Day 1: London to Bruges
We travel by Eurostar on a late-morning departure from St Pancras International to Brussels, where we change to a local train for Bruges. We walk to our home for the next three nights, the 2* Ibis Brugge Centrum, which is located in the centre of town, giving you plenty of time to get your bearings and discover a welcoming restaurant for your evening meal.
Day 2: Romantic Bruges
After breakfast we set off on a guided tour of beguiling Bruges, otherwise known as the ‘Venice of the North’. The centre has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, and as we walk through the maze of winding cobbled alleys and along romantic canals, it is easy to see why. We end our tour at a famous artisan chocolate-maker in the heart of Bruges, where we have a chance to observe how the delicious confectionery is made. The rest of the day is free to explore, perhaps by taking a leisurely boat trip along the canals to view the stunning medieval architecture, or climbing the Belfry, which dominates the Market Square, for a bird’s eye view over the red-roofed buildings below. Alternatively, take a stroll around the idyllic Minnewater, the ‘lake of love’, or the Beguinage, a relaxing and peaceful convent which nowadays is inhabited by nuns of the Order of Saint Benedict. (B)
Day 3: Ghent and Ypres
Today we travel by coach to Ghent, and you are free to explore the quaint cobbled streets under your own steam. One of the main attractions in Ghent is St Bavo’s Cathedral with its beautiful guild chapels, frescoed Romanesque crypt and magnificent altar. The highlight of any visit to this church is the Jan van Eyck masterpiece, The Adoration of the Mystical Lamb, considered to be one of the most important examples of medieval painting in Western Europe. We move on to Ypres this afternoon, a small medieval town dominated by its Cloth Hall and best known for its tragic connection to World War I. Ypres was at the centre of intense fighting between the Germans and the Allied forces, and you have the chance to visit some of the monuments that record the harrowing events of the Great War, including the imposing Menin Gate and the poignant ‘In Flanders Fields’ Museum. We return to Bruges by coach and enjoy a final dinner together this evening. (B,D)
Day 4: Bruges to London
We have free time in Bruges this morning for some final shopping or sightseeing before we depart by local train for Brussels to join our Eurostar service. Our onward journey into the UK brings us back into St Pancras International. (B)
Your hotel
The 2* Ibis Brugge Centrum hotel is located in an ancient medieval building in the centre of Bruges, a few minutes walk from the railway station and all the main attractions. All the en suite rooms have air conditioning, television, radio and telephone. The hotel also boasts a bar and a restaurant offering both regional specialities and international dishes.
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
These meals, where shown, are included in the price of your holiday.
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