This year sees an exciting new event for tourists in the untapped world of Belgian gastronomy. So make sure you have a spare notch on your belt to loosen up your waistband for ‘Kooket’ at the end of October 2011 in Bruges. Star-chef Gert van Hecke and over 25 of the best chefs Bruges has to offer will be serving up the finest cuisine in the Bruges’ famous Market Square, a fantastic setting for some of the best food you’ll ever taste.

This culinary event runs from the 29th of October to the 31st, you’ll have your choice of courses costing between 3, 6 or 9 euro. If you find yourself wishing that you could have some of this cooking form your own home then have no fear. Kookeet 2011 will also play host to a number of cooking demonstrations from a select few master-chefs, in the halls under Bruges’ famous landmark Belfry Tower. So you can get an education in fine cooking and be moments away from one of the most famous landmarks in Belgium. Also if you take a serious liking to the food served up then you can always make the most of the Belfry Tower and climb up to the top to assist in your digestion.

To get to Bruges for Kooket 2011, the very first of what is sure to become a tradition in the sleepy town of Bruges, then take a P&O Ferry from Hull to Rotterdam and you’ll be just a short journey to one of Belgium’s most famous cities and a first class cook-fest.

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Tags: Belgium, Lifestyle, P&O Ferries by Karim Beerahee
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The first Saturday of November in Amsterdam sees the return of Museum Night. This tradition opens the doors of over 40 of the museums in Holland’s capital to visitors in the darker hours. One of the troubles with visiting Amsterdam during the winter is that the sun sets rather early, around 4:30PM, so this is a great opportunity for you to absorb culture in a night time setting. The event runs from 7PM to 2AM, after the sun sets traditionally tourists go for a meal, to a show or out to bars and clubs. With Museum Night you’ll have the option to see exhibits over later hours; it’s an excellent and unique way to while away an evening if you’ve spent the day roaming Amsterdam.

You can pre-book tickets if you want to avoid the queues pre-sales normally run until around 5:30PM and tickets are a steal at just € 17. The museums run events across the night including workshops, live music and unusual tours.

One of the benefits of getting tickets for Museum Night is that it will gain you access to all participating museums, with free transport on trams and the special Museum Night boat. You’ll also be given access to one museum any day up until the end of the calendar year. Unfortunately Museum Year Cards and ‘I Amsterdam Cards’ do not entitle you to entry on Museum Night.

Take a P&O Ferry to Holland for Museum Night, the crossing from Hull to Rotterdam is short and swift and excellent if you’re on a budget

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Tags: Lifestyle, Netherlands, P&O Ferries by Karim Beerahee
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If you are just getting in to climbing, want get back into practice or are a veteran out for a bit of a challenge then bouldering may be for you. France offers many unique opportunities to go bouldering or regular rock climbing. With the Pyrenees bordering Spain and the Alps to the east, but if you were otherwise unaware, there’s an excellent bouldering site in the north of France.

Kerlouan is a bit remote but since climbing is a personal sport this is far from a bad thing, still, better to have someone along with you just in case you take a tumble. Kerlouan is a perfect spot if you’re planning a family holiday you can follow the coast to a corner of Europe.

The sandy beaches will make for a soft landing as you climb unrestrained by ropes. About 15 years ago the village of Kerlouan was all but deserted, but a rehabilitation effort was implemented in 2004, nevertheless the region is somewhat remote so take due caution.

For bouldering, Kerlouan has a mixed difficulty of problems ranging from 4a’s to 8a’s so if you want to test yourself the northwest coast of France could be for you.

For an extreme holiday P&O Ferries can get you across the Channel on the cheap, you and the family with a car at minimal expense, with P&O Ferries Dover-Calais service.

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Tags: France, Lifestyle, P&O Ferries by Karim Beerahee
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If you are after a unique and fun way to tour Belgium on your holiday we may have just found the thing for you. Jog Tours is an international tourist industry which provides guided tours across large cities at a jogging pace. Now that the cold season is upon us if you don’t fancy wandering around Ghent in the cold, looking about buildings with only a guidebook for information this tour will heat keep you warm, you’ll get all the information you need about the city and be able to ask questions as well.

Let me allay you your initial fears, the tour is a group jog not a race, your guide will set a pace with which everybody will feel comfortable and you can choose between 6 km, 8 km and 10 km tours of the Historic Center, Arts & Parks and the Old City. Scheduled tours run daily and provided there is more than one person in attendance the jog is on, come sun or rain.

If you are going as a party then you can book a custom tour, the scheduled tour is a great way to make new friends though. The cost of a tour is very reasonable and you can check out the route on their websites and see if there’s anything in particular that you wanted to keep an eye out for.

