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| General Information
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Bruges is the capital of the province West Flanders in Belgium and the seat of the Catholic Church for the diocese of Bruges. Bruges is a beautiful city whose history goes back 2000 years to a time when it was a Roman settlement. It had its golden age around 1300 when it became the most prosperous city in Europe. About two hundred years later Bruges lost its economic strength to Antwerp because of an increase of silt in the Zwin Channel which provided Bruges with an access to the sea. Nevertheless, once known for its international port activities and its status as a commercial centre of Northwest Europe, Bruges can today look back on a rich history that shapes its contemporary life intensively. Not for nothing the medieval city centre was entered to the World Heritage Site of the UNESCO. A rich number of interesting museums present the changeful history of the city. Apart from that winding alleys and romantic canals contribute to Bruges’ reputation as one of the most gorgeous cities in Europe. The architectural and artistic atmospheres of the past and of the present day mingle and create a charm which reveals the carefulness and the attention the locals put in the preservation of what has shaped that lovely place.
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| Weather
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Bruges is characterised by mild winters and warm summers. The months between April and September are the warmest months with an average temperature of 21 °C. The coldest months are from November to January with temperatures between -1 and +5° C. Rainfall lies around 6 – 10 inches per month. Always be prepared for some rain when visiting Bruges. An especially nice time to visit is early spring when flowers and plants start to blossom.
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| Languages
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The local language spoken in Bruges is Flemish. English is widely understood and spoken. Stores, restaurants and cafes are usually having staff that is fluent in English. Some locals also speak French but it is recommended to speak English instead of trying to speak French no matter how good your French is.
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| Religion
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The main religion in Belgium is Roman-Catholicism, and there is a large number of Catholic churches. There are also many other religions, including Jews, Muslims, Protestants and Greek Orthodox worshippers.
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| Currency
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The currency used in Belgium is the Euro. Notes come in denominations of €100, €50, €20, €10 and €5 and the coins in use are €2, €1, € 0.50, € 0.20, € 0.10, € 0.05, € 0.02 and € 0.01.
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| Tipping
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Service charges are included in the prices you pay in pubs and restaurants, as well as for taxis. It is not required to tip in a restaurant, but it is common to round up the prices. Even for very good service, a tip of € 1 or 2 is sufficient. Porters, waiters and taxi drivers do not require a tip unless you receive particularly outstanding service. Tips for taxis also tend to be only a couple of euros, not a percentage the way it is done in some countries. Restroom attendants often to expect a small tip (a few cents), and doormen in clubs will often try to get you to give them a small tip on the way out.
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| Taxes
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Sales tax is always included in store prices. Visitors from outside of the EU can get this tax refunded in some cases, when they spend € 125 or more in the same store. In order to receive this refund, the goods must be shown to a customs official when departing the country, along with some paperwork that you receive from the store. These items must leave the country within three months to qualify for the refund.
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| Telephone
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Public telephones in Belgium accept both coins and phone cards. If a phone has stickers showing different flags, they can be used to make international calls by using operator assistance. Phone cards are available in post offices, train stations, book stores, newspaper stands, supermarkets and phone shops. The “Belgacom Phone Pass” can be used from all types of phones: pay phones, landlines and mobile phones.
To phone a Belgian number from outside the country, dial 00 32 and then 050 for Bruges, leaving off the first zero. For international phone information when you are in Belgium, dial 1304.
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| Internet
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Bruges has many internet cafes:
Snuffel Sleep In: Ezelstraat 47-49, +32 50 333133
Huis der Kunsten: Korte Vulderstraat 30, +32 50 347009
Bruggesonline: Katelijnestraat 67, +32 50 349352
The Coffee Link: Mariastraat 38, +32 50 349973
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| Emergency numbers
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Police: 101
Fire Brigade: 100
Ambulance: 100
Hospital Academisch Ziekenhuis Sint-Jan: 050 452111
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| Opening times
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Business hours for banks are weekdays from 9 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 4.30 or 5 pm. The main post office is open during the week between 9 am and 6 pm and on Saturdays from 9 am to 3 pm. Smaller post offices are open from 9 am to 12 am and from 2 pm to 5 pm. Opening hours of offices are usually from Monday to Friday 9 am / 10 am to 4 pm /5 pm. Shops are open between 9 am and 7 pm on weekdays, on Friday even until 9 pm. Most of the bigger supermarkets are open until 8 pm and on Fridays also until 9 pm. The shops along the big shopping streets and some markets are even open on Sundays between 10 am and 5 pm.
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| Public holidays
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On the following days, most shops, banks and museums will be closed, and public transport is likely to be more limited.
1 January, New Year’s Day
5 April, Maundy Thursday
6 April, Good Friday
9 April, Easter Monday
1 May, Labour Day
17 May, Ascension Day
28 May, Whit Monday
15 August, Assumption Day
1 November, All Saints Day
11 November, Armistice Day
24 December, Christmas Eve
25 December, Christmas Day
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| Safety
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The criminal rate in Bruges is not very high. The city is safe and there are no areas which should be avoided. Although there are no big crimes it is wise to take routine precautions because Bruges is still a tourist destination where pick pocketing or other forms of theft might occur as well.
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