Overview
- explore Bruges, a medieval gem
- elegant hotel with a warm welcome in the historic centre
- travel self-drive or by rail
Perfectly preserved and crisscrossed with attractive waterways, medieval Bruges is a gem, and a delight to visit in any season. Winter sees skaters skimming along the frozen canals and the pretty shops and cafés glow with warmth, while in summer months cafés spill out onto the pavements and sunlit squares.The Prinsenhof is probably my favourite of our hotels in Bruges, because it’s quite small and romantic, and because you receive such a warm welcome. The breakfasts are fantastic, with everything you could imagine.
Beccy Leadill, Customer Services Team
The local seafood is delicious – mussels from around Zeebrugge and shrimps from Ostend are particularly tasty. Your meal should, of course, be washed down with one of the famous Belgian beers. There is a vast range to choose from, and a huge variety of differently-shaped glasses to match. The Trappist beers tend to be quite strong, while the white beers are lighter. For something a bit different, try one of the fruit-flavoured beers – take your pick from passion fruit, raspberry and cherry, among others.
sightseeing
A boat trip along the canals can provide an interesting introduction to the city, but the best way to explore the narrow streets and appreciate fully the architectural richness of the step-gabled buildings is on foot. The 600-year-old City Hall, the Renaissance Old Recorders' House, and the 17th-century Provost's House are among the most splendid. For a panoramic view of the city, climb the 366 steps up to the belfry of the Church of Our Lady.
Elsewhere, an excellent variety of enticing shops – including numerous specialist boutiques selling lace and delicious handmade chocolates – vie for attention with churches, galleries and museums, the subjects of which include Flemish art, lace, folklore and Belgian beer. (Most museums close on either Monday or Tuesday.) Or while away an hour or so browsing the stalls of the twice-weekly market, held on Saturdays and Wednesdays.
Accommodation
Your hotel is right in the centre of Bruges, so you are ideally placed for exploring on foot. You stay on a bed and breakfast basis, leaving you free to take your pick of the many restaurants, using the recommendations included in our customer documentation as a guide.
Hotel Prinsenhof (4*), BrugesMeal arrangements: breakfast only
Tranquil, yet right in the historic centre, this stylish Relais du Silence hotel is a popular choice, not least because of the warm welcome from the Lemahieu family, who love to help guests enjoy their city to the full. The 16 comfortable bedrooms are all elegantly decorated, and are equipped with a bath with a shower overhead, air conditioning, television and hairdryer. We include the deluxe rooms, which have a sofa that can be made into an additional bed; for even greater comfort, you can upgrade to a superior room. There is a cosy lounge, and limited private parking (pay locally).
Prices & Travel
| Prices (£ per person based on 2 sharing a room) |
Self-drive in party of: |
By
rail* |
Extra
night |
Single
room# |
| 4/5 |
3 |
2 |
| 10 July-19 December 2010 |
| 10 Jul-31 Aug 2010 |
228 |
236 |
252 |
328 |
90 |
88 |
| 1 Sep-31 Oct 2010 |
240 |
248 |
265 |
344 |
95 |
92 |
| 1 Nov-19 Dec |
219 |
226 |
240 |
322 |
87 |
85 |
| 3 January-30 April 2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 3 Jan-28 Feb |
227 |
234 |
248 |
328 |
90 |
83 |
| 1 Mar-6 Apr |
232 |
239 |
254 |
336 |
92 |
85 |
| 7-30 Apr |
245 |
252 |
267 |
350 |
98 |
92 |
| Room upgrades per person per night: superior £38 to 30 Oct 2010, £35 1 Nov 2010-30 Apr 2011 |
| Room upgrades per person per night: superior deluxe: £72 to 30 Oct 2010; £66 1 Nov-19 dec 2010; £72 1 Jan 2011 onwards |
A supplement of £28 per car per single journey (or £12 if you are travelling off-peak) applies for weekend travel from 28 May to 6 June 2010 and from 23 July to 5 September 2010 inclusive. (‘Weekend’ is defined as Friday and Saturday for outward travel and Saturday and Sunday for the return crossing. 'Off-peak' is defined as between 1401hrs and 0600hrs for outward travel and between 0000hrs and 1400hrs for the return journey.)
* Please note that in the case of breaks by rail, a supplement may be payable depending on availability of seats for your chosen dates of travel and how far in advance of your departure date your holiday booking is made.
# The single room supplement is per person per night and must be added to the holiday price for the third and fifth party members.