Bruges

Bruges

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tourhub | Riviera Travel | Bruges | BEA
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tourhub | Riviera Travel | Bruges | BEA
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4 Days
From

$574

Bruges

4 Days Starting and ending in St Pancras International, London, UK

Visiting: St Pancras International, Lille, Bruges, Ypres, Passendale, Tyne Cot Cemetery

Tour operator:

Riviera Travel

Tour code:

BEA

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 50

Physical rating:

Please contact Riviera Travel if you have any concerns regarding the suitability of the holiday due to reduced mobility.

Age range:

9-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians, Please contact Riviera Travel with specific dietary requests.

Tour operated in:
English
Trip Styles:

One Centre Based

From:
$574 (USD)

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Medieval buildings, romantic squares, pretty canals, world-class art; Bruges is a lavish feast for the eyes. This being Belgium, it also provides satisfaction for the tastebuds, with flavoursome local beers, the crispest frites and, of course, world-renowned chocolate. 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 tranquility. 

Art-lovers will be attracted to the wealth of exceptional works to be found across the city. Bruges was at the heart of the Flemish Primitive movement, and one of its earliest members was Jan van Eyck, Bruges' most famous resident. You can see several of his classic paintings at the superb Groeningemuseum, while the 12th-century former hospital of Sint- Janshospitaal houses detailed works by renowned artist, Hans Memling. Throw in Pieter Brueghel (the Younger and Elder), Hieronymus Bosch, Michelangelo, Magritte and Dalí and it's clear that Bruges offers something for every art lover. 

Another unmissable sight is the Basilica of the Holy Blood. As you enter through its gilded facade you'll be transported to 12th-century Flanders. In the upper chapelle in a silver tabernacle you'll find the Basilica's  star attraction - a phial said to contain drops of Christ's blood, reputedly brought back from the Holy Land after one of the Crusades.

If your penchant is for nothing more than to wander the city and unearth some hidden gems, you'll be rewarded at every turn. Meander through the cobbled lanes and you may spot 18th-century windmills, tiny chapels, rows of almshouses and even a silent religious order of Benedictine nuns. A break in one of Bruges' cosy restaurants or cafes is a must, too; your only quandary is which delicious dish to choose from or whether to pick a dubbel, tripel or lambic from the extensive list of Belgian beers. A treat for all the senses, Bruges is sure to capture you in its romantic spell. 

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

Itinerary

Expand All
Day 1 : Arrival In Bruges
Location: St Pancras International, Lille, Bruges
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Golden Tree Hotel or Dukes Academie Hotel or Martins Brugge or Grand Hotel Casselbergh
Meals Included: No Meals

Take the late morning/early afternoon Eurostar service from London St Pancras International to Lille. On arrival, we transfer by coach to your hotel for three nights in Bruges' old town. 

Day 2 : Walking Tour
Location: Bruges
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Golden Tree Hotel or Dukes Academie Hotel or Martins Brugge or Grand Hotel Casselbergh
Meals Included: Breakfast

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 breathtaking 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. 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, while no visit to Bruges would be complete without a brewery trip. Why not try ‘De Halve Maan’, which has constructed a two-mile-long pipeline from the brewery to a bottling plant on the city’s edge; a fascinating tour of the cellars concludes with a tasting of its excellent Brugse Zot Blond.  Later this afternoon, we can arrange an optional boat tour of the canals so you can see the city from a waterside perspective (subject to seasonal operation).

Day 3 : Ypres, Passchendaele & Tyne Cot Cemetery
Location: Ypres, Passendale, Tyne Cot Cemetery
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Golden Tree Hotel or Dukes Academie Hotel or Martins Brugge or Grand Hotel Casselbergh
Meals Included: Breakfast

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. 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. 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. 

Day 4 : Return Eurostar
Location: Lille, St Pancras International
Meals Included: Breakfast

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. 

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    3 nights in 3 to 4-star accommodation

  • Fully Guided

  • International Travel

    Return standard class reserved seat on Eurostar

  • Meals

    Daily breakfast

  • Transport

    Coach transfer from Lille to your hotel in Bruges

  • All local accommodation taxes

  • Hotel porterage

What's Not Included

  • Tipping and Gratuities

  • Insurance

Check out our Q&As

  • Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?

    No

  • What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    No

  • Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?

    Yes

  • Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

    Yes

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    We are unable to accommodate children under 9 years old at the date of departure..

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    Yes

  • Is the tour coach air conditioned?

    Yes

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    For almost 40 years

  • I have reduced mobility; can I still travel?

    We want to ensure you make the correct choice before you book your holiday with us. If you have any concerns regarding the suitability of the holiday due to reduced mobility we would encourage you to contact us to discuss these concerns

  • Do I require travel insurance?

    It is a condition of booking that you carry suitable travel insurance.

  • What is my luggage allowance?

