Belgium and Normandy pair beautifully for families: one half fairytale canals and chocolate, the other wide Atlantic beaches and the most moving World War II sites. You’ll trace medieval lanes in Brussels and Bruges, then pivot to Bayeux for the D‑Day landing beaches and a magical day at Mont Saint‑Michel.

Belgium’s compact size means short hops and maximum fun: think waffles, comic art, and Art Nouveau one day; windmills and cobbles the next. In Normandy, quiet country roads roll to fishing villages, apple orchards, and cliffs. History here is immediate—names and stories are etched into the coastline.

You’re driving a caravan from Parma, so this plan favors easy parking, family-friendly campgrounds, and budgets in the mid-range. Note Low Emission Zones (LEZ) around major Belgian cities (Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent); leave your caravan at a campsite and use trains for city centers when helpful. For non-driving legs or backup options, compare trains and buses on Omio (Europe trains) and Omio (Europe buses), or check international trains on Trip.com Trains.

Brussels

Belgium’s lively capital is a hit with kids and food-loving parents: ornate squares, comic murals, fries on every corner, and museums sized just right. The Grand Place is one of Europe’s most spectacular squares, and everything you want—chocolate, waffles, TinTin street art—is within walking distance.

Fun fact: Brussels helped birth Art Nouveau—keep an eye out for curved, nature-inspired façades as you wander. The Atomium, a 1958 Expo relic, doubles as a sci‑fi lookout tower with citywide views.

Days 1–5: Brussels & Easy Day Trips

• Arriving from Parma by caravan: Drive ~10.5–12 hours (about 1,000 km) via A4/A31 through France. Consider an overnight midway (e.g., around Reims or Metz). Expect French tolls and fuel costs; check Belgian LEZ rules for Brussels. Prefer to park the caravan at a campsite and take the train into the center.
• Alternative rail/bus (backup): Parma–Brussels by train typically 10–11.5 hours with 2–3 changes (~€110–€190 adults) via Omio (trains). Long‑distance buses can be ~15–18 hours (~€60–€120) via Omio (buses) or check options on Trip.com Trains.
• Camp & park tips: Base near the city at Camping Grimbergen (north of Brussels) or Camping Druivenland (Overijse). Use public transit into town to avoid LEZ stress.
• Highlights with kids: Grand Place and Royal Galleries for street performers and chocolate shopping; the Comic Strip Route (find your favorite panels); Musical Instruments Museum (interactive headsets); Atomium for views and the ADAM design museum next door.

Food and treats: Start at Peck 47 (fluffy pancakes, eggs, fresh juices) or Mok Coffee (roastery-grade cappuccinos) for breakfast. Lunch at Noordzee – Mer du Nord (standing seafood bar; fish soup, shrimp croquettes) or Frit’Flagey for fries with Andalouse sauce. Dinner at Nüetnigenough (carbonnade flamande, rabbit with prunes) or Chez Léon (moules‑frites; fast service; great for kids). For dessert, Maison Dandoy’s speculoos and Brussels-style waffles are a must.

Recommended stays (if not camping): Families love central hotels with easy transit:

• Hotel Amigo: Link or Alt link
• MEININGER Hotel Brussels City Center (great for kids): Link
• Novotel Brussels City Centre (pool access at some Novotels): Link
• Search apartments/homes: VRBO Brussels | Hotels.com Brussels

Family-friendly activities (pick 1–3):

• Hungry Mary’s Famous Beer and Chocolate Tour – a fun walk mixing city highlights with tastings; kids can focus on chocolate.

  

• Belgian Chocolate Making Class and Tasting – hands-on workshop with artisan chocolatiers; great for ages 10+.

  

• Tootbus Hop‑On Hop‑Off – easy overview without extra walking; helpful with younger kids or rainy days.

  

Optional day trip from Brussels: Ghent and/or Antwerp (train 35–60 minutes each; ~€10–€14 one way via Omio). Leave the caravan at camp to avoid city LEZ. If you prefer a guided overview, there’s a combined bus tour from Brussels: Antwerp and Ghent Day Trip from Brussels.

Bruges

Bruges is Belgium’s storybook city: quiet canals, arched bridges, and gabled houses that glow at dusk. It’s ideal for a family—compact, flat for walking, and irresistible sweets (hello, waffles and hot chocolate).

Climb the 366 steps of the Belfry for views, peek into the Basilica of the Holy Blood, and wander along the Groenerei canal. The kids will love the swans and boat rides.

Days 6–9: Bruges & the Flemish Coast

• Travel from Brussels (morning): Train: ~1 hour, frequent and inexpensive (~€15–€18 adults; kids discounts) via Omio. By caravan: ~1.5 hours (100 km) on E40; park at your campsite and walk or bus into the historic core.
• Camp & park tips: Camping Memling (east of town) is a family staple with good bus connections. Bruges center has narrow streets—avoid driving the caravan in the old town.
• Highlights: Canal boat tour, Burg & Markt squares, Sint-Janshospitaal museum (Medieval hospital), and bike paths out to windmills on the city ramparts.

Food and treats: Breakfast at Sanseveria Bagelsalon (bagels, pancakes, cozy setting) or That’s Toast (sweet/savory toast towers). Lunch at Soup (daily soups, budget-friendly) or Jilles Burgers & Beers (kid menus, local brews for parents). Dinner at De Vlaamsche Pot (Flemish stew, waterzooi), Ribs ’n Beer (sticky ribs; early sittings fill up), or Brasserie Cambrinus (monumental beer list, hearty mains). Warm up at The Old Chocolate House with DIY hot chocolate, and grab waffles at Chez Albert by the Markt.

