In February, my wife surprised me with a short city break to Bruges, and it turned out to be exactly what we needed. We travelled by Eurostar, and honestly, it made the whole experience feel effortless. No long airport queues, no endless steps between terminals just a smooth, pleasant journey. We arrived relaxed and came home feeling the same way.

Bruges made an ideal 48‑hour, no‑fly escape. Despite its compact size, there’s so much to see and experience, and it felt like the perfect winter city break, calm, cultural and refreshing.

We stayed at Hotel Dukes’ Palace, a unique five‑star hotel right in the heart of the city. Its central location meant we could explore everything on foot, which is something I always recommend when visiting a city. Staying locally really helps you get the most out of a short break and in Bruges, it allowed us to wander the streets, take in the architecture and soak up the atmosphere without ever feeling rushed.

What surprised me most was the history. I hadn’t fully appreciated just how rich Bruges’ past was until I visited. Walking through the cobbled streets, you can really see how the city became what it is today, with layers of medieval trade history, wartime stories including its links to the Napoleonic wars and World War II plus beautifully preserved buildings at every turn.

Of course, no visit to Bruges would be complete without chocolate. It was everywhere and excellent although, I was slightly taken aback by just how expensive some of it was! That said, it’s all part of the experience. We also made a point of trying plenty of local cuisine and found a fantastic restaurant offering bottomless racks of ribs, which was as indulgent as it sounds.

One of my favourite moments was seeing the city from above. Climbing the 366 steps of the Belfry of Bruges the panoramic views across the rooftops are stunning and gives you a real sense of the city’s layout and charm. It’s one of those viewpoints that makes you pause and appreciate where you are.

We also stopped by Café Vlissinghe, said to be the oldest pub in Bruges. It was a great place to sit back, enjoy a drink and take in a slice of local life  exactly the kind of place that makes a city break feel authentic.

We came back from Bruges feeling refreshed and recharged, which is exactly what a short break should do. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I’m already planning a return this time for a very different kind of trip, heading back with the boys in June for golf.

Bruges proved that you don’t need to fly far, or for long, to feel like you’ve had a proper break and sometimes 48 hours is all it takes.