Winter wonderland holiday

JamesN

Hey guys,

My partner and I would like to go away over christmas. The dates we would like to go are 16th - 20th December. I cant fly so we're getting the ferry from folkestone and having a nice road trip around.

So the plan is ferry from folkestone to calais. From here we will drive to Lille and stay for two nights (check out the christmas market and go to nice restaurants)

After this, we drive to Brussells and check out what I hear is another fantastic christmas market, restaurants, local culture.

So what I would love help with is how to go about planning it. Best price i've found return for the ferry is £96, this includes taking the car. Got it from the eurotunnel website, if anyone could beat this that'd be great.

Anyone know of great things to check out in Lille and Brussells? Know which area's/hotel's are the best?

Idea's and cost savings would be really appreciated. I usually find hotels.com a good website to use because I don't really know what to look for.

Thanks guys

JamesN

Surely someone has been to either place?!

Katiehound

Well just maybe people haven't looked at this thread because of the title? Winter wonderland suggests Lapland & snow to me rather than France & Belgium! Maybe change the title.
Sorry I can't help - haven't been to either place! Do however like Bruges

Tarry

Like I said on your other topic, I enjoyed Bruges like Katiehound. It was lovely over Christmas with all their shops done up in a Christmassy fashion, the market, the lights, etc. And it was covered in snow still. I really enjoyed it when I was over there last year.

And no ferries run from Folkestone, only Eurotunnel.

SaveTheEuro

I like the Royal Windsor Hotel in Brussels. It's top quality and central. I got a good deal booking with Air Miles (paying cash) but that was a while ago.

Lille and Brussels are both served by Eurostar, so you have the option of leaving the car behind. I'm not sure a car is very useful in Brussels. Public transport will get you to the sights.

gem599

If you get the eurotunnel don't forget you can swap Tesco clubcard vouchers for 3x tokens... we paid virtually nothing for our tickets and found the journey hassle-free.

Hollyberry

Depending on how much you are happy to carry around with you, I'd pick up the Eurostar from Ebbsfleet for both Lille and Brussels. I've not been to Lille for years, but can highly recommend the pre-Christmas market and ice rink in Brussels. It feels really festive with lots of stalls and plenty of people flying around on the ice - largely upright! Bruges and Ghent also have ice rinks and Christmas markets - the Ghent one is smaller but perfectly formed.

To be honest, I'd probably try and do some of the shopping in the non-chain chocolate shops rather than in the markets; there's a lovely one in Ghent that has all kinds of little presents (gadgets and soft toys) you can add to the chocolates and the prices are very reasonable. There's also a shop in Bruges called the Witte Pelicaan that does really beautiful Christmas decorations. If you like beer, you'll be in luck...my OH loves the stuff, and even I like Belgian beer. We pack light and trundle home with loads of shopping every time we go.

As far as accommodation is concerned, we've found a hotel chain that we like and tend to just surf the websites for the best deal we can get on that chain. I can normally get the best rates from hotels.com or expedia, but I'd go via Quidc0 to see what you can find. The Belgian train service is pretty good (and much cheaper on weekends if you want to do any side trips), and the tram service excellent and very cheap. I didn't check your dates, but if they include a Sunday, many of the smaller towns and cities (including Ghent) will be pretty much closed. You'll be fine in Brussels, Bruges or anywhere on the coast (try Knokke for some lovely restaurants).

Hope you have a great time.

JamesN

Fair point about the winter wonderland topic, i was thinking of the xmas markets when i was writing it and that's what popped into my head! If a mod could change it that'd be great, ideally to "Short break to Lille and Brussels".

I'll check those places out. Is Eurotunnel the cheapest route then? For some reason I thought Eurotunnel was a ferry lol.

Katiehound

can't you change it yourself- I assume you can. If you click on 'edit' then click on 'go advanced' it should take you up to the title- which you change, and then save.

Tarry

JamesN wrote: »

Fair point about the winter wonderland topic, i was thinking of the xmas markets when i was writing it and that's what popped into my head! If a mod could change it that'd be great, ideally to "Short break to Lille and Brussels".

I'll check those places out. Is Eurotunnel the cheapest route then? For some reason I thought Eurotunnel was a ferry lol.

nope, definetely the train. Just look around at the prices, that's what I do.

Katiehound

Are you sure that the tunnel is the cheapest option?
Maybe it depends how many are in the car? A friend- family of 4- went to France last year between Dec 27th & Jan 3rd (ish) and it was far cheaper by ferry but less convenient with small children in tow!
Of course if you don't need the car then clearly the tunnel is your best choice.