As part of our “Field Trip” series, we’re following Avenue Pub owner Polly Watts and her staff as they get up close and personal with some of the best beer in Belgium. Here staffer Angela Grittman shares a day trip to Bruges.

BRUGES — The highlight of the day was climbing the bell tower, which meant 366 very tiny windy stairs to a breathtaking 360-degree view at the top, 83 meters up. We followed that up with a visit to the Salvador Dali museum. I think we all agreed the “Alice in Wonderland” series was a favorite.

We found a great spot for a late lunch at the best time. Mussels and frites, Flemish beef stew, meat plates, salmon, and rabbit. The day was lovely and warm and as we ate we watched the rain come down.

An endless amount of wandering and exploring through cobblestones streets, which of course we were tripping over constantly … it has become obvious in New Orleans we watch where we walk but today our heads were high in the sky soaking up the beauty of the buildings. It was a shame to find a lovey building from 1525 house converted into a McDonald’s.

While we didn’t do the de Halve Mann brewery tour, as we were standing there we realized there was a beer tour right in front of us, and we got to hear a bit about the brewery and their beer pipeline — which was developed to protect the ancient city from the truck traffic that the breweries success has created.