To get to Ghent, one of mankind’s oldest settlements, take a P&O ferry to Belgium and your just a short distance from your Jogging Tour holiday.

Tags: Belgium, Lifestyle, P&O Ferries by Karim Beerahee
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The tourist season is pretty much finished but that doesn’t mean Amsterdam has shut up shop. If you are after a weekend break or a little time away from Britain there’s always plenty to see in Holland’s capital, and P&O Ferries can get you there for a blessedly queue free, albeit chillier holiday.

October brings a couple of exciting events to Amsterdam including this weekend’s ‘Awakenings’ techno festival and a dance event mid-month which serves as both festival and conference, drawing industry professionals and masses of fans to the city. Of course the end of October brings Halloween so watch this blog for updates on the larger parties and organised events to get you to make the most of All Hallows’ Eve.

Most cafes and restaurants will have packed away their outdoor sections, but there’s plenty to draw you indoors besides the colder weather. Some of the classic tourist attractions include the Van Gogh and Rembrandt museums, as well as the Anne Frank Museum. There are also numerous churches dating back over 500 years, concert halls magnificent architecturally and for the shows that go on inside. You can also get a taste of Dutch culture in the cafes and pubs.

For a relaxed mid Autumn getaway, and a chance to see Amsterdam without too much tourist culture, P&O Ferries can get you across to the Netherlands at minimal cost.

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Tags: Lifestyle, Netherlands, P&O Ferries by Karim Beerahee
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This is the last month of ballooning season in Bruges. If you have a trip to Belgium planned you might like to take advantage of the fantastic service Bruges-Ballooning offer.

Trips run from 1st April to 31st October, and you can choose from a number of packages including sunrise and sunset trips as well as a day long journey or a romantic 2 person flight over Belgium’s’ most enchanting city, Bruges. Since most people only book a short stay in Belgium Bruges Ballooning offer a book today, fly tomorrow service, which you can access online.

If you’re a bit tentative about flying, the team has met British CAA standards of commercial balloon operators and zero injuries in over 2700 flights, so you’re the safest of hands.

The experience itself is one not to be missed, jaw dropping views and the chance to float in the heavens without the drone of engine aside, the company makes it a venture never to be forgotten. Group flights make it easy to meet new people, you’ll get the chance to help out with the prep and pack up of the balloon, so you can really appreciate the flight. Bruges Ballooning offer a champagne reception upon your landing so you can relax as you find your feet again.

They also offer a money back guarantee if the weather won’t permit you to fly, Bruges Ballooning also offer you the next possible slot to fly should the weather be unfavourable.

Tags: Belgium, Lifestyle, P&O Ferries by Karim Beerahee
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If you have a taste for Belgian beers but are tired of mass exported ones you might like to head over to Guame on the 3rd weekend of October, the 15th and 16th offer you the chance to meet some of the smaller ale brands and their master brewers in person. This is the 10th anniversary of Brassigaume and previous events have all blossomed a fun and friendly atmosphere, lots of interesting beverages to be had in an environment that any beer-lover wouldn’t want to miss.

There is also an international input on Brassigaume so you’ll be able to some ales that aren’t brewed in Belgium, the resident chef Jean-Claude Depeauw heads up the food tent so you don’t have to drink on an empty stomach. This festival starts at 2 o’clock on 15th October and finishes at 8 PM on Sunday 16th. Getting there is well signposted for travel by car or a mere 5 minute from Marbehan station.

To get to Belgium’s Brassigaume festival 2011, take a P&O Ferry from Hull to Zeebrugge and your just a short drive away from some of the best kept secrets of Belgian beer.

Tags: Belgium, Lifestyle, P&O Ferries by Karim Beerahee
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P&O Ferries is offering a couple of excellent deals for the winter months, if you fancy a break to the continent between 1st October and December 29th you’ll be able to travel in luxury at discounted prices with P&O Ferries.

At just £72 per person you can catch either the Pride of Rotterdam or MS Pride of Hull and cross the Channel in style in a 10 hour mini cruise dropping you off at Bruges, Rotterdam or you could take the Coach transfer and head on in to Amsterdam. The Hull minicruise is going to run a 2-for-1 deal, an excellent opportunity to holiday with your loved one and not break the bank.

To keep you entertained on your crossing these ferries are well kitted out with a casino, cinema, live cabaret and huge shopping sections.

They have 546 en-suite cabins, as well as state rooms and standard suites; the deal opens on the 1st of October. For more information on when to make your bookings watch this blog, we can keep you updated on all the tourist events you won’t want to miss, including Christmas Markets and festivities.

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Tags: Belgium, Lifestyle, Netherlands, P&O Ferries by Karim Beerahee
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