Info for groups

An excellent way to get to know every aspect of Bruges is to discover the city on foot accompanied by a guide. You can either opt for the classic tour or choose to be led to unknown places while listening to juicy anecdotes. Toerisme Brugge only works with officially certified tour guides who take the visitors in tow and inform them in different languages.

World heritage walk
Bruges’ city centre was declared world heritage by Unesco in 2000. Obviously, a guided tour through the unique historic core is a must for every Bruges debutant! From the Market Square and the Belfry to the Burg square, the Beguinage (Begijnhof) and Minnewater.

Quiet Bruges
Discovering hidden treasures in a picturesque neighbourhood: passing by the Church of Saint Anne, Jerusalem Chapel and the Lace Centre, Gezelle Museum, the age-old archers’ guilds and the wind mills on the ramparts (vesten).

Bruges, historic centre of trade and culture
From the 13^th to the 15^th century, Bruges was a centre of trade where traders from the hanseatic cities of the Far North, England and Germany (who were then called Easterlings) and important places of trade in France, Spain and Italy came together. This walk will take you along the stone reminders of Bruges’ Golden Age.

Damme, Lissewege and the Zwin region
It is no coincidence that this white polder village has been nominated one of Flanders’ most beautiful villages. You can visit the impressive abbey barn of the former Abbey Ter Doest and subsequently stroll around the polder village, where the impressive tower of the Church of Our Lady of the Visitation stands among the little white houses as a beacon. Many a pilgrim has preceded you!

Folk tales and Legends
During this mysterious walk the many folk tales and legends painting a striking picture of Bruges will appeal to your imagination, make you smile and surprise you with their popular wisdom. You decide what to believe!

Experiencing the city with all five senses
We constantly use our senses without even realising it. They play a very important role in the way we perceive the world and therefore also in your visit to Bruges. During this walk the tour guide will take you on a sensory voyage of discovery through the city; every one of your senses is stimulated and engaged. You will walk along a herb garden, smell the aroma of freshly roasted coffee or brewed beer and enjoy a panoramic view of Bruges from the roof terrace of the Concertgebouw building.

Almshouse walk
These whitewashed residential areas lie behind an inconspicuous or a squeaky little gate and are charming witnesses to Bruges’ social past. After all, they were given by rich people who wanted to make sure they received eternal life.

West Bruges: from Concertgebouw to city gate
Why don’t you deviate from the standard paths and discover the dynamic West Bruges quarter together with your tour guide? A fascinating walk during which you find out more about the (military) functions of the city gates and ramparts as well as about the origin of the almshouses. Afterwards you return to the 21^st century with the modern Concertgebouw as you approach 't Zand. A less well-known piece of Bruges waiting to be discovered.

Women’s walk
Nowadays everybody considers it normal that women are equal, emancipated citizens who contribute to society. However, it took centuries for them to get to this valued position. On these walks you get to learn more about how women have left an imprint on the city, both as a group and as individuals.

Walk 1: deals with the role of women in a city like Bruges in the era before the French Revolution. What was expected of them and what rights did they have?

Walk 2: Continues where walk 1 leaves off. How were the position and the rights of women influenced by the French Revolution?

The oasis of the ramparts
Although the city centre continues to fascinate, we should not forget the city ramparts of Bruges. The green lung encircles almost the entire city and offers numerous interesting historical locations that are worth discovering. From the several remaining city gates and windmills to the Coupure marina and the Minnewater Park. This walk is a surprisingly unique combination of history, culture and nature.

In the footsteps of Gezelle
Guido Gezelle, the 19^th-century priest and poet and one of Bruges’ most famous inhabitants ever, was born and raised in the quiet Saint-Anne’s district. During a visit to the district you will experience in person that this working-class district is an inexhaustible source of inspiration. Follow the guide through unknown alleys and listen to the stories that bring Gezelle’s poetry to life.

Historical beer walk
With hundreds of different kinds of beer, Belgium is a true paradise for lovers of the liquid gold. While taking you along pleasant inns and bars, your guide tells you fascinating stories and facts that show you how the city of Bruges has contributed to upholding the honour of the country for many decades.

Chocolate walk
Fancy a sweet treat? The Choc! guide takes you on a delicious journey of exploration and discovery along numerous chocolate shops and pampers your taste buds with scrumptious chocolate. Time to awaken the sweet tooth in you!

