Snow and Ice sculpture festival Brugges / Bruges, Belgium

Snow and Ice sculpture festival, Station Bruges
very year from the end of November to January The festival is built by an international team of 40 professional artists from no less than 300 tons of crystal clear ice and 400,000 kilos of fresh snow in a cooled hall where the temperature remains a constant -6°C. 
Don't forget to wear warm clothing  Fees from 11 - 15 EUR.


With the theme of “The Land of The Hobs”, “Ice Magic” takes the visitor into the mythology of dwarves, elves, fairies, hunters, magicians and devilish figures in a world that is as fantastic as it is mysterious.

It includes surprising characters and animals, which live in their own hidden world surrounded by inhospitable nature and mysterious forests etc. as well as appealing and spirited figures that emerge from their fairy-tale world.

 

Official website
http://www.ijssculptuur.be

Brugges / Bruges, Belgium

Bruges is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is located in the northwest of the country.

Grote Markt and Belfry Climb, Grote Markt (the big square). 09:30 - 17:00. Climb the 366 steps to the top of the 83-metre high tower. Excellent views of the city, Grote Markt and hear the bells ring up close. €6 with Bruges card / €8.

Weather
Bruges has a poor reputation for its weather. Compared to other western European cities like London and Paris, the weather in Bruges is colder and more damp.July & August, average daily maximum temperatures struggle to exceed 21°C (70° F) and rainfall averages 203mm (8in) a month.
After October temperatures drop off quite rapidly and winter months are damp and chilly.
Summer visitors should always be prepared for rain 

Christmas Market
When: 21 November 2014 to 02 January 2015
Where: Christmas Market & Ice Rink, Market Square (Grote Markt) and Simon Stevinplein
Open: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 
10:30 - 22:00 and on Friday and Saturday from 10:30 - 23:00

The Beguines (nunnery) were a religious movement of single or widowed women who wanted to live in a pious way but outside the walls of a convent or monastery. So in many north Belgian and Dutch cities so called Begijnhofs were set up where these women lived and prayed. It is still used by women who live in the lime-washed cottages surrounding the central green,

A boat tour will show you places which are otherwise unreachable, as not every canal runs next to a street. Advisable to get there at opening time to avoid the 
crowds. €7.60 plus almost obligatory tip to the driver/guide.  

You'll find 5 boat companies located inside the tourist center:

Venetië van het Noorden on Huidenvettersplein
Coudenys on Rozenhoedkaai
De Meulemeester in Wollestraat
Gruuthuse in Gruuthusestraat
Stael in Kathelijnestraat

The Ferris Wheel can be found just on the outskirts of the main town centre and is only a 5 minute walk from the the Tourist Information office

Opposite this (2014) was located the Snow and Ice sculpture festival, Station Bruges,
Every year from the end of November to January The festival is built by an international team of 40 professional artists from no less than 300 tons of crystal clear ice and 400,000 kilos of fresh snow in a cooled hall where the temperature remains a constant -6°C. Don't forget to wear warm clothing 11 - 15 EUR.

Watch the film 'In Bruges'[2008] for a brief insight 
(warning contains scenes of violence)