Bruges

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EvanWatson

Original Poster:

67 posts

132 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
Just back from five nights in Bruges.

Been recommended by a friend who is generally correct with his opinions. Must say I found the place to be one of the most expensive cities I have ever visited, populated by a rude bunch who seem to view visitors as a target to shake down.

Wife was barged out of the way on numerous occasions by local men. When getting change from a transaction only notes tended to be offered, the small change seemingly a triviality. Well, it's as good in my pocket mate.

Food was of a very average standard, yet cost a fortune. 33cl glasses of beer cost double the price of a pint in my local. Vodka and coke was €12+

Having said that, the hotel was excellent and the city is beautiful.

No doubt they see tourists and visitors and an endless commodity, maybe this is the case. I know in the future I'll be giving Belgium a wide berth.



Edited by EvanWatson on Thursday 28th August 13:22

Cyder

7,045 posts

219 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
Weird, not my experience of the place at all.

Spent 2 days there earlier in the year and throughly enjoyed the place. Yes it's quite expensive but had no issue at all with the locals or bars/restaurants!

zcacogp

11,239 posts

243 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
Wasn't my experience either - it was a very pretty place and the locals were all polite and friendly.

My objection was that it was simply one vast tourist trap and the only people you saw were either tourists or people involved in the tourist industry. As such, it was about as 'real' as Alton Towers. (Just like Marrakesh, for that matter; what you see there is only aimed at tourists. 20 minutes walk from Jemaa-el-Fna gets you to the 'real' Marrakesh which looks like any other modern city in the South of France.)


Oli.

Tampon

4,637 posts

224 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
I went there a week or so ago expecting great things but was left a bit underwhelmed. Very pretty, but same feeling of being surrounded by other tourists and expensive shops. Lovely stuff, very exclusive designer names but not really my idea of a holiday, "shopping".

As we were right at the end of a month of camper vanning round europe it really showed up how fake and unnatural the place felt in comparison to Girona (Ten times better and as old AND cheap as chips) St Tropay, Lake Annecy and even the Bosta Brava in Spain.

A PH'er recommended going to a restaurant call Ribs n Beer and it was great (although definitely book or there is no way you will get a table) if you like your meet but that was about it.

My wife and I think we will probably try again in the depths of winter as it might have a different feel but I can think of much better places to go so it will be a stop off rather than a place we will stay for a long period.

GreatPretender

26,140 posts

213 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
Loved the place.

Drove an old GF there in my GT3, which was parked pride of place outside the Kemplinski all weekend. Locals were friendly and the sights quite beautiful. Ate fabulous food; drank gallons of splendid wine and great beer. Had fantastic sex.


OldBuoy

26,957 posts

182 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
We had a long weekend in November, thought it was great. I wouldn't base myself there for 5 days though.

vescaegg

25,489 posts

166 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
Bruges is lovely but I found if walked as much of it as I could possibly find within 2 days. Did you go on trips etc? 5 days seems a long time!

EvanWatson

Original Poster:

67 posts

132 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
vescaegg said:
Bruges is lovely but I found if walked as much of it as I could possibly find within 2 days. Did you go on trips etc? 5 days seems a long time!
Just went over for a rest really. Not much of a tourist in that sense, mainly wanted to relax and wander about. Done the normal museum stuff, walked in the park...

The attitude of the shop/restaurant owners and also the locals astounded me. I don't consider it a privilege to visit a certain city. Then again maybe it is just my outlook, also detested the Parisian experience for similar reasons.

Maybe I should visit Santa Ponsa next time wink

Supernova190188

887 posts

138 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
I thought it was fantastic when I went , expensive yes, but then again the beer is generally twice as strong as a pint in your local, so you only need half as much smile

EvanWatson

Original Poster:

67 posts

132 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
Supernova190188 said:
I thought it was fantastic when I went , expensive yes, but then again the beer is generally twice as strong as a pint in your local, so you only need half as much smile
the delirium beer is well named :0

had a couple of 12% bottles, rocket fuel would not describe it.

