For a great place to visit on the continent, a perfect destination for an enjoyable holiday that won’t cost the earth, the charming Belgian city of Bruges is hard to beat. Though a small, modest city, Bruges is a cosmopolitan place to visit: indeed, as part of Dutch-speaking Flanders in the north of Belgium it would have to be.

Anyone who pays a visit is instantly taken aback by the quaintness of the city, by its picture postcard vista. As one of the best preserved pre-motorised cities in all of Europe, it is a place you will marvel at when you get to see it for yourself.

Street after street of charming old houses dating back centuries will await you when you cross over the canal and head to the inside of the city walls. Though these streets are cleaned and preserved for the droves of tourists that flock to the city these days, they are old and have a great history. Much of the city is tourist-oriented, inevitably; however you can head out to the quiet areas like St Anna for a taste of life in the distant past.

To enjoy the major attractions around town, you can pick up a Bruges Card at the hotels in the city. You’ll also be able to pick up maps at hotels and hostels, as well as the train station and the tourist office, which show interesting, unique places to visit which are off the typical tourist trail. Though it is a city which caters for tourists, it is possible to get an authentic look at the town and to find some hidden gems.

If you enjoy chocolate or want to take something home to family and friends, then the city’s chocolate shops are worth a visit. As well as these, you’ll find boutique-style beer shops as well as arts and crafts stores which often sell the work of local artists.

Beyond the city of Bruges itself you’ll find so many other great destinations. The small village of Damme is nearby, a place where riverboats will take you on a scenic half-day cruise. It is a picturesque location you can even cycle to on a special bike route.

Ypres meanwhile is a very important place, the site of one of the most significant Great War battles: an hour away from Bruges by train, it has always drawn old veterans as well as school students interested in the wars, many of whom gather for the traditional Last Post every evening. The beach resort of Oostende and the big cities of Antwerp and Ghent are easy to get to as well.

We’re all looking for somewhere to enjoy a break without spending hundreds or thousands of pounds; try tour operators like Thomas Cook for cheap holidays that suit your needs.