OSTENDE AND COASTAL BELGIUM

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Departure dates throughout 2008 & 2009
From 5 days duration
Return executive coach travel
Return Eurotunnel or ferry
4 nights at a 3 star Ostend hotel
4 nights half board
3 nights free bar (not on the night of arrival – to include local beers, wines & soft drinks including tea & coffee – NO spirits) from 8.30pm to midnight
3 nights evening entertainment (not on the night of arrival)
All rooms with private en-suite facilities
FREE INSURANCE on selected dates

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 1 - Departing Dover mid morning we travel the short distance for the short channel crossing to the continent. On arrival in France we head north along the coast towards Ostende, arriving later this afternoon at your hotel where you will be based for the next 4 nights.
Day 2 - The morning is then free for you to visit and explore the seaside resort of Ostende at your leisure. This afternoon we travel to Ypres where we there is a guided coach & walking tour of Ypres & the Flanders Battlefields region. Being only 40 miles inland from the Belgian coast, Ypres was the hub of many important trade routes consisting of roads, rivers and canals leading to the Netherlands, France and to the English Channel. Consequently it grew into an important market place for the region. Easy access to the coast meant that the the people of the city established links with the wool trade in England. The city became a very important centre for the cloth trade. The stunning Lakenhalle (Cloth Hall) was begun in the centre of Ypres in 1200 and took 100 years to complete. Of course there is also a lot of history relating to WWI in this area as between 1914-1918, the city became the focus of fighting between the Imperial German Armies of Emperor Wilhem II and the Allied Armies of Belgium, France and Great Britain. This tour will incorporate both sides of the history that surround Ypres which during the 1920's and 1930's was totally rebuilt, brick by brick. We return to Ostende later this afternoon.
Day 3 - After your full buffet breakfast this morning we travel to Bruges, known as the 'Venice of the North, a splendid medieval city which is one of Belgium's crown jewels. In no other European city can you feel and see reminders of medieval times as there are present here, in this city close to the North Sea. You will have the day at your leisure here to explore before we return to Ostende via the coastal road.
Day 4 - This morning, is a leisurely one and you have time to relax and enjoy your surroundings. This afternoon we travel to the historic city of Tournai where we include a guided electric train ride around this city which is steeped in history. In Tournai, 2000 years of history awaits you, you will relive centuries of art and glory. It's the city of the Kings : Childeric, Clovis, Philippe Auguste, Louis IX, Henry VIII, Charles V, Louis XIV, who all have left traces of their glorious or transitory reigns in its institutions and stones. There will be some free time afterwards for you to enjoy a 'hot chocolate' or 'mulled wine' locally before we return you to the hotel later in the day.
Day 5 - This morning is free for you to enjoy Ostende before we leave after lunch and head back towards Calais. We stop at Saint Flora en route which is an old "Kasteel" or country house, which is famous because it was the wartime headquarters of the Belgium King, Albert 1, during the First World War. Beautifully restored, it has a well equipped and presented museum. You can also purchase cheap wines, spirits & tobacco here for those last minute gifts!. We return to the UK via a late afternoon crossing where we return you to your original departure point later in the day.

EXCURSION OPTIONS

Gent
Ypres
Guided tour of Flanders Battlefields
Sluis
Bruges including a walking tour & canal cruise
Free time in Ostende

PRICE & SUPPLEMENTS
Price on application
Single room supplement & minimum numbers apply

HOW TO BOOK

Choose your departure date
For your instant quote / more information:
Call Simply Groups on 01943 605999 or
click here to use our online enquiry form.

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