Location: Bruges
Historically, the wealth of Bruges’ great merchants was founded upon the weaving of fine cloth, produced largely from imported English wool. A member of the powerful Hanseatic league of cities, it became a major centre of commerce (Europe’s oldest stock exchange was founded here) and trade, much of it water-borne; hence the significance of its canals and direct links to the sea. The city’s main landmark is the 13th-century Beffroi (a 366-step belfry), below which lies the splendid main square, the Burg, surrounded by the elegant façades of bourgeois townhouses.

Despite the ravages of two world wars, miraculously, Bruges emerged almost unscathed and still boasts a wealth of man-made treasures amongst its many churches, palaces and fine merchant houses. The gallery contained in the Groeninge Museum houses a marvellous display of the so-called ‘Flemish Primitives’, surrealist dreamscapes by Bosch, and a number of exquisite canvases by Van Eyck. See how the aristocracy lived in the 15th century in the fascinating Gruuthuse Museum.

Employing senses of a different kind, Bruges is a great destination for food, as the city offers everything from traditional moules-frites to five-course gastronomic delights, not forgetting, of course, acclaimed Belgian bottled beers (a visit to Brugs Beertje, where more than 250 types of beer are stocked, is a must). Chocoholics, particularly, will be in seventh heaven with the choice of hand-made Belgian chocolates on offer!

But perhaps the greatest pleasure for the visitor will be simply ambling through the little streets, soaking up the distinctive atmosphere of the city, characterised by chimes that ring out from countless churches and belfries at all hours of the day. Making chance discoveries of fascinating architectural detail and catching glimpses of the attractive, glazed brick buildings reflected in the still waters of the canals, it’s easy to see what attracted a long line of British writers, including Arnold Bennett and Graham Greene, to this beautiful mediaeval treasure house.

Travel options:
• self-drive by  SeaFrance, P&O Ferries or Eurotunnel
• Eurostar™ to Brussels, onward by local train

Our short break includes:
• either return channel crossing with SeaFrance to Calais
• crossings by  P&O Ferries or Eurotunnel also available (supplements apply)
• or return standard-class travel from St Pancras or Ebbsfleet International by Eurostar™ direct to Brussels, with onward travel to Bruges by local train
• two nights’ bed & breakfast accommodation in Bruges