http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16042
The Begijnhof is just off Wijngaardplein and has a shop, church and small museum. There are signs asking people to be silent (though not always obeyed).]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16042 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16039
Work up through the Rocheforts over some great food. Talk whisky after dinner and weave a merry way home. For chocs go to Pralinette, you can watch them being made in the back of the shop. Get the orange peel in chocolate!

Lovely big rooms in Hotel De Tuilereën, super spa facilities and winner of best breakfast in Benelux! Nice people, nice place. Oh, it’s got canals and museums as well.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16039 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16033
Cycle along quiet tree-lined canals and stop in Damme for a coffee or lunch. Then continue along more traffic-free tree-lined canals, popping into the odd village along the way.

Bike hire is very reasonable at about 15 euros for the day.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16033 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16031
Look no further than the International Youth Hotel (not Hostel) in Langer Straat. You've got all the familiarity of being close by the city centre and a room-style reminiscent of the French motorway hotels like Formule 1 and Campanile.

It has shared ownership with the next-door dormitory-based Youth Hostel, so do not book the wrong one. Two years ago, the cost per head for a group of 20 of us was £12 per night, including meagre and just adequate breakfast, but no more than two rolls each please. Nice to find a place where average age was less than 30.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16031 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16028
The fare is 1.5 Euros and the driver will almost certainly speak English so ask to be alerted to get off at the ‘Markt’. You will alight at the most beautiful square in the city and hotels, bars and restaurants are plentiful. Most usefully you will be only a few yards from the Tourist Information Bureau.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16028 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16024
The Baroness de Giey package was great fun and value – three nights' bed and breakfast, transfers, boat trip and two very good dinners at a local restaurant – we were stuffed with lots of rich Belgian specialties including garlic snails. A snip at 275 euros per person at weekends.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16024 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16023
It was a warm evening so we sat outside watching the horse-drawn carriages coming past. We had the local specialities, my wife had a pan full of mussels and I had Bruges filet steak. We also had the local brewed beer.

The quality of the food was very good and the price was reasonable - three-course dinner, drinks and coffee just under 70 euros for two people.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16023 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16022 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16022 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16009 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16009 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16007 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16007 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16006
Above all, the food is delicious and the best example of real Belgium food I experienced anywhere in Bruges. The restaurant is probably best visited in winter when its roaring fire and candle-lit tables offer consolation from the cold.

My advice would be to book for December and then follow your meal with a brief walk to the Markt where you can enjoy a skate on the temporary ice-rink and a comforting mug of warm wine.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16006 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16002
The Hotel Ter Reien on Langestraat offers all of this, together with reasonable prices, friendly staff and a fantastic breakfast.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16002 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16000 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16000 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15998 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15998 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14955 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14955 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14687 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14687 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14675
Take a trip on the canals and a horse & carriage ride. Visit the lace making shops to witness the results of a near-miraculous craft.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14675 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14638 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14638 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14609 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14609 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14608 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14608