Amazing. I spent two days in Lille en route from Brussels to Paris. Not only is Lille a cool town,…read morebut, the Fantastic festival is remarkable. Artwork by Nick Cave (visual/performance artist not musician) and Theo Mercier, and so much more. Art around every corner. A great experience and well worth the trip to Lille! Lille was never on my radar until this. I'd love to come back for the next Fantastic!

The Christmas Markets in the fairytale-like Brugge is a magical one surrounded by the ornate gabled…read morebuildings of a medieval past! There are two main markets to visit around town: the Grote Markt (in front of the Belfort in the Market Square) and at Simon Stevinplein. They have since moved the ice skating rink down to the Minnewater Park on the Lake of Love which also includes a lively bar. You may also find the walking path of lights, Winter Glow, around the Minnewater Park. So much to do and so little time! In general, the whole town is bustling and bedecked in glittering, festive finery. The Grote Markt is especially active and contains more alcohol and food stalls/ chalets. Do not miss out on local food and drink specialties such as tartiflette (cheesy potatoes), shrimp croquettes, moules/ mussels, sausages, cheeses, vin chaud, chocolat chaud, and jenever. The Grote Markt felt a little more commercialized than the market in Simon Stevinplein which was more enclosed and fairytale-like. The Grote Markt was the best for finding food and a table to consume it at and the "Lake of Love" setup has a more alcohol focus, but certainly was not without food. The whole town in completely walkable therefore, a single day around Brugge during the holidays will be a most involved one.

The Christmas market in Brugge is a must see and hard to miss if you are in Brugge for the holiday…read moreseason. There are two markets: - the first consists of two rows of stores and glühwein stands in the Grote Markt surround an ice skating rink and a beautifully lit tree, which light up the Belfort and Provincaal Hof - the second, a larger market down the street on Simon Stevenplein which has bumper cars and several rows of crafts, food, and drink. Definitely worth it to stop by!