Bruges: a beautiful, but too much touristy city in the north of Belgium

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Beautiful but touristy. This certainly is for me to Bruges (or Brugge in Flemish). And 15 hour by train from Brussels is located on the directive that links the capital to the sea to Ostend. So get ready to fight to get on the train (fortunately with a very good attendance from early morning until late at night) because there are, in the summer, hordes of young men who come to enjoy the day at the beach. Compared to Antwerp Bruges is a gem of medieval construction, well maintained and certainly much travel for it. The prices for food are much higher not only in Antwerp but also in Brussels. There is the possibility of a ride along the canals of half an hour (it's one of the many Venice of the North, a definition that I heard for Amsterdam, Stockholm, etc.).. The ride is pleasant and costs € 6.90 each and you'd better get in line early in the morning to avoid long queues to wait for groups of senior citizens and students will pass in front of (it seems to take precedence over the individual groups). Again the walk from the station to the center is really nice and there is no need to take the means. If you really want and the heat (or cold depending on season) permit then you can rent a bike, but be prepared to endure the cobblestones that you disassemble your ass! What to see in Bruges? Well just to give you an idea is very nice just to walk the streets of the old town, lost among the narrow streets, tasting occasionally a Trappist beer or take a walk on board the carriages pulled by horses (one lap 20 cta € acceptable in my opinion). But the major attractions are definitely the big park where they are hosted Begijnhof beguines or widows or unmarried women who devote themselves to the next. This park is very interesting the white church and the building that houses their homes (not visited). The park is very well kept, there are beautiful bridges over the canals, swans ... all very idyllic and quiet, well worth a visit. Here, as in Antwerp is the church of Our Lady (Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk) very attractive, in a simple style. But inside there is a work of art that you can not miss that the only work of Michelangelo Buonarroti, who has finished outside of Italy. And 'the statue of the Madonna and Child visited free of charge. Then the Markt or the city's largest open square where you can eat, shop and enjoy the Belfort or the massive bell tower 84 meters high. You can climb the tower by climbing the 366 steps up at 16.45. Belfort's 47 bells are played more in hand from 14:15 to 15:00 every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from October to June and from 9 to 10 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays for the remaining months of the year. Burg also very nice, perhaps even more fascinating Markt. The Burg is hosting the important building of the city, or town hall Stadhuis. Bruges is one of the oldest of all Nazionae and is surely the most beautiful. On the right side of the town hall do not miss the Basilica of the Sacred Heart Heiligbloed Basiliek. It comes free and you can see, in addition to a beautiful interior, but also a very important relic that is transported in the blood of Jesus in this church in 1200. You can see and touch the relic under the supervision of a person. You are invited to leave an offer and make a prayer. The relic is clean for reasons of hygiene every time before you spend the next person. On the square of the Burg is also a good restaurant with a fixed menu at 16 € and you can taste the Flemish dishes cooked with dark beer such as rabbit stew. Not quite the summer (because not be accompanied by a light beer Leffe) but definitely worth trying. Of course it is forbidden to leave Bruges without tasting at least 200 of the 300 types of beer (300'm not joking!) That offers one of the oldest inns in Bruges or the 'T Beertje Bruges. Very friendly staff will suggest the best local beers, or those that fit your style and you can order small snacks such as salami and cheese from Flanders to try not to give too much space to the fumes of alcohol. Eye because the club opens after 16. In front of the 'T Beertje Bruges is a different place than the famous De Hobbit the details of which are pork ribs cooked on the grill. There is a fixed price of 40 € eat as you Want, but opens and closes after 18 the next morning (if you can bear the weight of alcohol and pork chops). What to say more? If you want to buy lace is the right place even if they are all manufactured in China rather than locally (legend has it that if you ask the dealer will show even those produced locally but off-market prices!). Surely it is a pleasant town to spend maybe a couple of days. On a day like Antwerp turns easily and you can see everything. Get ready for elbowing with tourists because it is not free like Antwerp or Brussels as dispersive. The city is small and the attractions are rather concentrated in a few points. E ', however, was a nice pool and a praise to the inhabitants of Bruges and administration for the way have helped to enhance and maintain this historic medieval masterpiece.