Drive to Belgium alone with 2xdc?

[Travelkettle]

I'm wondering if Belgium would be ok to do a mini break (ferry and driving) just me and the kids. Youngest is 6.

Is Belgium generally safe these days for solo women and children travellers? Haven't been in decades.

Also any advice about crossing the border from France to Belgium? We've driven in France loads but not Belgium.

It's a possibly harebrained scheme as I have time off at start Sept before they're back at school (they both go back quite late due to insets) but DH doesn't and I thought maybe Bruges?

The ferry crossings to Calais then are pretty cheap and there are some very reasonable accommodation options and it seems more fun than days out in the UK.

Any advice greatly appreciated

There is no obvious border between France and Belgium, just a change in speed limits and signs! We drive regularly from Calais to NL, and stay either in Belgium or NL, never had a problem. I've never driven into Bruges, so can't help there!

Belgium is great in general but bruge is VERY crowded and busy - my child didn’t enjoy it. We did really like Bullion and that area. And there’s no noticeable border at all for driving between EU countries just a sign at the roadside. We drove from NL to Belgium to Germany and back to NL this summer.

Instead of Bruges, I’d go to De Panne or Koksijde with children. Lovely beaches and a nice seaside vibe. You could then visit Plopsaland which is great for kids.
its easy enough driving in Belgium, the same as France really. Enjoy

Agree! The Flanders coast is great for kids - lovely sandy beaches with shallow water. And there is a super cheap and very frequent tram that runs the whole length from De Panne to Knokke. You can stay somewhere like Koksijde and get the tram to Popsaland (theme park). Flat with loads of cycle paths and plenty of bike hire places

It’s not classically beautiful but clean, safe and we have never encountered lairy piss heads! Lots of families and well to do older couples.

If you want to go to Brugge for the day I think you can pick up a train on Oostende - much easier than driving.

And waffles!

Popping on to say the same - lovely area and you can get into Bruges for a day visit

There is. Huge underground car park in Bruges and well signposted

It's pretty easy

Motorway between Calais and Belgium is straightforward and easy. Traffic tends to build up as you head inland from the coast. There is a tram that runs up and down the coast. De Haan is lovely or Blanckenberg has a fab beach and lots to do for kids - aquarium, seaworld place, pier, mini-golf etc You can get the train from there direct to Bruges and Ghent. (The latter has a ULEZ for which you need to register) Lots of places to rent go-karts on the prom.

Easy peasy and you'll barely notice the border. If you're using Google maps it will ping to tell you you're in a new country and the new speed limit.

Bruges is easy enough to drive into. I'd say though won't be the most interesting of places to visit with kids.

I'm doing this next week. Youngest is 6, ferry to Dunkirk staying near Lille in a camping pod type setup.

Ive driven to France once before but with other adults.

Planning a day out to Pairs Daiza in Belgium and another to Bruges/beaches.

We're only staying for 4 days.

Absolutely go for it and have a wonderful time!!

Thanks so much! Some great ideas, I'd not thought of staying on the coast and there seems so much to do and much more child friendly plus also places I've not been to.

I'm gearing up for an exciting early Sept!

Brugge (which is the actual official local name of Bruges - it's a Flemish-speaking town and they find it strange when the Brits feel the need to try out their school French there) is rather overrated. If you're driving by then by all means drop in for a bit, but Gent (Ghent) is far nicer.

Check the eurotunnel as we found that cheaper with car and 4 passengers last year. Don't have any issues driving through France
To Belgium - it was fine and it felt very safe - enjoy!

I agree with this. We stayed in De Haan on the coast and it was great for getting around. Public transport is excellent to get to Bruges. Plopsaland was fab 🙂

The driving is really easy. Are you a reasonable distance from Dover this side?

We stayed 4 days in Brugge and enjoyed it a lot more than the one day in Ghent.

@Travelkettle Brugge/Bruges is a nightmare to park in the walled part of town. We had a s/c appartment with a parking space but a lot of the roads are one-ways and it took a lot of turns to go anywhere.

The sea side is lovel and we didn't have any issues in May.