Belgium’s compact cities were built for family exploration: grand squares wrapped in gold-gilded guildhalls, comic-book murals peeking around corners, and canals you can drift along at walking speed. Brussels anchors the trip with museums, Mini-Europe, and the best hot chocolate your kids will ever remember. Bruges follows with fairytale towers, cobbles, and a waffle workshop that will crown you the household chef.

Across the Channel coast, Normandy unfolds in wide beaches and apple orchards—serene landscapes that once held the world’s breath in June 1944. Base in Bayeux to see the thousand-year-old tapestry, roam medieval lanes, and set out to Omaha Beach and Pointe du Hoc with expert guides who bring history to life for teens. Leave a day for Mont Saint-Michel—an abbey that seems to levitate when the tide rushes in.

You’ll travel with a caravan (trailer), so we include campsite suggestions, LEZ tips for Belgian cities, and kid-friendly stops that break up drives. Budget is mid-range (50/100), so you’ll mix markets and casual bistros with a few special treats. Expect easy rail hops in Belgium or short drives, then a scenic road day to Normandy.

Brussels

Belgium’s capital is equal parts grand and playful: the UNESCO-listed Grand Place, surrealist Magritte, Tintin murals, and a model Europe scaled to kid wonder. It’s also a paradise for frites, waffles, and pralines—plus parks and playgrounds to run it all off.

Days 1–5: Brussels base + day trips

• Grand Place, Royal Galeries, and Manneken Pis: Start with the “greatest hits.” Time a late-afternoon visit when the gold façades glow. Pop into the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert for a first chocolate tasting.
• Mini-Europe + Atomium: Zip around the continent in an hour and then ride the Atomium elevator for skyline views. Book flexible tickets here:

  

  Mini Europe Entry Ticket in Brussels.
• Hands-on chocolate class: Learn tempering, pipes, and praline secrets—fun for teens and sweet for everyone.

  

  Belgian Chocolate Making Class and Tasting in Brussels.
• Hop-on, hop-off for a breezy city overview: Cover Atomium, Sablon, the European Quarter, and Parc du Cinquantenaire without little legs getting tired.

  

  Brussels Tootbus Discovery Hop On Hop Off.
• Kid-pleasers nearby: Train World (interactive locomotives), the Comics Art Museum, and Parc du Cinquantenaire’s jubilee arches. Day trip idea: Ghent’s Gravensteen castle and boat tour (35–40 min by train).

Where to stay (or park your caravan): If you take a break from the caravan, consider family-friendly hotels: Novotel Brussels City Centre (indoor pool vibe and central), MEININGER Hotel Brussels City Center (budget, cool industrial décor), or a splurge at Hotel Amigo. Browse apartment stays via VRBO Brussels or more hotels on Hotels.com Brussels.

Caravan tips: Brussels has a Low Emission Zone (LEZ); confirm your tow vehicle meets standards. Good spots: Camping 58 (near the Atomium; motorhome-friendly) and Camping Grimbergen (north of the city, quiet and green). Use transit or bikes into the center—parking a caravan downtown is not practical.

Food and treats:

• Breakfast/coffee: MOK Specialty Coffee (careful roasting, pastries), Hinterland (wholegrain pancakes, smoothies).
• Lunch: Noordzee–Mer du Nord (stand-up seafood croquettes at Sainte-Catherine), Frit Flagey (classic cone of frites at a local-favorite square).
• Dinner: Nüetnigenough (hearty Belgian carbonnade and stoemp), Houtsiplou (playful burgers and kid-pleasing mains), Wolf Food Market (many counters—easy for families).
• Sweet stops: Maison Dandoy (Liege vs. Brussels waffle debate), Pierre Marcolini or Neuhaus for pralines.

Getting to Brussels: Fly into BRU or CRL. From outside Europe, compare fares on Trip.com flights. Within Europe, check Omio flights, and for trains (London–Brussels ~2h via high-speed; Amsterdam–Brussels ~1h50), see Omio trains in Europe. If you’re arriving by ferry from the UK, compare routes on Omio ferries.

Bruges

Bruges is a medieval diorama come to life—gabled houses mirrored in still canals, horse hooves on cobbles, bells chiming from the 13th-century belfry. Teens love its climbable towers, boats, and the simple wonder of hot waffles in hand on a misty morning.

Days 6–8: Bruges base (canals, bikes, waffles)

• Canal boat and Belfry climb: Glide past hidden gardens and merchant houses, then tackle 366 steps for a view you’ve seen on a hundred postcards. Visit early or late to miss crowds.
• Waffle Workshop: Mix, flip, and eat your weight in waffles—no experience required and very family-friendly.

  

  Bruges Waffle Workshop.
• Choco-Story workshop + museum: Learn to make mendiants and explore the chocolate story from bean to bonbon—great context after Brussels.

  

  Chocolate Workshop at Choco-Story Brugge.
• Bikes to Damme: Rent bikes and follow the tree-lined canal towpath to Damme (7 km). Windmills at Kruisvest make a perfect photo stop. Flat, safe, and relaxing for kids.

Where to stay (or pitch): For hotels, consider Martin's Brugge (steps from the Belfry), Crowne Plaza Brugge (pool; underground Roman ruins site), or Novotel Brugge Centrum (family rooms and garden). Browse apartments on VRBO Bruges or more hotels via Hotels.com Bruges.

Caravan tips: Bruges center is not caravan-friendly. Consider Camping Klein Strand (Jabbeke, lakeside with watersports), Camping Veld & Duin (Bredene, for beach days), or motorhome spots near the outer ring with bus/bike access into town.

