This year, we decided to explore the European Christmas markets. We started Thanksgiving weekend in Brugge. We traveled to Brugge for a swim event, but in the days leading up to the meet, we had a great time wandering around Brugge. We’d only been once before for an hour or two and really hadn’t been able to do much exploring.
We stayed just outside of the town center, so it was an easy walk to everything we planned to see. The Christmas market was spread out over several squares filled with stalls that housed everything from wares, to food, to gluwhein, seasonal mulled wine, and other alcohol. Unfortunately, they used styrofoam cups for the gluwhein and didn’t have collectible mugs like the Christmas markets in Germany, but it was still good stuff!
We browsed the stalls for two days as well as walked the streets and visited the Basilica of the Holy Blood, which is said to hold the blood of Jesus that was gathered at his crucifixion. The tour is free and you can go through the chapel downstairs as well as the upstairs church and view the Holy Blood that is under glass.

Basilica of the Holy Blood
Love the photos Leslie. I love to travel virtually by seeing the pictures you all post. Being unable to travel far myself I at least get to see some fabulous places. Did you bring the styrofoam cups home as souvenirs? 🙂
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I’m so glad it gives you some new sites to see! LOL! No styrofoam cups. I was pretty upset with that from an environmental standpoint. Much prefer the cups in Germany, but that’s another post 🙂
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Your photos are always so beautiful. Thanks for sharing. Glad to read of your many experiences.
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Thank you!
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Love the photos. Thank you for sharing with us.
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My pleasure! Thanks for stopping by!
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