Trip to Bruges Indulging in Belgian Beer: Breweries, Beer Museum, and Belgian Beer Galore - April 2024【114】
April in Belgium and France
At the beginning of April, we left London on a Thursday night and traveled by car to Belgium and France.
2024/4/11
We arrived in Dover at midnight and took a ferry across the English Channel.
It was a large ship that could carry cars.
We went outside to see the night view, but it was still quite cold in April in England.
That night, we had a beer at a hotel in Belgium before going to bed.
2024/4/12
Morning in Belgium.
Since it was a weekday Friday, we did a bit of work in the lobby before heading out.
We arrived in Bruges, Belgium.
Bruges is a beautiful city in the Flemish region of Belgium and the capital of West Flanders. Known for its historic buildings and canals, it retains a strong medieval atmosphere, earning it the nickname "Venice of the North."
Speaking of Belgium, chocolate!
We saw many chocolate shops around the city.
We also frequently saw horse-drawn carriages in the city.
Lunch was at a pizza place.
Belgian beer and pizza.
Market Square.
In the central square of Bruges, you'll find the Belfry (Belfort) and other historic buildings. Climbing the Belfry offers a panoramic view of the city.
Speaking of Belgium, waffles!
You can enjoy them with chocolate, whipped cream, strawberries, bananas, and various other toppings.
De Halve Maan Brewery is one of the most famous breweries in Bruges. Established in 1856, it boasts a long history. They offer brewery tours where you can see the beer-making process and enjoy tastings. At the end of the tour, you can enjoy beautiful views from the rooftop terrace. Their most famous beer is "Brugse Zot," and they also have the "Straffe Hendrik" brand.
One drink before joining the tour.
Another one after the tour.
We returned to our accommodation, rested for a bit, and then headed out to a restaurant for dinner.
The restaurant was called Restaurant Diligence, serving Belgian cuisine.
We enjoyed Belgian beer and a dish with Dover sole fish.
And dessert after the meal.
We explored Bruges a bit at night before heading to a cocktail bar.
After having another beer at a pub, we went to bed.
2024/4/13
The morning of our second day in Belgium.
We had a breakfast of sandwiches and coffee before heading to the Belfry.
Climbing the stairs offers a panoramic view of Bruges.
Church of Our Lady.
Bruges Beer Experience.
At the beer museum, you can learn about its history and trivia.
At the end of the museum tour, you can choose and enjoy three beers.
After the museum, we went to a nearby pub...
The beer we had here had an alcohol content of 11%, and after three glasses, we were completely done for.
I woke up at home, it was night. Haha.
I just had a drink and some nuggets from Burger King and went to bed, struggling.
2024/4/14
The final day.
Woke up with a hangover, bought some souvenirs and breakfast at a nearby supermarket.
We drove to Dunkirk in France and visited a museum.
The museum was about the Battle of Dunkirk, which we had studied in textbooks.
The Battle of Dunkirk (May 26 to June 4, 1940) occurred during Nazi Germany's invasion of France, where Allied forces were surrounded. The British High Command initiated Operation Dynamo, evacuating about 330,000 soldiers by sea and air. Despite heavy losses, the operation was a success, allowing the Allies to regroup and temporarily halting German advances. The Dunkirk evacuation became a symbol of resistance against Nazi Germany for the British, boosting morale and playing a crucial role in later Allied strategies.
After the museum, we strolled along the beach.
We had lunch at a French restaurant.
We enjoyed mussels, tartare, risotto, and a lot of fries.
We took the ferry from Calais, France, back to Dover, England.
We drank so much beer on this trip that the smell of beer made me feel sick for weeks after returning.
