New Year's Eve in Bruges

[MikeS]

Hi Folks, we would like to spend this New year in Bruges. We've stayed at the aire, Camperplaats Bareweg, before and liked it, very convenient for Bruges and secure. We realise that we may need to arrive a day or two before New Year's Eve in order to find a space, but don't know if there is a maximum number of nights you can stay at the air. This would give us the opportunity to visit the Christmas market in Bruges and also visit Ghent by train.
I'm interested in any thoughts you may have.
Many thanks, Mike and Kath

 

[WESTY66]

Does anyone else find the Belgians rather dull?

I’ve found that europe doesn’t get interesting till you crossed the German border then it’s happy days, forget going south

 

[scotjimland]

europe doesn’t get interesting till you crossed the German border

going or leaving... ?

Nice country.. but we find some Germans arrogant and rude.
not all to be fair, have met a few nice ones...

just prefer France and it's people .. so I would head west ..

 

[MikeS]

Hi Bessy. we're planning to head down to Dover on 28th and should be in Bruges on 29th so I would be interested on how busy the AIRE looks and also how you get on with the campsite. Have a great time over Christmas.

 

[MikeS]

As previously posted we are heading that way this Friday to the campsite but will swing by the aire and let you know how it looks obviously it may well change from day to day

Hi Bessy. we're planning to head down to Dover on 28th and should be in Bruges on 29th so I would be interested on how busy the AIRE looks and also how you get on with the campsite. Have a great time over Christmas.

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[Bessy765]

We’re crossing on Friday morning, staying at the dover truck stop Thursday night.

 

[ceejayt]

Stayed on the wire several times, it is an excellent location. Couple of really nice boat restaurants there on the river. Couple of times we have had to go into the coach park (we are 9 metres) but that has never proved to be a problem.

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

Stayed on the wire several times, it is an excellent location. Couple of really nice boat restaurants there on the river. Couple of times we have had to go into the coach park (we are 9 metres) but that has never proved to be a problem.

That’s where we have stayed 3 times in the last year
Some good restaurants just where they feed and turn the horses around on the edge of town.

Must say we were disappointed with the Xmas market as went last December and they had a corral y type set up herding everyone into an enclosed area not as good as it was years ago prefer Ghent Xmas Market.

 

[Soycd]

Was in Brugge last night but in a hotel, on way back from Germany. Having been in a small town German market at the weekend, Brugge was over crowded, expensive and we spent about 15 minutes at the market. It's a lovely town and some great pubs especially the two by the old fish market.

 

[sedge]

How can they be dull? They have chocolate!

And also make a crackingly good frite!

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[Bessy765]

Checked the aire yesterday at around 16:00 looked to be busy but not full, will look again on Tues as we are going to it if we can get in. We are on the campsite again busy but not full.

Walking distance is relative though, my wife cant walk that far :-/

just checked re the buses for your scooter they seem to set you down about 750 meters from the square, we are going in there this morning so will make some enquires

 

[Brains]

We’re crossing on Friday morning, staying at the dover truck stop Thursday night.

New Dover Road Canterbury P&R far more pleasant!
Loos, elsan dump, pub next door and Canterbury just down the road
15 miles from Dover port

 

[Bessy765]

Not too bad and 6 mins from Ferry, toilets cafe EHU available £20

 

[PaulC70]

Checked the aire yesterday at around 16:00 looked to be busy but not full, will look again on Tues as we are going to it if we can get in. We are on the campsite again busy but not full.

just checked re the buses for your scooter they seem to set you down about 750 meters from the square, we are going in there this morning so will make some enquires

Im assuming getting a scooter on and off the bus is easy enough, do they look like they have plenty of room for one?

 

[Bessy765]

Yes i already checked they did for Mike S

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[Bessy765]

ID

Hi Folks, we would like to spend this New year in Bruges. We've stayed at the aire, Camperplaats Bareweg, before and liked it, very convenient for Bruges and secure. We realise that we may need to arrive a day or two before New Year's Eve in order to find a space, but don't know if there is a maximum number of nights you can stay at the air. This would give us the opportunity to visit the Christmas market in Bruges and also visit Ghent by train.
I'm interested in any thoughts you may have.
Many thanks, Mike and Kath

hi Mike the bus we went on from the campsite no 3 definitely has a ramp that lower and a place for a wheelchair or mobility scooter. The aire only had three vans in at 16:00 today for info the campsite has an excellent full access disabled shower one of the best I have seen if using the bus if you get off at the concert hall its a slow downhill to the three squares. today all packed solid mainly food and drinks more than market a few stalls.

