We have 24 hours. Do we spend it in Bruges or Ghent?

[chicaguapa]

Our weekend break is nearly planned for January 2014.

Eurotunnel is booked and we'll have from midday Saturday to midday Sunday to spend in either Bruges or Ghent. The Novotel is the same price in both places.

DC are 12 & 9. We're hoping for canals, picturesque scenes, gentle meandering, waffles and moules frites. Museums etc aren't important. We just want to soak it all in and sit in cafés all day.

Which would you choose? There doesn't seem to be much between them.

Brugges every time every thing you are looking for.

Ghent. Way fewer tourists and it's beautiful.

Thanks. It's a bit closer to Calais, so has that going for it. I've just read that it's expensive and crowded. Though maybe not in January.

I would say Bruges given your requirements.

Don't know Ghent but Bruges is beautiful. You can just wander round cobbled streets, take a little boat ride along canals (you can't have that round tower overlooking the canal - it's mine!) or take a horse and cart ride. The fruit beers in cosy little drinking dens are lovely and the food is wonderful.

Ok. Thanks everyone (and Kate for contributing the opposite view! )

We've booked Bruges. A bit that the canal boat tours don't run in January though. That would have been ace. But we'll drink hot chocolate and eat waffles instead.

You'd absolutely freeze on a canal in January if the canals aren't frozen already LOL

Both are lovely but Brugge is a bit bigger. We hired bikes .

Maybe. We were on the Seine in February though. Can't be colder than that, even my bones were frozen!

Never been to Ghent, but Bruges is wonderful. 24 hours isn't enough time to spend there as there is so much to see. Wouldn't fancy it in January though.

Bruges is perfect for 24 hours. Very, very pretty. I personally prefer Ghent as there are less tourists....but as you've booked

DF took me to Bruges to propose. I loved it there and can't wait to go back (we went for the day, 10am-5pm). We had a horse drawn cart tour and would recommend it

Ghent all the way. Much nicer IMO.

For your homework watch the black comedy In Bruges (not for children though), it'll give you a flavour of the town :).

I thought Bruges was way overpriced and touristy, although pretty. Don't know how Ghent compares.

Bruges is great. We went in early February when there was a bit of snow and it was so, so very pretty. Cold, (!) but pretty. Also really not too busy. I'd especially recommend having a wander through the square at night.

You'll enjoy Bruges.

Gent is great too, the castle Gravensteen is impressive. There may be fewer tourists but Gent is still a large, busy city.

Thanks. We're looking forward to having something to do after Christmas. It's only costing us £175 for the weekend for all 4 of us, so if we really like it, we can go back when it's warmer or choose Ghent instead.

I was in both of them on the same day at the August BH! Ghent in the morning and Bruges in the afternoon. Both looked lovely and Ghent had a very good Sunday Market. However, I had more time to sightsee in Bruges and it is a knock out. I think you will have a great time. We did go on a canal trip but I am sure you will enjoy it even without that. Do a trip on a horse and carriage instead!

I was particularly intrigue by a sweet shop advertising "Chunks of nougat as big as your ass"

Haven't been to Bruges but I've been to Ghent and was absolutely charmed by it. :D

Jeez! That'll be a big chunk of nougat then! I'll try to find it so I can crack that joke again to DH.

i like both !

What day will you be there? the roast chicken off the lorries in the markets are lovely.. as are the potatos cooked in the fat!!!

Bruges. Every time. And so easy to get to.

Bruges. Every time. And so easy to get to.