Bruges is a charming Belgian city, easily visited either before of after your Holland Fresh Eire Adventure. Accessible by train from Amsterdam it offers a first time visitor a charming insight into Belgian culture in an extremely photogenic setting.

Hotels

Heritage Hotel (Relais & Châteaux)

Located 50 meters from Bruges market place, the Heritage hotel is an ideal anchor point to discover the historical, mythical and romantic city of Bruges. Built in the nineteenth century in a classic style, combining calm and comfort, this 4 star hotel is definitively a perfect place to have a really pleasant night or two.

Attractions

The Beffroi(Le Beffroi)

Belfry (or The Giant at 83 meters!) is decidedly one of the most popular monuments in Bruges. It was forged for the first time in the 13th Century and it has been re-built 3 times since its creation. Located at the foot of the market place, the Beffroi is a historical symbol of Bruges and a highly recommended visit. Take your time to observe the tower in detail - it leans a little to the south-east, but only by 80cm.

The Rosaire Dock (Le Quai du Rosaire)

The Rosaire Dock is the most photographed place in Bruges and it is easy to understand why once you see it. The large canal, the refined architecture of the monuments, the reflection in the water and the Beffry in the background; the view is just stunning!

The canals of Bruges (Les canaux de Bruges)

Many canals cross Bruges and it has earned the moniker "Little Venice". The visit of Bruges by boat along the canals is an activity that allows you to enjoy the unique perspective from the water.

Restaurants

Park Restaurant

The Park Restaurant will be delighted to welcome you to their 1 star Michelin gastronomic restaurant in front of the Kon Astridpark, the largest park in the city, in the Bruges Centre. The renowned Bruggeman’ Brothers place enormous emphasis on their use of many regional products in their gastronomic creations.

Recipe: Risotto with Mushrooms and Asparagus

Ingredients:

• Parmesan Cheese
• Arborio Rice (Half cup per person)
• Salted Butter (300gr)
• Olive oil
• Asparagus (x6)
• Mange-tout (x20)
• Leek (x1)
• Mushrooms - Whites (x3), Cèpes (x10) and Dried Morels (x15) -
• Onion (x1)
• Garlic (x 6 cloves)
• Vegetable stock cube (x1)
• Hot Water (700ml)

To make a tasty Risotto, you must follow step by step carefully. Serves 5.

• Put the Morels in a bowl with boiled water. The morels are naturally dry; you have to make them become soft (it will be ready when the morels will have a spongy texture).

• Clean and peel the white mushrooms, the leeks, the asparagus, the mange-tout, the onions and the garlic. Then, cut them in small pieces; mix the leeks, the onions and the garlic. Keep the white mushrooms, the cèpes, the asparagus and the mange-tout and asparagus in a side.

• In a large pan, melt 300gr of salted butter until the moment you see some bubbles (this step is important to make sure your ingredient won’t stick the bottom of the saucepan.)  Turn down the heat.

• Now, mix the leeks, the onions and the garlic (which you have just cut before) in the pan and slowly increase the heat. You have to continually mix it to make sure that your base doesn’t stick the bottom of the saucepan until the mix becomes soft.

• At the same time, fry your white mushrooms in another pan (low heat) with some butter.

• Rinse the Arborio under some cold water and directly add it into the pan with your base coating it in butter as you do so.  Add some water and keep mixing to make sure it doesn’t stick. You can also use some olive oil at this step to help.

• When the Arborio is partially/almost cooked (do not hesitate to taste), add the cooked white mushrooms carefully and keep mixing.

• The morels should now be ready and have a spongy texture. Add spoon by spoon the morel’s water into your main pan and mix all.

• Add the morels, the cèpes and keep mixing.

• Place the asparagus and the mange-tout on the top. Stop to mix and lower the heat at the minimum. Put the lid on the pan and wait around 5 minutes.

• During these 5 minutes, grate some Parmesan cheese and add it the risotto. Mix one last time and serve.

Top Tips:

• Mixing and stirring is the key! Keep mixing every time and make sure it’s not sticking the bottom of the saucepan.
• The morels’ juice gives a really good flavour to your dish – don’t throw it away!
• You can add some white wine in step number 9.  Just reduce the amount of water you’d add instead.
• Be organized and follow step by step.  

