Geni: Our hotel was an old castle that was right next to the Town Courtyard of Bruges. Although we were in a different wing than the original "castle" we were right next to the town. It was great to be there late at night and first thing in the morning when most of the tourists were gone. We went on a walking tour and were told Bruges is a living museum and a treasure trove of fine architecture. It was really an amazing feeling to turn the corner and just be in another world. We went on a canal boat ride and there were lots of restaurants and shopping.

We took a tour to Flanders Field in the city of Ypres, which is now known as the City of Peace. We went to a museum and then toured the battlefields. The poem by John McCrae about poppies growing in Flanders Field as a symbol of rememberance was displayed there as well.

We had dinner at a restaurant and then went to the Menin Gate which performs a ceremony every night to honor all the soldiers. It was a long day and pretty emotional.