This was a totally unexpected opportunity. The cruise itinerary would have had us visiting Waterford, Ireland yesterday but weather conditions prohibited that stop so today we’re visiting Brugge, Belgium. From the cruise terminal we rode a shuttle bus to a car park south of the city and walked right into the Middle Ages. Wow! The Historic Centre of Brugge is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Remembering poignant scenes in the movie that was based on The True Story of the Monuments Men of World War II, we headed to the Church of Our Lady that it is the home of Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child. We spent a wonderful couple of hours in the museum inside the church as well as wandering the streets, marveling the canals and the architecture as well as savoring some Flemish Stew, Belgium beers, and waffles on a stick. Luckily the history of Brugge lent itself to preservation of an incredibly well preserved medieval town that is very welcoming to visitors.
Brugge was my favorite of the cities I visited in Belgium. It’s a city lost in time. I’m glad you liked your unexpected visit. Walking there is such a unique feeling.