This proud World Heritage city is best explored on foot so that no detail can escape because there’s nothing better than getting lost in the hidden alleys of Bruges.

Its history in a (very tiny) nutshell

Because of its convenient location, the city grew to be an economical bloomer. In the past, the region was sometimes flooded with salty seawater, turn provided suitable vegetation that promotes sheep farming. Sheep farming resulted then in wool production, which finally grew into a prosperous textile industry.

Thanks to the favorable connection with the sea, the port of Bruges was characterized by many international influences. Even the world’s very first trade fair was created here! Over time, trade was no longer the primary aspect, but cultural developments were also put in the spotlight. Bruges became a famous place for some Flemish primitives, such as Jan Van Eyck and Hans Memling.

De Vesten

The most beautiful places in Bruges (for example the Minnewater – aka the Lake of Love -) are located along the 7 km long green belt around the city. This route is also known as De Vesten. Along the way, you will encounter some more: ancient mills, city gates, parks, and the harbor on the Coupure canal.

In the past, the route counted as many as 30 mills whose purpose was to produce bread, but many disappeared due to the rise of steam engines. Today, only three remain.

Tip: Be sure to climb the hills for a nice view.

The inner city

De Markt, a must-see in Bruges. The 83-meter high Belfry dominates the square, which has been there since the 13th century and can still be climbed today. You have to sacrifice some energy for this though: the stairs to the top count 366 steps. This of course not without a reward! At the highest point, you enjoy a panoramic view overlooking the city and its surroundings. Maybe spot your next stop?

The Belfry is not the only thing the city square has to offer: the Historium takes you back to Bruges in the Middle Ages. At the top of the museum, you see the Duvelorium, the terras with a view over the market where one can enjoy a good, fresh Duvel. (Duvelorium: enter through the entrance of the Historium and follow the signposts)

To the right of the Historium, the Provincial Court has a significant redevelopment story. In the past, it has served as Waterhalle – there’s no direct translation but you could imagine it as a storage warehouse – (13th century) and later as a monumental housing complex (18th century). In 1878 the building caught fire, after which it was repurposed as the Proveniaal Hof.

Furthermore, three things will stand out on the market:

It is the departure point of many horse-drawn carriages. From here the coachmen guide curious tourists around the city with a smile.

Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck proudly look out over the market. Two celebrities from the battle of Flanders.

Numerous restaurants & cafes and their colorful buildings (the perfect insta photo)

Although the Markt appears to be the city’s most significant square, the 14th-century town hall is located on the Burg, the square behind the Markt. From here, Bruges has been governed for more than 600 years. The Burg is therefore the oldest core of the city.

The town hall shares the square with the Mansion of the Brugse Vrije, the former civil registry, and the Basilica of the Holy Blood.

With this we have discovered the heart of the City. Of course, there is much more on offer:

The Beguinage (aka the Princely Court Ten Wijngaarde)

Like many other Flemish cities, the former Bruges also has its own section intended for the Beguines. Today, the Beguinage is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Jan van Eyckplein

As mentioned earlier, the city was an important trade hub for the region. This spot is also called the Hanseatic Quarter and between the 13th and 15th centuries was the place for international merchants and trading nations to come together.

Tip: order a takeaway pasta (from Bocca) and sit at the water’s edge.

Churches & Museums

The city is rich in museums, which is logical since art, culture, and religion were very present in the past. Some interesting things at a glance:

Onze Lieve Vrouwwekerk: one of the iconic towers of the city. It is 115.5 meters high, making it the second-tallest brick church tower in the world. The showpiece on display in this church is Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child.

Concergebouw circiut: active children at? No problem. Let them enjoy the contemporary and educational experience trail in the concert hall.

Diamond Museum: believe it or not, modern diamond cutting was invented by a native of Bruges in the 15th century. All necessary details and more can be found in the museum itself.

Groeningemusuem: here you will find a collection of Flemish Primitives, including Jan van Eyck, Hans Memling, and Gerard David.

