Ostend Carnival and Dead Rat Ball

The Ostend Carnival and Dead Rat Ball attracts thousands of visitors every year. Enter into the party atmosphere as Ostend comes alive in colour. The Dead Rat Ball will be held at the Casino Ostende where people cast inhibitions to the wind and dress up in an outrageous outfit. The tame can opt for evening dress, though the brave could win the coveted best dressed prize.

4 Day Break – Itinerary

• Thursday 4th March 2010 – Local departure by coach then travel to Belgium for three nights.
• Friday 5th March 2010 – Bruges (included). With its meandering, cobbled lanes lined with medieval almhouses, beautiful squares dominated by guild houses and churches, and pretty humpbacked bridges crossing the charming canals, Bruges is regarded as one of Europe’s finest, preserved medieval cities. We later travel to Ostend, where the Carnival begins this evening with ‘Cimateire Night’, a costumed parade through the town. B
• Saturday 6th March 2010 – Ostend and Dead Rat Ball (included). Enjoy leisure time in Ostend, widely known as the ‘Queen of Belgian resorts’. Stroll along the promenade and explore the shops, cafés and restaurants. We return to our hotel to get ready for the Dead Rat Ball (Bal Rat Mort), held every year at the casino in Ostend. Some 2,500 visitors enjoy a themed party evening which was originally created by James Ensor over 100 years ago and inspired by Parisian cabaret during a trip to Montmartre in 1896. Dress is either black tie evening-wear or fancy dress (the theme for 2009 was ‘Arabian Nights’ B
• Sunday 7th March 2010 – A leisurely morning after the previous evening’s celebrations. Return to Calais, then home B

B=Breakfast

Tour Includes:

• Excursions:
  • Bruges;
  • Ostend
• Entrance ticket to the Dead Rat Ball (Please note: drinks and food not included)
• 3 nights’ accommodation with breakfast
• FREE local joining points
• Travel by executive coach

Upgrades:

Upgrade to Silver Service and enjoy these extras

• Travel by Silver Service luxury coach
  • Deluxe, reclining seats
  • Extra legroom
  • Comfortable rear lounge
• Porterage in all hotels
• Smaller, more personal group

*** INFORMATION ABOUT THE 2011 TOUR WILL APPEAR HERE AS SOON AS WE HAVE IT ***