With death close on your trail
Accompanied by a guide, you are confronted with macabre events from some of the dark days of the history of Bruges. Where were the gallows in Bruges located, how were executions carried out, where did the executioner live, where were witches burnt on the stake...

21^st-century architecture
Bruges’ city centre is visibly changing. Since 2000 we have been able to detect a clear architectural wind of change in several streets. On this walk we discover the achievements of the new millennium. Prepare to be astounded.

Gods Punishment
If you are ill or feel bad in 2013, there are many (medical) service providers you can fall back on. This was quite different in Bruges in the Middle Ages. How were illnesses treated at that time? Were there already doctors? And how were social outsiders treated? You will discover the answers and more during this walk. The guide will show you where the hospitals of that time were located, tell you about surgeons and usual treatments, about caring for lepers, plague victims and lunatic, thus outlining the evolution of hospitals throughout the centuries. In view of the topic, this walk can be perfectly combined with a visit to the St. John’s Hospital.

Practical information

Rate
€ 60 per guide (basic price for an uninterrupted period of two hours)
€ 30 per guide (for every additional hour after the first 2 hours)

Chocolate walk: € 60 per guide + surcharge of € 5 per person (consumption included)

Historical beer walk: tastings on your own account

Meeting point:

• Bargeplein under the red shelter
• Information office Markt (Historium)
• Information office ’t Zand (Concertgebouw)
• Information office Stationsplein (Railway Station)

Maximum number of participants: 25 people
Duration: 2 hours
Languages: Dutch, French, German, English, Spanish, Italian, Russian (according to availability)

Reservations in writing at least 1 week in advance via Toerisme Brugge.  Please clearly state the desired meeting point and the number of participants upon reservation. Payment always on the spot to the guide (cash in €)

Carefully read the general conditions.

Q-rius (alternative guide association)
Q-rius guides you with its savoury strolls through surprising stories and distinctive meals full of the local flavour of Bruges. Our guides will quench your curiosity for savoury anecdotes, and appease your taste buds with a variety of delicious local dishes.

As a curious visitor, you will find yourself immediately in the beating heart of this vibrant city. Savour Bruges with Q-rius!

More info :
Q-rius, q-rius@perfectplus.be , tel. 050/44 12 81, www.q-rius.be

Let yourself be taken by the romance of Bruges' canals! You get to see the nicest places of the city from a completely new perspective. All boats follow the same circuit and have a fixed point of embaraktion and disembarkation. Commentary in several languages.

Practical

Group rate
Adult : 6,40 euro
Children < 12 : 3,40 euro
Duration: 30 minutes
Minimum number of participants: 20
Languages : Dutch, French, German, English.
Valid : Early march to mid november daily from 10.00 A.M. to 5.30 P.M. (no evening round trips)
Reservations : at least 3 weeks beforehand through Toerisme Brugge
Payment : to confirm, a down payment of 30% is required. The balance has to be paid at the landing stage (only cash in €).

In busy periods take some waiting time into account. The boats are not covered, but in poor weather umbrellas are provided.
Private round trip (€ 228) on demand.

The Bruges' horsetram lets you get acquainted with all the fine things of Bruges' city centre in an original way. You determine yourself where you get on and off and the duration of the ride. Only for groups!

Group rate
11,00 euro per person and per hour
100,00 euro per tram per additional hour
Meeting point: can be freely determined
Maximum number of participants: 13 people; maximum 57 people (divided over 3 trams of different sizes)
Duration: from 1 hour
Reservations: horse tram only: directly through De Brugse Paardentram, tel./fax:+32 (0)50 33 61 36 or +32 (0)475 42 64 25, website
With guide: a qualified guide who gives you explanation during the tour, can be booked through Toerisme Brugge.
Payment: horse tram: to determine at reservation, guide: on the spot to the guide in euro.

Accompanied by a guide you run – at a gentle pace – through the streets and alleyways of Bruges. Because you either run early in the morning (before the city wakes up) or early in the evening (after the hustle and bustle of the day has passed), you can admire Bruges in all its glory. The circuit is 9.5 km long.

Practical information

Group rate > € 12.50 (including drink, energy bar and map of the route, with tips)

Meeting point > Markt (at the statue of Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck)

Duration > 1 to 1.5 hours

Languages > Dutch, French, German, English

Period > throughout the year; on Saturdays and on the eve of public holidays at 6.30 pm; on Sundays and public holidays at 8 am.

Bookings > advance bookings only; book directly with Tourist Run, tel. +32 (0)473 88 37 17

Info > www.touristrunbrugge.be

Photo Tour Brugge provides guided walks through the historical centre of Bruges through a photographer's lens. During the tour you get to see highlights and hidden gems of Bruges. At the same time you can further develop your photographic talents in a pleasant group atmosphere.

Photographers of any level are welcome! Listen to the tips of creative photographer Andy McSweeney and learn to improve your photographic results and to increase the quality of your holiday pictures.

There are 4 photography walks every day (max. 6 participants). Groups can also book a private walk. Every paying participant can bring along 1 non-camera guest free of charge.

Practical information

Group rate > 1-6 photographers: € 250; 7-12 photographers: € 500; 13-18 photographers: € 750; over 19 photographers: price on demand. Free admission for under 12 year olds accompanied by an adult.

Meeting point > Burg (at the Basilica of the Holy Blood)

Duration > 3 hours

Languages > French, English translators can join the walk free of charge or you can apply for a translator (+ € 150)

Period > from 15/3 up to 31/12, Tuesday-Sunday at 10 am, 1 pm, 4 pm and 8 pm.

Bookings > advance bookings only; book directly with Photo Tour Brugge, tel. +32 (0)486 17 52 75, www.phototourbrugge.com/booking

Info > www.phototourbrugge.com

For cycling fanatics, bicycle friendly Bruges has a lot to offer. Pleasant guided cycle tours are organised in and around Bruges. You can bring your own trusty steel steed with you or hire one from one of the many bicycle rental points.

QuasiMundo Biketours

The bicycle guide rides in front of you on the bumpy cobblestones of the streets of Bruges or helps you to get to know the unspoiled landscape of the Bruges’ woodland and wetland. The bicycle tours can be tailor made to meet your exact requirements.

•         ‘Bruges by bicycle’

This 2.5 hour cycle ride takes you past innumerable stunning places of the city. The guide regularly stops to provide you with fascinating information on the history of Bruges. Halfway there is a pause in which you can enjoy a Belgian beer.

•         ‘The Bruges’ woodland and wetland’

During this tour, you discover the flat Flemish countryside by bike. Along elegant poplar-lined lanes and straight canals via picturesque Damme to the dikes of the nearby Netherlands. The bicycle tour takes 4 hours.

Practical information

Group rate > € 24 per person; youngsters up to the age of 17: € 23; children up to the age of 8: free (including bike, guide, raincoat, water and drink in a local bar)

With your own bike: € 16 per person; youngsters up to the age of 17: € 15; (including bike, guide, raincoat, water and drink in a local bar)

Meeting point > Burg (at the statue of ‘The Lovers’)

Languages > Dutch, French, German, English, Spanish

Bookings > only for groups of minimum 8 people. At least 3 weeks in advance in writing through Toerisme Brugge.

Period > March-November: daily 9.30 am-5 pm, July & August: daily 9.30 am-10 pm

Payment > an advance payment of 30 % is required prior to confirmation. The balance has to be paid in cash on the spot.

Carefully read the general conditions at the back of this brochure.

The Pink Bear Bike Tours

‘Damme and the Polders’

An enthusiastic guide steers you on your bicycle through the overwhelming polder landscape along the Bruges-Damme canal and introduces you to picturesque Damme. The cycle tour takes about 3 hours.

Practical information

Group rate > € 20 per person; children under 8: free (including bicycle and guide);
with your own bike (including guide): € 15 per person

Meeting point > Belfry

Languages > Dutch, French, English

Bookings > only for groups of minimum 10 people. At least 3 weeks in advance in writing through Toerisme Brugge.

Period > throughout the year: daily 2.30-5.30 pm

Payment > an advance payment of 30 % is required prior to confirmation. The balance has to be paid in cash on the spot.

Carefully read the general conditions at the back of this brochure.

The Green Bike Tour/The Sun Bike Tour

A guided trip to the polders, the flat countryside around Bruges. The tour pulls up at medieval Damme and other important sights along the way for a little extra commentary. New in 2013 are the tandem rides.

Practical information

Group rate > € 15 per person; children up to the age of 11: € 12 (including bicycle and guide); € 30 (for a tandem);
with your own bike: € 9 (including guide)

Meeting point > Information office ‘t Zand (Concertgebouw) or location on reservation

Languages > Dutch, French, English

Bookings > only for groups of 8 people minimum. At least 3 weeks in advance in writing through Toerisme Brugge.

Period > from 10 am until early afternoon from April until October; outside the season: upon arrangement.

Payment > an advance payment of 30 % is required prior to confirmation. The balance has to be paid in cash on the spot.

Bruges Ballooning

A morning flight (champagne breakfast included) or an evening flight (champagne, snacks and beer included) lasts three hours, of which at least one is spent up in the air! On request only. Reservation for a balloon trip on the day itself is however possible until a few hours before departure.

Practical information

Group rate > € 145 per person; children under 12: € 110

Meeting point > can be freely determined, preferably at your hotel

Minimum number of participants > 8 people

Duration > 3 hours

Languages > Dutch, French, German, English, Spanish, Portuguese

Period > throughout the year

Bookings > directly with Bruges Ballooning, tel. +32 (0)475 97 28 87, info@bruges-ballooning.com

Info > www.bruges-ballooning.com

Madou ballonvaarten

A morning flight (breakfast included) or an evening flight (Madou beer, jenever, soft drinks and snacks included) lasts three hours, of which at least one is spent up in the air! On request only.

Practical information

Group rate > from € 120 per person; youngsters under 12: from € 100; children under 10: from € 60

Meeting point > preferably at your hotel or in consultation with Madou

Minimum number of participants > 8 people

Duration > 3 hours

Languages > Dutch en English (French on request)

Period > throughout the year

Bookings > directly with Madou Ballonvaarten, tel. +32 (0)478 70 08 00, info@madou-ballonvaarten.be

Info > www.madou-ballonvaarten.be

Discover the Bruges woodland and wetland in style: book a guided tour with a snazzy Vespa scooter and traverse the green polders, authentic villages and breathtaking landscapes. A couple of surprises are provided en route. New for 2013: Cook & Ride a Vespa, a daylong programme with a fun mix of cooking and sightseeing.

Practical information

Group rate > half day tour: 1 person per Vespa: € 65; 2 persons per Vespa: € 80; day tour: 1 person per Vespa: € 100; 2 persons per Vespa: € 115 (including helmets, experienced guide, insurance, photo with a Vespa, drink)

Meeting point > bicycle rental point B-Bike, Concertgebouw, ‘t Zand

Number of participants > min. 5 people, max. 25 people

Duration > choice between half day and day tours

Languages > Dutch, French, English

Period > throughout the year

Conditions > minimum age of driver: 21 years, driving licence B

Bookings > at least 3 weeks in advance in writing through Toerisme Brugge

Payment > an advance payment of 30 % is required prior to confirmation. The balance has to be paid in cash on the spot.

Bruges can boast a rich cultural heritage. The majestic past of Bruges lives on in the many works of art that can be seen in the many museums, often housed in historic buildings.

For a description of the museums click here.

Reductions apply for groups of at least 15 persons, for young people from 13 to 26 years and seniors of 60 years and older. Children under 13 are free.

Reservations: in writing through Toerisme Brugge. Visits to the Lace Centre and the Concert Hall need to be booked directly.
Payment: payments are always on the spot.
For visits to brewery De Halve Maan, the Diamond Museum and Choco-Story we always ask a down payment of 30%. The balance is to be paid on the spot.

Bruges has a lot to offer from a culinary perspective. Many restaurants offer typical regional dishes of Bruges as well as exotic delicacies. Vegetarians or gourmets? On a tight budget or money is no object? Let us know and we will draw up a selection for you.

Something for everyone
Based on your budget, we will propose three menus, from which you can choose only one for the entire group. The menu will always comprise a starter, main course and dessert. Three course menus for groups start from € 20 per person (drinks excluded).

Bookings

At least 3 weeks in advance in writing through Toerisme Brugge.
Minimum number of participants: 20 people

Payment
We ask for an advance payment of 30% prior to confirmation. Only then will you be given the name and address of the restaurant.
The balance as well as the drinks need to be paid on the spot in the restaurant.

Carefully read the general conditions at the back of this brochure.