Great Escapes

Travel Blog from Belgium & France

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Picture Postcard... from the canals of Amsterdam

Picture Postcard… from the canals of Amsterdam

A spring evening by the canals in Amsterdam Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010, the canals of Amsterdam are amongst the most famous in the world. Photo credit: Shutterstock | PisaPhotography Seventeenth-Century Canal Ring Area of Amsterdam, inside the Singelgracht Built at the end of the 16th and beginning of the 17th centuries, the historic urban canal network of Amsterdam lies…

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Picture postcard from... St Martin L'Ars, France

Picture postcard from… St Martin L’Ars, France

This lovely field of sunflowers was taken by Suzanne Courtney who blogs at The Travel Bunny, near the town of St Martin L’Ars in the Poitou Charentes region of France. Follow Suzanne on Twitter @TheTravelBunny and Instagram The Travel Bunny.

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Amsterdam Tulip Festival

Tulips are an integral part of Holland, and the month of April brings a celebration of these beautiful flowers to Amsterdam, where you can see hundreds of different varieties illuminating parts of the city in colour. Sometimes being referred to as ‘tulip mania’, tulips have been popular in Holland since as far back as 1593, and competitions quickly arose amongst growers to try and create the most…

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Top 10 eats in Cologne, Germany

Top 10 eats in Cologne, Germany

If you’re looking for some culinary inspiration during a trip to Cologne, or want to know some of the best eateries the city has to offer, dive into our top ten eats and discover where you can get a great burger, a traditional bratwurst, a delicious local beer and much, much more… Bei Oma Kleinmann With a busy and bustling atmosphere, this restaurant is a great place to visit if you’re looking to…

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Exploring the Champagne region of France

Exploring the Champagne region of France

The Champagne region is located in the north-east of France, sharing a small border with Belgium, and we figure you won’t need two guesses to know what the region is famous for. With so much to see and do in the Champagne region, it’s ideal if you’re looking for a relaxing short break in France with your loved one, an exploration into the region’s history, or just a taste of Champagne’s…

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Amsterdam's Canals

Amsterdam’s Canals

At just over 400 years old and collectively over 100km in length, Amsterdam’s 165 canals are certainly a breath-taking sight. With the canal ring listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010, they’ve been recognised as having outstanding universal value. But perhaps better yet, they’re a fabulous way of exploring the city when on a short break in Amsterdam. History of the canals Built during…

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The best views in Belgium

The best views in Belgium

A beautiful country, Belgium is filled with many a fantastic photo opportunity. But in case it’s your first visit, or you’re looking for a little inspiration for some truly magnificent views both from the ground and the sky, we’ve selected a few of our personal favourites which may help you see a little bit more during your short break in Belgium. Belfry Tower, Bruges One of the most prominent…

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Top Ten Things to do in Lille for Mother’s Day

Top Ten Things to do in Lille for Mother’s Day

Lille is the perfect location for a girls’ getaway and, with Mother’s Day coming up, a long weekend with your Mum would make a fantastic treat for her (and you). In a blatant attempt to persuade you to visit, here are our favourite things to do, eat and drink in Lille. Together they add up to make a Mother’s Day or even a weekend to remember. Top Ten Things to Do, Eat and Drink in Lille for…

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Speciality dishes from different regions in France

Speciality dishes from different regions in France

As we’re sure you’re already aware, France is a foodie’s paradise. It’s a place where connoisseurs can revel in all kinds of weird and wondrous cuisines, from escargots and ratatouille to soupe à L’oignon and tartiflette. That’s why we’ve decided to give you a whistle-stop tour around this flavoursome country, delving into a selection of different regional dishes, so you can choose which regions…

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Discover the history of Cologne

Discover the history of Cologne

A self-drive or Eurostar holiday to Cologne will introduce visitors to a city boasting a wealth of historical and cultural attractions. This should come as no surprise; the city holds a history spanning over 2,000 years and amazingly several cultural monuments dating from the city’s early years are still standing today. You’ll discover them stood beside medieval and modern landmarks, all…

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Romantic breaks in Europe this Valentine’s Day

Romantic breaks in Europe this Valentine’s Day

The most romantic day of the year has crept upon us again this year – Valentine’s Day. Shrouded in mystery as to the precise founder of this romantic celebration, Valentine’s Day is as popular as ever, and has even been recognised as the second largest card sending day after Christmas. We appreciate it can be hard to find something unique to surprise your loved one with (if you’re looking to do…

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2016 Culinary Events in Amsterdam

2016 Culinary Events in Amsterdam

Although it’s probably safe to say we’re all completely stuffed after the Christmas and New Year festivities, with so much going on food and drink-wise in Amsterdam over the coming year, we just couldn’t ignore it. Unfortunately we couldn’t possibly include them all, so here’s a little taster of some which have caught our eye and we think sound extra appetising… Whisky Weekend (15th – 16th…

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Tis the season…

Christmas has finally arrived! So we wanted to treat you all to a compilation of beautiful Christmas photos from around Europe – a mixture of food and drink, markets and lights – arguably all the best things about this wonderfully festive time of the year. So let’s make a start with a classic Christmas in Paris, the city of love… You can’t really beat the gorgeous Eiffel Tower, covered in a…

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The Champs-Elyées at Christmas

The Champs-Elyées at Christmas

Each evening throughout December lights sparkle in the trees, headlights glow and white wooden chalets line the pavements of the Champs-Elysées. From the magnificent Ferris wheel on the Place de la Concorde in the east to the Arc de Triomphe at the western end of the avenue, it really is an impressive sight. Having recently visited Paris for a long weekend I couldn’t resist trying to capture the…

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Amsterdam Light Festival

What’s it all about? Lasting 55 days this year and donning the theme ‘friendship’, the whole idea behind the Amsterdam light festival is to try and lift peoples’ spirits during the darker, winter months – by bathing the city in lights. Prepared by talented light artists, it gives them an opportunity to present their beautiful work to all the visitors of Amsterdam. Image credit: Julia700702,…

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Foreign festive foods

With Christmas nearly upon us, the supermarkets are now well and truly laden with traditional treats and food that we all know and love – mince pies, Christmas puddings, chestnuts ready for roasting, turkeys, sauces – the list is endless. But if you’re off on a Christmas getaway or short break abroad this year, or want to know where’s good to go at Christmas for a bit of a culinary overhaul, what…

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Cycling in Belgium

One of the best ways to explore Belgium is on two wheels. The flat landscapes, superb canal pathways and close proximity of major attractions ensure that cycling during your holidays in Belgium is an ideal way of discovering the country. This is exactly what I did during my latest trip to Belgium where I biked between the beautiful cities of Ypres, Ghent and Bruges. Cycling in Ypres The first…

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