Transportation
By coach with allocated seating
Ferry Crossing
Dover - Calais
Ferry Meals
Optional at extra cost on-board ship
Resort Hotel
Ostend Hotel Belgium
Resort Hotel Meals
Continental breakfast

Itinerary

Cost

Dates

Highlights

Destination Info

Hotel

Ferry Info

Pick Up Points

Map

Day 01 :

Travel to Ostend

Depart from your allocated pick-up point and meet your driver. Travel by coach to Dover for your ferry crossing to Calais, making comfort stops in the UK en-route to Dover.

After crossing into Belgium, continue to Ostend, the elegant coastal city. Check in at the Ostend Hotel, where you will stay on a bed and continental breakfast basis. The evening is free to relax or explore the town.

Nightlife in Ostend:

Ostend offers a welcoming and varied nightlife for all tastes:

Café Botteltje: Famous for its extensive selection of Belgian beers.
Copador Beach Bar (seasonal): Beachside bar with music and a relaxed atmosphere during warmer months.
Café Manuscript: Cosy pub ideal for an evening drink with locals.
De Zeegeuzen: Nautical-themed bar with a friendly ambience and occasional live music.

Day 02 :

Excursion to Brugge (Bruges)

After breakfast, join your included full-day excursion to Brugge, one of Europe’s most enchanting cities. Known as the “Venice of the North,” Brugge captivates with its canals, cobbled streets, and medieval architecture.

Suggested Visits in Brugge:

Markt Square: The city’s central hub, featuring colourful gabled houses, cafés, and the towering Belfry offering panoramic city views.
Burg Square: Home to the Town Hall and the Basilica of the Holy Blood, highlighting Brugge’s civic and religious heritage.
Canal Cruise: Experience the city from the water, passing under quaint bridges and along peaceful waterways.
Church of Our Lady: Gothic church housing Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child.
De Halve Maan Brewery: Discover the city’s beer-making history and taste the locally brewed Brugse Zot.
Shopping and Cafés: Brugge is renowned for handmade chocolates, lace, and artisan crafts. Stroll the streets, enjoy a Belgian waffle, or relax at a canal-side café.

Return to Ostend in the late afternoon. Evening at leisure.

Day 03 :

Excursion to Brussels

After breakfast, enjoy your included full-day excursion to Brussels, the capital of Belgium. The city offers a mix of historical landmarks, grand architecture, and a cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Suggested Visits in Brussels:

Grand Place (Grote Markt): Europe’s most famous square, surrounded by ornate guildhalls and the Town Hall.
Manneken Pis: Iconic small bronze statue symbolising Brussels’ playful spirit.
Royal Palace and Parc de Bruxelles: Admire the palace from outside and take a leisurely stroll through the adjacent park.
Atomium: Futuristic 1950s landmark representing an iron crystal magnified billions of times, offering panoramic city views.
Belgian Comic Strip Center: Celebrates Belgium’s rich comic tradition, including Tintin and the Smurfs.
Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert: Elegant glass-roofed arcades with boutiques, cafés, and artisanal chocolate shops.

Return to Ostend in the evening for your final night in Belgium.

Day 04 :

Return Journey

After breakfast, check out and re-board the coach with your luggage. Begin your return journey to the UK, including a brief stop at Pidou Wine Market near Calais for wines, beers, and Belgian treats.

Continue to Calais to board your ferry to Dover, then travel onwards to your local drop-off points, making comfort stops en-route.

Dover - Calais Ferry

The Dover to Calais ferry is one of the most popular ways for coach passengers to travel between the UK and France. This scenic and convenient route across the English Channel offers a comfortable and enjoyable experience. Below is a detailed breakdown of what coach passengers can expect from the journey.

1. Arriving at the Port of Dover
Location: Dover Ferry Terminal, Eastern Docks, Dover, Kent, UK.
Check-In Procedure:
Coaches typically arrive at the Dover Ferry Terminal around 60–90 minutes before the scheduled departure.
The driver will check in the entire group at the ferry operator’s ticket booth and receive boarding instructions.
Passengers remain on the coach while it proceeds through UK Border Control for passport checks.
2. UK and French Border Control
Before boarding, coach passengers must go through two border checkpoints:
UK Border Control: Passports and travel documents are checked before leaving the UK.
French Border Control: Since the UK is no longer part of the EU, passengers undergo additional passport checks by French authorities at Dover before boarding the ferry.
Tip: Ensure all passengers have valid passports and any necessary visas before travel to avoid delays.

3. Boarding the Ferry
Once the coach has passed both border controls, it will queue in the designated coach lane for boarding.
Passengers usually remain on the coach as it is driven onto the ferry and parked in the lower vehicle deck.
Once parked, passengers must exit the coach and move to the passenger decks for the crossing (staying in vehicles is not permitted for safety reasons).
4. Onboard Experience
The journey from Dover to Calais takes approximately 90 minutes, and during this time, passengers can enjoy a range of onboard facilities.
Facilities Available on Board
✅ Seating Areas – Spacious lounges with comfortable seating, ideal for relaxing.
✅ Restaurants & Cafés – Options vary by ferry operator but typically include self-service restaurants, bars, and coffee shops.
✅ Duty-Free Shopping – Passengers can browse and purchase tax-free items, including perfumes, alcohol, chocolates, and souvenirs.
✅ Outdoor Decks – Enjoy panoramic views of the English Channel and the famous White Cliffs of Dover.
✅ Wi-Fi & Charging Points – Some ferries provide Wi-Fi access and charging ports for electronic devices.
✅ Children’s Play Areas – Some ferries offer small play zones to keep young passengers entertained.
Tip: It’s recommended to keep personal belongings with you, as access to the coach is restricted during the crossing.
5. Disembarkation in Calais
About 15 minutes before arrival, an announcement will inform passengers to return to their coach on the vehicle deck.
The coach will drive off the ferry once it is safely docked at Calais Port Terminal.
Passengers remain seated as the coach proceeds through French customs if required.
Important Travel Tips
🔹 Travel Documents – Ensure all passengers have their passports and visas ready for border checks.
🔹 Currency – Onboard purchases can be made in GBP (£) or Euros (€), and card payments are widely accepted.
🔹 Luggage – Keep essentials with you, as access to the coach is restricted during the journey.
🔹 Seasickness – If prone to motion sickness, consider bringing medication or sitting in a stable area of the ferry.

Ostend – Brugge – Brussels

Trip Information