Tuesday, February 28, 2017

All it takes is one visit to Bruges to see why it’s described as the “Venice of the North.”

Filled with a labyrinth of canals and interesting Flemish buildings, Bruges is a fairy-tale like city that begs for photographs. During our visit a few months ago, I took more than 300 photos after we stepped off our hour-long train journey from Brussels where we spent Christmas.

Like Venice, Bruges is filled with small canals and was known for its high-quality lace. During the 16th century, this Belgian city prospered becoming a hub for commerce with merchants from 34 different coutnries that regularly traded here. Even if you’re not one for historical details like these, grab your camera and head to beautiful Bruges!
 
Shortly after we stepped off the train, this gorgeous reflection of a restaurant located along Minnewater "lake of love" greeted us in Bruges.

Begijnhof (Beguinage)
After a short walk from the train station, we first stopped at the Begijnhof or Beguinage – a tranquil convent garden and museum that was founded in 1245. This little piece of world heritage was once the home of the beguines, emancipated women who chose to lead a pious and celibate life. Today the beguinage is inhabited by nuns of the Order of St. Benedict and several Bruges women who have decided to remain unmarried. In the Beguine's house which is now a museum, you get a good idea of what their day-to-day, simple life was like in the 17th century.

Sint-Salvatorskathedraal
Next, we explored The Holy Savior Cathedral (Sint-Salvatorskathedraal), which was originally founded in the 10th century as a common parish church. In 1834, shortly after Belgium’s independence in 1830, a new bishop came to Bruges and the Sint-Salvator church obtained the status of cathedral. The cathedral’s oldest surviving part, dating from the end of the 12th century, forms the base of the mighty tower which you can’t miss from our next stop. Though the church is undergoing some renovations, it’s worth popping in.

Belfort in Bruges
Standing 83-meters tall, the Belfry of Bruges is arguably the most famous part of The Markt square and one of the city’s main attractions that has a queue. We waited more than 45 minutes to climb some 360-plus steps for an unparalleled view over the red rooftops of the city and the market square, which is dotted with many restaurants and cafés.  

Today, the tower holds the 47 bells designed in 1741 by George Duméry and regularly chimes the hours and important events.

Belgian Waffles at Chez Albert
Lunchtime means you must grab a waffle from one of the many stands or shops located near the square.
Stadhuis (Town Hall)
This Gothic structure was built in the late 1300s, making it the oldest Town Hall in Belgium and also an ideal courtyard to enjoy your waffle. The reasonable 2.50-euro admission fee is worth paying so you don’t miss the ornate Gotische Zaal (Gothic Room) – featuring wall murals of Bruges’s history. The spectacular vaulted oak ceiling dates from 1402.

Tip: go early so you can avoid too many people in your photos.

What is the ‘Rozenhoedkaai?’
The Quay of the Rosary is one of the most photographed sites throughout the entire city of Bruges. Just around the corner from the Town Hall, you’ll find a lovely canal with swans and crow-stepped-gabled houses and boats sailing by you. No matter what the season, I’m sure the Rozenhoedkaai is picture perfect!

Of course, when we weren’t admiring the gorgeousness of Bruges, we found a few pubs to enjoy a Belgian beer, an order of frites with mayonnaise and a few Christmas markets. We enjoyed ourselves so much that I have to wonder why my Belgian friend seemed to downplay her city when she spoke of her hometown.

Grab your camera and let’s head to Bruges!

My Traveling Joys

Monday, February 20, 2017

U is for Üsküdar

Having moved six times in the past 10 years, with four of them international moves, it’s often the simpler things in life that I miss about a place – besides the people we’ve met and befriended.

One such fondness from nearly three years of living in Istanbul is quickly crossing from Europe to Asia in 10 minutes via the iconic yellow-trimmed white vapur (ferry boats). Walking from our apartment in the Beşiktaş neighborhood past all the local stores, we picked up the vapur from the iskele located along the Bosphorus. Once we boarded the boat, the Bosphorus breeze started blowing in my blonde hair. Seagulls chased us, being the scavengers that they are, begging for lil nibbles from other passengers. If you have time, you can even buy a glass of Turkish tea on board.

The quickest way to cross from Europe to Asia is to take the vapur from Beşiktaş to Üsküdar. Boats depart nearly every 10 minutes during the day, so it’s easy to do.

Üsküdar is not a typical neighborhood you would visit as a tourist, necessarily. It’s a more traditional neighborhood with older ladies wearing long trench coats and headscarves going about their normal day-to-day activities. Üsküdar is almost like a village the middle of the giant megalopolis. With just a quick boat ride, you can plunge yourself into a very culturally different atmosphere from the touristic side of the city. It’s a quick trip that I definitely recommend!
 Of course, I couldn't resist having my own glass of Turkish tea while admiring the Kız Kulesi and the city's minaret-studded skyline. Gorgeous!
After looking through some old photos, I’d almost forgotten that Üsküdar is one of the best places to see the Kız Kulesi (Maiden's Tower) – the city’s legendary lighthouse in the Bosphorus. Once you exit the boat dock on the Asian side, follow the coastal road in a southerly direction, walking for 10 minutes or so. Eventually, you’ll find an area filled with benches and Turkish waiters serving up copious amounts of tea.  

This is what I miss – simple moments like this one that I took for granted when I lived in Istanbul.

What do you miss from places you’ve lived before?


I’m linking this post to the monthly travel guide link up organized by Fiona, a fellow Australian blogger, at Tiffin Bite Sized Food Adventures. Each month features a new letter of the alphabet. This month is the letter “U.” Please pop on over to Fiona’s blog to read more travel stories or feel free to link up your own!

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My Traveling Joys