Output Flange

16,793 posts

210 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
Had a great time when I went. Good beer, good food, good company. Rubbish sex, sadly. Enjoyed the ride over in his GT3 though.

Pit Pony

8,266 posts

120 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
The night before we went as a family we watches "in Bruges" on the DVD player. Then we spent 4 nights sampling very strong beer and the days eating cheese.

Brilliant.

Output Flange

16,793 posts

210 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
There's a place called Beer n Ribs who sell - would you believe - beer and ribs. Which were bloody lovely. Whodda thunk ribs with chocolate sauce could work?!

vescaegg

25,489 posts

166 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
Pit Pony said:
The night before we went as a family we watches "in Bruges" on the DVD player. Then we spent 4 nights sampling very strong beer and the days eating cheese.

Brilliant.
'If I grew up on a farm and was retarded, Bruges may impress me. But I wasnt, so it doesnt.' hehe

Love that film.

Pit Pony

8,266 posts

120 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
vescaegg said:
'If I grew up on a farm and was retarded, Bruges may impress me. But I wasnt, so it doesnt.' hehe

Love that film.
And all that gay beer in a gay beer glass.

We found a pub/restaurant here : http://goo.gl/maps/x0ICb

which did "all you can eat spare ribs" and then kept bringing them until you'd eaten a whole pig. Cheap enough too.

Nice little beer garden out back, so we went twice. It was only 400 yrds from our rented town house, and so was able to stagger back held up by my hard drinking 'kids'

Swervin_Mervin

4,429 posts

237 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
Weird. We found everyone to be perfectly friendly. Food good, beer great. Prices a little high but not too bad.

toon10

6,140 posts

156 months

Friday 29th August 2014
quotequote all
I spent a long weekend in Bruges and it was amazing. No trouble from the locals at all, in fact we ended up drinking in a none tourist bar near the hotel most nights and they were very friendly and accomodating. The prices weren't bad for food and drink and the sights of the city made for a brilliant romantic break.

The other half wants to go back and she normally likes to see as much of the world as possile so doesn't revisit places as a rule. Saying that she also wants to go back to Budapest, another fantastic place.

toon10

6,140 posts

156 months

Friday 29th August 2014
quotequote all
Pit Pony said:
The night before we went as a family we watches "in Bruges" on the DVD player. Then we spent 4 nights sampling very strong beer and the days eating cheese.

Brilliant.
Did exactly the same thing!

There's a place called Cafe Rose (I think) which was fantastic. A guy came over and offered us the menu. It was a beer menu with about 500 choices! I'd been on the brewery tour and fell in love with the Straffe Hendrick quadrouple. He offered me a bottle of the stuff but it had been aged in oak barrels. I nearly pulled the trigger until said it was 53 Euros a glass! I stuck with the standard one and tried a few others. Can't really remember where I ended up after that biggrin

Foppo

2,344 posts

123 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
quotequote all
EvanWatson said:
vescaegg said:
Bruges is lovely but I found if walked as much of it as I could possibly find within 2 days. Did you go on trips etc? 5 days seems a long time!
Just went over for a rest really. Not much of a tourist in that sense, mainly wanted to relax and wander about. Done the normal museum stuff, walked in the park...

The attitude of the shop/restaurant owners and also the locals astounded me. I don't consider it a privilege to visit a certain city. Then again maybe it is just my outlook, also detested the Parisian experience for similar reasons.

Maybe I should visit Santa Ponsa next time wink
[/quote

Enjoyed Paris for a few days.My wife is disabled and the staff in small cafes and museum where very helpful.

br d

8,388 posts

225 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
quotequote all
I was there a few months ago and really enjoyed it, wonderful place and very friendly. The attractions can get a bit busy (the Belfry was packed even first thing in the morning) but the beauty of the place made up for it.

Shame you didn't warm to it OP, happens sometimes.