French & Belgian Christmas Markets - Bruges & Lille

Itinerary

Day 1 – Journey to France/Belgium via Ypres

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. 

Day 2 – Ostend & Bruges Christmas Market 

Today we spend a couple of hours in Belgium’s premier 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. 

Day 3 – Arras Christmas Market & Lille

Our first destination today is the charming town of Arras where the Christmas Market is 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. Late afternoon we journey to Lille, sure to be crowned with huge festive garlands. 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.

Day 4 – Journey home via Dunkirk

This morning we check out of the hotel, stopping at on the coast at Dunkirk before we head back to Calais for our return ferry home. 

Often referred to as the ‘Venice of the North’, Bruges is a medieval city that has been suspended in time and is now one of the most visited destinations in Northern Europe.

The picturesque market squares and stunning, winding canals combine to create one of the most beautiful cities you can imagine. Lose yourself for a few hours on one of the canal boats as they take you through a real taste of history in this spectacular city.

You can’t take a coach break to this fantastic city without checking out two of Belgium's most passionate pastimes; chocolate and beer. Both are certainly looked after in some style in Bruges- with fine chocolatiers for your indulgence and quaint cafes and bars from which to watch the world go by with one of their famous brews!

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Lille is a vibrant yet cultural city with plenty to offer our coach passengers from museums exploring the artistic side of this beautiful location such as the Hospice Comtesse Musuem, Metropole Museum of Modern, Contemporary & Outsider Arts and the most famous, Palais des Beaux – Arts de Lille coupled with fantastic shopping opportunities for all visitors.

This cultural hub and bustling university town was once an important operator of the French Flanders with many of the Flemish influences remaining, from its varied cuisines and architecture.