Zeebrugge, Belgium

Day 13, Zeebrugge (Bruges) Belgium (October 3, 2016)

Today we took a tour of the medieval town of  Bruges in Belgium.

20161003_090643

It was a cold and breezy morning and we had a few smatterings of rain, but for the most part the weather cooperated.  We had a guide take is through the city highlights, and then took a canal tour.

20161003_094601

The bridge from the parking lot to the town

 

20161003_105316

 

20161003_104705

 

20161003_104614

 

20161003_104312

 

20161003_104306-pano

 

20161003_104306

 

20161003_103811

 

20161003_103728

 

20161003_103607

 

20161003_103527

 

20161003_103456

 

20161003_103445 20161003_102313 20161003_102014

 

20161003_102012

 

20161003_101924

 

20161003_101722

20161003_100639

One of the many shops – selling textile items

20161003_101549
20161003_101228 20161003_100955 20161003_100738 20161003_100442 20161003_095728 20161003_095716 20161003_095700 20161003_095643 20161003_095632 20161003_095512 20161003_095415 20161003_095301 20161003_095149 20161003_095046 20161003_094919 20161003_094902
20161003_094726

It is a very picturesque town and we took dozens of photos. We also decided to try out the local food…so we had Belgium Waffles, drizzled with Belgium Chocolate – and Belgium french fries!  Totally yummy!

20161003_123052

All over Bruges are chocolate shoppes and shoppes where they sell lace and textiles.  Textiles were an early industry for Bruges (in the 15th Century I think?) and brought wealth to the area – later changes both politically and geologically changed the economy for the worst. This is partly why the town was a ‘snapshot in time.’ They were poor and could not afford to update and build new buildings like many of the neighboring cities did.

When we got back to our room it was time for the unhappy chore of packing our belongings to prepare for leaving the ship tomorrow morning.  We will have a nice tour of the London area before we hop on our plane home.  This has been a wonderful and relaxing cruise, and we will happily cruise on Regent again.

Tomorrow we disembark and after our tour, will head home to our family, friends and pets.  It’s been a very wonderful adventure!

20161003_182931

 

Click here to go to our final day…