Brugges day trips

...that would be the lovely treed canal side trail that ends in Damme. Perfect for a calm flat cycle ending in a pub for lunch.

Rick's Belgium guidebook includes directions for a couple of routes toward Damme, or the bike rental shops can give you maps and advice. Ghent is a popular choice for your third day, about 30 minutes by train, or Antwerp is 1.5 hours.

If you have any interest in WWI, a tour of Flanders Field is a highly recommended day trip from Bruges.

I know Rick's book (from 2012) talked about the ride to Damme. It was a pretty ride along a canal. We opted to continue on the canal after Damme and rode all the way into the Netherlands. The town of Sluis was very picturesque and I enjoyed it even more than Damme. The ride is flat, so it does not take long. (We did not even rent bikes until about 1:30. One of my memories was crossing the bridges in Belgulim (as we went back and forth on the trail along the canal). We knew we were back in the Netherlands when the bridge became a traditional Dutch bridge. Also, you may look into taking a tour of Flanders Field. (You can read up about it in the RS book. There are tours that leave from Brugge) .

I looked on google maps. By bike, it is 16.8 KM to Sluis and 6.6 KM to Damme. We did not find a lot to do in Damme, which is why we continued on. (also, we were really enjoying the ride) I could have spent 1/2 a day exploring Sluis. The ride itself is so pretty that it is worth doing just for that.

Connie glad to hear you enjoyed Sluis and proof it can really pay off leaving the beaten path. Sluis is like Damme a walled city, but with the numerous shops and restaurants way more lively. It's touristy and maybe therefore not everybodies cup of tea but it has it's own character and with the 2km (sorry you missed that) detour to St Anna Ter Muiden it can make a visit certainly (more) worthwhile. The countryside north of Sluis is also nice for cycling further to Retranchement, another walled place. The windmill in Sluis is open to visit and from time to time set in motion in contrary to those in Brugge and Damme.

If Sluis is a bit too far cycling further to Oostkerke (+ the street with the windmill) is nice too. There is also a 50km castle tour around Brugge to consider.

thanks Will. The trip to Sluis was unplanned. I wish we had looked around more before going on the ride. St Anna Ter Muiden looks wonderful. I did find Sluis a little touristy, but enjoyed it none the less. I guess we will have to go back and explore some more!

Thanks so much everybody, your suggestions are just great. Rick

Richard: While in Belgium you must try one of the best beers I have had: Tripel Karmeliet. It is a very highly rated beer and I consider it to be better than Duvel. Last fall, while we were in Brugge, on the waiter's recommendation, I tried it and was in beer heaven! Enjoy Brugge!