Getting there: Bruges (Brugge in native Dutch) is about 65 miles west of Brussels International airport. The three-lane E-40 highway connection means Bruges is just more than an hour's drive from the Belgian capital, but add another half-hour during rush hours. It's 3 1/2 hours from Amsterdam and Paris. The express train from Brussels to Bruges, one every half-hour, takes just under an hour. Trains from Amsterdam take 3 1/2 hours, from Paris 2 1/2 hours.
Getting around: Bruges has its own "golden triangle," the historical center where all the major attractions are concentrated. It's easy to take the train, get off and walk straight into the Minnewater (Love Lake) park. From there, the city's spires already offer a visible goal. Follow the swans on the canals up to the beguinage and on to the Our Lady's Church, Memling Museum. Almost inevitably, you end up on the market square. If you come by car from the highway, it is best to park at 't Zand since the myriad one-way streets make navigating the historic city center nearly impossible. From 't Zand you can either walk to the Minnewater and follow that trail, or go to the Steenstraat, the main shopping street, and straight up to the Belfry and market square.
Entry: Belgium is a member of the European Union and Americans must have a valid passport to enter the EU. There are no longer any border controls when entering Belgium from France, Germany or the Netherlands.
Weather: Bruges' waterways may have become clogged with silt in the late Middle Ages, but the city is still plenty wet — thanks to Belgium's trademark showers and freaky weather in spring and fall. In summer, there are terraces everywhere for an outdoor lunch or drinks with pastries. Temperatures hover in the mid-70s during July and August. And anywhere from October to April weather can be miserable with strong winds, rain and temperatures staying below 50 degrees. Frigid days, however, can make way quickly for balmy spells, so offering advice on clothing is risky.
Lodging: The four-star Die Swaene exudes charm. It lies along one of Bruges' most romantic canals and is in easy walking distance of any of the major tourist attractions. Standard rooms start at $112, but prices peak at $380 for a luxury apartment. www.dieswaene-hotel.com
De Tuilerieen and De Orangerie both fit into the same category of canal-side hotels in historical gems right smack in the Gothic center. They also apply top rates. www.hoteltuilerieen.com and www.hotelorangerie.com
All three are certain to make your Bruges visit a memorable one. The city has some 110 hotels in all categories. In the mid-range price category, the Acacia hotel, a stone's throw from the Belfry, has rooms starting at about $90, depending on the season. www.hotel-acacia.com
A full list of hotels can be consulted atwww.brugge.be/Verblijf/en/hotelse.htm.
Dining: The outstanding experience is De Karmeliet, the three-star Michelin restaurant which has been the rave for the past decade with its Belgian gastronomy based on the finest ingredients. Set menus go from $45 to $100. www.dekarmeliet.be
De Snippe, Den Gouden Haerinck and the Hermitage also offer great cuisine. Mid-class restaurants offering good fare are found all over the center and usually offer safe bets in the quality-price category.
Information: The Bruges City Information Center is at Braambergstraat 5. Phone 32 (0)50/ 33 33 33. Bruges's English-language Web site is at www.brugge2002.be.