Gruuthusemuseum: under the motto ‘plus est en Vous, the museum (former city palace of Lodewijk van Gruuthuse) presents many pieces that are linked to a Bruges story.

Historium: when you step inside you are immediately transported through time. Back to the Middle Ages. Discover here how it used to be.

Sint Jans Hospital: one of the oldest preserved hospitals in the region, shows how medical care was provided in the past. (!Due to work, not everything will be exhibited, the reopening is planned for autumn 2023!)

The Town Hall: the interior walls here represent history. It is therefore one of the oldest town halls in the Netherlands.

Beer, beer, beer

It wouldn’t be a Flemish city without a brewery. The city has no fewer than 3 breweries in the center. The Halve Maan is the most famous of these because the delicious Brugse Zot is brewed here. Furthermore, Bourgogne des Flandres and Fort Lapin are the additional ones.

In addition to a visit to the brewery(s), you can also find out everything about our delicious Belgian beers in the Bruges Beer Experience museum located on the market.

Shop till you drop

Bruges is a real shopping city. The two largest shopping streets are Steenstraat, Geldmuntstraat, and Noordzandstraat. There is something for everyone: it ranges from souvenir shops to large chains to designer shops.

Tip: No time during the week? Every first Sunday of the month, the streets become car-free and the shops open.

Refuel: Coffee

Being touristy all day can be tiring, so refuel in time in one of the coffee bars in the city. Listed here are my personal favorites:

 Olivier’s Chocolate (coffee & artisanal chocolate): Nothing better than enjoying a fresh cup of coffee and artisanal chocolate with the sun on your face. However, you must get lucky to find a spot on their terrace. Location: Sint-Amandsstraat 14

 Cafune (specialty coffee roaster): where you’re always welcomed with a smile. Try their Moh! coffee, you won’t regret it! Location: Academiestraat 8

Cherry Picker (record store & coffee): maybe it’s not obvious to look for coffee in a record store, but you’ll find this great combo here! Location: Langestraat 74

Refuel: Drinks

La casita (bar with snacks): Good vibes en delicious cocktails guaranteed. Locatie: Sint-Salvatorskerkhof 5

Groot Vlaenderen (cocktail bar): are you looking for a fancy environment? Not a problem! Groot Vlaenderen is known for its appetising cocktails. Locatie: Vlamingstraat 94

Basement cafes (bar): the name speaks for itself. In Bruges, you may encounter cafés that are located in a cellar. It sometimes takes some searching to find the entrance, so keep your eyes open. Two examples of cellar cafes are ‘t Poatersgat and Le Trappiste.

Refuel: Food

That’s toast: all-day breakfast. But no bokes with chocolate, this is about delicious and creative dishes. Please note: it is usually a queue for a table. Location: Dweersstraat 4

Sanseveria: A vintage interior and top bagels. Location: Predikherenlaan 11

Hap: Great place for a quick and filling bite. Location: Zilverpand 16

The Republic: This bar/restaurant is part of the city’s cultural center. Enjoy a dish on their terrace before or after a visit to the city cinema in the same building. Location: Sint-Jakobsstraat 36

Annual events

Bruges is vibrant. Every year there are unmissable (musical or not) experiences. Here are some summarized:

Enjoy!

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When you Google the term “stone stacking”, you’ll find a shit-ton of information. There are lots of different meanings behind these stacked rocks. I’ve seen them before, but on our last hike at the Liechtenstein gorge, I was overwhelmed by the amount. Also at Lago di Braies, on its South side, we encountered plenty. So I became curious. After researching a bit I learned that this practice does more harm than good.

In the outdoor community, it’s usually recognized as a trail marking, but it actually origins in many spiritual and cultural practices. Think of its use in Buddhist tradition or Vikings practices. Even seafarers used stacked stones for navigating long before lighthouses came to be. Because of their wide significance, these types of stones go by different names. Some people call them stone johnnies, cairns, or stacked stones. So you see, before it became a social media trend as we know it today, it actually had (and still has) more purpose.

