Belgium for the 1st time
Sep 27th, 2016, 01:54 PM
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Belgium for the 1st time
I'll be traveling to Belgium for the 1st time this november and we're spending 4 nights there. I've checked too many forum topics when trying to decide which city we should make as our base (we believe we'd waste too much time checking-in and checking-out of hotels every day), and it got to the point where it'd be Brussels or Ghent.
We kinda ended up deciding on Brussels because Gare Centrale is just a short walk away from many hotels, and it seemes to us that staying in Ghent we would have to take another kind of public transportation to get to the stations when going to Brussels/Bruges/Antwerp (still not 100% convinced Brussels is the best option over Ghent but people have so many different opinions about this it's hard to make a final choice).
In Brussels, we have two choices of hotels (based on location, price and reviews): ibis Brussels off Grand Place and Saint Gery Boutique Hotel. Any reason why one would be better located than the other, considering places to dine/have a beer/safety issues walking late at night?
Thanks in advance.
We kinda ended up deciding on Brussels because Gare Centrale is just a short walk away from many hotels, and it seemes to us that staying in Ghent we would have to take another kind of public transportation to get to the stations when going to Brussels/Bruges/Antwerp (still not 100% convinced Brussels is the best option over Ghent but people have so many different opinions about this it's hard to make a final choice).
In Brussels, we have two choices of hotels (based on location, price and reviews): ibis Brussels off Grand Place and Saint Gery Boutique Hotel. Any reason why one would be better located than the other, considering places to dine/have a beer/safety issues walking late at night?
Thanks in advance.
Sep 27th, 2016, 03:11 PM
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Brussels though to many not very romantic - a big busy fairly modern city however IMO makes a great base for November when weather can be grim - Brussels has a lot to offer indoors and a panoply of good restaurants, pubs, etc. So do Gent and any Belgian city but transport-wise yes.
Take day trips to the other places - in summer I'd say stay in Bruges, which dazzles after day trippers have left and the old humpbacked bridges and ancient Flemish facades lining old canals are sublimely illuminated - but in grim dank dark November I rather like a bigger city like Brussels.
Trains go at least hourly Brussels to all those others - no need to pre-book - no seat reservations possible. Scout the Belgian Railways web site for day passes and specials -for lots of great info on Belgian railways - said to be the densest of any country in Europe also check these IMO superb sites: www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
Take day trips to the other places - in summer I'd say stay in Bruges, which dazzles after day trippers have left and the old humpbacked bridges and ancient Flemish facades lining old canals are sublimely illuminated - but in grim dank dark November I rather like a bigger city like Brussels.
Trains go at least hourly Brussels to all those others - no need to pre-book - no seat reservations possible. Scout the Belgian Railways web site for day passes and specials -for lots of great info on Belgian railways - said to be the densest of any country in Europe also check these IMO superb sites: www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
Sep 27th, 2016, 03:29 PM
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I visited for the first time last year in mid October, and had 2 nights in Bruges and 1 night in Brussels. If you are considering visiting Bruges during your stay, I'd strongly recommend putting at least a night or two there and splitting your stay, 2 nights Bruges and 2 nights Brussels/Ghent.
Bruges is particularly romantic, moody, charming, scenic and best experienced in the early mornings and late evenings. In between the town swells with tourists and day trippers. So if you are day tripping in, you may get a distinctly poor impression of the town. I found it easy to avoid a lot of the big tour groups by wandering the outer canal rings.
I was also fortunate in mid October to have fantastic weather, and took a biking day trip to Damme which had nice countryside scenery to contrast with the urban charm of the city.
I did not get to Ghent, and Brussels left me a bit cold, but either for your second batch of nights would likely be just fine. But again, experiencing Bruges as a day tripper versus overnight visitor would lead to very different experiences and feelings, and could negatively impact your view IMO. I would always recommend an overnight to two nights if you have a real interest in Bruges.
Bruges is particularly romantic, moody, charming, scenic and best experienced in the early mornings and late evenings. In between the town swells with tourists and day trippers. So if you are day tripping in, you may get a distinctly poor impression of the town. I found it easy to avoid a lot of the big tour groups by wandering the outer canal rings.
I was also fortunate in mid October to have fantastic weather, and took a biking day trip to Damme which had nice countryside scenery to contrast with the urban charm of the city.
I did not get to Ghent, and Brussels left me a bit cold, but either for your second batch of nights would likely be just fine. But again, experiencing Bruges as a day tripper versus overnight visitor would lead to very different experiences and feelings, and could negatively impact your view IMO. I would always recommend an overnight to two nights if you have a real interest in Bruges.
Sep 27th, 2016, 04:40 PM
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If you want only one city for four nights, Brussels does make the most sense, even though it was not my favorite city in Belgium. Some people do like to avoid switching hotels too often - but I don't mind. I prefer that to all of the extra travel back and forth between destinations, and I like having evenings and mornings in different cities rather than just the daytime. But that's a personal preference.
Brussels's Grand Place is lovely when lit up at night.
