Bruges by bicycle

Bicycles are very popular in Bruges. They are the most common mean of transport for schoolchildren, housewives doing shopping and elderly citizens on their way to their favorite tea room. But policemen too use them to patrol the streets, and many tourists consider a good bicycle as ideal to explore the town.
To rent one, if you didn't brought your own pushbike, is no problem.  There is a good shop in the Hallestraat  www.adventure-bike-renting.be. More addresses can be found here: staatopdekaart.be/total/brugge/5 . The Tourist Office can provide you  with special route maps and all necessary documentation 
As most streets are laid in cobblestones some experience is needed. Driving a bicycle in Bruges is far from dangerous, there are good bicycle paths outside the center and good indications everywhere. It may look a bit scary to drive a cycle in the center, but traffic is slow and the locals are used to share the streets with many cyclists. Anyway be careful and remember that traffic rules may differ from those in your own country. One-way streets are very common in Bruges but exceptions are often made for cyclists, they are indicated by traffic signs. 
If cycling is rather tiresome, then try to rent one of the many carriages and let you drive around in grand style.

Two police bicycles and a complex traffic situation

www.flandes.net

The good life

Invite or be invited and have a seat in the street. Drinks and some snacks will cost you little money but the good time you will have is priceless. Watch the passers-by, exchange gossips with friends or simply enjoy a glass of wine.

It's the best place to socialise with the locals. In half an hour you will learn more about the regio where you stay than by reading a travel guide.

A lively street or square is wonderful entertainment. Do try to be a part of it.

Galician laundry

In Mediterranean countries people are less reluctant to hide their laundry from public view.

Laundry can feastly decorate a balcony or is kept more discreet behind windows.

Armistice Day

Yesterday was Armistice day.

11.11.11

Every village in West-Flanders has

its monument to commemorate those who

lived and died in the mud of the Great War.

Autumn in Bruges III

A Coruña

Galicia is divided in four provinces and A Coruña is one of them. The provincial capital has the same name and is one of

the most populated of the whole area. One of its landmarks is the famous Torre de Hèrcules, a lighthouse with Roman

origins and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Probably built under the principate of Trajanus it was in use ever since.

 An old dedication stone at the base of the tower attributes its design to Gaius Sevius Lupus, an architect from 

Lusitania ( Portugal ).

The exterior of the tower got a complete makeover in the late 18th century, by engineer Giannini. He also gave the tower its fourth storey. 

The present appearance of the lighthouse probably differs very much from the aspect it had during

its early Roman period. Anyway, one can still admire the beautiful Roman masonry at the interior of the tower.

www.torredeherculesacoruna.com

fiesta at Caranza

The mixed population of Caranza loves to party. A foam cannon is

all one needs to start a fiesta.