Brugge in deepest winter: frozen canals, plummeting temperatures, deserted streets, cosy bars and, of course, wonderful beer, food and people. This was where it all started for us five years ago, it was this great city that started the obsession, both with Belgium and its beer. Since that first trip six Januaries ago, we have, of course, become regular travellers to all parts of Belgium, but the place we return to faithfully each January is Brugge.

Our trips to Brugge in January have therefore become something of a tradition - each January we go for a week, and usually tag on a couple of days some place nearby. We go in January as Brugge is empty, often spectacularly wintery, and it is a great place for a holiday at the darkest and bleakest time of the year. To this day, we have yet to set foot in Brugge at any other time of year.

Unfortunately, another feature of the trip has, over the past two years, become something of a tradition - me ending up either in hospital or with a dental disaster. So, this time, despite knowing that our own Babble Belt expert dentist was practising just down the road, I resolved that all would be well. How did we get on? Well, this trip was a real belter! Read on for the details!

Photos: Brugge, Gent, Aalst and De Haan
Photos: De Gans, 't Kroegske and Heeren van Liedekercke
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