Medieval buildings, romantic squares, pretty canals, world-class art; Bruges is a lavish feast for the eyes.
A perfect destination to explore by foot, Bruges is ideal for discerning travellers keen to discover a city where history, culture and cuisine combine like nowhere else. You’ll immediately soak up the unique atmosphere of Bruges’ beautifully preserved historic core, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many of its gabled buildings were built on wealth accrued from the textile industry that transformed the city into one of Northern Europe’s most important trading centres during the Middle Ages. Whether strolling by one of the many waterways that give Bruges its ‘Venice of the North’ moniker, sipping coffee in the old market square with bells from the 13th-century Belfry peeling in the background, or taking a gentle trip by horse and carriage, the city’s ambience is sure to instil a sense of tranquillity.
At a glance
Highlights
- Explore the fascinating medieval history of Bruges on an illuminating walking tour of its many highlights.
- Discover the significance of Flanders during the First World War in a thought-provoking visit to Ypres and the Tyne Cot Cemetery.
- Learn how the world’s finest chocolates are made at one of Bruges’ last surviving traditional chocolatiers.
Choose our Signature Tour to also get:
- Go behind the scenes at a world-famous brewery located in the heart of Bruges, then dine on a hearty lunch of delicious Belgian specialities, accompanied with a local beer.
- Enjoy the more exclusive atmosphere of travelling in a small group with an average of 22 guests.
Offers
Ever wondered what could be better than exploring Europe as spring blooms? Knowing you’re getting unbeatable value on your holiday.
You may not have thought it was possible, but our European tours have just got even better – as we’ve lowered the prices on over 40 of our most popular itineraries in 2025.
| Departure date | Saving |
|---|---|
| 22 June 25 |
Now £629pp SAVE £40pp |
| 07 July 25 |
Now £609pp SAVE £50pp |
The price has already been discounted, so secure your holiday!
*Dates and prices available as of 28 November 2024
What's better than exploring worldwide destinations for the first time? Doing it all with your friends. You and nine or more of your friends or family can travel for less with our group offer, available on all tours, ocean and yacht cruises, and river cruises of 6 nights or less.
Choose to receive 10% off your group’s booking costs back or one free place – simply call 01283 901216 and speak to a member of our dedicated groups team.
Your itinerary
Arrival in Bruges
Journey by Eurostar to Lille and transfer to your hotel.
Stay at The Golden Tree Hotel
Upon arrival in Lille, we travel by coach to your hotel in the heart of Bruges for three nights in the old town.
Bruges
Join our Tour Manager on a walking tour of Bruges to discover the highlights of this alluring city before time at leisure.
After breakfast we take a guided walk to discover the highlights of this alluring city. We begin in its medieval heart, the Markt, which has served as the main market square since the 10th century. Towering 272 feet over the colourful gabled buildings framing the square is the Belfry and its 47-bell carillon.
This afternoon you’ll have the opportunity to climb the 366 steps to the top, the reward being a breath-taking view of Bruges and the Flanders countryside extending beyond. We also visit two other notable buildings in the Burg, the city’s second main square – the elegant Gothic Stadhuis (Town Hall) and the 18th-century law courts – plus the Basilica of the Holy Blood. Another must-see is the Church of Our Lady, which houses Michelangelo’s beautiful white marble sculpture, Madonna and Child.
Free afternoon in Bruges
The remainder of the day is free for you to explore. The Groeningemuseum and Sint-Janshospitaal are home to sublime works of art and you can find museums dedicated to Belgium’s holy trinity of beer, chocolate and frites. You can take a boat tour of the canals so you can see the city from a waterside perspective, or find a café and enjoy watching the world go by.
Signature experience
Get under the skin of a Belgian passion – beer. On a behind the scenes visit you’ll explore a leading brewery located right in the heart of the city, De Halve Maan’. Here a unique two-mile-long pipeline to a bottling plant on the city’s edge has been constructed and you’ll discover more about this and the history of this ‘temple of brewing’ in the atmospheric cellars before ascending to the viewing platform for fantastic 360° views over Bruges.
This enlightening brewing experience concludes with a lunch of hearty Belgian specialties which is of course accompanied by a glass of the finest local beer.
Ypres, Passchendaele & Tyne Cot cemetery
Learn more about the First World War with visit the famous Ypres and Tyne Cot Cemetery or spend the day at leisure.
Ypres
Late morning, for those interested, a coach leaves Bruges to visit Ypres and nearby Great War battlefields. Alternatively, you can simply choose to remain in Bruges to spend your time as you please.
The battlefield tour centres on Ypres, which was almost flattened during the First World War as Allied and German forces fought for control of this strategically important town. The countless lives lost are remembered with a moving ceremony at the Menin Gate Memorial each evening at 8pm.