Leave nothing but footprints

Nowadays, stone stacking is a popular trend amongst hikers so it seems like we need to do some awareness work here. You see… when you intentionally move stones, you displace important ecosystem structures. In addition, moving rocks in any way contributes to soil erosion, as the dirt once protectively tucked under them is now vulnerable. Slowly, we start to turn natural landscapes into peopled places.

Do we want that? No. If we want to keep enjoying the outdoors as we do today, we have to start taking responsibility. “Leave nothing but footprints” preaches that message clearly and effectively.

What to do when you encounter these cairns?

Obviously: don’t add any. You could consider breaking them down if you feel comfortable with it. Only do it when you are sure these cairns don’t serve any other purpose because you don’t want to destroy those intentionally set as navigational aids. In the poll off Adventure Journalism, other co-travelers advise how to. Here I highlight one comment:

“Please dismantle them gently. Knocking them down can irreparably damage sensitive plant and small animal (inc insects and other invertebrates’) habitats. If you’re going to dismantle them, do it gently, or inform park/area staff so they can do so.”

Commented by M. on the forum

Would you like to have more in-depth information? Please read this article here. Next time you and your friends go for a hike, you have something to talk about If you wish to read more about sustainable travel, you might like my last article about flying and its impact. Cheers

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Sister Bean

This breakfast-, lunch- and brunch bar is a cozy establishment where you’ll be welcomed with a smile. Serving homemade food and sustainable coffee & tea – empanadas, chai lattes, desserts, healthy salads: these sisters and misters can bring it all. Sister Bean is located at the Vismarkt, Mechelen’s hotspot for the hedonist.

Located at: Vismarkt 26
Find them on the web & Instagram

Funky Jungle

In the shadows of the city’s cathedral, you’ll encounter a paradise for the vegan. Funky Jungle’s menu is 100% plant-based, which is quite exclusive for the city Let me not forget to mention their friendly service and cute interior!

Find them on the web & Instagram
Located at Onder-Den-Toren 7

Beastie Burgers

Ah, my absolute favorite. I like Mechelen even more ever since Beastie Burgers opened up. They offer an extensive assortment of vegan/veggie-friendly recipes on their menu. I recommend you to grab a seat upstairs and enjoy the overview of the Ijzerenleen from the window. Or just… appreciate their cute interior (food truck inside alert!) and focus on the delicious burger in front of you.

Find them on the web & Instagram
Located at IJzerenleen 45

Kato Gateaux

At the corner of the Korenmarkt, you find Kato Gateaux: a plant-based cake & coffee bar. I personally love to sit on their terrace and do some people-watching while enjoying a cup of coffee or sit inside to have a quiet lunch.

Find Kato Gateaux on the web & Instagram
Located at Korenmarkt 11

Merad

This delicious Turkish restaurant offers a big variety of veggie and vegan-friendly dishes. These dishes are clearly marked on their menu, so it won’t be a hassle to find your plate of the day. Merad is located at the Vismarkt (near Sister Bean!), Mechelen’s hotspot for the hedonist.

Find Merad on the web & Facebook
Located at Nauwstraat 11

Sava

Tapas are always a good idea, especially here. Sava is located at the Grote Markt, surrounded by beautiful and historically significant buildings. From their terras (or seat by the window), you can enjoy the ambiance of Mechelen. Ps, may I advise you to try their sangria?

Located at Grote Markt 13
Find them on the web & Facebook

Extra tip: De Vleeshallen

Usually, it’s a challenge for me to find a spot where everyone finds something they like – especially when I’m visiting with a bigger group of people (the herbivore, the veggie, the vegan, along with alllll the other diets that exist). If you are not able to decide where to go this time, you can consider the Vleeshalle. Here you find a mix and match of different restaurants offering a variety of options. My personal favorites are Bubba krokketten and the tacos at Alma Libre.

