Bruges

[Jan Rosser]

Anyone got any "must see" places in and around Bruges? Travelling on Eurostar - only a three night trip with some excursions included but tips for free time sightseeing appreciated. Also been warned about mosquitos on canals - is this anyone else's experience - I'll pack the spray just in case - don't fancy being bitten alive

[Manoverboard]

We have been to Bruges several times and have yet to see a mozzie but that doesn't mean they're not there at certain times of the year of course.

Could you list the included excursions, please.

Meanwhile a Thomas Cook's CitySpots Guide from e-Bay for a couple of ££s would help you to select things that are of interest to you ... ie lace but certainly not the chocolate factory

[Jan Rosser]

Day 1 arrive late afternoon so free time.
Day 2 walking tour and brewery.
Day 3 optional tour by boat of canals then tour of First World Tour sites including Ypres - Menin Gate - Hill 62 and Tyne Cot cemetery.
Day 3 chocolate factory and travel back in afternoon.

So busy few days but any suggestions welcome - thanks.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Well you've got my essential Jan - the chocolate factory!! There's also a very nice cafe near the Cathedral that serves the best hot chocolate I've ever had - made with real chocolate melted into the hot milk.

But apart from that it's a lovely place to just wander round, admire the architecture and people watch from a street cafe.

[sunseeker16]

It's small enough to wander and be enchanted and if you spot anything of paricular interest you can either look at once or make a mental note to return.

If you go up the tower be prepared for the pain of descent and the pain in the backs of your legs next day!

Belgian chips and mayonaisseare good, as are mussels. Beer with your meals (recommended like wine) is a novelty. We liked Leffe Brun but you're in the right place to chose one that suits just you

[Manoverboard]

You seem to have some spare time in the afternoons and even during the evenings.

Bruges is certainly a wander about looksee sort of place but you could consider a canal boat ride to Damme, then a walk-a-bout plus a meal perhaps in one of the high quality authentic regional cafes / restaurants before you return to your Hotel by Bus, boat or Taxi.

Ghent is also ok but not as nice as Bruges imo.

[Jan Rosser]

Thanks Moby and everyone else - always handy to have tips

We are on a bed and breakfast tariff so be interesting to taste the local Belgian cuisine (and the chocolate M & T) not fussy on the beer tasting - not my tipple

[Manoverboard]

... not fussy on the beer tasting - not my tipple

Wait until you have been to the brewery and then tell us what you had to drink

[Mervyn and Trish]

Belgian chips and mayonaisseare good, as are mussels.

If I remember rightly there's actually a chip museum!

[Manoverboard]

... and a Folklore Museum

[Quizzical Bob]

Belgian chips and mayonaisseare good, as are mussels.

If I remember rightly there's actually a chip museum!

They sell older chips than that in my local chippie!

[gfwgfw]

Bruges is enjoyed walking it's many cobbled streets and enjoying it's rather unique architecture

The much beloved - she did enjoy the "choccie" experience

Never ever met a "mosey"

Enjoy you stay

BTW espied just a few wee houses with a red light over the door - uncertain what they were advertising

[Jan Rosser]

Well back from my trip to Bruges - Wednesday morning went up to St. Pancras - very busy but so well organised - checked in and boarded Eurostar - very comfortable and clean - only downside girl sat next to me had a combination of mobile phone and iPod glued to her and when she wasn't talking very loudly to someone in a foreign language she was sharing her music with me

Interesting journey - wish all trains went as quickly although hadn't realised so many tunnels and my ears "popped" each time. Couldn't believe how quickly we went through the channel tunnel and soon we were in Lille where a coach picked us up. The trip was organised by Riviera Travel - we booked through advert in the Times and it was very well organised although I don't think I am ready yet for coach tours - too many old people I know I'm classed as an OAP but honestly do people read the small print and realise how hectic it can be.

Checked into hotel which was very central and the room was very modern and stylish although I do wish there had been tea making facilities - I do miss my early morning cuppa! We arrived late afternoon so went out to explore and got lost very easily - so many little streets all looking the same! We ate in the hotel first night - lovely meal good wine but very tired as we seemed to have been on the go all day. The food was very good in the hotel - breakfast was included and the choice was extensive from continental to full English if desired.

