Spending my birthday week in the pretty country. We are taking in as much of the sights as we can. It’s a very short plane ride from the UK, so getting here was very easy.

We took the train to the town of Bruges, just an hours journey. First of all, I love going by train. It is so relaxing. I read most of the way there, and wrote in my journal on the ride back. And in between I looked out the window at the country side….farms, cows, corn stalks, and the leaves on the trees were starting their change of color.

Bruges is a medieval city that was developed between the 7th-9th centuries. In the 14th century the tradition of tapestry weaving and embroidery began and has made this place world famous since the Middle Ages. There are over 600 statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary around the city. During the month of May, they are all adorned with flowers.

I went inside the Church of Our Lady that was built in the 9th century, and almost entirely out of brick. There is a statue of Our Lady and Child inside that was done by Michaelangelo – one of few works outside the country of Italy.

Many canals, with swans swimming in the waters, and bridges are throughout the town. When you travel by boat, you see a different perspective of the city, a very picturesque point of view. And the best way to get around this place was by bicycles. It’s true, you don’t forget how to ride one. Oh, and the candy! Thank goodness I walked around a lot. Lace and candy-that is what they are known for.

I loved this place. The people were friendly, very helpful, and just wanted to tell their story.