French & Belgian Christmas Markets – Bruges & Lille

Itinerary

French & Belgian Christmas Markets – Bruges & Lille

What better way to get into the Christmas spirit than a short hop across the Channel to stock up on some unique gifts? As well as time in Lille, we head to the delightful Christmas markets in pretty Bruges and Arras, both of which are set against picturesque backdrops. Enjoy the exquisite sight of medieval buildings illuminated by twinkling lights and traditional stalls that entice visitors with their delicious specialities, colourful crafts and charming stocking fillers.

French & Belgian Christmas Markets – Bruges & Lille

We take the ferry to Calais before travelling to the lovely Belgian town of Ypres. The charming cobbled streets lined with pretty Flemish-style buildings belie the town’s past as the scene of some of the most intense battles of the First World War. Almost completely destroyed, the town was faithfully rebuilt, including the striking medieval Cloth Hall. Here we have some free time to find a local restaurant for dinner before we continue to our hotel.

French & Belgian Christmas Markets – Bruges & Lille

We spend a couple of hours in the seaside resort of Ostend before heading to the beautiful medieval city of Bruges, famous for its picturesque canals. Held in the city’s main market square, the Christmas Market is full of stalls selling a tempting array of hand-made Christmas decorations and gifts as well as tasty local produce and warming mulled wine. Enjoy dinner in Bruges before we return to the hotel.

French & Belgian Christmas Markets – Bruges & Lille

The charming Arras Christmas Market awaits, held in the magnificent setting of the Grand Place. Against the soft silhouettes of the rounded Baroque townhouses, over 100 artisans sell traditional crafts and gifts from their wooden chalets, transforming the whole square into a magical winter wonderland. In the late afternoon we continue to Lille, where lovely decorations and lights illuminate the Flemish architecture. Be sure to sample the spice bread or enjoy other regional specialities from the festive food stalls for dinner before we rejoin the coach to head back to our hotel.

French & Belgian Christmas Markets – Bruges & Lille

This morning we check out of the hotel, stopping at Dunkirk for some free time before heading back to Calais for our return ferry home.

French & Belgian Christmas Markets – Bruges & Lille

• Return coach travel & ferry crossings
• 3 nights at a selected hotel in France/Belgium (JG3 rating) with breakfast
• Excursions to Ostend, Bruges Christmas Market, Arras Christmas Market & Lille
• En-route visits to Ypres & Dunkirk

French & Belgian Christmas Markets – Bruges & Lille

• 3 nights at a selected hotel in France/Belgium (JG3 rating) with breakfast
• Excursions to Ostend, Bruges Christmas Market, Arras Christmas Market & Lille
• En-route visits to Ypres & Dunkirk

Accommodation

Selected Hotel JG3

We’ll stay at a well-appointed hotel such as the Acacias in Tourcoing or the Horizon in Ath. All the comfortable rooms are en suite and other facilities include a bar and restaurant.

Your hotel will be confirmed approximately 3 weeks before departure, therefore we cannot guarantee that the hotel will have a lift and/or ground floor rooms and may be unsuitable for those with limited mobility.

Hotel Rating

Hotels with a JG3 rating tend to be a more formal style of hotel, often part of a hotel chain, or are very-welcoming family-owned properties. Generally, they offer a greater range of facilities and services, and bedrooms tend to be a little more spacious with additional features. Public areas are larger and include lounge seating, bar and restaurant with good quality food served either buffet style or waiter service.