Having seen my colleagues take on various Christmas markets in the county – both old and new – I’m reminded of the unique magic that comes with embracing the festive spirit.

But what if I was to say the best Christmas market for the people of Kent isn’t even in this country?

DFDS Ferries is offering a £39 day trip fare until the start of January in a bid to encourage more folk to make the short journey across the Channel and embrace the European festivities.

I hopped on an early morning ferry at Dover, with a plan to land in France and drive along to Bruges, soak up some of that classic Christmas culture and head back in the evening.

I’ve always enjoyed the simplicity of the ferry service when it flows freely, as it did during my journey. Check-in is straightforward, and before you know it, you’re on board.

Luckily, the weather played ball making the crossing easy and fun with a decent amount of room to sit freely and a good range of onboard goods to load up on – something I did take advantage of on the way home.

It is also worth noting at this point DFDS is giving away a free day trip to anyone who spends €150 or more in its Duty-Free stores onboard or at the port in Calais and Dunkirk.

Disembarking is even easier than boarding and within an hour of leaving Calais, I was driving into an underground car park in Belgium ready to take in the sights.

Arriving in Bruges feels like stepping into a fairy tale. The city is renowned for its medieval architecture, cobbled streets and scenic canals, but during the Christmas season, it transforms into a glittering winter wonderland.

The Bruges Christmas markets, held in the historic Market Square, are nothing short of spectacular.

Wooden chalets brimming with festive treats and handcrafted gifts line the square, their twinkling lights casting a golden glow on the Belfry of Bruges.

The aroma of mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, and Belgian waffles fills the air, inviting you to indulge in the season's flavours.

While the markets take centre stage, Bruges offers plenty of quieter moments to savour.

For a unique perspective, take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the decorated streets or a tour of the canal like I did.

There’s also no shortage of stalls selling exquisite Belgian chocolates and local beers, perfect for a thoughtful gift - or a personal treat.

Martin McDonagh’s absurdly funny film In Bruges may have been uncomplimentary about the city, but I found it to be much more than the punchline of a joke.

Although it was a lot more effort than saddling up and heading to Canterbury, I was delighted with the outcome of my trip.

I got most of my Christmas shopping done, had a good day out with excellent company and experienced free-flowing traffic on nice roads that trump the network in Kent every time.

After soaking in Bruges’ festive magic, the return journey offers a final chance to reflect on my adventure, with a quick drive back to Dunkirk and another restful crossing over the Channel providing a delightfully gentle end to the day’s fun.

For £39 a car, up to four people can take a return trip from Dover-Calais or Dover-Dunkirk as long as the trip is completed within 24 hours.

You can book a £39 day trip with DFDS by visiting the website or searching ‘DFDS Short Breaks’ on Google.