Having discovered a great deal with Eurotunnel, last weekend saw POD enjoy her first train journey albeit among a sea of cars! We set off for Folkestone early in the morning, capturing an incredible sunrise in the process. POD said “look the sky is on fire” and it really did look like it was.
Our journey across the channel to Calais only took 25 minutes with the drive to Bruges an hour or so from there. It was a beautifully sunny day too so we got to admire the view whilst navigating the way to our Belgian hotel.
After a speedy check-in, we headed off with Ben Elf on the hunt for food. POD took great delight in saying 
“Bonjour” to the people on the table next to us many times over. Thankfully they had a sense of humour and found it entertaining. It was all very exciting for POD although she wasn’t overly impressed with my moules!
Fed and watered we headed for the Market Square which is located in the heart of the city. It’s dominated by the towering Belfort which offers 360-degree views for those brave enough to climb the 366 steps to the top.
Bruges is a beautiful city full of medieval buildings and cobbled streets. Horse-drawn carriages and canal rides are on offer but we find the best way to explore is on foot.
With the festive period fast approaching, there was a Christmas Market in the square. Although not comparable to the infamous German markets, it offered everything from Christmas decorations to woollies, Bratwurst and of course Glühwein (mulled wine). The market snaked around an ice-rink which was being enjoyed by the masses. POD wanted to go skating but they didn’t cater for toddlers.
There are numerous chocolatiers in Bruges but Dumon is without doubt the best. Situated in a small medieval shop not far from the Market Square, it sells the most divine chocolate. Following a brief gorge on teddy lollies, we set off for a leisurely walk down cobbled alleyways to Rozenhoedkaai and the canals.
After walking most of the day, we slumped in cafe for a well-deserved Irish coffee while POD had an orange. Although just in Bruges for 24 hours, we managed to catch the snow and ice sculpture festival – an exhibition based on the Disney film Frozen. You’ll find a sneak preview here and a post will follow.
We had time for a wander around the following morning before driving back to Calais. This included purchasing some delicious chocolate from Dumon and visiting a tea room that was closed the day before. It was beautiful inside, perhaps that’s why we were ushered to the back!
Patisseries were perfectly displayed as were all the gifts available – from tea and coffee to candles and Father Christmas. Even the toilet housed a Christmas tree laden with baubles and feathers! POD knew she was supposed to touch it so she enjoyed giving it a stroke! Our drinks arrived with a complimentary meringue and chocolate mousse. It was a wonderful end to a great short break.
We linking this post up with Magic Moments at The Oliver’s Madhouse and Country Kids at Coombe Mill.
How beautiful! Argh! I neeeed to get away soon!
How lovely for POD too – such an adventure 🙂
You must, you must! We’d not been away for ages and it was wonderful. Definitely have a look at Eurotunnel, some good deals to be had 🙂
Looks amazing! What a fabulous trip 😉 xx
Thank you – was nice to escape albeit not for long 🙂
Oh I so wanted to visit the Bruges Christmas markets! Looks like a great day
Had a lovely time thank you. You should do the German markets – they’re awesome 🙂
Gorgeous! I do so love Bruges, been far too many years since I was there! Great experience for POD 🙂 #CountryKids
It’s a wonderful place Sara, we’ve not been before. Really great we could take the car there too – we bought a little bench set for POD 🙂
Oh my, such beautiful, atmospheric, seasonal and very festive photographs. I would love a trip like this and great that the travel time wasn’t too extensive. You’ve captured the magic perfectly. Glad you had a wonderful time x
Thank you so much Sarah. It’s so nice going somewhere at this time of year – especially when it’s easy to get to. Hard to believe Folkestone to Calais is 25 minutes!
Such lovely photos. We went to Bruges back in 2000 and really enjoyed it. You’re lucky that you can get there so quickly – it makes such a short break worthwhile.
Thank you Sarah – its really lovely isn’t it. We’d not been before so it was nice to escape for a little while!
Looks such a lovely trip. I went to Bruges many years ago, and it is a lovely place, so picturesque, as your gorgeous photos have captured. Glad you all enjoyed it x
Thank you Jocelyn – it really is beautiful. We’d not been before, was lovely 🙂
This has brought back childhood memories of visiting Bruges! And can I please please have some of that chocolate.
How lovely Kriss! It’s a wonderful place, amazing chocolate! Ashamed to say it’s already been eaten 🙂
wow ! those images make me really nostalgic for some travelling! x
It was a nice break Sarah – we had a drive to Folkestone but not bad and 25 minutes to Calais is amazing! Eurotunnel is definitely worth looking into, they’re doing day trips for £23 at the moment!
