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Back from Benelux (Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands)--Happy to answer questions

Back from Benelux (Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands)--Happy to answer questions

Old May 12th, 2000, 06:14 PM
  #1  
Maggie
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Back from Benelux (Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands)--Happy to answer questions

Have just returned from two great weeks in Belgium and Holland with a day long dip into Luxembourg. Thanks to everyone who provided us with great pre-trip advice.

Arrived in Brussels and spent the usual arrival jet lagged day. Stayed at the Amigo Hotel which has great weekend rates and a superb location a block from the Grand Place. Great dinner at Armand's in the same area. Next morning drove to Waterloo which we found to be a disjointed and disappointing stop. Museum shows a somewhat stange (IMO) video depicting the battle through the eyes of today's children.

Continued on to Durbuy which had gotten mixed reviews from folks here because it has gotten too popular. We were there in late April and it was delightful, but it was easy to see that in July it could be a nightmare. Used it as a base to visit Bastogne and Luxembourg. Stayed at the Chateau Cardinal, associated with the Le Sanglier des Ardennes. Had a mixup over the room but they resolved it in our favor, so all was well. Found Bastogne, and all of the history associated with Belgium, to be moving and impressive. Also, ventured across the border to Verdun, France for WW1 battle history.

Swung north for several nights in Bruges----what can I say, that hasn't been said a hundred times before on this forum? Just a picture perfect place and a real town at the same time. One day went to Ypres, the scene of incredible WW1 battle and the first use of gas on the battlefield. ( There is a little theme here, both husband and I were very intrigued by all the battle sites and the sheer history of the place---still digging up artillery when they plow the fields 80 years later.)

Ate wonderful mussels and spouse tried eel---I think he wished he had my more "conventional" meal--but was glad he had tried it.

On to Delft where we spent several nights at a wonderful hotel/B and B I found on the internet called Bridge House Hotel. Owned by a young man brimming with enthusiam who has totally renovated an old canal house. Only has seven rooms. Ours spanned the entire front of the building with canal view and sitting area. Walk to everything. And for dog lovers (like me) a resident yellow lab named Timber who would melt any heart. Used this as a base to vist the Hague and Keukenhof--------the flowers and the whole thing are just spectacular.

Wandered north to Leeuwarden for a night and then to Amsterdam. Thoroughtly enjoyed Amsterdam----special show at the Riksmusem is superb, wandering in the canal district. Found the Dam area near the central station too congested for us but that was easy to avoid. Were disappointed that we couldn't get a hotel in the canal district and stayed at the Jan Luyken which is convenient to major museusm but which left us pretty unimpressed---cool staff, somewhat sloppy housekeeping. All in all, Amsterdam is a great city and we thoroughly enjoyed our time there and the entire time in both Belgium and Holland. I know this is a little sketchy--althought longwinded---but I'd be happy to try to help with any specific questions----it was a great trip!!
 
Old May 12th, 2000, 07:05 PM
  #2  
Al
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Because you seemed to have enjoyed your trip so much, perhaps you can advise us if you found "bed & breakfast" accomodations in Belgium & Holland? Are signs posted in front of homes?
 
Old May 13th, 2000, 05:47 AM
  #3  
Maggie
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I would have to say I recall seeing very few B and B signs in front of homes and those I do remeber seemed to be near Ypres. I think they get quite a few British visitors in that area and so perhaps have adopted that custom. We had pretty much made advance reservations but every city/town had a tourist office and they seemed to be very helpful for people looking for rooms. They may have lists of local B and Bs that don't really advertise. Hope this helps. And you're right, we enjoyed our trip tremendously.
 
Old May 13th, 2000, 06:48 AM
  #4  
wes fowler
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Al,
The best resource for B&Bs in the Netherlands and Belgium are the regional, not national, tourist offices. I've contacted both countries' provincial tourist offices in the past and secured lengthy lists of B&Bs. Due to a change in plans I never had the opportunity to stay in a B&B, but I assuredly know that listings are available. Check the national websites. Visitbelgium has provincial tourist offices listed under "Useful contacts", for example. If you're traveling to the Netherlands and Belgium, don't overlook the northern part of Luxembourg. Echternach and Clervaux are worth a detour.
 
Old May 13th, 2000, 01:08 PM
  #5  
G.S. Brady
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Maggie--Sounds like you enjoyed the Netherlands. As I will be going to Amsterdam in July 2000 for the Billy Graham Conference, any suggestions on reasonable accomodations ?? Thanks !!!
 
