July 2026

The Formula 1 Grand Prix brought us to Belgium but we extended our stay with a few nights in Bruges. Bruges was one of my favorite places when I backpacked Europe in college, so it was great to return almost twenty years later. We also ended up being there on Belgian National Day and got to experience the days long celebration in the town square.

Accommodations:

• Hotel Dukes’ Palace was wonderful for our stay in Bruges. The rooms are spacious and it is centrally located for exploring the city.

Tours and Activities:

• The Formula 1 race was definitely a highlight of the trip. We attended practice and qualifying on Saturday, followed by the race on Sunday. The atmosphere was entertaining, and we enjoyed exploring the grounds and visiting the booths between the various races.
• We thoroughly enjoyed a guided walking tour that introduced us to the city’s history. Afterward, we took a guided boat tour through the canals.
• The Historium was a very silly but fun way to spend the afternoon. We chose the full package, which included a virtual reality tour and a climb to the tower. We finished with a visit to the brewery, which overlooks the Belgian National Day festivities.
• We also enjoyed renting bikes to explore the windmills and nearby castles and parks.
• Our favorite restaurants included ODA Rooftop Bar, Me Zen, Oyya Waffles, and Pizza Taxi Roma in St. Vith.