Bruges (and the new Eurostar terminal)

Between Christmas and New year, five of us went to Bruges by train, and I have to say it was fantastic, and would recommend this trip for anyone who fancied a few days away.  The new terminal at St Pancras is lovely and the check in process was very quick.  The train took two and a half hours to get to Brussels and about another half an hour to get to Bruges.  Once there, there was just loads to see and do.  The city is medieval and the architecture is fabulous.  There are winter markets in every square. lots of bars and restaurants, cafes and galleries, and I just can't rave about the place enough.

We're considering going for Christmas next year, we liked it so much!


Vicky

I spent a long weekend in Bruges in July of 2006 and I have to agree with you. It's a fantastic weekend getaway. So pretty and just enough to see/do in a few days. 

Ooh, now I really want to go.  It sounds amazing.  Must go off and plan holidays...

I'd really love to go, as Vicky made it sound awesome but I do not speak French at all and neither does hubby. Can one still enjoy a weekend in Bruges without knowing the language? (Yes, I do feel thoroughly ashamed, btw)

Edit: And also, anyone want to recommend places to stay?

I'd really love to go, as Vicky made it sound awesome but I do not speak French at all and neither does hubby. Can one still enjoy a weekend in Bruges without knowing the language? (Yes, I do feel thoroughly ashamed, btw)

Edit: And also, anyone want to recommend places to stay?

You can get by happily in English.

Bruges is lovely lots of history, old buildings, a canal that runs a small boat tour, a brewery tour, churches... no to mention that Belgium is renowned for all the different types of beers with matching glasses.

Train travel all over Belgium is easy and connects well to the coast too. I'd like to do a coast holiday one day.

The new St Pancras Eurostar station is great. Next month I am going to Lille leaving from the new Eurostar station in Ebbsfleet, Kent. I am excited to see that station.

No one in Bruges speaks French.  How is your Dutch? 

Seriously, we all came out there with a smattering of French, which was frowned upon (Bruges is in the Flemish bit), and everyone we met spoke perfect English. 

There are millions of hotels - our was a bit stuffy, as it was picked by my mum, so i couldn't recommend it, but i would definitely recommend the brewery tour!

Drink Zot!


Vicky

No one in Bruges speaks French.  How is your Dutch? 

Seriously, we all came out there with a smattering of French, which was frowned upon (Bruges is in the Flemish bit), and everyone we met spoke perfect English. 

yeah, there are just some countries that you should just speak English and smile politely.

Oh it sounds  perfect! Thank you Vicky for mentioning it cause I'd never have thought to go otherwise. And thank you Olive for the excellent suggestions. I'm prob gonna take a trip for a few days at the end of January while Spence is freezing his butt off in Brighton.

We stayed here:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g188671-d232033-Reviews-De_Orangerie_Hotel-Brugge_West_Flanders.html

My ex got us some sort of Eurostar package deal and it was pretty reasonable. I can recommend it highly!

 

Bruges is lovely . We've been there a couple of times - over Easter weekend in 2005 and 2007, but no, they don't speak French there and the locals actually get offended if you try, so unless you can speak Flemish, you'll be speaking English the whole time .

My recommendations for anyone going to Bruges in the future:

Take a boat ride/tour on the canals,
Buy lots of Belgian chocolate,
Have a meal at one of the restaurants in the main square (chocolate mousse..mmm),
Take a tour around the city in a horse and carriage

Also, there's a really nice guesthouse that we stayed in just off the t'Zandt...the Hotel Leopold - I would definitely recommend it .

I'm prob gonna take a trip for a few days at the end of January while Spence is freezing his butt off in Brighton.

It will be cold in Brugge as well!

It was pretty cold there over New Year, but cold weather is what Gluwein was invented for!


Vicky

oh, this sounds lovely. Definitely putting it on my list for a possible trip!  So glad that you can take the Eurostar from St. Pancras now since that's the station I usually arrive into when I go down to London.

Another vote here for the new Eurostar terminal! I just got back from Paris - such an easy and fast trip. The waiting area was so nice and CLEAN!

I am dying to go to Bruges. I think DH and I are going to plan something for March. Is three days (Fri.-Sun.) enough time to see the main sites? I definitely think the brewery tour is a must, as well as a canal tour and some chocolate-tasting! Any other suggestions?