4 countries ticked off the list! 

As we headed into Belgium and clock number 5, there was still snow on the ground, much like Andorra, France and Luxembourg, and I haven't see double figures on the thermometer since we were in the Spanish Costa Blanca!
 
Entering Belgium by road, my first impression is simply that the service stations here are huge. This may seem a pointless piece of info to you when reading this, but in comparison to the French services, that consist of just toilets, the services here, with their extensive restaurants and food choices are complete heaven.

We are ending our trip in the beautiful city of Bruges, which is what I had always had in mind. So even though we are cutting our travel plans short, being just over an hour from Calais where we were catching the ferry, it isn't really all that much of a detour.

Bruges really is as beautiful as people say it is. Quaint and full of charm, but indeed extremely touristy, even in this cold weather.

I took the best kind of walking tour - with Phill, a he used to guide here a few years ago, and knows it well. If I had been left to wander about on my own I would have probably got lost seeking out the key sights or in one of the many chocolate shops, and missed the ferry home!

It seems like a bit of a rabbit warren here, all confined to inside the city walls or moat that acts as a wall around the medieval centre. Bruges has only become as rich as it is, due to the wealth resulting from its time as a port. It did in fact used to be the biggest port in Northern Europe but is now no longer used as close by is Zebrugge.

A lot of the buildings in the centre have stepped lintels at the front of the roofs creating a very distinctive look throughout the city, along with the the iron pins that have been placed through some to support them. Another feature adding to the beauty of this place are the canals that are, in my view, more picturesque than those in Amsterdam - check out one of the many boats trips to see for yourself.

The highlight for me was once again food related! However extremely busy with tourists, which I can imagine must be horrible when the weather is warmer. It is of course the Chocolate museum!

Inside there are 3 floors showing numerous and well maintained artefacts dating back through the history of chocolate, which was originally just a drink and originated from the Mayans. You can also learn about how chocolate is created and of course watch a demonstration and taste the amazing pralines at the end. Keep and eye out for the clever little exhibits, created, I assume as they are at a very low viewing level (!), for children to enjoy - Lego scenes through chocolate history.

After stocking up on chocolates for gifts to take home time was up and we made the final drive across to France and the ferry home. Typical luck we were faced with a delay due to bad weather but sadly couldn't exit the port to get to Cite Europe to stock up on cheese whilst we waited.

I have since sat through the some what disturbing black comedy, In Bruges, which appears to be solely filmed in Bruges - which is quite refreshing to see. In fact I can safely say that all the key sights are covered off in this film and I've wandered past or inside of most of them. Check out the details here, unless you haven't seen the film and plan too as it is full of spoilers!