Brugge (Bruges in French) is a quaint little city in Flanders, not far from the port city of Oostende and only a few hours from Brussels. All the service people I encountered here spoke English. Brugge is a wonderful alternative to larger cities, with lots to offer despite its smaller size.
In the center are lots of shops, restaurants and pubs. The belfry ("belfort") has 366 steps that you can climb for a great view of the area, as well as a closer look at the bells. The town hall is also an interesting building. You can wander along many canals and over bridges in Brugge, and on the outskirts there are windmills. A popular way to view the area is by bike: a 30-km tour took about four hours, with including a cafe break and frequent stops while the guide explained various things of interest- lowland cemetery problems, World War II bunkers, etc. I would recommend this, although other options - boat tours, bus tours, rides in carriages, or just going on foot- are possible.
Aside from its own charms, Brugge also offers typical Belgian pleasures: Belgian lace, Belgian chocolates, the national dish (mussels in wine sauce with frites), and Belgian beer. Belgian beer is often called "the champagne of Belgium" - some breweries bottle the beer in .75 L bottles with champagne corks. There is a host of beers, from Lambics to wheat, and they are generally considered to be of good quality ( 't Brugs Beertje, Kemelstraat 5, is said to offer more than 300 kinds of beer).
Brugge Canal and Ducks
The Belfort
Bell in the Belfort
View from the Belfort