In the past, the Vleeshalle used to be a place where butchers would sell their meat. Today, it’s a hotspot for the young and the old.

Located at Huidevettersstraat 7
Find it on the website & Instagram

Enjoy your stay in beautiful Mechelen Find more articles about traveling in Belgium here.

The post 6 veggie/vegan-friendly lunch spots in Mechelen appeared first on Simply By Joy.

Now the real question is: how to reduce your impact when flying? First of all, I’d like to stress that cutting down our emissions is one of the only ways to fight climate change. So, before booking your next trip think mindfully about alternative transportation (think train, bicycle, etc). Each individual has his/her own carbon footprint which entails the emissions from our daily tasks, like doing the laundry or by driving. Traveling by plane is a huge contributor to the individual carbon footprint as well as to global warming. The second action you can take is to compensate your CO2-equivalent through funding a green project. This is called carbon offsetting.

This is how you can help:

For example: a KLM flight from Brussels to Accra only requires a 20 euros compensation.

There are many discussions about the effectiveness of carbon offsetting. Obviously, it is not the solution to climate change. It is however a way to raise awareness and a useful tool to start. The only way we’ll be able to fight the current climate issue, we have to cut emissions rather than compensate for them. For more resources on carbon offsetting and its effectiveness, please check the following articles on National Geographic and the Guardian.

Tourism is one of the biggest polluting industries in the world. But on the other hand, tourism creates jobs, income for host communities, infrastructural improvements, etc. Overall, if handled well sustainable tourism can improve the quality of life of host communities. Unfortunately, the current pandemic had a big impact on all activities within the industry. Let’s find a way to make this industry thrive again in a positive way.

More tips about sustainable travel over here. Cheers

The post Flying and its impact – Carbon Offsetting appeared first on Simply By Joy.

Preparing yourself

• Read blogs & watch vlogs in order to get informed by likewise travelers. 
• Do a try-out trip 
• Choose your bike wisely 
• Make sure you get a comfortable saddle

On the road

• You should know it’s important to plan your day according to the amount of daylight (ex. difference winter-summer)
• It’s not a race. Like Katrien and Kobe say: “The kilometers per day is not what mattered to us; it’s the overall experience. And in the end, the distance you travel depends on yourself and your mood.“

Apps & websites

Accommodation

• Warmshowers: The perfect platform for people who are traveling by bike. According to Katrien and Kobe, the website works better than the app.
• Couchsurfing

Navigation

• Maps.me: Offers basic offline maps 
• OsmAnd: A bit more complicated than Maps.me to use but offers more in-depth (offline) information 
• iOverlander: finding camping spots & other points of interest

Communication

• Google translate: Offers a ‘translate by speech’ function and offline translations

Money

Find yourself a suitable budget-app that allows you to track the amount of money spend on certain necessities (for example Goodbudget).

Info about arranging visas

The website recommended by Katrien and Kobe is Caravanistan.com. There, you’ll find all the needed information and ongoing-forums for traveling to destinations on the Silk Road.

Anything to add? Contact me!

Feeling inspired? Check out the recent article about the adventure of Katrien and Kobe on the blog or learn more about sustainable travel.

The post Long term biking: tips appeared first on Simply By Joy.

Basic sentences in the local language

Not all cultures are used to the idea of omitting meat or dairy products. For example, ‘no meat (sin carne)’ in many South American countries means no meat except for chicken and fish. Meaning you might have to face the struggle to clearly mention not to consume ANY meat. You have to accept that not all cultures understand ‘vegetarianism’ or ‘veganism’ and you can not blame them nor get angry. Explain kindly why you prefer to not consume certain foods and I am sure they will try their best to understand. Keep in mind that not everyone has the luxury to ‘choose’ what they eat. (See the end of the article for some basic sentences in foreign languages.)

