Then off on the Visit Brugge self guided app of the world heritage sites that took us all around the city. I can't get over how pretty it is here. It all looks like a fairy story came to life.
I think we might have visited every one of the many many chocolate shops buying souvenirs to take home. It's lovely to be able to browse without small children asking to buy everything!
One of the favourite things we visited today was the Benguinage, today home to nuns and single women, based on a community of historic Benguines, a community of religious lay women who lived on the site. I found them fascinating, the way of life giving them a way to live independently of male control, supporting themselves independently. They didn't take permanent vows, could come and go as they pleased, and often worked in healthcare, education and textiles. The community ask that those visiting do so in silence and it was quite something to see the groups of guided tours passing through silently.
We came back to the hotel about 3pm for a cuppa and a snack before checking out the sauna and steam room in the basement vaults. This refreshed us mightily for heading off to the light trail around town. The first site we visited wasn't open which was when we discovered it didn't kick off till 5.30pm. so we used this as an excuse to drink some gluwein in one of the Christmas markets, before returning our shopping to the hotel and heading out again.
The light trail was fabulous and took us all around a different selection of city sites. Really recommend it.
Dinner of croquettes from the Christmas market before more exploring and heading back to our hotel for another drink in the hotel bar.
Just had a shower and am all cosy in bed. Looking forward to museums and boat tours tomorrow.
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