It's not often that you get to visit a city that was first recognized in the year 1128. Think about that for a moment - that's 648 years before the US celebrated its first birthday!
 

Often referred to as the 'Venice of the North', Brugge is located in the northwest corner of West Flanders, Belgium and was known early on as an inlet commerce site. More recently, this historic city was designated as a prominent UNESCO World Heritage Site. Aside from the 49 Catholic Churches and 15 some odd Cathedrals, there is no shortage of religion in the area. Although the center 'Market' and 'Belfry' dominate the center square of the city, there is plenty of interesting canal, side streets and local neighbors to tire your feet out walking along the centuries old cobblestone streets.
 

A number of movies have been filmed here and the 2 notable ones that come to mind are 'In Bruges' with Colin Farrell and a scene from the 'The Monuments Men' with George Clooney. The 'Madonna of Bruges' (Michelangelo's 'Mother and Child') is also located here in one of the Cathedral's, as well as the 'Basilica of the Holy Blood' - which reportedly holds a cloth containing Christ blood.
 

Brugge is also well known for it's 'lace' as part of the textile mills of the time, but my attention turned more to the 400 different types of famed Belgium beers and assortment of tasty homemade Belgium chocolate shops! People watching in the City Market with a fine Pilsner and dark chocolate snack doesn't get old ;).