Want to avoid the Christmas chaos in high street shops this festive season? Who wants to be squashed between hundreds of frantic present-buying families when you could be enjoying the stunning sights of a European city whilst you shop?
This December try something different and return with some amazing presents for friends and family by heading to the Bruges Christmas Market in Belgium.
Bruges Christmas shopping in Belgium
Easily reached by the Eurostar in just over 3 hours, Bruges is the perfect city to inspire Christmas cheer with its medieval architecture, canals and cobbled streets but nothing encourages festive spirit like Christmas shopping and where better to grab your gifts this December than Bruges’ famous Christmas Market? Stalls selling local handmade crafts, locally produced foods and gifts and items from all over the world provide plenty of choice for present buying – even for the fussiest of relatives - and kids will love it too with all the festive lights and decorations, fun things to see and do and the open air ice rink in the centre of the market. When you (or your other half) need a break, there are no end of stalls selling food and drink so why not try some of Belgium’s fabulous chocolate on a crepe or Belgian waffle? Or get stuck into some Gluhwein (like mulled wine) or Belgian beer to reinvigorate your shopping trip! You could also visit the famous Snow and Ice Sculpture display where hundreds of thousands of kilograms of ice and snow are on display, carved into characters, items and landscapes by over 40 sculpture experts. It’s held outside Bruges railway station just five minutes’ walk from the main Christmas Market.
The Christmas Market in Bruges is held from 24th November to 31st December on Market Square which can easily be reached by foot, horse drawn carriage, canal boat or taxi. There are other markets to explore in the city as well as little shops and restaurants in the old town so why not stay for a few days and treat yourself to a Christmas city break in Bruges this winter?
Eurostar prices start from £69, so check out lowcostholidays.com, save money on hotel prices to so you really maximise your spending in the markets!