    You will receive details of your luggage allowance with your final travel documents, which are sent approximately 10 days prior to your date of departure.

Reviews of this Operator

David Clarke (Google Reviewer)  

This review is for the...

08-Aug-2023

This review is for the italian Lake Como trip Aug 1-8 Wow what a trip. Riviera from start to finish were excellent the booking and help line answering questions were very good and clear. The travel booklet you get is laid out that it is simple to read and follow with step by step info from booking in to flights to meeting the guides. Our guide Matt Purse was just the best guide and real credit to Riviera with his knowledge and straight forward approach to running the trips. Matt kept us informed and told us all the sort of info you want to know without going over the top....This chap should teach other reps ..thank you so much. The coaches they use are all clean and well equipped with usb chargers and have aircon. The places chosen to visit were well researched even down to where coaches park or drop you off. The Bernina Express was the highlight for our family and matts photo tip was welcomed. The only down point was the hotel,a little dated and evening meal in main restuarant was a bit of a let down. I think we were lucky with our room on level 7 and with balcony as the walls are very thin and noise travels. We would book again with riviera

Barbara Shillaker (Google Reviewer)  

I have been on three...

11-Jan-2024

I have been on three trips with Riviera Travel so far, with two more booked during 2024. Highly recommended. Excellent tour guides. Great program of visits. Great hotels used.

Valerie Pascoe  

We would go again in a heartbeat

22-Jan-2022

Oh my goodness, what a relief it was to actually get away! Full marks to all at Riviera for keeping us up to date before our trip and for the help so cheerfully and patiently given with the extra admin that Covid brought our way. We felt totally safe with the measures taken on board, thank you very much for this. Without exception, Staff were fantastic and our every need was attended to. The additional Covid testing ran smoothly, organised by our Riviera Reps. The guided tours were most interesting: the guides very knowledgeable and more importantly, interesting to listen to. We loved this trip and would do it again in a heartbeat. Thank you again Riviera, you were FAB!

Chris Wilson (Google Reviewer)  

Second escorted tour with this...

25-Jul-2022

Second escorted tour with this company. Did 5 days in Iceland tour. Everything went smoothly, excellent tour guide, Per. Extremely knowledgeable and interesting guy. Very friendly too. Highly recommend. Just let down by the room given at the hotel, but I guess the travel company doesn't have control over this.

Kathryn Jurin, GB  

Riviera South Africa tour - awesome

21-May-2021

Riviera have amazing holidays and tours to choose from. The one we chose was South Africa and wow! It turned out to be our best trip ever - incredible memories we will never forget. We’ve been all over the world which was because of all our experiences, this one was awesome. The organisation of the holiday, the guide and the travel was e cells that. The choice of hotels, meals, restaurants, trips was absolutely fantastic - very good quality and character - nothing bland or boring! The Riviera guide was permanently with us along with a South Africa guide and they were both extremely friendly, professional, informative and you could ask any questions you want! I would massively recommend this holiday/trip and when you’ve experienced it, you realise how reasonable the price is. We reflect on this trip a lot and thank you Riviera for giving us such a wonderful experience.

Trustpilot
Barry, GB  

Rhine Christmas markets cruise

09-Dec-2019

Just completed a 5 day trip on the Rhine. Our first river cruise and a tester for future cruises. The boat was well appointed and the cabin and public areas were spotlessly clean. The staff were attentive and contributed to the very relaxed atmosphere on the boat. The quality of the food surpassed that which we have experiened on sea cruises in recent years. I have written little because it was a faultless experience. We have booked a further cruise (in France) on the basis of our experience.

Trustpilot
Nigel Stewart (Google Reviewer)  

Cruise ship William Wordsworth: A...

15-Apr-2024

Cruise ship William Wordsworth: A cruise ship of excellence, very well appointed, comfortable & indulgent. We departed Budapest and cruised the Blue Danube heading to Vienna. The top deck offers sun loungers, a heated pool, golf and a place to just sit & relax. The cabins have everything you could want for but above all incredible comfortable. The staff are professional, courteous, and attentive and do everything to make your stay a pure pleasure. This is an experience you will remember for many years.

Christine Hardy (Google Reviewer)  

Although most people seem to...

10-Mar-2024

Although most people seem to book and pay for their holidays online, because we live close by we prefer to make a personal visit. In my opinion if they are offering this as an option they should be better equipped to accommodate visits in person. We have not been on our river cruise yet, so can't comment on that yet.

Rob Steele (Google Reviewer)  

My 3rd Riviera trip within...

