: you stroll around (the center is not so big), and just poke you nose into the things you think look interesting. The tourist office, has some walking tours you can do: www.brugge.be/internet/en/toerisme/sightseeing/wandelroutes/index.htm

The chocolate museum is a good visit for about one hour. (you can also go and see the one in Brussels)

Brussels has more a big city feel, but as far as attractions go, I can't seem to get any further than Manneke Pis (the little peeing guy) and the Atomium, but I am sure some else can throw is some other things to see.

[madamtrashheap]

sarahg, that's a good way to include both places in your travels. There have been lots of posts about these two cities, so have a search through the boards. Here's a start:

Brussels: Grand'Place (don't forget to rub the statue of Everard ’t Serclaes for luck. He died on this site in 1388 resisting Flemish occupation and his statue is on a door on the left of the square as you walk to the Mannekin Pis); Le Mannekin Pis statue (and his sister Jeanneke on the other side of the square - it's a game to try to find her); National Musuems of Art (all the great masters of the region); Beer and Chocolate Musuems (both on the Grand'Plance); architecture (Horta); fun park (Mini-Europe and the Atomium); great cafes and bars; comics (Tin Tin, the Smurfs)

Brugge (Bruges): it is incredibly pretty and has amazing chocolate shops, cathedral, canals and cobblestones and a quaintness about it that Brussels no longer has. Brugge/Brugges is THE place that most people go to when they pass through Belgium. There's a Chocolate Festival on from April until 1 May (or around that time) but I suspect it may be over by the time you get there - lucky there are chocolatier shops everywhere!

Hope that gives you some ideas, enjoy!