← All trips
Family Road Trip · Grandparents + 3 kids (3, 5, 8)

UK → Belgium → Netherlands

Channel Tunnel crossing · 27 Jul – 3 Aug 2026
Folkestone→Calais→Veurne→Bruges→Ghent→Efteling→Maastricht→Calais
Mon 27 JulCrossing day → Bruges
Eurotunnel
Folkestone → CalaisDepart 09:24 · check-in by 08:24 · arrive 10:59 (local)Heading over with a buffer in case of delays — good call arriving early.
Google MapsWaze
Lunch
De Beurs — Grote Markt, VeurneEasy stop en route, ~1hr from Calais
Google MapsWaze
Stay
B&B Vis-à-Vis — Bruges27 Jul – 28 Jul (checkout 11:00)Itinerary 72077240354335
Google MapsWaze
Dinner
Mozart, More than just Ribs or Blackbird — Bruges centre
Tue 28 JulGhent day trip
Drive
Bruges → Ghent~45 min
Google MapsWaze
Sightseeing
Gravensteen Castle — Castle of the CountsMedieval castle in the old town — stone stairs/battlements, a bigger hit with the 8-year-old than the little ones
Google MapsWaze
Stay
JAM Ghent28 Jul 15:00 – 29 Jul 11:00Itinerary 72077240530332
Google MapsWaze
Dinner
Ghent centre — Cocotte (kids’ menu + play corner) or pick a "dragon sticker" family spot near Gravensteen
Wed 29 JulEfteling — day 1
Drive
Ghent → Efteling, Kaatsheuvel (NL)~2hrs
Google MapsWaze
Park day
Efteling — first of two days
Stay
Efteling Grand HotelWed 29 Jul — on-site for the 2-day event
Google MapsWaze
Thu 30 JulEfteling — day 2 → Maastricht
Park day
Efteling — second day
Show
Carô18:30 – 19:40
Drive
Efteling → Maastricht~1h20
Google MapsWaze
Stay
Alpine Hotel by SnowWorld — Maastricht30 Jul 15:00 – 31 Jul 11:00Itinerary 72077240828134
Google MapsWaze
Fri 31 Jul – Mon 3 AugSnowWorld ski camp
Ski camp
SnowWorld — Maastricht/LandgraafFri 31 Jul → Mon 3 AugFills what was previously an open gap — nicely sorted.
Drive
Maastricht → Calais~4hrs — plan to leave Monday morning to make the 17:54 crossing with your usual buffer
Google MapsWaze
Mon 3 AugReturn crossing
Eurotunnel
Calais → FolkestoneDepart 17:54 · check-in by 16:54 · arrive 17:29 (local)
Google MapsWaze
Gap remaining: Wed 29 Jul night near Efteling still needs accommodation — flagged above in amber. Friday–Monday is now covered by the SnowWorld ski camp.

🏰 …and they all lived happily ever after. Have a magical trip ✨