16-Feb-2024

My 3rd Riviera trip within a year and I wasn't disappointed 😁 This time it was https://www.rivieratravel.co.uk/escorted-tours/southern-india-coastal-route-solo-travellers This trip, although not cheap, it really offers exceptional value for money as you see a lot of Tamil Nadu and Kerela, stay in fantastic hotels, excellent breakfasts every day as well as some lunches and dinners also included. George Bareham, our "Tour Manager" was brilliant, very professional, but also friendly and diligent. Satheeshan, our local guide was helpful and picked me up antibiotics when I got ill, he was a nice chap, if (for my taste) went on a bit and used 20 words when 1 would suffice. Mr Sweeny, our coach driver was fantastic,really professional and an exceptionally good driver. His assistant, Murgon wad a delight, always smiling and attentive. This is a full on trip, early morning starts and quite a packed itinerary, but still leaving time to laze around some brilliant hotel swimming pools. Only a couple of suggestions to improve the holiday. More shopping time in Cochin and change carriers from Etihad who, unfortunately aren't the excellent airline they used to be. But, will I use Riviera Travel again - Yes 😁

Barbara Parkes (Google Reviewer)  

Presently in Croatia staying at...

22-Sep-2023

Presently in Croatia staying at Arauana Hotel, supposedly a 4 star property, but wouldn't give it any star rating. Rooms are small and dirty. Wallpaper blistering. Meals served in a shed like lean-to. Food like warm, greasy and always self service. Second holiday with Riviera this year and neither at standard advertised. Have travelled with them previously and everything was fine, but standards have really dropped. Have booked a holiday with them next year and now dreading it. Certainly don't provide the standard advertised. We have never stayed in such a hovel and have visited youngsters in back packers accommodation which was far better than this supposedly 4 star accommodation. There are no indoor bars or lounges only a shed as a so called restaurant. Absolutely disgusting. Won't be boking with them again

Dates & Availability

Sunday - Wednesday

Apr 28, 2024 - May 01, 2024
$962 (USD)

Sunday - Wednesday

Jun 09, 2024 - Jun 12, 2024
$699 (USD)

Sunday - Wednesday

Jun 23, 2024 - Jun 26, 2024
$762 (USD)

Sunday - Wednesday

Jul 07, 2024 - Jul 10, 2024
$699 (USD)

Sunday - Wednesday

Jul 21, 2024 - Jul 24, 2024
$937 (USD)

Sunday - Wednesday

Aug 18, 2024 - Aug 21, 2024
$712 (USD)

Sunday - Wednesday

Sep 08, 2024 - Sep 11, 2024
$699 (USD)

Wednesday - Saturday

Sep 11, 2024 - Sep 14, 2024
$825 (USD)

Sunday - Wednesday

Sep 22, 2024 - Sep 25, 2024
$762 (USD)

Wednesday - Saturday

Oct 02, 2024 - Oct 05, 2024
$737 (USD)

Sunday - Wednesday

Oct 13, 2024 - Oct 16, 2024
$599 (USD)

Wednesday - Saturday

Oct 23, 2024 - Oct 26, 2024
$812 (USD)

Sunday - Wednesday

Nov 03, 2024 - Nov 06, 2024
$637 (USD)

Wednesday - Saturday

Nov 20, 2024 - Nov 23, 2024
$762 (USD)

Sunday - Wednesday

Dec 01, 2024 - Dec 04, 2024
$699 (USD)

Wednesday - Saturday

Mar 12, 2025 - Mar 15, 2025
$574 (USD)

Sunday - Wednesday

Mar 16, 2025 - Mar 19, 2025
$662 (USD)

Wednesday - Saturday

Apr 09, 2025 - Apr 12, 2025
$1000 (USD)

Wednesday - Saturday

Apr 16, 2025 - Apr 19, 2025
$712 (USD)

Sunday - Wednesday

Apr 20, 2025 - Apr 23, 2025
$837 (USD)

Sunday - Wednesday

May 11, 2025 - May 14, 2025
$674 (USD)

Sunday - Wednesday

May 25, 2025 - May 28, 2025
$837 (USD)

Sunday - Wednesday

Jun 15, 2025 - Jun 18, 2025
$674 (USD)

Sunday - Wednesday

Jun 22, 2025 - Jun 25, 2025
$837 (USD)

Sunday - Wednesday

Jul 06, 2025 - Jul 09, 2025
$775 (USD)

Sunday - Wednesday

Jul 13, 2025 - Jul 16, 2025
$837 (USD)

Sunday - Wednesday

Aug 17, 2025 - Aug 20, 2025
$787 (USD)

Sunday - Wednesday

Sep 07, 2025 - Sep 10, 2025
$775 (USD)

Wednesday - Saturday

Sep 10, 2025 - Sep 13, 2025
$1025 (USD)

Wednesday - Saturday

Sep 24, 2025 - Sep 27, 2025
$837 (USD)

Wednesday - Saturday

Oct 01, 2025 - Oct 04, 2025
$1000 (USD)

Sunday - Wednesday

Oct 19, 2025 - Oct 22, 2025
$775 (USD)

Wednesday - Saturday

Nov 05, 2025 - Nov 08, 2025
$950 (USD)

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Riviera Travel requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of riviera travel charges.

    Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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