Located northwest of the country, Bruges is known as the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium. Bruges has been given several nicknames throughout the years including "The Venice of the North", "City of Romance", "the City that Time Forgot", and the "Cultural Capital of Europe".

On July 27, 1128, Bruges got its city charter and it was then that the city built itself new walls and canals. The cloth industry in Bruges contributed to the life of the city's economy. Wool markets, woolens weaving industry, and cloth markets profited inside the walls of the city. It wasn't until the last half of the 19th century that Bruges became one of the world's first tourist destinations that attracted British and French tourists.

The city centre is closed off to cars but tourists can still explore the city's stunning beauty on foot, by boat ride along the city's quiet canals, or by horse-drawn carriage on historic cobblestone streets. Bruges is a small city but it takes more than one day to explore all the city's attractions. Included in the city's tourist highlights include The Belfry, Memling Museum, Church of Our Lady, Bequinages, The Groeninge Museum, The Straff Hendrik Brewery, and the Lace Center. Bruges' medieval architecture still remains intact with the historic city centre being a prominent World Heritage Site of UNESCO. As of 2008, the inhabitants of Bruges totaled to 255,844.