Travelling to Bruges from Calais

WTFH

I drive past Bruges at least once a month, and have been there a couple of times.
Here's a few tips...
On the A16, on the Calais side of Dunkirk, junction 54 follow the signs for Grande Synthe Centre Commercial. There's a big Auchan supermarket there which does cheap petrol & diesel. (Diesel was €1.349 a couple of weeks ago)
Most things are more expensive in Belgium compared to France.
There's been roadworks around Bruges & Gent on the A10, nothing major to worry about, but you might get a bit delayed (5 mins max)

The Christmas market is worth seeing, but unless you are mad keen on spending hours picking up every bit of tat that they have for sale, it's at most half a day.
Visits to the churches are interesting, and if you're interested in proper Belgian beer, try De Halve Maan - it'f the only family run brewery in the centre of Bruges. They do very good food and do brewery tours as well (quite interesting)
I wouldn't waste time with a trip round the canals, but you can do a horse drawn carriage trip round the old city if you want.

Finally, a word of warning...
Do NOT watch the film "In Bruges" if you are easily offended, or like being offended on behalf of others. While it shows a lot of the city, it's rude, the language is very strong and most people without an open sense of humour will find it offensive.

purcel

Use the car park by the train station, 2.5 euros for the day, 10 minutes walk from the main areas in Brugge

visidigi

Drove this route on Monday, there's a fair amount of single lane between Calais and Belgium at the moment, long term layout as they resurface the e40.

You won't need snow chains but make sure you have the hi viz and breath kit for France....

WTFH

You don't need the breath kit. That was dropped a few months ago.

eezer

Don't buy beam deflectors either. Insulation tape works just as well.

maman

visidigi wrote: »

Drove this route on Monday, there's a fair amount of single lane between Calais and Belgium at the moment, long term layout as they resurface the e40.

You won't need snow chains but make sure you have the hi viz and breath kit for France....

Hi viz jackets are on offer in Lidl this week. You need one each, inside the car for each passenger (+driver;)). You'll need all your driving documents and spare bulbs.

Quite correct that they didn't implement the breathalyser law yet.

kroberts

On the A16, on the Calais side of Dunkirk, junction 54 follow the signs for Grande Synthe Centre Commercial. There's a big Auchan supermarket there which does cheap petrol & diesel. (Diesel was €1.349 a couple of weeks ago)

Will keep that one in mind thanks

The Christmas market is worth seeing, but unless you are mad keen on spending hours picking up every bit of tat that they have for sale, it's at most half a day.
Visits to the churches are interesting, and if you're interested in proper Belgian beer, try De Halve Maan - it'f the only family run brewery in the centre of Bruges. They do very good food and do brewery tours as well (quite interesting)
I wouldn't waste time with a trip round the canals, but you can do a horse drawn carriage trip round the old city if you want.

Will most probably look round some churches and will definitely look into the brewery :beer:

If you think you might get bored and it interests you there are plenty of WW1 sites to visit. Ypres for the last post, Passchendaele etc. Get planning OP, make the most of your trip.

Not sure we will have that much time this time round as only for a few days but maybe another trip

Yes, that may be true of the market but there's lots more to see and do. Horse and carriage ride, boat trip on the canal, general wander round the back streets. If churches are your thing, this one is amazing

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attract..._Province.html

Will take a look at these thanks

Has anyone been to The diamond museum or The chocolate museum?