Ostend, Bruges Christmas Market & The Belgian Coast

Itinerary

Day 1

Join your coach at your convenient local pick-up point, and get comfortable as we head to Kent to join our ferry at Dover for the crossing to France.

On arrival in Calais, we continue the short distance to our hotel in the centre of Ostend to check in. Then maybe have a drink in the hotel bar before tucking into your first dinner at the hotel.

Days 2 - 4

Enjoy hearty breakfasts every morning along with plenty of free time to explore and relax in Ostend. Don't forget to join us for your INCLUDED excursion to beautiful Bruges Christmas Markets and your Belgian coastal tour and visit to Veurne on Market Day, returning to your hotel in the evenings for another excellent dinner.

Day 5

After breakfast, say farewell to Ostend and sit back and relax as we head back towards Calais and the crossing back to the UK and the onward journey home.

Ostend

This well known, enchanting Belgian seaside town combines a fascinating history with a thriving modern culture. Described as the cultural capital of the Belgian coast, it has become a firm favourite with British visitors. Ostend is Belgium's premier resort known as the "City by the Sea", with miles of sandy beaches. Stroll down the delightful wide promenades where you will find many shops to browse and buy or perhaps just relax in one of the many bars or restaurants. Ostend has grown from a humble fishing village into a lively and cosmopolitan seaside resort with a pretty harbour, marina, casino and pedestrianised shopping streets. Visitors will be amazed by all there is to see and do with many activities taking place all year round. It is a fine place to sample a wonderful, friendly European ambience.

Veurne on Market Day

Veurne is conveniently located in northwestern Belgium, not far from Bruges and Ostend. The Market Square is dominated by the Belfry, which combines late Gothic, Renaissance and baroque elements and is the location for the weekly market. Why not just take a seat, grab a beer or a coffee and watch the world go by? Also on the square, you can admire the town hall houses and the Free Fatherland Discovery Center, which recounts how the city avoided German invasion during WWI. There is certainly plenty to see and do.

Bruges Christmas Markets

Give in to that warm, fuzzy feeling during Christmas in Bruges. The pretty medieval city takes on fairytale airs as the temperatures drop. The intoxicating scent of fresh waffles lingers in the air and the streets are dressed like gingerbread houses with festive fairy lights reflected in the canal. Hop on a horse-drawn carriage for a snow-dusted tour of the cobbles, or linger in one of Europe’s most charming Christmas Markets. The main Bruges Christmas market is in Grote Markt, with its gorgeous wooden chalets surrounding a glittering ice rink, where skaters swish and stumble in the shadow of the 83m-high belfry. If you can face the 366 steps to the bells at the top, you'll be rewarded with stunning views of the chocolate-box city below. There’s another smaller market near tree-lined Simon Stevinplein but, with no shortage of tempting chocolatiers and cosy cafés en route, the short walk might take longer than you'd expect. If you’ve over-indulged, a brisk walk will help blow away the cobwebs and work up an appetite for the next course: a plate of warm, crisp kroketten made with shrimp or gorgeously oozing cheese. Perfect for a quick pit-stop before the serious business of shopping begins!

Tour includes

• 4 nights hotel dinner, bed & breakfast
• Channel crossing Dover to Calais
• Free time in Ostend
• Full day visit to Bruges Christmas Markets
• Half day coastal excursion and visit to Veurne on Market Day
• Direct Coach Travel
• Net Zero Carbon Offset Certificate

Valid passport required Back to top

Accommodation

Royal Astrid Hotel Ostend

Hotel & Wellness Royal Astrid is a three-star hotel located 100m from the beautiful sandy beach of Ostend. The hotel is known for its warm welcome and all 173 bedrooms are well appointed with Wifi throughout (please note that in keeping with many 3* hotels in Europe, complimentary tea & coffee making facilities are not available). There is a lovely bar and restaurant for those preferring to stay in rather than explore the extensive range of nearby bars are restaurants. The hotel has a spa & wellness complex of about 1000 m², which includes a lovely swimming pool (extra charges apply for some services).

For more hotel information, follow this LINK

Back to top