Ooh lovely images and what a fantastic experience! I’ve been to Bruges a few times but not since having children. We often talk about going there with them-the boats and the chocolate should be plenty to entertain them. A beautiful place.
Thank you Iona, that’s great you’ve been a few times before. We’d never been, was so nice although a fleeting visit! There’s lots to look at at this time of year too 🙂
I love Bruges, but only ever been there when the canals were frozen, the wind was blowing a gale or the heaven opened all day. Would love to explore it without getting frostbite, pneumonia or worse! #CountryKids
Gosh it sounds like it was seriously cold then! You must re-visit when its warmer. Was a great trip to do and Eurotunnel had such a great deal!
It looks really beautiful, I’ve been to Antwerpen and Brussels and would love to go to Brugges one day.
It’s quite similar to Brussels I think but prettier – we went there a long time ago. You should definitely go one day, was a nice little break. Great chocolate!
What a picturesque place to visit any time of the year, but at Christmas time it’s truly magical. Your photos show just how beautiful it is and I love the idea of a carriage ride. It sounds like you all had a lovely short break, thanks for linking up and sharing with Country Kids.
Thank you Fiona – it’s a great time of year to visit. A carriage ride is probably wonderful when you’re not laden with all the toddler paraphernalia! Thank you for hosting 🙂
Would so love to visit Bruges too… maybe next time! 🙂 Glad you guys had fun 🙂 Ice sculpture festival sounds like fun!
It’s good fun Dean – really great deals with Eurotunnel too. Means you can drive further afield than Calais. The ice sculpture festival was great – very cold!
Just popped back from #MagicMoments 🙂
Thank you Sara 🙂
[…] we were in Bruges we heard about a Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival – the only one of its kind in […]
Oh that sounds like a great trip. Bruges is somewhere I’ve always wanted to visit.
You really should – it was wonderful there especially at this time of the year 🙂
Beautiful place to visit, wow I need to get away 🙂
You should Claire – it was really cheap on Eurotunnel as you take the car 🙂
wow what a lovely trip oddly fancy chocolate now……
The chocolate there was amazing – wish we’d brought more back!
awwww Charly I am so so pleased you guys had such an amazing time, it looks like a stunning place to visit x
and thanks for linking up with #MagicMoments (pressed enter too soon!)
Thank you Jaime – it was short but a beautiful place to visit 🙂
Oh lovely, and patisseries too, what more do you need in life?!!! 🙂
We managed to avoid the patisseries but only because we were given some gems with our coffee 🙂
Bruges is a gorgeous place isn’t it, and so many delicious things to eat! It sounds like a lovely trip, a great adventure for POD and no doubt the perfect thing to get into the festive spirit with the snow and ice sculpture festival! Just popping over from #magicmoments 🙂
It really was a fabulous place – we weren’t there long but it was lovely 🙂
What beautiful photos – I can imagine it was so magical and festive!
Thank you – was full of Christmas cheer there 🙂
You have taken some fab photos there! I love Bruges too…..must go again one day. #MagicMoments
Thank you Jo – we’d not been before, it was great. You should definitely return 🙂
sounds lovely, would love to get away
You should look at Eurotunnel – the day trips are from only £23 at the moment 🙂
Sounds like you’ve had a fantastic time, I’m not jealous at all 😉 xx
It was lovely – great place to visit 🙂
It sounds like a beautiful place. The way you describe it kind of reminds me of the town Belle from Beauty and the Beast lives in. Those pastries look amazing!
It’s a fabulous place – wish we’d gone before 🙂
Lovely photos, it looks like such an amazing place xx
Thank you Wendy 🙂
[…] took the Eurotunnel to France recently and enjoyed a short break in Bruges. The lit up buildings and decorative displays in Europe never fail to make you feel festive! While […]
This is so magical, this might be the place for our first holiday outside of the UK. Gorgeous pictures.
Thank you Sam – it’s a great place to visit especially if you get a good deal on Eurotunnel 🙂
[…] Read the rest of the post at it’s original source by clicking here. […]
[…] capturing what was a wonderful Autumn, the early part of the Winter saw us take a short trip to Bruges. We traveled on Eurotunnel so we could drive from Calais. Bruges is a beautiful city full of […]
[…] to London. It’s was POD’s first time on a passenger train (having only been on the chunnel to Bruges) so it was all very exciting. The escalators and the tube afterwards equally […]