View Packagechris.harrad2025-02-04T14:58:53+00:00

Belgium Long Weekend: Bruges and Ghent

Friday 06 September 2024 - Monday 09 September 2024

(3 nights)

From £435

Join Steve & Arlene Dell for a long weekend discovering the two beautiful Belgium cities of Bruges and Ghent

The two cities of Bruges and Ghent are both must see destinations with historic, medieval buildings, pretty cobbled streets, lots of canals (there are more than 80 bridges in Bruges alone), chocolate, unique shops and more beers than you can possibly try, even over a long weekend.

We stay in a central hotel in Bruges a short walk from Bruges railway station, which makes it easier to travel to the other cities.

We travel to Bruges on the Friday where Steve will take us on a familiarisation walk of Bruges (and no doubt sample some of the great bars). On the Saturday there will be a coordinated itinerary in Bruges and on the Sunday, we catch the train to Ghent, where there will also be a coordinated itinerary. On the Monday morning, we can finish discovering Bruges and then make our way back. See the Sample Itinerary for ideas of what will be included in the programme.

Your holiday includes

3 nights bed & breakfast
Travel by Eurostar (if selected)
A coordinated itinerary
Hosts throughout

Your holiday extras

Meals other than breakfast
Attractions booked
Travel (unless booked through Spice)
Personal travel insurance

Bruges is the capital of West Flanders in northwest Belgium, is distinguished by its canals, cobbled streets and medieval buildings. In the city centre’s Burg square, the 14th-century Stadhuis (City Hall) has an ornate carved ceiling. Nearby, Markt square features a 13th-century belfry with a 47-bell carillon and 83m tower with panoramic views. Tourist opportunities include a canal trip, the lace museum, De Halve Maan Brewery, Minnewater (Lake of Love) and Park, Belfort and several historic buildings

Ghent: is a port city in northwest Belgium, at the confluence of the Leie and Scheldt rivers. During the Middle Ages it was a prominent city-state. Today it’s a university town and cultural hub. Its pedestrianised centre is known for medieval architecture such as 12th-century Gravensteen castle and the Graslei, a row of guildhalls beside the Leie river harbour

Location & Itinerary

On arrival, Steve will take us on a familiarisation walk of Bruges (and no doubt sample some of the great bars).

The main attractions in Bruges

Bruges by Boat - a great trip around the canals
Choco Story
Bruges City Bus Tour
Bruges Beer Experience
Bruges Stadhuis (Town Hall)
Bruges Historium

The main attractions in Ghent

Sint Baafs cathedral (includes an augmented experience)
Ghent Guided Historic Walking Tour
Gravensteen Castle
Ghent Historic City Boat trip

Travel & Stay

We stay at the Novotel Brugge Centrum, Katelijnestraat 65B, 8000 Brugge which has an average of 4 to 4.3 out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor / Google. It is currently undergoing a complete renovation so should be event better when we stay.

About the hotel: Novotel Brugge Centrum is situated in the heart of historic Bruges. The railway station, Market Square and shopping area are on walking distance.

The single supplement is higher than usual as they are doubles for sole occupancy.

Travel isn't included as standard. To allow flexibility, you can either book through Spice (see below) and travel with the group or book it independently.

There are two options: Flying or Eurostar to Brussels and then a train to Bruges.

Last time, most of the group travelled together on the Eurostar.

Eurostar tickets through Spice: We have secured some seats on the Eurostar services below. We are booked on the 11:04 from St Pancras International to Brussels on the Friday and the 17:56 Brussels to St Pancras International on the Monday. Arriving 18:57.

Important: All of our allocation of Eurostar tickets have now been sold. If you wanted to travel with the group on Eurostar, please contact Spice and we will get a price for you.

You are free to make arrange your own travel arrangements if you prefer to fly or travel on a different train to the group. We strongly recommend that any travel is booked with a credit card as this has built in protection if anything happens to the airline or travel company.

Availability & Pricing

Belgium Long Weekend: Bruges and Ghent	Price
Place in a double room (must be for 2)	£435.00	Sold Out
Place in a twin share room (female only)	£435.00	Sold Out
Place in a twin share room (male only)	£435.00	Sold Out
Place in a sole occupancy room	£635.00	Sold Out
Belgium Long Weekend: Bruges and Ghent - Eurostar	Price
Not required - Making my own arrangements	£0.00	Sold Out
Eurostar ticket	£130.00	Sold Out

Not enough spaces left for you? Click here to join the waitlist

Passport validity

For UK passport holders your passport must be:

Issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)
valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

You must check your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date.

Travel Insurance

Please ensure that you have adequate personal travel insurance to suit your requirements in place before you travel. Spice Escapes have arranged a scheme with Staysure who are fully authorised and regulated by the FCA (firm reference number 663617) full details of which can be found on the FCA website www.fca.org.uk. For an instant online quotation please click here.

Global Health Insurance Card

A UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the European Union (EU).

UK-issued European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) are still valid and offer the same cover as GHICs in the EU.

Once your EHIC has expired, you’ll be able to replace it with a GHIC.

NB – A GHIC/EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance!

The latest FCO travel guidance for Spain

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/belgium