First morning there was a walking tour of the town over cobbled pavements and it was hard going - far too strenuous for some people on the group but weather wise it was quite cool so pleasant to walk in. We had a guide provided by the firm and he was British - very knowledgeable - he actually lived in Bruges but I'm afraid we were bombarded with so much information it was impossible to take it all in.

We did a canal boat trip in the afternoon with a driver who informed us of the sights in three languages - English was last - it was very busy but well worth seeing the sights from the boat. Another good meal in a local restaurant and day one was over. We also visited the Historium - a different experience sort of travelling through rooms telling a story - very clever. The view from the terrace over the Markt square was amazing.

Day 2 we went to Ypres and this is where endurance came to the fore - we had to walk to the coach and it was a long way and some people struggled but apparently it isn't possible to bring the buses into the town except for dropping people off at the hotels. Pleasant drive with Robin our guide giving us a non stop talk. We stopped at Tyncot cemetery and I have to say even now I fill up thinking about it - so many young lives lost it was heartbreaking - row after row of beautifully kept graves and in the museum building letters from these soldiers to family. Makes you appreciate even more the sacrifice they made for us.

We went on to Hill 62 and toured the trenches - by now I think I had spent most of my time in tears - the suffering the hardships they faced was unimaginable. On a lighter note the owner of this museum is famous for his cats which roamed freely around he museum and boy could you smell them everywhere

Next we travelled to Ypres and the Flanders Fields museum which was again so thought provoking - very interesting especially the stories of people who lived through the war - it was as if they were actually talking to you from within a booth. You could also enter your name at the beginning of the tour and at the end find out how many people with your surname died in Belgium during the war. Back to Bruges via the Menin Gate.

When we got back to Bruges we went to St. John's Hospital - this is where poor people were looked after by the monks and nuns. Some displays were frightening - they contained the sort of medical instruments used - it made you cringe - they were so horrific

Another very good meal and more wine - I'm on the wagon now till the end of the month and the cruise

Next morning we went to the chocolate factory - bought some for the family and then went wandering - there was a market near the canal selling some real tat. More culture in the Bruggemuseum then back to the hotel to begin the journey back to Lille and the train home.

Got back to London and it was very hot and we got caught up in the crowds going to see the Rolling Stones in Hyde Park - don't ask how we ended up there - a case of not finding the right bus stop to take us back to our friends' house in Oxford!

So got back home to Wales on Sunday afternoon in time for the tennis - picked up the dog from the kennels and relaxed. Really enjoyed the trip - I'm sure we didn't see everything so good excuse to go again.

Just finished the washing and ironing then packing for second trip this month to Luxembourg to visit my son and family - busy busy time but so much to look forward to.

Hope I haven't bored you with my account of trip but I hope it encourages you to visit Bruges - it's well worth it.

[Manoverboard]

Glad you enjoyed it .... I didn't think to mention that coach trips are hectic.

[Jan Rosser]

Forgot to mention that on the Saturday we were leaving the town was invaded by cruise ship visitors - I understand Azura was in Zeebrugge plus two other ships so it was very busy - lots of people walking around with their coach number stickers on their tops.

[Dancing Queen]

Not boring at all Jan, I love Bruges and have been 2 or 3 times ( just for the day on a cruise ) we shall be back there in December and are really looking forward to it.

We keep promising ourselves a long weekend there as I'm sure there is so much we haven't seen, funnily enough we were chatting to some friends at the weekend who went there on Oceana last New Year and have said the same as us so it's on the cards to arrange a short trip with them sometime in 2014.

[The Monocled Mutineer]

De Karmeliet is on my 'tick-list' for lunch.

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[JoanneB]

De Karmeliet is on my 'tick-list' for lunch.

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It was on our list for dinner and we wished we hadn't bothered. Unmemorable meal and told we had to order desert at the beginning of the meal, before we knew whether or not we wanted one, as some take a while to cook. Over deferential service from many cohorts of staff in differing grey uniforms.