Brugge is one of Europe's best preserved medieval cities and is regarded as the home to chocolate. We take the ferry from Dover to France, then travel into Belgium arriving in Brugge in the early afternoon.
You can take in the major sights on a walking tour. You have your own free time to explore the sights and attractions of the city. Our hostel is within walking distance from the city centre, so once you have settled in, we venture back to town for the evening. On Sunday you can relive the 'horrors' that faced the soldiers during World War I, as we visit Flanders and the town of Ypres before returning to London.
INCLUDES:
Return Coach Travel
Return Ferry Crossing from Dover to Calais
Accommodation based at a central Hostel in Brugge
Continental Breakfast on Sunday Morning
Orientation tour of Brugge
Plenty of free time
Excursion to Flanders
Excursion to Town of Iper (Ypres)
Excursion to Tyne Cot War Cemetery
Saturday Afternoon & Sunday Morning in Brugge
PLANNED ITINERARY
SATURDAY
Departing London at 07:00, we travel down to Dover for the ferry across to France, from here it is a short drive to Brugge. On arrival to Brugge (approx 13:00) you can take in the sights on an orientation tour before finding somewhere to enjoy lunch. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore the picturesque medieval city on your own. One of the best ways to enjoy the sights is on a canal cruise (€5.50) around the inner city. You can take in the view as you look down over Brugge from the Bell Tower (€5.00), this is 88 meters in height and a climb of 366 steps, but culminates in a breathtaking panoramic view of the city.
You can visit a local beer brewery (€5.00) for a guided tour which allows you to sample the local product. Brugge has a Diamond Museum (€5.00) and Lace Making Centre (€1.50) which is well worth a visit. Besides beer, diamonds and lace, Brugge is also famous for chocolates. You will find a chocolate shop on every corner of Brugge, some even offering free samples!
Art lovers have the Memling Museum and Groeninge Museum to visit (€8.00). The Church of our Lady is full of art treasures including a white marble Madonna and Child by Michelangelo. The Basilica of the Holy Blood is a double chapel which is said to house a few drops of Christ's blood. The City Hall (€1.25) containing medieval carvings and murals is also open to the public.
Tonight we meet at a local bar for a few drinks, afterwards you can wander off in search of a restaurant for dinner.
SUNDAY
After breakfast we return to the city centre allowing you to continue your sightseeing. Don't forget last minute shopping for chocolates! Departing Brugge early afternoon we travel out to Flanders, it is here that some of the bloodiest battles of World War I took place. 'Re-live' the horrors of trench warfare as we visit Tyne Cot ~ the largest Commonwealth war cemetery, many of them Kiwis, Australians and Canadians as well as British.
Next stop is at Hill 62, here you can see what remains of trenches used throughout World War I, they have been preserved for all to see. The museum has an interesting display of different photos and objects that were recovered after the fighting had ceased. It provides a very grim reminder of the horrors of war.
Our last stop is in the town of Ypres. Ypres was one of the great Flemish cloth towns of the Middle Ages. Some five million British and Commonwealth soldiers passed through Ypres on their way to the front line in World War I. Reduced to rubble by constant bombardment, the town has come to symbolize the meaningless slaughter of the Great War. Now restored to its former grandeur, Ypres contains numerous poignant sites and monuments linked to the war. The Menin Gate is the most famous war memorial in Flanders, it bears the names of 54,896 soldiers who were reported missing between the start of the war in 1914 and 1917. The Cloth Hall originally built in the 13th Century has been faithfully rebuilt in its original style. The main Museum to visit is Flander Fields (€7.50), it tells the story of ordinary men and woman, soldiers, young and old during the Great War.
Late afternoon we travel back to the Port of Calais in France for the ferry to England. On arrival we make our way to London aiming to be back around 22:00.
WHAT TO BRING
A towel. You must travel with your passport. Note some nationals may require a visa.
ACCOMMODATION
We are based at the YHA hostel within walking distance to the town centre. Rooms are multishare. Breakfast is included. The hostel has a bar. Please note there are no twin or double rooms available.
CHANGE IN ITINERARY
Tours in January and February will not visit Hill 62 as it is closed to the public. But you will still visit Tyne Cot Cemetery and the town of Ypres.
Trip Dates
Entrance Fees
Brugge
Booking Conditions
Please note the following conditions and information does not apply to the London Walks featured on our site. All walks are run by the original London Walks Company and more information can be found on their website www.walks.com.
All our trips* depart from Bressenden Place, which is a few minutes walk from Victoria Underground Station. All day trips depart at 9am unless otherwise stated.
*Times and departure points for London Walks are displayed on the walks pages of this website. They DO NOT depart from Bressenden Place at 9am.
*Weekend departure times vary and it is your responsibility to check the departure time for your trip, which is published on our website. Tracks cannot be held responsible for missed departures due to late arrival.
Online Discounts:
These only apply to tours booked and paid for online, they are not available over the telephone or by any other means of payment. They are for a limited period and limited number of seats. The offer can be withdrawn at any time.
To take up the offer you must always write the discounted price on the booking form. Failure to do so will result in full payment being taken.
Double Booking Special:
Our double booking special offer will save you £2 on the price of your second day trip. To take advantage of the offer, you need only complete one booking form. In the comments box at the bottom of the page you need to provide details of the second day trip you wish to book. Discount only applies when ONE PERSON is travelling on TWO DIFFERENT departures, NOT to two people travelling on the same departure.
General Booking Conditions:
All Day Trips: Once booked and paid for are non refundable nor transferable under any circumstances.
Weekend and Short Breaks: 50% cancellation charges if cancelled before 14 days of travel, if cancelled less than 14 days 100% cancellation charges. Transfers on weekend tours can be made up to 14 days prior to departure, subject to availability. A transfer fee of £20 per person will be charged.
Tracks cannot be held responsible for any costs, incurred due to the late arrival or departure of the coach.
Those booked on our weekend and short break tours are required to have travel insurance to cover them throughout the tour.
We reserve the right to alter the itineraries as required. On the rare occasion when we have insufficient numbers we reserve the right to withdraw the tour. All clients will be notified in advance and offered an alternative tour or full refund.
Those travelling on tours outside the United Kingdom are required to travel with their passports and any necessary visa. The issue of a travel visa is the sole responsibility of the client.
Complaints
Should you have a complaint during the tour, contact your tour manager and they will do their best to rectify your problem. If we cannot resolve your complaint at the time, you should make your complaint in writing and send it to us at Tracks Travel Limited, The Flots, Brookland, Romney Marsh, Kent, TN29 9TG, within 21 days of the end of the tour. We will be unable to deal with any complaints unless we receive details in writing in that time period.
