Beautiful Bruges

ITINERARY

SUNDAY - Morning departure from Dorset to Dover for channel crossing to Calais and onwards through Belgium to Bruges.

MONDAY - At leisure in Bruges. Meander through the old but crammed-with-life Market Square with its delightful border of houses with Lego-like facades and old guildhalls. Stand in Buro Square to see the Gothic Town Hall, old law courts, old recorder's office and Basilica of the Holy Blood, each in the style of a different century. Spend time browsing chocolate and lace shops, stumble across evening music, firework displays or local celebrations or see the whole of Bruges in the blink of an eye from the top of the 13th century Belfry Tower… "Beautiful" seems an inadequate description!

TUESDAY - An afternoon and evening tour to Ypres. This fascinating city is the unofficial capital of Flanders Fields, site of numerous battles in the First World War. The "City of Peace" still commemorates these events daily, at the In Flanders Fields Museum and under its Menin Gate memorial. Night after night, the Last Post sounds in tribute to the soldiers who fell, ensuring that we never forget this war. We shall leave Ypres after the last post ceremony at 8pm to return to Bruge, arriving late. You are welcome to do your own thing in Bruge all day if you don't wish to join this trip.

WEDNESDAY - A mid-morning departure to Ghent, with time for sightseeing in this most beautiful of Flemish cities - certainly giving Bruges a run for its money! Strolling through Ghent is like walking
through the history of Europe. Visit St Michaels Bridge where you can enjoy the famous view of "The Three Towers of Ghent". There are magnificent abbeys and churches, monuments and squares, parks and gardens, over a dozen museums and fabulous food and drink.

THURSDAY - Morning visit to Ostend a lively resort endlessly popular with British tourists. After lunch make the short drive back to Calais for afternoon channel crossing and so return to Dorset by early evening.

B=Breakfast