Bruges Day Tour - 1 day

One of the gems of Northern Europe is the beautiful city of Bruges, known as the Venice of the North and famous for it's canals, medieval buildings, lace shops and chocolate.
 
We travel by luxury coach and ferry to Calais in France and make the short journey east along the coast to Bruges. We will begin our visit with an eye opening walking tour of the narrow cobbled streets as the guide paints a visual picture of what life was like through several centuries of the city's history.
 
Founded in the 12th century, Bruges became an important trading centre, sea port and money exchange. Businesses flourished here and trade was constant. The wealth created is reflected in the wonderful collection of 14th and 15th century merchant houses that line the canals and streets. We walk along the city walls past the 13th century fortifications and through the old harbour, the Minnewater, to the ancient Beguine Houses, lived in by local nuns. We pass shops selling lace, chocolate and waffles and head down through alleyways to the 14th century church of Our Lady which features one of the tallest brick towers in Europe and the only work of Michaelangelo to leave Italy during the artists lifetime, the prized Madonna and Child. 
 

We walk over the much photographed St Boniface bridge, pass the Groeninge Art Museum, along the Rosary Quay to the Burg and finally the grand Market Square. The streets seem lost in time and the city's sharp decline in the 17th century in favour of ports like Antwerp and Amsterdam helped to create a lack of investment leaving the city of Bruges an uninhabited backwater. As a result the homes and warehouses remain unaltered from centuries past. On the way, our guide will point out delightful places for lunch and some astounding museums, the Gruuthuis merchant's home, the Arenthuis museum of lace, the art museums such as that dedicated to Hans Memling in the old 13th century St John's Hospital and the world famous Groeninge Museum.
 
There will be plenty of time in the afternoon to sample delicious Belgian waffles or try some of the strong locally brewed Belgian ale. You may wish to climb the 366 steps to the top of the 13th century Belfort for the finest views in Bruges. The cathedral of st Saviour is just a short walk away from the main square. There are also half hour canal boat tours or horse drawn carriage rides to further enhance your visit.
 

Tour Includes

• Travel by executive coach

• Return Dover/Calais ferry crossing

• Walking tour on arrival

• Services of a tour guide for the full day
  

Departure Information

06:30am - Embankment Tube Station
07.15am - Ramsgate Train Station
07:45am - Canterbury East Train Station
08:15am - Dover Eastern Docks Bookings Hall. Please note for our tour 19th May we will NOT be collecting at Dover.

Pre-tour planning
If you intend to travel to our central London meeting points by public transport, you can plan your journey in advance on the Transport for London website  -  click here

Before booking this tour please ensure you have a valid passport and travel visa (if your nationality requires one)