Though conventionally touristy and crowded to the core, Bruges, Belgium still succeeds in wooing you with its romantic canals, medieval architecture, cobbled old streets and picturesque markets. Under the modern holiday destination garb lays a town that staunchly refuses to shed antediluvian identity, which makes it all the more attractive to visitors. The impeccably preserved medieval homes and the bed of daffodils in spring are as much worth seeing as the delightful afternoon fishing sessions at the canals and the striking whitewashed almshouses. In winters, the town can be explored at a relaxed pace with its canal skating activities and adventurous bike trails. Bruges can effortlessly switch between being a timeless heritage town to a trendy tourist resort.

My trips to Bruges introduced me to several restaurants and luxury hotels, out of which Hotel De Orangerie was an attractive boutique hotel that had been resurrected from a charming vintage convent. For five-star fine dining in the city, Restaurant Kardinaalshof scores for its epicurean menu and perfect ambiance. Winebar EST is undoubtedly the best wine bar in town, with its garden patio, live jazz music and an impressive stock of wines from all over the globe.

Though conventionally touristy and crowded to the core, Bruges, Belgium still succeeds in wooing you with its romantic canals, medieval architecture, cobbled old streets and picturesque markets. Under the modern holiday destination garb lays a town that staunchly refuses to shed antediluvian identity, which makes it all the more attractive to visitors. The impeccably preserved medieval homes and the bed of daffodils in spring are as much worth seeing as the delightful afternoon fishing sessions at the canals and the striking whitewashed almshouses. In winters, the town can be explored at a relaxed pace with its canal skating activities and adventurous bike trails. Bruges can effortlessly switch between being a timeless heritage town to a trendy tourist resort.

My trips to Bruges introduced me to several restaurants and luxury hotels, out of which Hotel De Orangerie was an attractive boutique hotel that had been resurrected from a charming vintage convent. For five-star fine dining in the city, Restaurant Kardinaalshof scores for its epicurean menu and perfect ambiance. Winebar EST is undoubtedly the best wine bar in town, with its garden patio, live jazz music and an impressive stock of wines from all over the globe.