First off, anyone planning to visit Belgium should see the movie: ‘In Bruges’, about two hitmen who are forced to lie low in Bruges.

Both El and I (and respective spouses) had seen it, and consequently Bruges was on our must-see list. In the movie there’s a climatic scene involving the Belfort, and when we found that the B&B Verdi was just 200 metres from the Belfort we immediately booked it!

We registered in the very impressive Verdi Tearoom and Restaurant. As you can see from my photos, I was totally fascinated by the multi-coloured crystal chandeliers…

We received our ancient-looking keys and were escorted to the hotel, half a block along around the corner. When we first saw our rooms El was a little bit alarmed. This is a very OLD hotel, and ensuites hadn’t been invented back in 1162 (or 1152, don’t have the exact date, but old, very old!). The rooms have been retrofitted to some extent, but her bathroom was outside the main suite.

I almost offered to switch rooms — ours was much smaller but did have an ensuite. However, El soon fell under the spell of history of the place.

El checking out the view from her room.
The view from El’s room.

Another fascinating thing about the Verdi was that there were antiques everywhere, things that if I had owned them would have had me running down to the Antiques Roadshow. Here are just a few of the many vignettes scattered around the open hallways.

Last, but not least, I should mention the breakfasts that were included in the price. They were served in that very impressive tearoom around the corner and consisted of fresh-squeezed orange juice, croissants and other Belgian breads, yogurts, excellent coffee (or tea), ham and cheese.

Belgian ham and Old Bruges Cheese

breakfast breads and croissantes

One morning breakfast included this marvelous pastry, cherries in a custard pie.

Anyway we were totally charmed by the Verdi, but I must warn that we tend to be quite adventurous in our choice of accommodation. Anything this old is never going to be perfect, so if you feel the need for all the modern conveniences, it probably isn’t for you. Cost was about 90 euros/night including all the taxes and that substantial breakfast for two (2012 prices).

Booked via http://www.booking.com
B&B Verdi
Address Vlamingstraat 5, Historical Centre of Brugge
Brugge, 8000

Another very close hotel recommended by another blogger dishnthekitchen is Hotel Malleburg. “It was a gem for our family and I was glad to stay there three nights. So close to Cambrinus!”

Our trip was roughly based on the Beer Route through Belgium, and here it is so far.

Some visits to a few traditional bars in Brussels:

• a 300 year-old bar in Brussels
• a la Becasse, a traditional pub in Brussels
• a la Mort Subite, a historic brasserie in Brussels

More on fairytale Bruges (Brugge):

• lunch at the Cambrinus
• tour of the Brewery in Bruges
• t’ Brugs Beertje in Bruges
• dinner at the Cambrinus
• warming up a chilly day in Bruges
• the Verdi B&B

On Ghent:

• beer and museums on our first day in Ghent
• beer, food and museums on our second day in Ghent – Part 1
• Ghent SMAK exhibit, the conceptual Bulgarian artist Nedko Solakov
• beer, food and museums on our second day in Ghent – Part 2