My buddy, Steve, and I visited Brugge, Belgium (also spelled Bruges) in March of 2003. The city has a wonderful storybook feel, and just one look around Market Square transported us backward in time. (An enthusiastic sampling of the brilliant, and potent, local beers transported us even further.)

Some people suggest Brugge is a "fake" medieval city, because many of its landmark buildings have undergone considerable reconstruction. It's true that not every brick is original, and I suspect most structures have received a facelift since they were built. Then again, Brugge was settled by the Vikings during their serious party years (800s). Some renovation and new carpeting is inevitable after all the fires and wars over the past 1,200 years. So it's hard to complain, especially when you see the care with which repairs have been made.

We found plenty of authenticity, including buildings, or sections thereof, that actually do date back centuries. Every canal and each cobblestone street seem to hold a secret story. Certainly, the architecture will impress even the most stoic tourist; the locals will welcome any respectful visitor; and the beer (ah, the beer!) will bring joy to anyone who appreciates truly great, complex brews. Three days seemed a reasonable amount of time to explore the center of the city. If you're a historian, though, a lifetime might not be enough.