May 2024.
Had once been to Bruges (Brugge) to tourist around (look here), but as there was a conference and a regular EJN meeting right after each other, there was still enough time to enjoy the beauty of the city.
It was a bit rainy on our first day, but still enjoyable to walk around. During rain these quirky beer-cafes kept us warm and in the evening we had a lovely reception at Stadthuis - Bruges City Hall. It's one of the oldest in Benelux countries and very impressive inside and out.
Next day the conference was held at the historic Grand Hotel Casselbergh. King Charles II stayed there while in exile (1656-1659).
The EJN meetings on the next days were not in a bad place either - Oud Sint-Jan (Old St. John) Site right in the middle of the old town. It was before a hospital - St. John’s Hospital, but was restored in 1989 and formed into a congress and event centre.
As it was Belgium's Presidency, had another lovely reception at the rooftop terrace of Concertgebouw concert hall.
On our last day, went to see the Basilica of the Holy Blood, a medieval 12th century chapel that supposably houses a revered vial containing cloth stained with the actual blood of Christ.
And finished the trip with more walks, food and a local beer tasting. When in Belgium.
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