Just under an hour’s drive from Calais finds us in Belgium, a beautiful country popular with visitors from the UK and none more so than the city of Bruges. Linked to the sea by a series of canals and often referred to as “The Venice of the North” its history dates back to the 9th century and this medieval city is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the perfect location for the stunning Christmas Market that takes place in the city centre each year. Soak up the festive atmosphere and visit the many stalls offering the chance to shop for unique Christmas gifts and enjoy sampling the amazing array of delicious local foods and drinks on offer.
Belgium is also further tied to the British people by the Great War and for four long years Flanders Fields was the scene which epitomised the horrors of this war. Four major battles were fought here and more than 250,000 soldiers from Britain and her Empire gave their lives. Ypres lies at the heart of ‘the Salient’ and during the war the town was under almost constant bombardment, reducing it to ruins. The city is now totally restored and at the heart of the city lies The Menin Gate, which marked the route that many soldiers took on their journey to the front line.
Join us on this tour for a tale of two cities, both famous but for very different reasons.
