Our 10 Favourite Beaches in Photos
As much as we love all natural environments, we love being on the coast most of all. We share the best beaches in the world we’ve visited so far.
Bruges, Ypres & West Flanders, Belgium
Bruges is the one Belgian city, beyond Brussels, most people have heard of, for good reason. This quaint, canal-lined medieval city has a museum-like quality making it seem preserved in time. UNESCO recognised Bruges’ importance and tourists flock to fill its streets during the peak summer months.
There is much more to West Flanders than Bruges however, particularly for history buffs. West Flanders was the site of devastating battles during WWI, with the epicentre at Ypres (or Ieper). This pretty, restored city pays homage to those who died in the muddy fields at the striking Menin Gate. There are a variety of fascinating WWI museums in the area, including the interactive In Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres’ former Cloth Hall.
West Flanders also encompasses the Belgian coast. While, as Atlantic Canadians, we’ve never been impressed by Belgium’s overdeveloped beaches, we have to admit, some of the coastal cities are worth visiting even if you never see the sand. We particularly enjoy Oostende, with its excellent seafood restaurants, interesting museums, and peaceful gardens. It’s a great weekend escape from Belgium’s busier cities.
[the_ad id=”16655″]
Latest Articles About Bruges, Ypres & West Flanders, Belgium
Ypres World War One Museums
The in Flander’s Fields Museum, Ypres, Belgium
If the battlefields around Ypres give you a sense for the landscape in which the First World War was fought, the local museums provide the background and realities of the fighting. There are many museums along the front specializing in a particular battle, a type of weapon, or a specific military unit. However, in the Ypres area two museums provide a solid overview of the war and I think they complement each other well. These are the In Flander’s Fields Museum and the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917.
Exploring the Battlefields of Ypres, Belgium
German Trenches at Bayernwald
I’ve been interested in the history of war for 20 years. Although my initial interest was the Second World War, you cannot escape the impact the First World War had on Europe, world politics, and the start of the Second World War. I’ve read many books and watched a lot of films about both wars, but nothing compares to visiting the ‘front’. Alison knows I have more than a passing interest in the wars of the 20th century, so she booked us a trip to visit the battlefields around Ypres for my birthday. This may sound like an odd way to celebrate a birthday, but it was something I really wanted to experience.
Feline Fun
Belgians love a good party. Even the tiniest villages have some sort of annual celebration. Throw in a parade, live music and of course a good helping of Belgian beer and you’ve got yourself a Belgian festival.
[the_ad id=”16654″]