Somewhere not too far from the channel ports for a Christmas treat?

[HeadFairy]

We've got a special offer for a ferry ticket and were looking for somewhere within a couple of hours of Calais or Boulogne to go before Christmas. We've got a 3 year old and an 11 month old so don't want to drive too far (though they were fine driving to the south of France this summer), something wintry and Christmassy would be lovely. Any ideas?

I'm sure there are a few Luxembourger MNers, do they have nice Christmas markets? Is Dusseldorf too far to get to from Calais? (we'd stay overnight or perhaps two, so won't have to dash back home straight away) Anywhere else have nice Christmas markets? Is the Brussels one any good?

Lille has an excellent Xmas market and nice shops. There will also be Xmas markets in Brussels, Bruges and Gent. The Brussels one is huge, but Bruges is alway beautiful that time of year.

Brussels

Xmas market website

I have it on my list to go one year to Valkenberg where the markets are in little caves.

PS Lille and Bruges are about 1 hour drive from Calais. Brussels is 2. To get to Germany - Aachen, Cologne (also have markets)etc would be 4 or 5 hours. Dusseldorf is further.

Bruges is lovely, little canals and cobbled streets. We have been in the summer but I could imagine it is just as nice in winter. Actually, my DH should be there soon, he is on his way to the ferry.

Düsseldorf is fantastic, but about 5 hours from Calais, I guess. There are a few smaller Christmas markets dotted around the city centre.

Cologne has bigger Xmas markets but it is another hour away.

How far do you want to drive?

Have to contradict, Porto, sorry. Cologne is further away. I checked on google maps, about 4 hours to Düsseldorf, and just under 5 hours to Cologne.

I would say of the German markets Aachen is the prettiest and is slightly closer than the other towns mentioned.

Ah - I think I was imaging Dusseldorf was much further south. I have been there before once - but flew. From Brussels there isn't much in it between there and Cologne....

I must try and persuade DH to do a little visit to Aachen and Valkenburg - it is only about 1.5 hours from me.

Aachen is really lovely, particularly in winter. The Xmas market is a good one - no tat, lots of great booths with handmade items. I would say it is one of the best I have seen, and after over 15 years in Germany, I have seen a few.

oooh thanks for those, dh just suggested Aachen too.... might have to look a bit further in to that one. I think a 4/5 hour drive is probably a bit too much, perhaps we should stay a bit nearer, Bruges/Brussels/Lille might be better because we'll already have done two hours in the car to the ferry port, then 90 mins on a ferry. I think ds might spontaneously combust if we then do another 5 hours in the car!

HF
Google maps says 3 3/4 hours from Calais to Aachen.

DH called earlier to say there are over 50 chocolatier in Bruges. I do hope that he has bought something.

Mme, Neuhaus and Marcolini are considered to be the best (by Belgians). They have a million lace shops too - let's hope you get chocs and not an embroidered tissue box cover ;-)

Thinking about it, Bruges or Lille might be more relaxing with small children. Brussels is heaving - we still go every year but I panic about losing dd in the crowds. I can't yet comment on the others, but as DH gets free petrol from work I have persuaded him to make the trip to Aachen one weekend.

There is a lovely one in Leuven near me too. Dd likes it as they have lots of roundabouts. So if you fancy coming to stay.....

I must admit that I prefer Godiva - it is my absolute favourite chocolate. . DH bought me a Godiva Advent Calender this year.

Brugge is fantastic, good for small children, very magical and romantic.

A Godiva Advent calendar! I have not seen them here. I saw a job once for a Quality Control person at Godiva - what a job! Bruges is very pretty. I haven't been since I moved to Belgium. We went lots for the weekend when we still in the UK.

ooh Bruges or Aachen, it's too hard to decide!!!

amicissima - I love Boulogne, done a few day trips there, but we were hoping to do a Christmas market or something equally christmassy with the kids - hence heading east.

Well we were going to go see the Ice sculptures in Bruges last year, but it rained loads and the roof fell in. Maybe wortha a visit....