Best Christmas market

Tarry

On the 4th December I am hoping to get to a Christmas market in either France or Belgiam (which I can never spell) and I'm not sure which one to go too, anyone got advice? I am taking the tunnel or the ferry, it depends. We are probably taking our own vehicle, we did think about coaches, but I really hate been trapped on coaches for long journeys (kind of reminds me of my school days) and been cramped next to someone, so what are your suggestions about where to go, I've seen there is one in Ostend, Bruges and Lille, and what do you think? I've done some googling naturally. Oh yes, it's jsut for the day, and I'm located in the far South East, and nice and convienient for me.

It would be nice to get away again as it's almost 1 year until my next holiday

Thanks in advance and sorry for rambling if I have.

Tarry x

richardw

If it is just for the day just go to Lille from Ashford.

Tarry

I've looked at that in the past, but it was like £140, but perhaps it may be cheaper now.

cmw1212

Norfolk line ferries have some good prices on Dover-Dunkirk on that day with decent time between trips, outbound is every 2hrs from 2am and last return is at 8pm. Is only about an hr from Lille but I;d suspect there are other markets in the region.

Tarry

Thanks for the tips, just working out things at the moment xx

creditcontroller

Bruges is so pretty, just like a picture postcard! Lots of cafes and quaint little shops. On the other hand Brussels is as busy as London and the market is in 3 parts but split up down a main stretch of road. It depends which you prefer. Not sure if you can get to Brussels.

Tarry

Like I say we are probably taking the van, got the legal bits and bobs already and got some new lightbulb adapters all set. So anywhere as long as it's sensible, ie, not a long drive is an idea x

sunshinetours

Get the P&O ferry offer which would be £23 on a Saturday here inc 6 bottle sof avarage wine but hey(!), or if you can go mid week then Eurotunnel are offering £20 day return here

Calais to Lille is an easy 1.25 to 1.5 hour drive - very poular market
Amiens I believe has a large Christmas market and about 1.5 hours or so via A16
Bolougne I also believe has a Christmas market but not sure how big and good - obviously very close to Calais

Plenty of info online if you google it. Belgium also easily doable in a day trip, especially Bruges as someone said

Tarry

I've probably got a ferry offer sitting in my inbox as I've used them in the past they send me the deals. I'll talk to whom I am travelling with about that kind of thing. Thanks for letting me about the offers, any other ideas about where to go (I'll probably work out how I am going over 2 weeks before as usual) are welcome

ixia

I went to the christmas market in brussels and bruges it was about 8 years ago though. I loved Bruges it is beautiful with lots of nice restaurants. we went ice-skating and had mulled wine etc it was a brilliant day out.

we stayed in Brussels and travelled into Bruges on the train.

Tarry

I am leaning towards Bruges at the moment to be honest It does sound nice