I like to say I’m very easily “inspired.” Some people might call it impressionable — I’ll stick with inspired.
Case in point: my very first trip abroad. The deciding factor? A single line item on a group tour itinerary that promised an overnight in Bruges. Why? Because I’d seen the movie In Bruges back in 2008, and ever since, I knew I wanted to see it for myself.
The film sold Bruges as a nearly preserved medieval town. That wasn’t exactly the case — there are plenty of modern shops mixed in — but it was worth the trip all the same.
What I Loved About Bruges
- The canals and Market Square: postcard-perfect, especially in the early morning before the crowds.
- The Belfry: towering above the square, ringing with history.
- Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaerde: a peaceful complex originally created as a safe haven for women in 1927 — surprisingly tranquil amid the tourist buzz.
- The Madonna of Bruges: a marble sculpture by Michelangelo, quietly housed in the Church of Our Lady. It’s one of the few Michelangelo works to leave Italy during his lifetime, and it’s striking in its serenity.
- Early mornings in the old town: I stayed just outside the historic core, which meant walking in at dawn. One of my best memories was standing on a sloped street while what seemed like hundreds of school kids sped by on bicycles at what I considered breakneck speed. To them, it was just Tuesday morning. To me, it was magic.
What Wasn’t So Magical
- Retail déjà vu. Some main streets felt like they could have been anywhere, with familiar global chains. I joke that I can spot a Claire’s jewelry store in even the smallest, most out-of-the-way town. Bruges was no exception.
- Canal boat rides. They looked fun — but crowded — and I skipped them this time. Maybe next visit.
A Meal to Remember
Dinner in town wasn’t extravagant, but it was satisfying — the kind of meal that feels better when you’ve walked all day and are surrounded by the hum of an old city. In Bruges, even “ordinary” feels memorable. We at just around the corner from the Beguinage Ten Wijngaerde.
Reflections
Was Bruges exactly as the movie promised? No. Was it still worth it? Absolutely. The canals, the medieval streets, the Michelangelo Madonna — and yes, the breakneck school kids — all made it feel alive in a way no film could capture.
Sometimes being “impressionable” pays off.
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