What was supposed to be a six-hour drive from Amsterdam to Bruges turned into a week-long adventure filled with unexpected discoveries. Along the way, I encountered witches, werewolves, historic sites, delicious food, and fascinating festivals. Here’s what I found on my way to Bruges!

The Witches’ Weighing House

One of the most intriguing stops on my journey was the Witch Weighing House in Oudewater. In the 15th to 17th centuries, being accused of witchcraft was a death sentence for many, and over 50,000 people were executed in Europe due to superstitions and false accusations.

Oudewater’s weighing house was the only place in Europe officially certified by Emperor Charles I as providing an honest weighing process. Accused witches could come here to be weighed and receive a certificate proving they were not witches. No one who was weighed here was ever condemned, and I even got to step on the original 1482 scales myself.

Am I a Witch?

After stepping onto the ancient scales, the results were in—I’m officially not a witch! I even got a certificate to prove it. Honestly, I was a little disappointed, but it was such a fun and unique experience!

Exploring Mechelen

Next up was Mechelen, a charming Belgian town filled with history. The town square was stunning, and I decided it was the perfect place to experience my first Belgian beer in Belgium.

The First Belgian Beer in a Beautiful Square

I sat down in a picturesque café, where I was served a huge glass of Belgian beer. In Belgium, serving beer in the correct glass is a serious tradition, and I was fascinated by the amount of detail that goes into the presentation. Of course, I had to follow it up with something equally Belgian—chocolate!

A Heavenly Visit to a Chocolate Shop

The moment I stepped into a Belgian chocolate shop, the smell alone was overwhelming. It was rich, sweet, and absolutely divine. I met the chocolatier, who proudly told me that Belgium has been making chocolate since 1857. I sampled some incredible flavors, from raspberry buttercream to green matcha truffles, and left with a small (okay, large) box of chocolates to enjoy on the road.

A Church Visit and a Fascinating Story

After indulging in chocolate, I visited St. Rumbold’s Tower, a UNESCO site with fascinating history. The best story? The locals of Mechelen are called Maneblussers (Moon Extinguishers) because in 1687, they mistook the moonlight shining through the gothic windows for a fire. In a panic, they rushed up the tower with buckets of water, only to realize their mistake!

Breweries and Bike Rides

One of my favorite parts of the trip was visiting Het Anker, a brewery dating back to the 15th century. I enjoyed a beautifully hoppy beer and a platter of cheese and salami, all while soaking up the historic atmosphere.

With my new saddle bags packed full of Belgian treats, I decided to cycle to Mechelen—a ride that was meant to take 50 minutes but ended up much longer because I kept stopping to take photos of the stunning scenery.

A Perfectly Timed Discovery

In Leuven, I stumbled upon the Zimmer Tower, a medieval structure with a unique mechanical storyteller that opens at exactly noon every day. Somehow, I arrived just in time to witness it—one of those serendipitous travel moments that make a trip extra special.

The Road to Bruges Continues…

This trip has been so full of history, humor, and unexpected delights that I’ve decided to break it into a series. There’s still so much more to share about my journey to Bruges, so stay tuned for the next installment!

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