For Christians around the world, certain places simply hold more significance than others: Rome, Jerusalem, Vatican City, Fatima. To that list, another should be added. Bruges, Belgium, may not automatically register as a destination of importance or as a pilgrimage site, but if the story is true, it should be. The Basilica of the Holy Blood in the heart of Bruges, impressive in its own right, also contains a vial with drops of Jesus’ blood. Naturally, I had to see it. Read about it >
Unlike the quiet location of Frans Restaurant where I had lunch the day before, Brasserie Rozenhoedkaai is right in bustling tourist central in the historic medieval core of Bruges, Belgium. Both are impossibly romantic—the former along the banks of the Lake of Love, the latter at a bend of a canal that’s one of the most photographed spots in the city. While you can watch swans and geese glide by at the first, at Brasserie Rozenhoedkaai you’ll be watching a steady flow of tourists becoming just as beguiled with this city as you are, all while enjoying a lovely meal. Read about it >
The historic core of Bruges, Belgium, one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe, throbs with tourists throughout the day. I was still confronting packed restaurants and cafés, waffle and chocolate shops, even at the southern edges of the core. But then I spied a romantic waterside castle, with outdoor tables that didn’t seem overly populated. The umbrellas indicated food service, so I crossed a little bridge and was soon enjoying a tasty lunch at Minnewater Castle along the Lake of Love. Read about it >
With its medieval glories, seductive canals, and the seemingly always-present mouthwatering aromas of chocolate and waffles in the air, Bruges, Belgium, boasts an undeniable appeal for visitors. That’s both good and bad—increased tourism has resurrected the city and its economy, but it’s also edging toward the point of becoming over-touristed, especially during the summer. Fortunately, once you head away from the bull’s-eye tourist hotspots in the city’s main squares and along the most photographed canals, you can experience a quieter Bruges that holds its own special allure. One of the best ways to enjoy that is by staying at Hotel Ter Duinen, close enough to the city’s main attractions via a 15-minute walk or convenient bus ride, yet removed enough to envelope you in the undisturbed tranquility of one of Europe’s best-preserved cities. Read about it >
On a cold evening in late October in Granville, Ohio, I entered my accommodation, the Granville Inn, where the flames in the lobby fireplace greeted me and started to thaw me out, exorcising the chill from my body. With the northern half of the globe now ensconced in the winter season, I’m warmed by that memory. Amid all the snow and ice and freezing temperatures, one of the most welcome sights is a fire—well, a contained fire, such as in a fireplace, particularly a wood-burning fireplace, where you can become mesmerized by the dancing flames and the snap, crackle, and pop of the logs as they burn. Even without Christmas stockings that were hung there with care, fireplaces always provide a warm welcome. Read about the top five fireplaces >
As Easter approaches, Christianity’s most important holidays and events unfold at a breakneck pace: Jesus’ Condemnation, Crucifixion, Disposition, and Entombment (all represented in the Stations of the Cross), and Resurrection. It all starts with the Last Supper, when Jesus gathered his 12 Apostles for a final meal, called out Peter as His soon-to-be denier, and basically let Judas identify himself as His imminent betrayer. For centuries, this momentous meal has been captured in art, and I’ve seen it depicted in all kinds of media around the world. Read about the top five depictions of the Last Supper >
This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday, a key date in the Christian calendar when millions of Christians around the world commemorate Jesus’ triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem — a fateful day that launches Holy Week. Depicted in art for centuries, Palm Sunday is an unmistakable scene, whether it’s been rendered on a canvas or, as in most of the ones that really impressed me, stained glass. Read more about the top five Palm Sundays >
Stephen Travels 