This year we have decided to join a tour of the Christmas Markets. Whilst I personally detest Christmas, I do enjoy the festive spirit of these markets with their seasonal foods and drinks.
4th December
Today we set off for Eurotunnel at Folkestone for our first winter tour. We are joining the Camping and Caravanning Club Christmas Markets Tour that starts on Monday 7th December.
We spend the night at Cite Europe and travel into Belgium in the morning.
5th/6th December
Todays journey takes us to Bruges, only about 75 miles, but far enough. There is a Motorhome Aire close to the centre of Bruges and we intend to stay there for two nights. It is an unfortunate sign of these troubled times that we are delayed on the motorway as we approach the Belgian border. The Police are deliberately slowing all vehicles as part of an impromptu border check.
We arrived at our destination in Bruges at lunchtime and are immediately impressed by the location; the aire is within the Coach Complex where all of the tourist coaches drop off and pick up for the City Centre. We are only a 10 minute walk from the Centre.
Bruges is a beautiful city and would be a pleasure to discover even without the Christmas Markets. However, at this time of year, everything takes on a new sparkle as the countless lights come on. There are two main Christmas Markets, the largest of which even has an outdoor ice rink with real ice.
