Making Bruges the home base and taking day trips is a great idea. For a do-it-yourself trip visit Damme, a pretty and historic village, is less than five miles from Bruges. Until 1520 it was the city's outer harbor, where seagoing ships loaded and unloaded their cargoes, until the Zwin inlet silted up. A small stern-wheel paddle steamer provides service several times a day.

This marvellous village has wonderful monuments including the 1464 Stadhuis, which houses a museum dedicated to the art and literature of the anti-Spanish hero Tijl Uilenspiegel. The Zeevaart Museum is also worth a visit. The museum houses models of boats, furniture and pottery.

Enjoy a trip by paddle steamer from Bruges to the charming city Damme.  Approximately 35 minutes each way with possibility to visit Damme at leisure. Several departures daily from April to September. Bikes allowed on the boat.

Hire a bike from the station or one of seven other outlets and cycle the six kilometres beside the Damse Vaart canal, past a fine windmill, to the old Flemish town of Damme. The town has several attractive restaurants and second-hand bookshops.