Erfurt, DE -- Here’s the gist. Bruges is a small but beautiful city, and despite its charm it can be challenging to find
its coolest spots. So we (Dr. Jaime Banks, and myself) have designed a scavenger hunt to encourage you to explore
the city’s nooks and crannies. Some are more obvious than others, but they’re
all cool little bits of Bruges.
Here’s how it works. The person who finds the most items
from this list wins something super awesome (rare, special, delicious), and in
the case of a tie Nick and Jaime will decide the winner based on creativity -- she's not joining us this year, but I'll consult with her via social media and we'll make a decision together. For
a find to ‘count’ you must take a selfie with the item you find. By 9am on Wednesday, you’ll post your batch of pictures to the SPICE Facebook group (complete with
captions telling us which item it is and something cool about it … captions
count for creativity too). Please be sure to upload all photos in a single post
(rather than individually).
Also, for some of the items below there are ‘XP’ options
(that’s gamer-speak for ‘experience points’) … these are just additional
challenges to make the find even more awesome. These additional bits are
completely optional, but really cool. Some clues are obvious and flexible, and
some are cryptic and specific … it could be helpful to do a little research
ahead of time.
An extra benefit of the hunt is that any of the items on
this list are fair game as topics for your travel blog posts, so keep that in
mind as you enjoy Bruges. The list? Below:
- “Thrice consumed and thrice rebuilded, still it watches o'er the town” -- this home of 47 bells is just 366 steps above two rebels and the site of a famous murder.
XP for the most schoen view, alta. - Two brews – one of moon and one of jester – are born here.
XP if you get inside for a tour, but you might have to schedule this in advance. - Bruges is home to chocolatiers – find a sweet that’s shades of green, or perhaps one that's a bit embarrassing.
XP – Snap a pic of you, enjoying the treat! - All o’er the town little angels abound … find three cheeky cherubs.
- In the U.S. doors can be bores, but Belgians entrée with more flare. Find three red doors!
- Bears aren’t so bad in Belgium – they'll even hold and hug beers! Find this lovely beast.
XP – Enter his den and find the connection between the US and Belgium. - In certain spots – more low than high – you’ll spy tiny doors made for the gnomes. Seek out these gateways (but don’t try to enter!) as they may not like you in their homes.
- Swans are plenty in Bruges city. Find three of different forms: 1) Real and live. 2) Sweet and small. 3) Statuesque.
XP – if your live swan is photographed while on a canal cruise. - Signature local foods are all of the goods … try at least one Flanders dish. XP if you do so in the Frites museum.
- From the west to the east, lions are beasts – but whoever knew they could be blue, and carry a cross in their feets?
- Churches and cathedrals rise high above the town, but for one of the more interesting ones you may want to look down. Find the ruins of a 950 AD church in the basement of a hotel.
- Seek out – according to your tastes – a museum that highlights treasures of this place. Take your pick from torture, beer, chocolate, art, or diamonds … or another of your choice.
XP – Pop into the museum and make the rounds.
