After a light breakfast at the hotel we head out to the canals for a quick boat tour. The half hour tour in open boats is a good way to learn a little bit more about the city. Most interesting is the fact that so much of Brugge’s medieval splendor still exists because sometime back in the 1600s the canals filled up with silt and trading was all but halted. All the cloth trade and wealth dried up. There was no money to tear anything down. Four hundred years later, it is there for all to see and it is great to see!
After the canal tour the belfry called out to us with bells. It is 366 steps up to the top and there is a great view waiting. The steps are winding and narrow, but it is worth the effort and wait. The bells play all sorts of tunes. The mechanism is just like that of a music box – a sort of turning drum with prongs that cause the bells to be struck. The spinning drum is brass and estimated to weigh about 9 tons. The view of Markt square is great from above. You can see all the hustle and bustle of Brugge from that vantage point.
After making our way back to earth, it is beer time which turned into a big lunch. Before sitting we wandered into Chcolatier Dumon. Dumon is a family owned chocolatier with delicious chocolate! The young man behind the counter could not tell us enough about how the shop was featured on Rick Steve’s European travel show. If he only knew that we were going to list him on the Knickerbocker Glory Blog! Rick Steves eat your heart out.
For lunch it was Flemish beef and beer stew with frites (of course). It is a hearty meal that sticks to your ribs! With a dark beer to wash it down it is a real treat.
After espresso and a few Dumon chocolates, we head to the chocolate museum. The full history is told including the roll Belgium had in the chocolate industry. Although a slight bit touristy it was worth a stop. We head back to the hotel for a small pause to rest.
Still a little stuffed from lunch we search for lighter and more modern faire for dinner. Very fresh seafood is available in Brugge due to the close proximity to the sea. While a shrimp salad may seem to be an unusual choice for the area, it was delicious nonetheless. Flemish 
rabbit, chicken stew and dover souls will have to wait for the next visit! We end the night with another chocolate slathered waffle, waddle back to the hotel and return to Amsterdam the next morning.
Brugge is a great place and worth a trip. It is both delicious and rich with history. Great for everyone with wow moments around every corner!
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