We went on a day trip, which meant no accommodation costs and no leave needed from work. The tickets were only £37 return each with Buzzlines Travel and despite the early start (7.30am pick up - yikes) I was excited... I'd read my guidebook, packed my thermals (best to be prepared!) and raided my euro piggy bank to buy plenty of Christmas Market goodies.
It wasn't just my first trip to Belgium, it was my first time on the Channel Tunnel, and I must say I was impressed. Everything seemed very organised, and we were across the Channel in less than 40 minutes. Chunnel, loving your work!
We arrived in Bruges at 11.45am, which meant 4 and a half hours to explore before we had to be back on the coach. First stop was a boat trip on the canals. Our 30 minute tour (a snip at E7.60!) took us through the main highlights of the city, and despite the rain (it only rained for 30 minutes all day - the 30 minutes that we were on a boat, unable to shelter anywhere!) it was a lovely way to see Bruges, and personally I preferred it to the other popular option, a horse and cart trip. Our driver (should that be sailor? Boatsman?) gave us a running commentary in both English and French, and I can't think of a better way to have started of our whistle-stop trip.
After the boat we headed to the Christmas Market and spent a lovely hour watching the ice skaters, browsing the stalls and buying up all of the souvineers our hearts desired. My favourite purchase was a delicate hand made lace Christmas tree decoration - Belgium is famous for its lace so I wanted a little something, and the decoration looks lovely on our tree and is something we can get out every year to remind us of our trip :)
We didn't go up to the Belfry in the main Markt square, mainly because there was a long queue and we were short of time, but you have to leave something to go back for don't you?! The entrance fee was E8 and they only allow 70 people up at any one time (hence the queue) so if you're doing a day trip and the Belfry's a must do, head there first.
On our way back to the coach we stopped off at one of the many churches to light candles for relatives we're missing this Christmas, and picked up some delicious Belgian chocs for the journey home (well, it'd be rude not to, right?!) and headed to The Half Moon Brewery, hoping to catch their brewery tour. Too much shopping meant we'd missed the start of the tour, so we settled on a pint of their beer in the bar instead! Belgian beer's an acquired taste and I'll admit not my favourite, but it would have felt wrong not to partake! Down the hatch!
Back on the coach and straight to sleep (thank you, Belgian beer!) we were back on the Chunnel before I knew it, and back in Maidstone for our drop off by 8.45pm. It was a long day, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and am now a convert to coach day tripping! Next stop: Sluis, Holland...
Happy Day Trippers.
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