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Many of the buildings in Bruges date back to the 12th and 13th century. Continued from page 39 The main tourist product for which Bruges is known is crochet work. From small doilies to tablecloths, the intri- cate, handmade craftsmanship is second to none. Many shops specialize in selling the locally made artistries and dozens of others have designated ‘linen’ sections within their store. If you are driving, parking is available on the outskirts of the old city and be prepared to walk, for every corner you take will present a new postcard view. Of course boats are the preferred way of travel, but sidewalks are abundant so good combinations of both will make up your visit. Bruges, like many small, picturesque villages, can be seen in a day. Two is nice if you are an avid shopper or photographer, but ideally a two night stay, arriving on the first day, sightseeing on the second and departing on the third is my recommendation. | have been three times and twice have stayed in the town. The hotels tend to be tiny and archaic, but clean and quaint. Modern amenities like Wi-Fi and satellite television are not the reason one visits Bruges. Break- fasts, usually included with the room, are filling and often elimi- nate the need for lunch. Walking around for several hours though brings out an ice cream appetite in me, which will normally see me through to dinner. There is no shortage of quaint restaurants to choose from, all offering the finest [& in Dutch and Belgian beers and of course a vast selection of French and German wines. The view from the The word Bruges is derived from the Dutch word for Bridge. The official language is Flemish, but Dutch and French are spoken equally. Of course, as in so many countries now, English is understood by everyone. Flemish painting became all the tage in the fifteen hundreds and artists such as van Eyck and Memling made Bruges their home. King Richard III and Edward II of England fled there in exile and King Charles the second made Bruges home for himself and his court, also while in exile from England. The wool makers and weavers were considered the finest in the world and the lace embroiderers created products that were sought after from. Italy to Scandinavia. Bruges's entre- preneurial enterprise created new markets in a vastly changing world and the city was the site for the very first English book ever printed. In 2002 Bruges was voted the European capital of culture, enticing more than two million visitors a year. The most famous attraction in the city is the thirteenth century belfry which houses 48 bells. The city still employs a full time carillonneur who gives numerous concerts throughout the day. Bruges is the perfect city to visit if you are doing Europe at leisure. A day or two in Brussels or the south of Holland is a good starting point. The train will take you from Bruges to Paris in a comfortable, reliable fashion and you will have fond memories of one of the prettiest towns our world has to offer. Follow Jonathan van Bilsen’s travel tales and ad- ventures at photosNtravel.com. i is one of the most 40 FOCUS - MARCH 2015 buildings in Bruges.