The Bruges chocolate museum, Choco-Story, has recently offered a chocolate health remedy to cure what ails you. It’s a tablet with thirty small portions of chocolate. The prescription suggests taking 7.5 grams of chocolate every day. If you have a really bad day, there is an extra-large 15 gram portion, just in case. Medical research has shown that chocolate lowers blood pressure and reduces risk of heart attack. Those who are interested in taking care of their hearts with the best diet in the world can book a ticket today to Bruges and stay in one of our Belfort hotels.

www.choco-story.be

The Lake of Love (Minnewater) is an elongated lake in the heart of the city that tells the story of an impossible love. Minna was a pretty girl from Bruges during the time of the Romans. Her father had arranged a marriage for her with a respectable young man named Horneck. However, Minna’s heart already belonged to Stromberg, a warrior of a neighboring tribe. In an attempt, to get out of her father’s arranged marriage, Minna fled to the forest. Stromberg tried to find her and begins a long and desperate search. When he finally finds her, it was too late.  Minna died of exhaustion in his arms. At the place of her death, Stromberg chiseled her name in a rock and named the pond after her, Minnawater. Today, Minnewater Park is a haven for couples in love who can choose for each other. Minna and Stromberg would have loved it.

'Brugse Zot' is a nickname that Maximilian of Austria gave the locals when they asked him for a new insane asylum. "On my last visit to Bruges, I only saw fools. The whole city is a madhouse,” was the response of the former ruler. He was referring to an announcement made that the people of Bruges were going to organize another carnivalesque parade to honor his visit. Today, one of the most famous beers in the city is proudly named after the old nickname. The Brugse Zot is brewed in De Halve Maan (Half Moon), the last active, family-run brewery in the city center. De Straffe Hendrik (Stiff Hendrik) is another beer from their barrels. Both beers brew rough and tough, crazy stories.

http://www.halvemaan.be

Bruges makes the ideal backdrop for a romantic marriage proposal. According to tradition, it’s done on one knee with a ring. Best case scenario, there’s a real diamond waiting in the box; since diamonds are forever, just like marriage tries to be. Bruges is the oldest diamond center in Europe. This is the city where it all began for the shining gem more than five hundred years ago. In the Diamond Museum, you can learn about the entire history of 'a girl's best friend’. There is also a daily diamond polishing demonstration. Diamonds are still one of the most important and most beautiful exports from Belgium. We’re proud to let the jewels of the world shine.

 http://www.diamondmuseum.be