Page 139 - Off The Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 2 of 2)

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Carcassonne Gdańsk Bruges

NEED TO KNOW NEED TO KNOW NEED TO KNOW CITIES
LOCATION Carcassonne is 6/*5&% LOCATION Gdańsk is on the LOCATION Bruges is in the
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in the southern French region southern edge of Gdańsk Bay on Flemish-speaking province of West /PSUI
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of Languedoc-Roussillon the Baltic Sea in Poland Flanders, in northwest Belgium /&5)&3-"/%4
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POPULATION POPULATION (%"ij4, POPULATION
Around 44,000 Around 457,600 4[D[FDJO Around 117,000 #36(&4 "OUXFSQ
'3"/$& 48*5;&3-"/% #&-"364 (IFOU
VISITORS PER YEAR VISITORS PER YEAR 8BSTBX VISITORS PER YEAR #SVTTFMT
Around 3 million #BZ PG -ZPO Around 700,000 Around 3.65 million #&-(*6. -JFHF
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#PSEFBVY *5"-: 10- "/% -JMMF
DAYTIME TEMPERATURES DAYTIME DAYTIME $IBSMFSPJ
Jan: 43°F (6°C); Apr: 54°F $"3$"440//& .BSTFJMMF TEMPERATURES TEMPERATURES
(12°C); Jul: 73°F (23°C); Jan: 30°F (-1°C); Apr: 41°F (5°C); ,SBLØX Jan: 39°F (4°C); Apr: 57°F (14°C); '3"/$& -69
$;&$)
Oct: 59°F (15°C) 41"*/ .FEJUFSSBOFBO Jul: 61°F (16°C); Oct: 45°F (7°C) 3&16#-*$ 6,3"*/& Jul: 73°F (23°C); Oct: 59°F (15°C)
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It may be a highly regarded attraction today, but Although the historic center of this port city was It is hard to describe the capital of the West
Carcassonne’s walled city, known as “La Cité,” was devastated during World War II, meticulous Flanders province of Belgium without using the
very nearly lost to history: in 1849, the French restoration has recaptured much of the former phrase “fairy tale,” although it was not always
government announced that it was in such glory of its cobbled streets and Flemish architecture. that way. After its heyday from the 12th to 15th
disrepair that it would have to be demolished. Attractions include the vast St. Mary’s Church, centuries, the port fell into decline when its river
Following a public outcry, the architect Eugène said to be the largest brick church in the world, channel silted up, stifling trade. It was only in the
Viollet-le-Duc, who was also responsible for work the Gdańsk Crane, the largest medieval port early 20th century that the creation of the nearby
on Notre-Dame de Paris, was commissioned to crane in Europe, and the elegant façades along port of Zeebrugge reinvigorated Bruges. The
restore the fortifications as a monument of historical Ulica Długa. This historic city saw the first shots of medieval walled city is circled by a canal and
importance. Today, it is possible to take tours of World War II fired in Gdańsk Bay in 1939, and was filled with charming step-gabled houses and
the castle and its ramparts, and the Romanesque also the home of the 1980 Solidarity trade union, attractive churches. Although the main squares
and Gothic St. Nazaire Basilica is a very popular the formation of which is considered a key – Markt and Burg – are usually bustling with
sight. The Ville Basse (Lower Town), outside the walls, moment in the decline of the Soviet Union. tourists, it is still possible to find peace and quiet
boasts two handsome 13th-century churches. in the streets nearby. The canals are particularly
appealing first thing in the morning, before the
Practical Information
day visitors arrive.
Practical Information Getting There Lech Wałęsa Airport is 9 miles (14 km) from the city. Avoid
taxi promoters in favor of transfer buses into the center. You can also get to
Getting There Carcassonne is linked by air to several cities in the UK and
Ireland, including London and Dublin. The town is also easily reached by the city by rail. Trains arrive at Gdańsk Główny train station on the edge of Practical Information
train from other cities in France. the Old Town – the station is a historic attraction in its own right. Getting There The nearest airports to Bruges are at Brussels and Charleroi
When to Go Summer is the most popular time to visit Gdańsk, both for the
When to Go The temperate climate means that Carcassonne can be visited in Belgium and Lille in France. Trains shuttle visitors from the airports to
throughout the year, but it is at its busiest in the summer months. Some warmer weather and for the city’s extensive festival calendar – the Bruges center. Eurostar services go directly from London to Brussels, from
attractions are closed in winter. Dominican Fair in July is a highlight. which point you can take another train on to Bruges.
Website www.en.gdansk.gda.pl
Website www.carcassonne.org When to Go The Old Town is packed with tourists in summer, so visit out of
season to avoid the crowds. Be prepared for cold weather in the winter.
Website www.brugge.be
Aerial view of the walled city of Carcassonne, France Close-up of the magnificent clock face on the red-brick St. Mary’s
Church, Gdańsk, Poland
The canal at dusk, with the towering Belfry illuminated in the
background, Bruges, Belgium

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