Bruges

Beer Tasting & Brewery Tours

Escape Paris for the day and cross the border to the capital of the West Flanders region of Flemish Belgium. The full-day tour, with round-trip transfers from central Paris, will take you to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bruges, sometimes referred to as the “Venice of the North.” Enjoy a guided walk of the historically rich center, admiring the gothic-style City Hall, the ornate Renaissance architecture of the Place du Bourg, and the 12th-century Basilique du Saint-Sang (Basilica of the Holy Blood), among other attractions. Free time will be allocated for lunch at a local restaurant, where you can enjoy Belgian specialties, such as traditional moules frites (mussels and French fries) and an extensive selection of Belgian beers. A visit to the Groeningemuseum, home to Flemish master painters, such as van Eyck and Hieronymous Bosch is a popular way to spend an afternoon in Bruges. Alternatively, shop for handmade lace and Belgian chocolates in the city’s boutique stores. During the summer season, choose the guided and audio-guided options to enjoy a boat cruise along some of the most famous canals of Bruges, built as far back as the 12th century.

Meet at the bar of a lively local hostel and enjoy a social night out meeting other travelers as you discover Belgian beer. Enjoy five tastings of the finest Belgian beers, including one which is said to be one of the best beers in the world. With a local guide, expand your beer knowledge in a fun and interactive way. Learn more about the Belgium beer culture while having a fun evening with other international visitors. After the tasting session, feel free to stay on for more beers with your new companions, and get your night out in Bruges off to the perfect start.

Travel to the medieval city of Bruges by train and take a 2.5-hour walking tour with an English-speaking guide on arrival. Marvel at the Minnewater that provides water to the canals and see the historical women-only convent of the Beguinage. Visit the city's only working brewery at De Halve Maan and get the chance to look inside the Hans Memling museum at the 12th-century Hospital of St. John. See one of the tallest brickwork towers in the world at the Church of Our Lady, where Michelangelo’s statue of the Madonna with Child can be found in the transept. Get a feel for everyday life at the historic Vis Markt (Fish Market) and look at the beautiful guildhalls on Tanners’ Square. Visit the Groeningemuseum and find one of Belgium's most famous Gothic buildings on the Markt (Market Square). Get 3 hours of free time to explore on your own. Take an optional canal cruise to appreciate the city from a different perspective before the train journey back to Brussels.

Set off on foot on your beer tasting tour and learn the secrets of the beer-brewing process. Learn how to differentiate between an ale, lager, triple, and a historical medieval beer called Lambic. Discover what kind of beer Belgium is famous for and the best chocolate store in the city. Move on to other lively beer haunts, including some hidden gems loved by and known only to locals. Sample a selection of traditional beers and craftwork brews, a gutsy mix of malty, hoppy, fruity, reddish, and herby beers to sour and triple varieties. Trappist or Lambic beers can be surprising when matched with some chocolate or other local delicacies to enjoy the full Belgian beer-and-food experience. Last but not least, discover the secret varieties of a craft brewer and taste more delicious Belgian beers.

Explore the historic center of Bruges and visit the Choco-Story museum and De Halve Maan brewery. Along the way, learn about the most important buildings and squares, such as Market Square, The Burg, Fish Market, medieval Dijver and Minnewater. Learn the history of chocolate at the Choco-Story museum, starting with the cacao beans of the Mayans and Aztecs to the high-tech production process of today. Indulge your sweet tooth and sample the chocolates. Then, enjoy a 3-course lunch in the De Halve Maan brewery and visit the brewery where De Brugse Zot beer is brewed. Learn everything you need to know about the hops, malt and brewing process.

Visit the enchanting city of Bruges with its historic city center that was named a UNESCO world heritage site. From Brussels, relax onboard of a comfortable coach while learning about the history of the city from your expert guide. In Bruges, your guide will first take you to the Beguinage, once a community of lay religious women. Continue the tour through Bruges to see the Chapel and Old Saint John’s hospital. Enjoy a comprehensive tour of the Church of our Lady where you'll discover the tombs of the Dukes of Burgundy, the Madonna by Michelangelo, and paintings by Caravaggio. Then, wander through the city and discover the other highlights including the Museum of the Flemish Primitives, Belfry Tower on the Market Square, the Burg Square with the Town Hall, and the upper and lower Basilica of the Holy Blood. Next, it's time to learn about Belgium's famous beer during a brief beer tasting followed by an optional set lunch. Your guide will also give you advice about additional places to visit in your free time. Finally, enjoy a pleasant boat trip along the narrow canals of Bruges.

Enjoy authentic and delicious tastings in this personalized food tour in Bruges with a local guide. Head to the Markt, the city’s medieval heart lined with quaint pavement cafes under the watchful eye of the Belfort, Belgium's most famous belfry. Start your food journey by whetting your appetite at a no-frills pub or bar for a drink and a couple of appetizers like cheese, olives, salami, and meatballs. Continue to a longstanding local cafe or bistro for some traditional Flemish cuisine – take your pick of hearty, beer-based Flemish stew or pie, bouillabaisse, and vol-au-vents. Take a break before your next round, walking through the city center’s cobbled medieval streets, and squeezing in some sightseeing with on-the-go Belgian Frites (twice-cooked, thick-cut fries). End on a sweet note with sweet, syrupy, fluffy Belgian waffles and a chocolate tasting at a local chocolatier. All these delectable tastings are included in the price of the tour, so all that’s left for you to do is enjoy the best food Bruges has to offer!

The tour begins with pickup from the meeting point in Brussels and heads out of the city towards Bruges where a day of adventure awaits. During the drive to Bruges, learn about the rise and fall of the city from your guide, and how it came to be a UNESCO World Heritage Listed location. Upon arrival, stop by Europe’s oldest Saint John’s Hospital then enjoy a guided visit of the Church of our Lady which feature the tombs of the Dukes of Burgundy, as well as the Madonna painting by Michelangelo. Next, walk to the Belfry Tower in the Market Square, then continue onto the Town Hall and the Basilica of the Holy Blood. Once you’ve worked up a bit of an appetite, enjoy a short beer tasting session followed by an optional lunch at a local restaurant with views of the Belfry. After lunch, enjoy a boat tour along the canals of Bruges and see the sights from a new perspective. Depart Bruges and listen to your guide bring the history of Ghent to life as you travel to the city. Stretch your legs with a guided tour of the Ghent’s highlights including the churches of Saint Jacob, Saint Michael, and Saint Nicholas, as well as the Town Hall, the Cloth Hall, and the Old Harbor. Later, visit the impressive Cathedral as well as the Castle of the Count of Flanders, built in the late 12th century. Your time in Ghent also includes a trip to the medieval Great Butcher’s Hall where you can taste local Ganda Ham that has been cured amongst the great wooden rafters. After another idyllic boat tour, which cruises along the rivers of Ghent, sit back and relax on the return journey to Brussels.