Bruges, Belgium. Trip, Ecological Study.

Good wine doesn't need a crown. There is no place in Belgim where so many remains of Middle Ages can be found as in Bruges.

The history of Damme has always been closely related to the history of Bruges. Together they knew their times of glory, which made them infamous all over the known world.

But they also went down together when the Zwin silted up and seaships could no longer reach Bruges or one of her ports. Bruges said to have originated from a Gallo-Roman settlement some 2000 years ago.

At that time trade via the sea already took place here. On what is now know as the "Burg", there used to be a stronghold in the middle of the 9th century.

The port was accessible directly from the sea until the middle of the 11th century. At that moment in time, the town already had grown to an international commercial center.

If you set out to design a fairy-tale medieval town, it would be hard to improve on central Bruges (Brugge in Dutch), one of Europe's best preserved cities. Picturesque cobbled lanes and dreamy canals link photogenic market squares lined with soaring towers, historical churches and lane after lane of old whitewashed almshouses.

For many the secret is already out; during the busy summer months, you'll be sharing Bruges' magic with a constant stream of tourists in the medieval core. To really enjoy Bruges, stay one or two nights day trippers miss out on the city's stunning nocturnal floodlighting and try to visit midweek to avoid weekend crowds.

The best times to visit are in spring, when daffodils carpet the tranquil courtyard of the historic begijnhof retreat, or outside of Christmas in winter, when you'll have the magnificent, if icy, town almost all to yourself. .