Bruges for solo travellers
Bruges is renowned for being one of the most picture-perfect towns in Europe, with winding canals and atmospheric cobbled streets.
Winding canals, atmospheric cobbled streets, an array of wonderful cuisine and famed art collections make this town a destination that will make you want to revisit time and again, and in our opinion, it’s ideal for anyone travelling alone for the first time.
This captivating city is famous for its artisan chocolate, smooth Belgian beers, and classic chips with mayonnaise – but there is far more to savour beyond that, and there will be plenty of opportunities to sample some of the delicious cuisine on offer at the numerous excellent restaurants and cafes that dot the city.
Bruges is also home to some significant cultural artefacts, including the paintings of Rembrandt and Van Eyck, as well as Michelangelo’s beautiful sculpture of Madonna and Child. Bruges is a wonderful choice for a tour, whether it’s your first time or if you’re one of the many returning visitors who fill its bustling streets.
At a glance
Highlights
- Guided walking tour of historic Bruges, arguably Europe’s most perfectly preserved medieval town.
- Explore Ypres and the thought-provoking First World War battlefields Tyne Cot Cemetery.
- Enjoy a visit to a traditional chocolatier creating exquisite Belgian chocolates, probably the world’s finest.
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Your itinerary
Arrival in Bruges
Journey by Eurostar to Lille and transfer to your hotel.
Stay at Martins Brugge
Upon arrival in Lille, we travel by coach to your hotel in the heart of Bruges. This evening we will gather with our tour manager for the short walk to our restaurant for a lovely welcome dinner, where you will get a chance to meet other travellers joining the tour on their own.
Bruges
Join our Tour Manager on a walking tour of Bruges, then spend the afternoon at leisure in this charming city.
We will enjoy continental breakfast in our hotel this morning before joining our tour manager on a walking tour of charming Bruges. Although compact, the town is packed with sights, sounds, smells and an ambience all its own.
The 13th century belfry dominates the town, and those who wish to take the 366 steps to the top will be amply rewarded with remarkable views of the maze of streets and canals below. We will also take in the popular sights, including the City Hall, the old Law Courts and the Basilica of the Holy Blood, which is so-called because it houses a vial claimed to contain the blood of Jesus, brought back from the Holy Land.
We’ll also see the Notre Dame Church, where Michelangelo’s masterpiece, Madonna and Child, is housed. Bruges is, of course, synonymous with fine Belgian beers, and many bars dedicate entire menus to the vast array of options available. Those who would like to know more about Bruges’ brewing heritage may choose to take a short stroll to the Halve Maan Brewery Museum, where there is also a chance to unwind with a beer tasting.
Free afternoon in Bruges
The remainder of the day is free for you to explore. The Groeningemuseum and Sint-Janshospitaal are home to sublime works of art and you can find museums dedicated to Belgium’s holy trinity of beer, chocolate and frites. You can take a boat tour of the canals so you can see the city from a waterside perspective, or find a café and enjoy watching the world go by.
Ypres & Tyne Cot Cemetery
Learn more about the First World War with visit the famous Ypres and Tyne Cot Cemetery or spend the day at leisure.
Ypres
This morning, you can choose to explore Bruges at leisure, or take an optional included excursion that visits the locations made famous during World War I. The battlefield tour centres on Ypres, which was almost flattened during the First World War as Allied and German forces fought for control of this strategically important town. The countless lives lost are remembered with a moving ceremony at the Menin Gate Memorial each evening at 8pm. You can also visit the Passchendaele Memorial Museum, which shines a light on some of the darkest days of the Great War. During the Third Battle of Ypres in 1917, over 500,000 troops died in just three months as the Allies attempted to take the village of Passchendaele. We visit the bunkers, craters and trench sites of this monumentally bloody battle.
Tyne Cot Cemetery
Our day concludes with a poignant visit to the world’s largest Commonwealth cemetery at Tyne Cot, its sea of 11,961 graves reflecting the First World War’s staggering loss of life.
We will return to Bruges, where there will be an opportunity to gather with our travelling companions for a final evening sampling some of the wonderful Flemish food. Returning to Bruges in the late afternoon, you cannot fail to be touched by the sights and sounds of this unforgettable trip back in time.
Belgian chocolatier & return home
Complete your trip to Bruges with a chance to enjoy the art of the chocolatier before we return home.
No visit to Bruges would be complete without a chance to enjoy the art of the chocolatier. We will visit one of the few establishments using traditional methods for a demonstration, as well as a chance to sample the sweet delights for yourself.
Afterwards, we will take a coach back to Lille, where we board our Eurostar train home to London St Pancras.
Hand-picked hotels
Martins Brugge
Bruges, Belgium
Chosen for its prime Market Square location and sumptuous breakfast offering.
Extras & upgrades
Regional Rail upgrades
Why not enjoy a convenient departure from a station close to home? Booking your own cross-country train transport can be tricky when considering station changes and onward train times, so here at Riviera Travel our Eurostar team work hard finding your preferred regional departure to add to your booking.