Research before traveling: find suitable places online

Google is your best friend! ? Go online and find some recommended vegetarian-friendly places near you. Another option is to surf to the Happy Cow website or app which finds suitable places for you nearby. You could also join certain Facebook groups or find suitable places through hashtags and geo-tags on Instagram. 

Choose vegan/vegetarian-friendly locations

Many places are very welcoming to us! Think of India, Indonesia, Isreal, and many European countries.

Be flexible

In certain situations, you could consider being more flexible. I know this is not always the easiest decision to make. Last year I traveled to the jungle for a few days where the host did his best to give me food to my liking. In order to show my respect, I tried his freshly caught and cooked fish. In the end, how strict you stick to your diet is completely up to you.

Cook your own meal

Many hostels offer a kitchen where you are free to cook whatever you like. If you use initiatives such as Couchsurfing I’m sure you can – through kind communication – make some arrangements.

Bring food in containers

If you are planning a multi-day hike, or trip you could always take along some pre-made dishes which are made to your wishes, that way you don’t risk getting hungry on your travel!

Food Tour

Living as a vegetarian/vegan is become more ‘popular’ (yay!). Businesses know that, and in order for a business to survive, they have to adapt to the ongoing trends of their customers. Many food tours have the option to join as a non-meat-eater or even have specialized tours.

Get social: Follow fellow vegetarians/vegans travelers on Instagram

Instagram can serve as a source of inspiration. My favorite profiles are:
Justin from Lotusarticoke
Amelie from Mostlyamelie
Caro from Veggiewayfarer
and… My profile of course

Basic sentences for you!

Mandarin:
I am vegetarian – 我是素食者 (wǒ shì sùshí zhě) 
I don’t eat meat – 我不吃肉 (wǒ bù chī ròu)
Spanish:
I am vegetarian – soy vegetariano(/a)
I don’t eat meat – No como carne
Dutch:
I am vegetarian – Ik ben vegetarisch
I don’t eat meat – Ik eet geen vlees
French:
I am vegetarian – Je suis végétarien(+ne)
I don’t eat meat – Je ne mange pas de viande
Lithuanian:
I am vegetarian – As (Ash) esu Vegetare
I don’t eat meant- As (Ash) nevalgau mesos

The post Traveling as a vegetarian appeared first on Simply By Joy.

The Zahir – Paulo Coelho

A search for his wife, Ester, brought him not only to the desert in Kazakhstan but also to his inner self. The main character was challenged to find its way to his ‘Zahir’ while realizing many truths about his life and his marriage. This book makes you reconsider everything you know about love and your routined-life.

Women Who Run With Wolves – Clarissa Pinkola Estés

Let your mind be guided by the adventures of the Wild Woman through fairy tales, folk tales, and other stories. Not only will you be reading these stories, but you’ll also be invited to contemplate on them while the writer gives you a clearer insight into your unanswered questions. Deep truths about the woman’s psyche which empowers your inner self .

The Tao of Pooh – Benjamin Hoff

The Tao of Pooh is a book that will make you indulge in the Chinese philosophy of Taoism. Effortless doing, that’s what it is all about. And who, you say, will teach us more about this practice? It’s only our dear friend Winnie the Pooh. You might think “what a childish idea” (as this is what I thought too) but after reading the first few pages you’ll think differently.  

The Alchemist – Paolo Coelho

While searching for a treasure, the Spanish shepherd embarks on a trip to the Egyptian desert. His journey, of course, brings many challenges and life lessons. This book is full of inspiration, beautiful lessons messages, and heartwarming quotes. 

Eat Pray Love – Elizabeth Gilbert

Of course, this book had to make it to the list. The main character, Elisabeth (who is also the writer), took the decision to travel for a year: four months in Italy, three months in India, and finally spend the remaining time in Bali. This spiritual journey began after a difficult time at home, leading her into a different way of life. 

Feel free to recommend me books as well, I’m always open for new ideas. I wish you to be strong during these complicated times! Take care and stay healthy!

Love,
Joyce

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