 

[MikeS]

ID

hi Mike the bus we went on from the campsite no 3 definitely has a ramp that lower and a place for a wheelchair or mobility scooter. The aire only had three vans in at 16:00 today for info the campsite has an excellent full access disabled shower one of the best I have seen if using the bus if you get off at the concert hall its a slow downhill to the three squares. today all packed solid mainly food and drinks more than market a few stalls.

Hi Bessy, I think it was another member that commented about mobility scooter access as we're ok. I really appreciate all the information you've posted, its very helpful. We have a ferry booked for early morning next Friday and should be in Bruges before midday, so with luck, there should be a few spaces at the Aire. From your comments, I'll contact the Dover Truck stop and book a space for the night before as we live a few hours drive north. We're looking forward to being in Bruges again, especially at this time of the year. We also plan to take the train to Ghent before their Christmas market finishes. Have a great Christmas. MikeS

 

[danielf]

We are here now , probably until Boxing Day

Plenty of space when we arrived this morning about 11:00 but now only three spaces left when we got back to camper just now

Daniel

 

[MikeS]

We are here now , probably until Boxing Day

Plenty of space when we arrived this morning about 11:00 but now only three spaces left when we got back to camper just now

Daniel

Hi, do you know if the water is still turned on, both drinking and waste flushing? Just wondered if it’s turned off in the winter. Have a great time tomorrow and Christmas Day. Please post details of any bars you find worth a visit. Best wishes to all.

 

[danielf]

Hi, do you know if the water is still turned on, both drinking and waste flushing? Just wondered if it’s turned off in the winter. Have a great time tomorrow and Christmas Day. Please post details of any bars you find worth a visit. Best wishes to all.

Hi MikeS

Water is ok at the coach stop, never found a drinking water tap on the aire, and drainage for both in the aire is fine

For bars we always visit the beer museum or the beer wall bar ( bit of a cliche) but a favourite of ours is Bieratelier Brugge:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/mzpDugfbkKwq36M56?g_st=ic

Loads of good food the further you get from the main squares.

Merry Christmas!

Daniel

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[DaveHobson]

Does anyone else find the Belgians rather dull?

That’s a very rude thing to say.

 

[John Timberlake]

That’s a very rude thing to say.

I've lived here for 20 years, and would says it's more accurate than rude. Apart from their driving, that's not dull at all sadly, absolutely appalling.

 

[Bessy765]

We stayed at the truck stop dover on Thursday Night, took just over an hour to get to the ferry terminal, others coming direct from the M20 took longer.

 

[sjcorking]

Prefer camping Memling myself

We like Camping Memling too and an easy walk in to Bruges

 

[MikeS]

Hi Folks, thanks to everyone who posted their thoughts and suggestions about our proposed trip to Bruges for New Year. We’re back now and had a great time.
Our morning ferry meant we had to be there very early so we stayed at the Dover Truck Stop as suggested by Bessy. It was a good idea as it really is just minutes from the port, a bit of engine noise at night but it’s really well run, secure and nothing was a problem.
We arrived at the aire in Bruges on Friday 29th Dec at 11.45, just as well as there were only 4 spaces available. Thanks to all the recommendations you folks posted.
I won’t go into great detail other than to say we spent quite a lot of time wandering around Bruges over the next few days and took the train to Ghent one morning. The return fare in 1st class was around £10.50 each, it’s a 25 min journey!
Christmas markets are all relatively similar so we go for the atmosphere, there are many great bars and pubs in Bruges, the nearer to the centre, the higher the prices. The area around the old fish market is great, one of the bars is really a local pub where many folk live within a short walk and everyone knows each other, a great atmosphere and we were made very welcome.
Of course it was busy, but again, if you walk a short distance from the main square it gets much quieter and you get to see the real Bruges.
The city had set up a light display walk with around 10 installations along a 2.5 Km walk. It was very well marked and took you through some wonderful streets and canal walks in the northern part of the city. It was well worth the trip, here are a few pictures: