Velotel Brugge ★★★★

We walked into our Superior Room, a cosy corner with bold red cushions distracting from the snow-white bed linen. Dark mahogany wooden furniture gave us a feeling of warmth, as did the dim lighting, making us feel utterly relaxed. Above the bed, cyclists out on the terrain painted the walls, prompting us to rent our own bikes the next day to discover why the Ter Poele Park is so famed amongst cycling enthusiasts. If you bring your own bicycle, rest assured it will be secure with the hotel’s free closed bike parking with camera surveillance.

We filled our backpacks with water, snacks and first aid supplies, as you never know! The cycle route of the month brought us to De Hann, where we had a lovely walk through the Duinbossen, until we reached the watchtower on Vosseslag beach. Here we appreciated the far stretching views over the sea and forest. Then on to Ostend, a gem on the Belgian coast, where we strolled through the Royal Venetian Galleries and had a taste of the sea from a local fish restaurant. Cycling back to Bruges on the canal dyke, we were ready for dinner, so satisfied our tastebuds with Belgian and French cuisine at the hotel restaurant “O’velo”.

If cycling isn’t your thing, not to worry, the hotel also offers tennis, petanque and a sauna. A local bus stop sits just behind the hotel with direct routes to Bruges city centre, where you must visit the Gothic Church of Our Lady Bruges, with its soaring tower and statue by Michelangelo. You can take a boat tour down the canals, dubbed as the “Venice of the North”, canal tours operate from Huidenvettersplein and last about 30 minutes. Grab the famous Belgian French fries and mayo by the Belfry and eat lots of Belgian chocolate! Whatever you are after, you will find something to fall in love with in Bruges!