We offer departures from stations such as Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Derby, Southampton, Bristol, Lancaster and many more. We endeavour to provide connections from as many stations as possible across the country, so wherever you live you’ll be sure to find a local departure to suit you.
It’s easy to book a local departure; simply select the station you'd like to depart from when making your booking online. If your preferred station is not available to select from the dropdown menu in the checkout, get in touch with us and we can request a station for you.
Enjoy a relaxed journey in the spacious and quiet First-Class coach of your regional train. We can add a First-Class upgrade to your booking at any time before departure, so don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Eurostar upgrades
In order to enjoy your Eurostar experience to the full, you may upgrade to Standard Premier Class on the Eurostar (and onward TGV, where applicable). You’ll get a seat in the spacious Standard Premier coach with a complimentary light meal offered from a selection of sweet and savoury cold snacks, and a drink appropriate to the time of day, served at your seat while you relax in the comfort of Standard Premier Class. Upgrades can easily be added to your booking any time before the final balance has been paid, so please call us to enquire further.
Opt for a convenient door-to-door service with transport from your home to your choice of regional airport or train station, available as an added optional with every holiday. This can be added to your booking after you've booked online by our reservations team a call, or when you're booking over the phone.
Travel connections
All transfer times listed here are approximate, and dependent on traffic. If you have a question regarding transfer times please don't hesitate to contact us.
Train station | Hotel location | Transfer time |
---|---|---|
Lille Station | Bruges | 1 hr |
FAQs
The price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms and Double Sole Occupancy rooms are subject to availability at the relevant supplement. The price includes:
- Return standard class reserved seat on Eurostar coach
- Transfer from Lille to your hotel in Bruges
- Three nights’ accommodation
- Daily breakfast and Welcome Dinner and Drink on the first night.
- All local accommodation taxes
- The services of a Riviera Travel tour manager
Included excursions are: a walking tour of Bruges, a chocolate making demonstration, a visit to the First World War battlefields. Occasionally the opening times of the places of interest vary, and if this happens we may change the order of the visits on this tour.
Not included in the price is entrance fee to the ‘Halve Maan’ brewery museum which is approximately €11 and payable locally, entrance to the Flanders Field museum which is approximately €8 and payable locally, entrance to the Passchendaele Memorial Museum which is approximately €8 payable locally.
UK Citizens do not require a visa to enter Belgium however must have a valid passport. For the most up-to-date passport and visa information visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/belgium/entry-requirements.
We are unable to accept responsibility if you are unable to travel because you have not complied with any passport/entry/immigration requirements.
- Currency: Euro
- Eurostar journey time: Approx. 1 hr 25 mins
- Languages: Dutch, French
- Time zone: GMT+1
- Country: Belgium
Please note, 2022 departures will be staying at the Dukes Academie hotel.
You can take a look at our solo travel FAQs to find answers to common questions.
The deposit for this holiday is £100pp, then the remaining balance of the holiday is due a minimum of 75 days before you depart.
Availability
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Classic Tours available
Tour style | Date | Departs | Departing from | Accommodation | Price from | Call to action |
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Classic Tour
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19 Mar 2025 | TBC |
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Martin's Brugge 3* Superior | £879 pp | Book now |
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Classic Tour
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19 Mar 2025 | TBC |
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Martin's Brugge 3* Superior | £859 pp | Book now |
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Classic Tour
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19 Mar 2025 | TBC |
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Martin's Brugge 3* Superior | £849 pp | Book now |
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This transport has connections. |
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Classic Tour
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19 Mar 2025 | TBC |
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Martin's Brugge 3* Superior | £849 pp | Book now |
Outbound:
This transport has connections. |
Inbound:
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Classic Tour
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19 Mar 2025 | TBC |
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Martin's Brugge 3* Superior | £859 pp | Book now |
Outbound:
This transport has connections. |
Inbound:
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Classic Tour
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19 Mar 2025 | TBC |
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Martin's Brugge 3* Superior | £859 pp | Book now |
Outbound:
This transport has connections. |
Inbound:
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Classic Tour
|
19 Mar 2025 | TBC |
|
Martin's Brugge 3* Superior | £849 pp | Book now |
Outbound:
This transport has connections. |
Inbound:
|
|||||
Classic Tour
|
19 Mar 2025 | TBC |
|
Martin's Brugge 3* Superior | £849 pp | Book now |
Outbound:
This transport has connections. |
Inbound:
|
|||||
Classic Tour
|
19 Mar 2025 | TBC |
|
Martin's Brugge 3* Superior | £849 pp | Book now |
Outbound:
This transport has connections. |
Inbound:
|
|||||
Classic Tour
|
19 Mar 2025 | TBC |
|
Martin's Brugge 3* Superior | £849 pp | Book now |
Outbound:
This transport has connections. |
Inbound:
|
|||||
Classic Tour
|
19 Mar 2025 | TBC |
|
Martin's Brugge 3* Superior | £849 pp | Book now |
Outbound:
This transport has connections. |
Inbound:
|
|||||
Classic Tour
|
19 Mar 2025 | TBC |
|
Martin's Brugge 3* Superior | £839 pp | Book now |
Outbound:
This transport has connections. |
Inbound:
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