A Taste of Medieval Bruges

Bruges was once a seaport and, although the coast has shifted considerably, the city remains waterborne - slice by a network of canals that connect it to the North Sea. With exquisite medieval architecture and cobbled streets, there's plenty to see. This morning, after breakfast we'll split into smaller groups for a guided walk to discover the highlights of this charming city. We'll begin in its historic heart, the Markt, which is hard to miss. With a Belfry, that stretches 83 metres high; it's the city's most prominent building. It's served as the main market since the 10th century and if you climb the 366 steps to the top, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Bruges and the Flanders countryside beyond.

We also explore two remarkable buildings in the Burg, the city’s second main square – the Gothic Stadhuis (Town Hall) and the 18th-century law courts – alongside the sacred Basilica of the Holy Blood. A highlight not to be missed is the Church of Our Lady, home to Michelangelo's breathtaking white marble sculpture, Madonna and Child. As we explore, our local guide will explain the history of each site and offer a local perspective on life in Burges today.

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.

This evening is at leisure so why not sample Belgium's holy trinity - beer, chocolate and frites - or find a restaurant and enjoy watching the world go by while you enjoy local fare. Not sure where to go? Your expert Tour Manager is on hand to help.

Today, you can choose to delve into Belgium's more recent history with a visit to Ypres and the battlefields of the Great War or spend the day at leisure in Bruges.

For those interested, we'll leave for Burges by coach late morning.

Ypres boasts a historic Cloth Hall, impressive Cathedral and medieval Market Square, yet for military history enthusiasts, Ypres conjures up images far removed from cloth making and trade. The city is inextricably linked to the First World War as one of its former combat zones, and its cemeteries and memorials attract hundreds of thousands of visitors a year.

The “City of Peace” is home to the poignant Menin Gate, a memorial to British soldiers who died in battle but are buried in unknown locations. The names of the missing soldiers are inscribed on the inside of the gate. The countless lives lost are remembered with a moving ceremony at the Menin Gate Memorial each evening at 8pm.  

We'll 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 - also known as the Battle of Passchendaele - over 500,000 troops died in just three months as the Allies attempted to take the village of Passchendaele. A series of explosions created a huge man-made earthquake, and soldiers fought not only against the enemy but also against the mud. It all but destroyed the landscape and cost countless human lives. On our visit, we'll discover the story and the traces of this battle in Flanders Fields as we visit the bunkers, craters and trench sites of this monumentally bloody battle.

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.

We'll return to Burges in the late afternoon and spend the evening at leisure.

Of course, a visit to Belgium is incomplete without experiencing its renowned chocolate, celebrated as some of the finest in the world. So, this morning, we'll discover the art of craftsmanship at one of the few establishments in Bruges where chocolate is still made by hand. Through our demonstration, you'll discover the beauty of this artisanal craft, exploring the top-quality ingredients and techniques that transform simple components into exquisite indulgences.

Later, a coach will return us to nearby Lille for an afternoon Eurostar service back to London St Pancras International.