Recommended stays (if not camping):

• Hotel Dukes’ Palace Bruges (family rooms): Link or Alt link
• Martin’s Brugge (steps from the Belfry): Link
• Crowne Plaza Brugge (pool; great location): Link
• Novotel Brugge Centrum (good value for families): Link
• Search apartments/homes: VRBO Bruges | Hotels.com Bruges

Family-friendly activities (pick 1–3):

• Chocolate Workshop at Choco‑Story Brugge – 1‑hour hands‑on session plus museum visit; ages 6+ can join.

  

• Bruges Waffle Workshop – learn, flip, and eat as many waffles as you can in 90 minutes; very kid-friendly.

  

• Guided boat trip and walk – a small‑group guided look at Bruges’ historic center and waterways; a relaxed way to cover a lot without tiring the kids.

  

Travel to Normandy (Day 10 morning): By caravan: ~5.5–6 hours (520 km) Bruges → Calais → A16/A29 → Bayeux. Nice break stops around Le Touquet or Étretat (parking outside town). By train: ~6.5–8 hours with changes (Bruges–Lille–Paris–Bayeux), typically €70–€140 adults via Omio.

Bayeux (Normandy)

Bayeux stayed miraculously intact in 1944, making it the perfect base for D‑Day beaches and a gentle slice of Norman life. Its cathedral looms over cobbled lanes and the famed Bayeux Tapestry (a kid-pleasing, graphic 11th‑century comic strip of the Norman Conquest).

Expect wide beaches, apple cider, and hearty food—galettes, butter, and camembert star in nearly every menu. History comes alive here, but there’s plenty of fresh air for bike rides and tidepooling too.

Days 10–14: D‑Day Beaches, Villages & Mont Saint‑Michel

• Camp & park tips: Camping des Bords de l’Aure (walkable to center) or Camping Port’Land (near Omaha Beach, pools/playgrounds). Normandy’s country roads are caravan‑friendly; just avoid narrow medieval cores.
• Must‑see: Bayeux Cathedral and Tapestry; American Cemetery at Colleville; Omaha & Utah Beaches; Pointe du Hoc cliffs; Arromanches and the Mulberry Harbor remains.
• Scenic extras: Honfleur’s half‑timbered harbor (great crepes), Deauville’s broad boardwalk, or cider tastings on the Cider Route (parents sip; kids sample apple juice).

Food and treats: Breakfast at La Reine Mathilde (pastries, omelets) or grab croissants from a boulangerie on Rue Saint‑Jean. Lunch at Le Moulin de la Galette (river-side galettes, cider) or Le Petit Normand (good-value set menus). Dinner at Le Pommier (Norman classics like duck and camembert dishes), Crêperie Le Conquérant (sweet/savory crêpes), or a seafood stop in nearby Port‑en‑Bessin (simple moules, grilled fish).

Recommended stays (if not camping):

• Hotel Le Bayeux (walk to tapestry): Link
• Ibis Budget Bayeux (value, parking): Link
• Mercure Omaha Beach Hotel (resort vibe near courses): Link
• Château La Chenevière (splurge, gardens): Link
• Search: VRBO Bayeux | Hotels.com Bayeux

Guided activities (choose 1–3):

• Normandy American D‑Day Beaches Full‑Day Tour (from Bayeux) – Omaha, Pointe du Hoc, and the American Cemetery with context that engages teens.

  

• Mont Saint‑Michel Full‑Day Tour – mesmerizing abbey on the tides; lots of steps but kids love the ramparts.

  

• E‑Bike Excursion (self‑guided) – cruise quiet lanes to batteries and beaches with electric assist; set your own family pace.

  

Getting back toward Parma: Bayeux → Parma by caravan is ~12–13 hours (approx. 1,200 km). Break the trip with an overnight (Reims/Dijon areas work well). If returning by rail, Bayeux → Paris St‑Lazare → Milan → Parma is typically 9.5–12 hours; compare on Omio (trains) or Trip.com Trains.

Suggested 14‑Day Flow (Grouped)

• Days 1–5 (Brussels): Settle at a campsite; explore Grand Place, Atomium, comic murals; chocolate class; optional Ghent/Antwerp day trip.
• Days 6–9 (Bruges): Morning train/drive to Bruges; canal boat, Belfry, chocolate/waffle workshops; cycle to windmills; optional coast hop to De Haan.
• Days 10–14 (Bayeux/Normandy): Drive to Normandy; full‑day D‑Day tour; Bayeux Tapestry; day trip to Mont Saint‑Michel; extra day for Honfleur or Deauville; begin return to Parma.

Budget notes (50/100): Focus on free walks, self‑guided mural trails, and picnics (Belgian bakeries + Normandy markets are perfect). Mix one guided tour per destination with DIY days. Family menus and crêperies keep costs friendly; trains between Belgian cities are cheaper than parking in LEZ cores.

In two weeks you’ll taste Belgium’s sweetest sides and stand where 20th‑century history turned. From canal bridges to Atlantic bluffs, it’s a road trip kids remember and parents treasure—equal parts delicious, meaningful, and easy to drive.