Ideas needed please for weekend away via Eurostar (no kids!)

[Tallgirl]

Hoping to go away with DH in early July for his 40th birthday and before i get too big (will be about 29 wks pg by the time we are hoping to go). I wont be able to fly and would like to take him on Eurostar as he has never been. I fancy the idea of Bruges which i have heard is lovely - any ideas/tips/recomendations for there or anywhere else accessibley by Eurostar.

Thanks a lot

P.S. would like to upgrade to 1st class and stay in nice but not too expensive hotel.

TIA

Only visited Bruges in passing in pouring rain several years ago and still thought it was lovely!
Lille is another option - vibrant city with good food, shops and cultural facilities (opera, ballet, best art gallery in provincial France, sez they). Bruges is undeniably prettier - but will be more touristy.

I would rather go to Bruges than Lille (have visited both). Bruges is very easy on the eye, has some very good restaurants, and lots to see. Or there's always Paris...

dh and I had a weekend in Brussels last Sep I was then about 11wks. Spent the day bicycling around Bruges which was really fun and we got to see a lot. We then had the second day just wandering around Brussels, spending some time in the square visiting a few touristy spots. My dh got a weekend away deal which was at a 5 star hotel on the square. Don't think it was too expensive.
Have fun whatever you do.

Definitely keen on Bruges (but dont want to tell DH where we should go although is last chance of break before baby no. 2 turns up!). There are so many websites etc and you always hear about fantastic deals but never sure where to find them. Anyone in the industry got any tips or hotels to recommend? Also am i best off booking nearer the time although we are fairly inflexible on dates due to work and childcare arrangements!

Thanks a lot

I am resurrecting this old thread as am going through this dilemma myself. 40 next month - want to go somewhere new with DH. Good hotel, nice restaurants etc. Thought Bruges or Lille as would rather not fly. Any suggestions?

Or Strasbourg willow
Still maintain Lille for overall entertainment, over coach-party infested if gorgeous Bruges
Super restaurants in Lille too

Knew you would come to my aid. Lille much easier to get to. Do you think it a worthwhile 40th location? Any ideas where to stay? x

Will go home and check trusty Cadogan Guide for their recommendations. Have only done shopping trips.
Meanwhile have a nosy at Eurostar's bit on hidden gems in Lille - some intriguing arty places around the conurbation as well as the terrific stuff in central Lille proper (agglomeration is Lille plus less-regarded Roubaix and Tourcoing).
It was European City of Culture in 2004 btw.
Highly rated Opera and regional orchestra and best art gallery in France outside the Louvre.
Will post Cadogan's recs. tomorrow.

And it is sooo fast. By the time you have quaffed your vintage Heidseick you are there missus.

But this looks tres interessant...had heard there was some kind of boutiquey nunnery conversion in Lille. Expect this is it.

I love Bruges - stayed here with DH and DD a couple of weeks ago en route to visit the rellies in Mons .... If you're 29 wks - Bruges is nice, small compact town to wander around - go on the canal trip and take an evening carriage ride

This hotel is a stones throw from all the main touristy spots but is just far enough off the main area to be quiet

park hotel bruges

The OP was 29 weeks in May 04 - please God let her have given birth by now I'm not pregnant - just old.

Willow you probably don't want to look in Enid's groaning 40th birthday "wanky basket" thread then.
Some of us passed that milestone sufficiently long ago not to care any more.
Am going to the Christmas Market in Lille though

Ahhh my old brain not functioning properly !!
Still think Bruges is fab tho' and honestly the Park Hotel is lovely !!

OK Willow, checked St Cadogan du Nord and am pleased to see that the Gantois is their top recommendation! Old-style luxe can be found at the Carlton.
Top eateries are L'Assiette du Jour and L'Huitriere btw

Cheers my dear. Am now going through that too much choice dilemma. Wondering instead whether to head to somewhere like Lake District or Scotland for some autumnal natural beauty? Your thoughts?

Lake District is so beautiful but in my personal opinion I think the really top class country house hotels there are a bit chi-chi, am I even allowed to say tacky?
Food at Sharrow Bay/Miller Howe/Michael's Nook (sic, FFS ) is very good but ambiance a bit chintzy and pink for my liking.
Did once stay in adorable Kilmichael House Hotel on Arran pre kids but you do have to get there on a suspiciously whiffy linoleum-upholstered Cal Mac ferry, which is not conducive to the romance of the open skies. Arran itself is gorge though - Tamum will concur

The Samling looks spectacular re' Lakes. (Do you know, I've never been to the LD - horror, huh?) Will post to see if anyone's been.

Samling not on my radar - must be newish, have not been there since aged ps moved 18 months ago. Anything that offers an alternative to cream cakes and plump cushions has got to be good news.
The Lake District is stunning willow and if you are lucky with the weather, all the more so.

Oh, now that looks much more like it.
Nice location too although it's one of the busier corners of the Lakes once you are off the estate.

Just seen a load of great priced breaks to Bruges c/o Telegraph travel - how long does it take to get there?

Bump

Well, I think you must go to Brussels willow (about 2.5 hours in total AFAIK) and then take a local Belgian train.
I have done onward transfers from Lille Europe via the SNCF and they are fab, of course, and would have though Belgium's railway system was similarly efficient. Suppose it might be 30-40 mins from Brussels to Bruges on an express train?

was just going to say dh went to bruges with mates for footie game and really loved it. He's travelled all over so for him to love it is a good sign.