Old May 14th, 2000, 05:40 PM
  #6  
Maggie
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GS--I think my first response is that for this July you may already be a little late. As with so many things, affordable varies from person to person. I think you should do a search for Amsterdam accommodations and also contact the VVV (tourist board). Amsterdam is very popular and with a conference of that potential size, rooms may be hard to come by. We were there over Queen's Day and had a very hard time finding somthing---ended up paying more than we wanted to for something not really worth it. Good luck and don't waste any time!!! PS__It's really a great city and worth the effort
 
Old May 15th, 2000, 02:51 AM
  #7  
Kristy
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Maggie:
We will be in Brussels, Amsterdam, and the port of Le Verdon, France in June.
My questions pertain to WW2 touring of Normandy Beach area and the Belgium cities of Ghent and Brugges. Our situation is a cruise that allows us to be in port for 8-10 hours for each city. I am trying to make intelligent choices for tours on our own vvs. the hefty priced Cruise line sponsored shore excursions. Did you rent a car or train travel for your touring? We are a party of 6, so I'm not sure European car rentals will work as most of the vehicles seem to seat 5. Any advice you may have on this would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Kristy
 
Old May 15th, 2000, 08:23 AM
  #8  
Maggie
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Kristy,
We did have a car but I think a train trip from Brussels to either Ghent or Bruges would be quite doable in your time frame. I'm not sure about Normandy since I'm unfamilar with your port city. We had gone to Nomandy on an earlier trip so did not go this time. Good luck and have fun.
 
Old May 15th, 2000, 11:12 AM
  #9  
Sjoerd
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Kristy,
Which port will your ship be at in Belgium? Oostende and Zeebrugge are very close to Brugge (and Gent), no need to rent a car.
Antwerpen is a nice city, and also not far from Gent and Brussels.
 
Old May 16th, 2000, 07:51 AM
  #10  
Joe
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Maggie,

Glad you had such a great time. It is quite encouraging as my wife, 13 y.o. daughter and I are thinking of taking basically the same trip at the same time next year. Unfortunately, for this trip we only have one week available and originally thought we would only visit Holland. However, lately, I have had some thoughts of trying to visit Brussels for 2-3 days. I am just not sure if we are going to have the time. (I suspect your trip was much longer than one week.) I have several questions. How many days did your trip take? How was the weather? Any problems with driving? Did you go to the flower market in AMS? Did you arrange your hotels/B&B's ahead of time.
 
Old May 16th, 2000, 08:43 AM
  #11  
Maggie
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Joe,
We were gone for two weeks and broke it down like this; Brussels 1 night, Durbuy 2 nights, a small hotel on the French/Belgian border after our day at Verdun 1 night, Bruges 2 nights, Antwerp 1 night, Delft 2 nights, Leeuvarden 1 night, Amsterdam 3 nights. If we were doing it again we would have put in a night near Ypres and skipped Leeuvarden, but that too some extent is because we got very caught up in all the history in that area. I don't think you need too much time in Brussels unless there is something there of specific interest to you.

In a week you probably wouldn't want to do our dip down into the Ardennes (Durbuy and Bastogne)but I would think you could easily do a Brussels-Bruges-Delft-Amsterdam route. We only went to Leeuvarden because we wanted to drive across the 30 mile dike which divides the old Zeider Zee. An impressive engineering feat but not necessarily worth the effort.

We had no problems driving and think it really gives you flexibiility. (We did drop off the car as soon as we got to Amsterdam and did not pick it up til we were leaving Brussels.) Weather was not bad. First week was cool ( Sweater and/or jacket) Second week we were frequently in shirtsleeves. Some rain but never a whole day of it. We had arranged almost all of our rooms in advance ( two exceptions). We used to go without reservations but now feel we sometimes waste too much time looking for a place. I enjoy doing the research and between my books, this site and the internet have found some great places.

Unfortunately, we did not get to the Amsterdam flower mart.. Hope this helps. Have fun planning!!
 
Old May 16th, 2000, 12:23 PM
  #12  
Joe
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Thanks Maggie. That is a great help.
 
Old May 16th, 2000, 01:52 PM
  #13  
Sjoerd
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Joe,
The Amsterdam flower market is right in the centre (Singel) and is nice....for 10 minutes.
what you shouldn't miss when you are in the Netherlands between end of March and end of May is the Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse, about 30 km SW of Amsterdam. You can go there by train, bus, car or by bike, for instance from Leiden or Haarlem which is a wonderful trip through the tulip fields.
Another event not to be missed is the Aalsmeer flower auction. Best to take an organized tour from Amsterdam, as you have to be there very early in the morning. Hope this helps.

 

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