Three countries in a 3 day weekend...

This past 3 day weekend we headed off for Belgium, passed through France, and sailed into the United Kingdom. We visited the charming city of Bruges, Belgium on Saturday. Then on Sunday we took the ferry from Calais, France over to Dover, UK to explore the White Cliffs of Dover. We also saw the world famous Canterbury Cathedral. As always, our adventure proved to be lots of fun! Enjoy the pictures.

Here we are in beautiful Bruges, along one of the many canals. Bruges is called the "Venice of the North."

The Market Square

Peaceful canals on a sunny, blue sky day (we appreciate every bit of sunshine we get during these winter months)

Us along another canal with the Cathedral steeple in the background (that Cathedral boasts of having the only Michelangelo piece outside of Italy- the Madonna and Child)

Burg Square (notice the small, dark building in the corner...you can't tell from the outside, but inside it is one of the most beautifully decorated churches...guess that goes to prove it's always what's on the inside that counts!)

This is the inside of the church I mentioned in the last picture. It is called The Church of the Holy Blood. This picture doesn't even begin to do the inside of this church justice. The paintings were magnificent in person...I've seen lots of churches and cathedrals, but this one left me awe struck.

Another picture of the beautiful paintings inside the church

What a town hall!

But what does everyone really come to Belgium for??? Belgium chocolates of course! Here I am posed with Stephan Dumon...of the Dumon Chocolatier Family, holding some of the best chocolate I have ever eaten!

Ok, well not everyone goes to Belgium for chocolates. They are also known for being connoisseurs of beer. Here is Jason with a glass of the local brew called Zot.

Bruges by night

Bruges was great. But we on Sunday, we were off to England for another day's adventure. This is our ferry that took us from Calais, France to Dover, UK (in no time at all).

From the ferry and across the English Channel, we began to see the panoramic view. That's what we came to explore...the White Cliffs of Dover

Another view from the ferry of the cliffs and the lighthouse on top

The view from the ferry was pretty great. But it couldn't compare to the up close and personal view we got as we went hiked out on the cliffs. They don't seem so steep until your on top of them looking down! I mean, that's quite a drop off!

There we are along the cliff side path

See those people off in the distance...they look like specs on the cliff...that's where we hiked from, on a narrow, windy, steep but beautiful climb. (If only I had worn good hiking shoes instead of "cute" shoes though!)

Jason waves as we continue on. (If you look real close, you can barely make out the walkway along the ridge of the cliff...that's where we went.)

Jason and Amy with the White Cliffs of Dover behind us. (Thank goodness for a tripod!)

Yep, that's me out on another cliff ledge.

After trekking through the cliffs, we headed to Canterbury to see the world-renowned cathedral. You probably know of the Archbishop of Canterbury (the leader of the Church of England). But most people come to see the sight where Thomas Becket was murdered by King Henry II.

This is the Martyrdom Chapel, in honor of Thomas Becket

Check out the monkey gargoyle on the Cathedral

12th century stained glass windows that teach the Bible...this is just one panel showing the birth of Jesus

The Canterbury Cathedral, world heritage sight