One of the most popular student holidays here in Hull, is a weekend ferry trip to Amsterdam, yet getting to the city of Brugge (or Bruges) is equally as easy. With a ferry direct from Hull to Zeebrugge, just 15 minutes away from Brugge, a long weekend break to the city was the perfect getaway! So to celebrate the end of exams we decided to push the boat out and give Brugge a try. The ferry both ways was overnight and despite a cool wind the clear skies made for some beautiful sunsets. And with the option of taking a car (although we didn’t), bringing your own food and plenty of shops and entertainment on board, it provided an easy travel option, where the holiday truly began before even leaving Hull port.
Zeebos Nature Reserve
Fresh off the ferry, we walked down the coast from the ferry port towards Blankenburg, through Zeebos Nature Reserve. I had been given very varied opinions of Zeebrugge, but despite its small size the numerous nature reserves, huge beaches and touristy centre, there was plenty to fill the days around visiting Brugge itself. Zeebos really displayed the varying landscapes that the coast offered. Beginning with large sand dunes, after dipping slightly inwards the park opens up in to a luscious green area with several lakes dotted between it and the beaches. Each home to water birds like moorhens, coots and various invertebrates and butterflies.
Sealife- Blankenburg
Blankenburg’s main attraction is the Sealife centre, with Otters, Humboldt Penguins, Sea Lions and more! Each, although the otters decided that no amount of food could tempt them, has their own show or presentation about their lifestyle and importance. However, as with much of the signage, they primarily are not in English. Despite this, the creative and emerging designs of the exhibits will still keep you entertained.
Alongside the main attractions, the centre also acts as a rehabilitation centre for abandoned or injured seals. Open since 1998, the centre takes in at least a dozen pups each year, which have been swept onto the Belgium coast. To encourage adoptions for these pups each year, the centre allows for adopters to have the unique experience of being present when pups are re-released!
Accommodation
Due to meet our Airbnb host at three, we got the tram back past the docks to Heist-Knokke, where we had booked an apartment on the promenade. Despite their growing popularity, Airbnbs still feel somewhat underrated or misunderstood. However, with a spacious apartment, views directly on to the beach and a price lower than pretty much every hotel, we definitely had no complaints!
Brugge in a day
Day two was our chance to explore Brugge! With its cosy cottages, wide canals and horse and carriage rides, it could have jumped off the pages of a children's story book. Brugge is known as both Europe's fairytale city, and the Belgium Venice, names it definitely lives up to! Getting from Zeebrugge to Brugge is incredibly easy, taking only 15 minutes by train. If travelling at the weekend, a weekend return ticket can be brought at the station for half the price of a normal day return (which is 9.5 Euros per person).
Brugge station is just a couple of minutes walk from Minnewater, the first of many large canals we reached. This flows directly into Ten Wijngaerde, at which point it's hard to believe Brugge is a city at all! Despite several tours happening, this area is almost silent, creating a surprisingly tranquil atmosphere. With a large square of trees and wildflowers in the centre, a row of white cottages frames each side, with the exception of a small chapel tucked in one corner.
Finding the centre is fairly easy, with everything in walking distance, the Belfry Tower is normally in view. Positioned in the main Markt Square, walking in its direction is generally the way to go. With the option of climbing its 366 steps, I imagine the views from the top are breathtaking. With only one day however we decided to remain on the ground and experience Brugge from there. Instead, we did opt to visit the Historium, which has a free to access balcony bar where (although not for me) you can taste some of Belgium's famous beers, and look over the entire square below.
Beer is not Belgium’s only famous speciality, so of course we also had to try both the chocolate and Belgian waffles. With stores, cafes and shops selling both pretty much everywhere they're easy to find, and will not disappoint! We picked on the Markt Square cafes, with the option to sit in the sun and soak up the bustling atmosphere.
Around the corner from the Markt Square is Burg Square. One of the earliest parts of the city, the square was once home to the Count of Flanders fortress built in the 9th century. Although no longer present the square remains impressive. Its main feature is the gothic style town hall, built in 1376. Next door, the gothic style is continued on to the Basilica of the Holy Blood.
Moving away from the square, it is possible to loop back to the station with plenty more still to see! Our Lady’s Church possesses a tower even greater than the Belfry Tower at 122 meters. Not only is it the tallest structure in the city, but the second tallest brickwork tower in the world, dating back to the 13th century. Behind the church is Site Oud Sint-Jan, an exhibition site currently displaying an Egyptian mummy exhibit.
From here, as well as in between attractions the city is filled with canals and cobbled streets. As well as walking there are options to explore the city by boat for 8 Euros. Alternatively, if you want to splash out you can explore by horse and carriage for 50 Euros per half hour.
Beach Walks and Exploring the Marina
Back in Zeebrugge, the wide beach provides the perfect location for an evening stroll, with front row views of the evening sunset. The next morning, our final day, we made the walk from the apartment to the port. On the way we passed the Maritime Zeebrugge Theme Park, although it wasn't really a theme park but more of a museum. The main attraction of this appeared to be Cold War Russian Submarine, but this is due to be scrapped this month. There is also a very small chocolate factory and several restaurants.
The ferry home was again overnight, getting us back to Hull around 9am. For a cheap, weekend holiday Brugge is definitely a place I would recommend. We are already hoping to travel back to Belgium on the ferry again soon and visit more of the country as cities like Brussels are also accessible!
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