Marseille is a very beautiful and dynamic place. Located close to the Mediterranean Sea, it’s the oldest French City, which was founded by Greek Sailors around 600 B.C.

Hotels

Intercontinental Hôtel Dieu

This fabulous 5 star Hotel is simply the best Hotel in Marseille. In front of the Basilica “Notre-Dame de la Garde”, you will have a wonderful view of Marseille. This amazing place will offer you an unbelievable peaceful sanctuary despite being right in the thick of the frenetic atmosphere of Marseille.  Its a great idea to request a room with a balcony from which to observe the city by night.

  

Restaurants

L'épuisette

To enjoy a gastronomic dinner in one of the best restaurants in Marseille look no further than the “Landing Net”. Located on the “Vallon des Auffes” rock, this gastronomic restaurant allows for the savouring of refined local dishes whilst enjoying a spectacular view of the Mediterranean Sea. The Cesar menu is a best enjoyed with a crisp white wine - the list here features whites predominately which is unusual for this part of France.

Attractions

Marseille Old Port

The Old Port is the heart of Marseille. Between restaurants, bars, street shows, boats and local souvenir shops, the Port of Marseille is an unavoidable place that promises an enjoyable seaside stroll. 

Basilica Notre-Dame de la Garde

The Basilica “Notre-Dame de la Garde” is a must-visit site in Marseille. Located at the top of a hill, the Basilica offers an extraordinary view of the city and it’s a perfect place to take pictures. Marseille's locals call the Basilica "La Bonne Mère" (the good mother) because it takes care of the city and its sailors and fishermen below.

Les Calanques de Marseille

Marseille’s Calanques* are one of France’s areas of greatest natural beauty. The sea has forged it for more than one hundred million years! Enjoy a stunning stroll along the rocks. (*A “calanque” is a steep-sided valley formed within karstic regions either by fluvial erosion or the collapse of the roof of a cave that has been subsequently partially submerged by a rise in sea level.).  Scuba dive enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Cosquer cave. This stunning underwater cavern was once inhabited by prehistoric man before it was flooded. 

Here are our Top Hotel & Restaurant Recommendations for Lyon, as prepared by intern Mathieu.

Lyon is a elegant city, easily reached as a pre or post destination from your Fresh Eire Adventure in either Provence or Burgundy.  Lyon is very well known for its gastronomic restaurants and for it's festival of lights ("La fête des Lumières") which attracts almost 3 million visitors every year during December.

Hotels

Villa Florentine

The Villa Florentine is a fabulous, welcoming 5-star hotel ideally located on the heights of the city to enjoy a breathtaking view of Lyon. It's highly regarded gastronomic restaurant, Les Terrasses de Lyon, offers a wonderful menu mainly composed of regional products.

Restaurants

La Mère Brazier

La Mère Brazier restaurant is an institution in Lyon. Since 1921, this historic establishment welcomes you to discover their wonderful and refined cuisine. With its Michelin 2-star award since 2008, Mathieu Viannay will astound you and perhaps make for the gastronomic highlight of your trip to France.  Advance reservations are necessary.  

Attractions

Le Vieux Lyon/La Croix Rousse

The historical neighborhood Le Vieux Lyon is umissable - it's diverse restaurants, bars and shops are fantastic. You will appreciate its Renaissance architecture. One of the attractions in Lyon, is The Traboules - pedestrian crossings through building courtyards which allow you to go from one street to another one.

The neighborhood La Croix Rousse is really famous because of its history and influence in the silk industry. It’s divided into hills atop the city where you can find "Bouchon Lyonnais" a typical, atmospheric and authentic restaurant of the city, and a myriad of design shops. 

La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière

The Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière was built in 12 years between 1872 and 1884. It's position on the heights allows you to admire the entire City of Lights, Lyon. You can go there by foot, or by funicular.

Parc de la Tête D’Or

The elegant garden of Le Parc de la Tête d’Or, located in the heart of the city, is one of the biggest in the country.  Comprising over 105 Hectares it combines many features such as an English Park, Rose Garden and even Zoological and Botanical gardens.