Bruges is famous for a few things, and in recent times the subject of a great film starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson. If you like your films gangster style I'd highly recommend it. There's a highlight of the movie set in the Belfry of Bruges (Belfort van Brugge), a medieval bell tower in the market square. Whilst visiting Bruges on a day trip whilst staying in Blankenburge, I just had to visit!
It was a long climb to the top, there's a lot of winding stairs to climb (366), but when you get to the top there are glorious views stretching out over the city. I was most lucky to get to the top on the the hour. Just as the bell mechanism kicked into motion. It was fantastic to see the bells in action and hear the sound created up close. It was very cold, and very windy, but a great experience to be up close. There and then I made a plan to come back one day, on a less windy day, with a better microphone and capture the sound again...
Afterwards it was time to reconvene at Cafe Rose Red. This was a bar recommended for it's charm, and beer. It was not a disappointment. There was a fantastic menu to choose from, with a whole catalogue of beers covering different styles, and a selection of very special beers on tap. I enjoyed a few beers before returning to Blankenburge. I only had a few hours to spare so barely scraped the surface of what Bruges has to offer, but I'll be back!