Food and treats:

• Breakfast/coffee: Sanseveria Bagelsalon (bagels and homemade spreads), Li O Lait (latte art, sweet crêpes).
• Lunch: De Republiek (creative Flemish bowls and pastas), Bocca (quick, affordable fresh pasta—great with kids).
• Dinner: Ribs ‘n Beer (all-you-can-eat ribs; book ahead), Cambrinus (400+ Belgian beers and robust Flemish fare; early tables best for families).
• Sweet stops: Oyya (ice cream and waffles), The Chocolate Line by Dominique Persoone (wild flavors teens will laugh about).

Travel Brussels → Bruges: Train from Brussels Central/Midi to Bruges: ~1h, ~€15–20 adult each way; kids often 50% off—compare on Omio trains. Buses run ~1h30–2h (as low as ~€6–10) via Omio buses. Driving takes ~1–1.5h; use park-and-ride around Bruges with a caravan.

Bayeux (Normandy)

Base yourself in Bayeux—a rare Norman town spared in 1944—where half-timbered streets lead to a soaring cathedral and the legendary 11th-century tapestry of William the Conqueror. From here, the American D-Day beaches, Pointe du Hoc, and cider country are an easy loop.

Days 9–14: D-Day beaches, Mont Saint-Michel, cider country

• Full-day American D-Day tour: Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, and the American Cemetery, with stories keyed to teens who’ve studied WWII. It’s powerful and thoughtfully paced.

  

  Normandy American D-Day Beaches Full Day Tour from Bayeux.
• Mont Saint-Michel day trip: Drive or join a guided day tour; arrive early to climb the abbey before the causeway crowds. Watch tidal times—water moves fast here.

  

  Mont Saint Michel Full Day Tour from Bayeux.
• E-bikes on quiet lanes: Pick up e-bikes and roam greenways past hedgerows and village bakeries—easy gradients and lots of picnic spots.

  

  E-Bike Excursion (self-guided).
• DIY history day: Bayeux Tapestry Museum (allow 60–90 min), Arromanches 360° cinema and Mulberry Harbour remnants, and Sainte-Mère-Église’s Airborne Museum if you want more WWII context.
• Pays d’Auge cider route: Family-run farms welcome kids with apple juice tastings and orchard walks; adults can sample cider and calvados. Combine with half a day in picture-perfect Honfleur (wooden Saint Catherine’s church and harbor).

Where to stay (or camp): Hotels with family rooms include Hotel Le Bayeux (walk to the cathedral), budget-friendly Ibis Budget Bayeux, or coastal options near the fairways at Mercure Omaha Beach Hotel. For a special night, retreat to the country manor Château La Chenevière. See more on Hotels.com Bayeux or apartment-style stays via VRBO Bayeux.

Caravan tips: Excellent bases include Camping des Bords de l’Aure (Bayeux, riverside and walkable into town), Camping Port’Land (Port-en-Bessin; pools and play areas), and Camping Omaha Beach (bluff-top views over Vierville-sur-Mer). Many Normandy sites have dedicated motorhome bays—look for “Aire de Camping-Car.”

Food and treats:

• Breakfast/coffee: Pâtisserie Les Lutins (viennoiseries), Le Mancel Café (cathedral-side croissants).
• Lunch: Moulin de la Galette (galettes by the old mill), picnic baguettes from a local boulangerie between sites.
• Dinner: La Rapière (refined Norman classics; book), Le Pommier (family-friendly, regional fare), L’Angle Saint-Laurent (seasonal bistro with creative plates).
• Coastal bites: In Port-en-Bessin, look for moules-frites and fish soup along the docks after a stroll to the harbor breakwater.

Travel Bruges → Bayeux: Driving with a caravan is simplest: ~6–7 hours via A16/A29 with tolls (~€30–45; caravans usually class 2). Break in Honfleur or Étretat to stretch. Public transport takes ~6.5–7.5 hours with 2–3 changes via Paris; compare options on Omio trains and Omio buses.

Departing

Return to Paris (train Bayeux–Paris St-Lazare ~2h20) for flights, or drive back toward Brussels or Calais ferries/Eurotunnel. Search intra-Europe flights on Omio flights or long-haul departures via Trip.com.

Practical notes for a smooth family road trip

• Budget tips: Mix hotels/apartments with caravan nights; picnic lunches from local markets; aim for lunchtime “formules” in France (2–3 courses at friendly prices).
• Driving: France has toll motorways; keep a contactless card handy. With a caravan, speeds are lower (check your country’s rules) and parking in historic centers is limited—use P+R and bikes.
• Weather: Pack layers and light rain jackets year-round; sea breezes cool even warm days in Normandy.
• Safety: Tides at Mont Saint-Michel are swift; stick to marked routes. At beaches, check local flags and notices.

Suggested 14-day flow (blocks)

• Days 1–5: Brussels — Grand Place, Mini-Europe/Atomium, chocolate class, HOHO bus, optional Ghent day trip.
• Days 6–8: Bruges — Canal boat, Belfry, Waffle Workshop, Choco-Story, bike to Damme.
• Days 9–14: Bayeux (Normandy) — D-Day full-day tour, Mont Saint-Michel, e-bikes, Bayeux Tapestry, cider route + Honfleur.

This two-week Belgium–Normandy itinerary blends hands-on fun with meaningful history, all paced for a family and caravan travel. You’ll taste, pedal, and explore your way from gilded squares to quiet cliffs—memories baked in chocolate, waffles, salt spray, and stories you’ll be telling for years.