Passchendaele Memorial Museum
You can also visit the Passchendaele Memorial Museum, which shines a light on some of the darkest days of the Great War. During the Third Battle of Ypres in 1917, over 500,000 troops died in just three months as the Allies attempted to take the village of Passchendaele. We visit the bunkers, craters and trench sites of this monumentally bloody battle.
Tyne Cot Cemetery
The day concludes with a visit to the world’s largest Commonwealth cemetery at Tyne Cot, its sea of 11,961 graves reflecting the First World War’s staggering loss of life. Returning to Bruges in the late afternoon, you cannot fail to be touched by the sights and sounds of this unforgettable trip back in time.
Return Eurostar
Complete your trip to Bruges with a chance to enjoy the art of the chocolatier before we return home.
Belgian chocolates are known as the finest in the world, and this morning we visit one of the few establishments in Bruges where they are still made by hand. During the demonstration you’ll learn all about this artisanal craft, including the top-quality ingredients that are used and the techniques involved in making these delicious luxuries.
Later, a coach returns you to nearby Lille for an afternoon Eurostar service back to London St Pancras International.
Hand-picked hotels
The Golden Tree Hotel
Bruges
Chosen for its charming original features and location next to the 't Zand Square.
Dukes Academie Hotel
Bruges, Belgium
Chosen for its serene location and enjoyable gardens.
Martins Brugge
Bruges, Belgium
Chosen for its prime Market Square location and sumptuous breakfast offering.
Grand Hotel Casselbergh
Bruges, Belgium
Chosen for its combination of elegant modern comfort and 18th century charm.
Extras & upgrades
Regional Rail upgrades
Why not enjoy a convenient departure from a station close to home? Booking your own cross-country train transport can be tricky when considering station changes and onward train times, so here at Riviera Travel our Eurostar team work hard finding your preferred regional departure to add to your booking.
We offer departures from stations such as Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Derby, Southampton, Bristol, Lancaster and many more. We endeavour to provide connections from as many stations as possible across the country, so wherever you live you’ll be sure to find a local departure to suit you.
It’s easy to book a local departure; simply select the station you'd like to depart from when making your booking online. If your preferred station is not available to select from the dropdown menu in the checkout, get in touch with us and we can request a station for you.
Enjoy a relaxed journey in the spacious and quiet First-Class coach of your regional train. We can add a First-Class upgrade to your booking at any time before departure, so don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Eurostar upgrades
In order to enjoy your Eurostar experience to the full, you may upgrade to Standard Premier Class on the Eurostar (and onward TGV, where applicable). You’ll get a seat in the spacious Standard Premier coach with a complimentary light meal offered from a selection of sweet and savoury cold snacks, and a drink appropriate to the time of day, served at your seat while you relax in the comfort of Standard Premier Class. Upgrades can easily be added to your booking any time before the final balance has been paid, so please call us to enquire further.
Opt for a convenient door-to-door service with transport from your home to your choice of regional airport or train station, available as an added optional with every holiday. This can be added to your booking after you've booked online by our reservations team a call, or when you're booking over the phone.
Travel connections
All transfer times listed here are approximate, and dependent on traffic. If you have a question regarding transfer times please don't hesitate to contact us.
| Train station | Hotel location | Transfer time |
|---|---|---|
| Lille Station | Bruges | 1 hr |
FAQs
The price of this holiday is per person, based on one person in a double/twin room for sole occupancy. The price includes:
- Return standard class reserved seat on Eurostar
- Coach transfer from Lille to your hotel in Bruges
- Three nights’ accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- All local accommodation taxes
- Hotel porterage
- The services of a Riviera Travel tour manager
Not included in the price is entrance fee to the ‘Halve Maan’ brewery museum which is approximately €11 and payable locally, entrance to the Flanders Field museum which is approximately €8 and payable locally, entrance to the Passchendaele Memorial Museum which is approximately €8 payable locally.
UK Citizens do not require a visa to enter Belgium however must have a valid passport. For the most up-to-date passport and visa information visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/belgium/entry-requirements
We are unable to accept responsibility if you are unable to travel because you have not complied with any passport/entry/immigration requirements.
Fact File
- Currency: Euro
- Eurostar Journey Time: Approx. 1 hr 25 mins
- Languages: Dutch, French
- Time Zone: GMT+1
- Country: Belgium
The deposit for this holiday is £100pp, then the remaining balance of the holiday is due a minimum of 75 days before you depart.
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Golden Tree Hotel 3* | £589 pp | Book now |
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Golden Tree Hotel 3* | £589 pp | Book now |
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Golden Tree Hotel 3* | £589 pp | Book now |
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23 03 2025 | TBC |
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