Christmas in Bruges

I had always dreamed of spending a Christmas in Europe–the markets! the mulled wine! the quaint villages covered in snow!–but when our Christmas in Europe rolled around, I felt quite homesick. So, like many an expat, to combat these feelings, I planned a trip!

We traveled to new places before and after Christmas, but for actual Christmas we decided to go somewhere we’d been before. We thought this would take the pressure off. I, particularly, suffer from the “I-must-see-every-new-thing” mindset and I didn’t want that to happen on Christmas, especially as most new places to see would be closed, anyway.

It ended up being a really lovely Christmas in Bruges. We managed to keep some of our usual traditions–Christmas movies, Christmas Eve service, Christmas pajamas–but enjoyed our days in Bruges. On Christmas Eve, we explored the little Christmas market, listened to music, and did all of our favorite Bruges things: walked by the canals, ate French fries, visited our favorite pubs and had our favorite beers. We also had a lot of cheese…because Christmas?

On Christmas Day, we talked with our families, opened a few presents, had breakfast at our inn, watched a few movies, and ate at one of the only establishments open: an Indian restaurant. It was a little lonely to be away from everyone, but loneliness doesn’t last long in the adorable Bruges.

Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!