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Daily Mirror
03-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Beautiful 'Venice of the North' city is one of Europe's most underrated cities
With thousands of tourists flocking to cities like Amsterdam and Venice, this beautiful city in Belgium, named the "Venice of the North" is one of Europe's most underrated and is far less crowded While Amsterdam and Venice are flooded with tourists, a picturesque Belgian city known as the "Venice of the North" is one of Europe's hidden gems, boasting fewer crowds and just as much charm. Situated on Belgium's northwest coast, this enchanting city offers cobblestone streets, medieval architecture, canals and a rich history, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a more authentic experience. Only an hour's train ride from Brussels, Bruges has preserved its quaint, romantic atmosphere, making it a top choice for tourists seeking a less crowded alternative. The city's remarkably well-preserved medieval centre features towering buildings, rows of gabled houses, pointed arches, ornate facades, and barrel vaults seamlessly blending history with modern trends. Bruges' oldest buildings, showcasing early Romanesque and Gothic styles, are still standing, including the iconic 13th-century Belfry of Bruges bell tower. For a small fee, visitors can climb the 366 steps to the top for breathtaking views of the town and its surroundings, reports the Express. Other must-see attractions include the Museum of the Church of Our Lady, home to the world's second-tallest brick tower, and the Basilica of the Holy Blood, which houses a cloth believed to be stained with the blood of Jesus. Bruges, often likened to Venice, boasts a complex network of canals linking various parts of the city. The majority of attractions are within walking distance, and those that aren't can be reached via a picturesque canal ride. Initially used for transport and commerce, these canals now play a vital role in the city's culture, offering a Venetian experience without the throngs of tourists. Another way to explore Bruges is by horse-drawn carriage. Setting off from one of the main squares, these carriages navigate the city's winding cobbled streets, crossing ancient bridges and passing through other significant squares, all while the coachman provides commentary, according to Visit Bruges. However, it's worth noting that these rides do not operate when temperatures exceed 30°C to protect the horses' welfare. Bruges also serves as a cultural and artistic hub, housing numerous world-class museums such as the Groeningemuseum and the Memling Museum, which display Flemish and Dutch art, statues, and sculptures. The city also celebrates contemporary art, hosting the Bruges Triennial every few years, where artists erect modern installations throughout the city. Renowned for producing the finest chocolate globally, Bruges boasts some of the richest chocolate in the nation. This charming city is home to numerous Belgian chocolate shops, where expert chocolatiers utilise premium ingredients like high-quality cocoa beans, cocoa butter, and fresh local dairy products to craft their exquisite chocolates, as noted by Fodor's Travel. Visitors can indulge in an array of flavours and fillings, including nuts, liqueurs, and fruits, and even explore the chocolate museum, Choco-Story Brugge, which offers a glimpse into the history of chocolate-making and hands-on workshops. For a more substantial culinary experience, Bruges' restaurants, nestled within the city's historic buildings, serve a delightful blend of Belgian and French cuisine. Be sure to try the crispy Belgian frites, or "pommes frites" which are often accompanied by an assortment of side sauces, including truffle mayonnaise, BBQ and Indian curry. Flemish Stew is another local favourite. If you prefer to avoid the summer crowds and heat, Bruges hosts one of Europe's most enchanting Christmas Markets, making it an ideal winter destination. Visitors to Bruges' historic centre have described their experience as a "fairytale" on Tripadvisor, with one reviewer noting, "The medieval architecture, with its charming gabled houses and serene canals, creates a magical atmosphere." Others have praised it as the "prettiest town in Belgium" and "a place that everybody should visit."
The Herald Scotland
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
American travelers reflect on a historic trip to the Vatican
She compared it to finally visiting Disneyland as an adult after hearing about it for years as a kid. "That's magnified for this trip, as a Catholic," said Hanisek, 76, after the group returned to the U.S. "Even though we didn't actually see the smoke or see the new pope, the feeling of being there, it was in everybody's heart. It was something we talked about all the way home," she said. "The fact that it was an American was just overwhelming." They were in Rome, but unable to make it to the Basilica for the announcement of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as pope. The young priest who organized the trip, Father Patrick Kane, did get to watch Pope Leo XIV step out onto the balcony at St. Peter's Basilica. He was also able to attend the funeral of Pope Francis. Kane, 39, an assistant at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury, told USA TODAY he remains astonished and humbled at the opportunities. The trip had been in the works for two years and was planned to coincide with the Vatican Jubilee this year, a tradition that takes place every 25 years. Kane flew to Rome before his tour participants, planning to attend the canonization of teenage sports fan Carlo Acutis as a saint by Pope Francis. Instead, his trip turned into something very different "in a very blessed way," he said. "I was able to visit (Pope Francis) when he was lying in state in front of the main altar at St. Peter's. I said a prayer in front of his body." Pope Leo takes charge of Catholic Church with Vice President Vance looking on After a trip that included visits to Capri, San Giovanni Rotondo and the ruins at Pompeii, the group returned to Rome. They were on a bus to their farewell dinner "when all of a sudden everybody's phone started blowing up," said Greg Hanisek, Bobbi Hanisek's husband. White smoke had curled into the sky from the chimney at the Sistine Chapel. Because Kane could travel much faster solo, the group encouraged him to hop off the bus and catch a taxi to the Vatican to try to catch a glimpse of the new pope from the balcony. "I managed to flag down a taxi, and they got me pretty close but it was chaos," Kane said. He was surprised to make it into St. Peter's Square, and then wind up next to another priest from his diocese in Connecticut. "I think it was meant to be," he said. "I ended up standing with him and two of our seminarians and we were there to watch the whole thing." Kane felt excitement but also "a lot of wonderment" as Pope Leo was announced, he said. A priest in the group recognized his name and knew the pope was from America. "When he came out, it was obvious he was touched," Kane said. "For us, it's not so much about who's elected pope, it's about the pope and who he is as a leader ... It's a love for the role and not the person himself." Birds of the Vatican A chimney erected to send signals from the Papal conclave was upstaged at times by seagulls, helping Greg Hanisek do a little birdwatching at the Vatican. He shared checklists of birds he saw to the eBird, a platform operated by the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology that allows birders to share their bird observations, identifying the gulls that became Internet famous as yellow-legged gulls. The gulls were photographed perching on statues, confronting a drone and checking out the chimney. Hanisek, who studied a field guide to European birds and range maps for months before leaving for Italy, had no doubt what kind of gulls they were. Yellow-legged gulls are common in the region, said Hanisek, a retired journalist who writes a nature column for the Waterbury Republican-American. The large birds have a wing span of almost five feet and weigh about 2.5 pounds, according to Cornell's All About Birds website. Although he's an avid birder, on this trip Hanisek was delighted to squeeze in any birding at all amidst their busy schedule visiting some of Italy's most hallowed churches. But Hanisek experienced his own moving experience on a ferry trip that included stops at Positano and Amalfi when he was able to spot four yelkouan shearwaters, a type of seabird species, he said. "It's just not a bird you're going to get anywhere other than the Mediterranean." Dinah Voyles Pulver, a national correspondent for USA TODAY, covers climate change, weather, the environment and other news. Reach her at dpulver@ or @dinahvp on Bluesky or X or dinahvp.77 on Signal.
