Américaine Girl

10 Things to Do in Bruges, Belgium to Make You Love It Even More

Thursday, March 05, 2015

Bruges, Belgium the "Venice of the North," is home to less inhabitants than tourists! That's not to say that there isn't anything to do, in fact it's quite the opposite. There's a reason that travelers from all over the world flock here. Its beauty, food, and culture is worth the trip. Let's not forget the Belgium beers either!

Here's 10 places to go, foods to eat, and things to do in Bruges!

1. Fries

The French invented fries right? Wrong. Belgium takes the prize on this one. Story also has it that a serving of their freshly cut fries are equal in fat to a serving of eggs. I'm not sure of the truth in that but I used it as my excuse to divulge anyway. In Bruges you'll want to hit up Frituur de Gentpoorte THEY ARE TO DIE FOR.

2. Romantic Walks

Bruges is known for its romance, in fact there are designated "kissing spots" along the Groenerei Canal. Steer clear of the tour guides and large groups and you're golden. If you're not into the cheesy romantic stuff, there is a new designated area on Bonifatius Bridge to flash people and photobomb any lovey-dovey pictures. Gotta love Europe!

3. Markets

Here at The Markt of Bruges (no I did not spell it wrong), you have entered a tourist trap. HOWEVER, if you go on Wednesday morning there is a large, authentic market with several vendors. You can pick up local produce, cheese, pastries, meats, anything! If you miss the market, just post up at one of these restaurants for a beer and people watch. You're right in the heart of Bruges!

4. Beer

Belgium is known for its crisp, high-alcoholic beers. You won't find a bad beer, so make sure you find a good atmosphere. The coolest pub I've ever been to is in Bruges, called 'T Poatersgat. It's an underground bar with nearly 300 Belgium beers. As you walk by you'll see (if your lucky) what looks like a door to a basement. If you squat down you'll realize it is a huge pub! We ended up here for about 6 hours...

5. Religion

If you are religious and love history, the Church of Our Lady is a necessary stop. It holds one of the most famous pieces of art of Roman Catholicism. The Madonna and Child sculpture, made by Michelangelo, lies within these 13th century walls. If you've seen the movie "The Monuments Men," you'll know that this is the sacred art that was once stolen by the Nazis.

6. Art

I'm not a big fan of museums, but this is extremely different than most. It is very simple, quiet, and small. Inside are six centuries worth of famous Belgian and Flemish paintings. Being that it rains in Bruges a lot, you will need some things to do indoors anyway. You're able to get close to the paintings and there are enough to see for at least two hours. Although it's small it is packed with art.

7. Shopping

Hundreds of stores line Steenstraat and Zuidandstraat streets. Some are luxurious while others are for the Zara shopper like myself. You'll find that it is packed with UK shoppers snagging the euro-priced clothing. If you'd rather not fork out the cash, a little window shopping never hurt!

8. Belgian Waffles

I'm salivating thinking about it. There is no bad place to go in Bruges for a waffle. There are street vendors, shops, and restaurants, all cooking-up yummy Belgian waffles. The traditional waffle is plain, you'll find that most locals won't top it with anything. I, however, will take it to any and all levels of delicious toppings.

9. Photo Op

You have to have that "Hey I've been to Bruges," photo. Anywhere along the canal makes for a great photo op. I experienced nothing but rain and still came out with great photos. The colorful architecture in Bruges really makes for awesome shots! Don't be shy about asking for pictures from strangers either, because they most likely want one too.

10. History

You have the opportunity to climb 366 steps to the top of the Belfry Bell Tower. It's a historical monument that has been in the town square since 1240. You won't find another view of Bruges like this one! The bells were once a use of time for schools, work, alarms, etc., but now just go off hourly. Make sure to climb it when the bells go off so you can see them move!

If you are looking for other activities to do, places to dine, or pubs to frequent make sure to use a good guide. We followed Use-It, a company known to give strictly locals' perspectives and recommendations. Find their Bruges map here.

K1 Visa Timeline for French Citizens

Monday, February 02, 2015

bordeaux, french lifestyle, french wine, UGC, vineyard, wine tasting

Exclusive Bordeaux Wine Tasting Event at Fontainebleau Miami Beach

Friday, January 23, 2015

Finally! Since the day I left Bordeaux I've been dying for a glass of French paradise. Yesterday, Mathieu, author of French Wine World, had us invited to Total Wine's Bordeaux Wine Tasting Event at Fontainebleau in Miami Beach. Now if there are two things I love it's a glass of Bordeaux and my toes in the sand.

Over 80 châteaux traveled from the Southwest of France to show their 2012 vintage. The event started at 2 p.m. and ended at 5 p.m., with a turnout of several hundred people. Appellations including Pauillac, Margaux, Graves/Pessac Leognan, Pomerol, St. Emilion, St. Estephe, St. Julien, Sauternes/ Barsac, Haut Medoc, and Medoc flooded the venue.

Liv Nightclub was beautifully set-up for the wine tasting, organizing the châteaux by region, and providing enough space for all of the guests and wine producers. I wish we had been able to spend more time at the end, tasting the white wines, but there was such a great atmosphere that much of the time was spent conversing. Importers, exporters, distributers, and wine-lovers traveled from all over the world to attend the Union de Grand Crus de Bordeaux event. For the first time in Miami, I was speaking more French than anything!

Although the first class grand crus such as Châteaux Margaux and Mouton Rothschild were not present, there were many second class grand crus present. Put more simply, the #1 wines of Bordeaux were not there. This does not degrade the second level what-so-ever as they are still delicious and prestigious wines. My favorite of the day was the 2012 Château Clos Fourtet.

The UCG event did not only take place in Miami this year, but also Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Denver. All cities that are heavy populated with wine-o's. It was $150/each to attend (thankfully we were invited!), but well worth the price. There was not enough time to taste all of the wines, however, it was bliss in itself to be surrounded by grand crus again! It also was pleasant to be able to take a walk on the beach before it started.

For those who wish to attend the event next year, make sure you do so ahead of time. This was a fully reserved wine-tasting at Fontainebleau. It is a fully english-speaking event, so don't be discouraged by the name! To find information on further wine events held by Total Wine or the UGC, be sure to click the links.