Bruges & Ghent
Considered to be Europe's best preserved medieval city, Bruges is a town of immense charm and history. Daily guided walks with an HF Holidays' leader explore the picturesque streets and canals, which have given the town its renown as 'The Venice of the North'. There is plenty of time for sightseeing and to discover the gabled merchants' houses and historic churches.
An important commercial and religious centre during the 13th century, Bruges became the home of many celebrated painters, architects and explorers. Today this rich history is preserved in the numerous museums and galleries, which house treasures including works by Michelangelo, Rubens and Van Eyck. We can also take the train to neighbouring Ghent to visit the ornate cathedral, fascinating museums and medieval castle.
Detailed information
| Detailed itinerary |
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The following is a suggested programme, but your HF Holidays' leader may adjust it at their discretion, according to the wishes of the group or to fit into local opening times. There is clearly no obligation to join in any activity, and you should feel free to spend the time as you wish. Download a full itinerary above.
Probably Europe’s best-preserved medieval city, Bruges has immense charm and history. The picturesque squares, streets and canals are lined with gabled merchants’ houses and historic churches. The museums and galleries reflect the city’s pivotal role in European art and culture. The Groeninge Museum’s collection of Flemish paintings is particularly impressive. We can walk along the canals to Damme, once Bruges’ fortified harbour, and return to the city by boat or taxi, to visit the curious Jerusalem Church and watch traditional lace-making demonstrations in the Kantcentrum. Ghent is just a short train ride away and makes a perfect day trip from Bruges. As well as some excellent museums, there is a fine collection of Gothic buildings, open squares and merchants’ houses. St Bavo’s Cathedral houses a famous Jan van Eyck altarpiece.
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| Dates and prices |
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| Thurs 4 Dec 2008 |
4 |
£389 |
£269 |
| Mon 30 March 2009 |
4 |
£439 |
£335 |
| Mon 18 May 2009 |
4 |
£439 |
£335 |
| Mon 6 July 2009 |
4 |
£439 |
£335 |
| Mon 21 Sept 2009 |
4 |
£439 |
£335 |
Single room supplement : £29 per night (Xmas Market: £27)
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| Travel to resort |
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Guests who have bought their holiday 'with rail' will travel to Brussels by Eurostar via the Channel Tunnel. A local train is used to travel from Brussels to Bruges.
Latest HF Holidays Train times - updated 25/10/2008 (provisional)
SNCF
London St Pancras International - Brussels - Bruges
Out 12:57 - 17:23
Return 12:35 - 15:56
For the Eurostar from Ashford please call and ask for details
on 0845 470 7558
Making Your Own Travel Arrangements
By Eurostar: For many travellers, especially those in the south of England, the Eurostar services from St Pancras and Ashford International to Brussels offer the quickest and easiest route to Belgium. There are frequent local trains between Brussels and Bruges.
By air: The nearest airport is Brussels which is served by a number of direct scheduled, charter and 'low-cost' flights from the UK and the rest of Europe. If you are booking your own flights you may wish to consider one of the following options:
www.flysn.com flights from Birmingham, Bristol, Gatwick, Glasgow, Heathrow, Manchester, Newcastle.
www.britishairways.com flights from Birmingham, Bristol, Heathrow, Gatwick, Newcastle and Manchester.
www.flyvlm.com flights from London City and Southampton.
www.bmibaby.com flights from East Midlands, Edinburgh, Heathrow and Leeds/Bradford.
From Brussels Airport the most convenient means of public transport is to take the train to Bruges, changing at Brussels Midi Station. The journey takes around 1 hour 40 minutes, departs every 30 minutes and is cheap, clean and efficient. Train times can be found on www.b-rail.be.
By air to Brussels-Charleroi: Alternatively Charleroi airport, situated 46km (28 miles) to the south of Brussels, also services a limited number of flights from the UK.
www.ryanair.com flights from Glasgow.
From Brussels-Charleroi Airport a regular shuttle bus service connects the terminal with Gare du Midi station in Brussels and takes approximately one hour. From here a train service departs for Bruges every 30 minutes and takes around an hour. Train times can be found on www.b-rail.be.
By ferry: P&O operate a daily overnight service between Hull and Zeebrugge (www.poferries.com or tel: 08705 980 333). From Zeebrugge ferry terminal a train service departs every hour to Bruges and takes 16 minutes. Train times can be found on www.b-rail.be.
To reach the hotel: From Bruges Central railway station, the hotel is approximately 750 metres (15 minutes' walk) along the ring road. Taxis are available from outside the station and cost €8-10. [Back to the top]
| Temperatures |
|
| April |
5°C |
12°C |
| May |
9°C |
16°C |
| July |
13°C |
21°C |
| Sept |
11°C |
19°C |
| Dec |
2°C |
7°C |
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| What the holiday includes |
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- Return economy class rail travel (with rail).
- 4 nights' accommodation in double or twin-bedded en-suite rooms.
- Bed & Breakfast.
- Services HF of Holidays' leaders.
- Detailed itineraries.
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