Brugge Belgium/Lille France Christmas Markets

We really wanted to experience a Christmas Market this year. Having been stationed in Germany for 4 years, we grew to love them and now being in England we have missed that part of the season. Brugge is only a couple of hours away so off we went, first on the Dover ferry, then straight up to Belgium. Ava absolutely LOVES "going on the boat!" She gets so excited, so we didn't tell her about our trip until just a few hours before we left.

We quickly checked into our hotel http://www.hotelolympia.be/ (the same one we stayed in 3 years ago) and walked down town. It was cold but we were headed to the Ice Sculpture Festival, so things were about to get a lot colder. The sculptures are all indoors, with the temperature kept at -6C/20F. This year’s theme was Around the World.

Literally freezing out butts off

The Russian sculpture was my favorite

There was an ice slide that went around the side of the building. I went first and found out the hard way that you need 2 carpets (one for your butt and one for your feet) so my ride was a lot slower than Davids. Ava was a bum and stayed in the stroller.

After leaving the Ice Festival we toured the city and enjoyed all the Christmas lights. Europe has a different way of celebrating Christmas and I love it! There isn't as much commercialism, more family and friends, good time celebrating.

They cut lots of real pine trees and decorate them with lights. These trees were surrounding an ice rink. In the middle of the rink was a huge light tree, made entirely of blue lights. It was beautiful. Brugge is defiantly a fun Christmas place.

They outlined all the building tops with rope lights. It makes them look like Gingerbread houses. Ava loved it all; from a little child's eyes this must be magical.

It was cold enough to see your breath, so Dave and Ava made smoke rings in the air.

We ate a lot! Warm Belgium waffles with cream, caramel, and chocolate. Foot long brats in begets, and gooey cheesy potatoes cooked in the biggest cast iron frying pan you will ever see.

The next day we headed back and stopped in Lille France. They also had a beautiful Christmas Market.

We really wanted to take a ride on the Ferris wheel but Ava absolutely had a fit. There was no way she was going to let us ride.

We ate treats treats and more treats, after all Christmas only happens once a year!

Brugge and Lille were a blast and we saw a lot in 2 days. Ava was so tired she fell asleep on the ferry and slept all the way home.