Most visitors stick to the square kilometre of medieval centre. And it's beautiful, no question. But Bruges keeps going beyond the old gates, and on a bike you can reach places that feel like a completely different country.

Ride north along the canal towards Damme — a tiny village about 7km away. The path is flat, tree-lined, and runs alongside the water the entire way. Damme has a few cafés, a ruined church, and almost no tourists. It's the kind of place where you sit outside with a coffee and wonder why you didn't come sooner.

Or head west towards the coast. Sint-Kruis and the green belt around Bruges have cycling paths through farmland and along old railway lines. You can reach the sea at Zeebrugge in about 45 minutes.

We're actually working on our own bike rental service — Happy Wheels — so our guests can grab a bike right at the property. It's not ready yet, but it's coming. In the meantime, there are several rental shops near the station and in the centre. Expect to pay about €15 per day.

The golden rule: stay on the bike paths. Bruges drivers are used to cyclists, but the cobblestones in the centre will rattle your teeth.