Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Bruges, Belgium

We took off from Laren and headed south to Bruges, Belgium.   First up was checking into our dream accommodations.  Christine and I booked the castle separately, both of us only planning to stay one night.  To our advantage we accidentally booked different nights so we extended our stay for 2 days and 2 nights!! The castle was such a perfect ending to our trip since it was what the boys were most excited about.  We kept motivating with "castle talk".  It did NOT disappoint!
The castle has been kept in good condition since Medival times and has a mote surrounding the entire thing.  The interior has been kept as it was in the Middle Ages as well.  It is decorated with antiques and has a gothic style.  And to be honest...there was a bit of mystery and creep to the old place.  We denied any scary thoughts because it could be an awesome haunted house.
After checking in we hit the small amazing city of Bruges for the evening! 
We were in search of once again, an eatery! It was basically Easter weekend so everything was booked full.  And as usual we followed Rick Steeves suggestions along with everyone else in the city. We didn't eat here b/c of the crowd but it was cute and the food looked delicious!
We made reservations for the following night at one place and actually ended up at a brand new restaurant that was amazing! Don't judge...there might be an ipad at the dinner table in every picture.  We were nearing the end of our travels and patience was in short supply.
Goat cheese salad that Christine and I devoured! 
Two punkins! 
Meagan and Barrett
The next morning we enjoyed farm fresh breakfast at a table the set special for our two families!
Square in Bruges 
The Bell Tower...which we totally owned!  All of us except Georgia climbed over 200 steps to reach the top.  The staircase was very narrow and quite steep.  
Poor Daddy!  He was such a trooper.  Georgia was D.O.N.E.
After that accomplishment we celebrated with a little fun! 
Next up was a Chocolatier recommend by one of my best friends, Tracy back home in Houston.  Her and her husband traveled through Europe almost 10 years ago and they insisted we hit Dumon (and bring them back some chocolate).  And no kidding...Dumon was THE BEST chocolate I've ever had.  And that's saying a lot...I'm not a chocolate fan. 
Seriously...how cute!?
Shoppin for some sugar!  The truffles were my favorite.  I did buy Tracy some chocolate but it might arrive as chocolate chips instead of pieces :) Rough travelers but it tastes divine! 
After the chocolate...we were off to check out the famous Belgium French Fries.
Friet Museum
And next up was the Chocolate Museum.
Sample please?
Sugar baby!
Can you believe the food!?  Well you can because as you can see I came home puffy and swearing not to eat another carb for years!  
Christine enjoying the most delish waffle!
   
Cuties
To be continued...

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