Brussels's Grand Place is lovely when lit up at night.
Sep 27th, 2016, 06:53 PM
#5
Spent 4 days in Brussels as my home base and it was very good.
Don't forget that Waterloo is just a skip and hop away.
and the Lovely University town of Leuven is only 18 miles away.
I had a terrific private guide for a few days and he took me everywhere in Brussels that I could not walk to, and I walked a lot.
His taking me to Waterloo and touring me through the battlefield is something I could not have done on my own.
I did Antwerp also.
On another trip I did Bruges and Ghent among other places.
I think Brussels has one of the nicest old Town Square in Europe , both day and night.
Don't forget that Waterloo is just a skip and hop away.
and the Lovely University town of Leuven is only 18 miles away.
I had a terrific private guide for a few days and he took me everywhere in Brussels that I could not walk to, and I walked a lot.
His taking me to Waterloo and touring me through the battlefield is something I could not have done on my own.
I did Antwerp also.
On another trip I did Bruges and Ghent among other places.
I think Brussels has one of the nicest old Town Square in Europe , both day and night.
Sep 27th, 2016, 07:44 PM
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A bit of a tangent from the OP, but Percy, would you mind sharing who your private guide was (and how much he charged)? I'm in the midst of planning a week in Belgium and have struck out with two private guides so far who are already booked.
Sep 28th, 2016, 01:43 AM
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For me Gent is nicer and easier to discover than Bruxelles, but Bxl makes a more convenient base.
In Bxl, if you like architecture try to visit la maison Horta or hotel Solvay (plan now for a visit, only upon reservation) - imo one of the most beautiful houses of the period 'art nouveau'.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%B4tel_Solvay
If you like cars or planes, autoworld, and in front le musée du cinquantenaire are great (if it rains...).
Close to Grand Place, Visit Le Sablon (Zavel), of course Grand'Place, Galeries royales (du roi and de la reine) and the old streets around (marché of something mostly).
Place Sainte-Cathereine close to la Bourse (lots of restaurants), is super nice in the evening. Les Marolles (old popular place is interesting to visit. From there a view on la porte de Halle (impressing old tower formerly enclosed in the walls).
if you eat close to Grand'Place you'll see it is a tourist trap. I recommend however close to galerie (which one ?) 'Chez Vincent' a kind of institution in Brussels, and 'Chez Léon', the original one and much better than in France, albeit don't expect haute cuisine but good mussels.
No idea of the hotels you mentioned. I have sent several US friends to the Novotel de la tour noire and they all were happy.
enjoy Belgium !
Ps : Waterloo is indeed nice but probably much better with a guide - ideal for me is to cycle the battlefield - easy for me I live about one mile from there.
Drink a 'Waterloo' beer in the old farm of Mont Saint-Jean - used as hospital during (after) the battle.
You must take a bus from the trainstation - either Waterloo train station or Braine l'Alleud (closer and with more buses). The battle actually took place on Braine l'Alleud but Abba wouldn't have won with such a name... so Waterloo it is, where Wellington had his HQ.
In Bxl, if you like architecture try to visit la maison Horta or hotel Solvay (plan now for a visit, only upon reservation) - imo one of the most beautiful houses of the period 'art nouveau'.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%B4tel_Solvay
If you like cars or planes, autoworld, and in front le musée du cinquantenaire are great (if it rains...).
Close to Grand Place, Visit Le Sablon (Zavel), of course Grand'Place, Galeries royales (du roi and de la reine) and the old streets around (marché of something mostly).
Place Sainte-Cathereine close to la Bourse (lots of restaurants), is super nice in the evening. Les Marolles (old popular place is interesting to visit. From there a view on la porte de Halle (impressing old tower formerly enclosed in the walls).
if you eat close to Grand'Place you'll see it is a tourist trap. I recommend however close to galerie (which one ?) 'Chez Vincent' a kind of institution in Brussels, and 'Chez Léon', the original one and much better than in France, albeit don't expect haute cuisine but good mussels.
No idea of the hotels you mentioned. I have sent several US friends to the Novotel de la tour noire and they all were happy.
enjoy Belgium !
Ps : Waterloo is indeed nice but probably much better with a guide - ideal for me is to cycle the battlefield - easy for me I live about one mile from there.
Drink a 'Waterloo' beer in the old farm of Mont Saint-Jean - used as hospital during (after) the battle.
You must take a bus from the trainstation - either Waterloo train station or Braine l'Alleud (closer and with more buses). The battle actually took place on Braine l'Alleud but Abba wouldn't have won with such a name... so Waterloo it is, where Wellington had his HQ.
Sep 29th, 2016, 02:14 PM
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PalenQ, I am sure they would be more appreciated in a better weather, but we had some vacation time, got good deals on airlines tickets for that month and thought "why not?". We didn't actually know it would rain that much as everyone warns us (we did buy our tickets on a whim), but we can't really cancel them now...
I've been a little down because of all the rain talk, but what's done is done. About the rain gear... That's another issue we'll try to correct when we get in London (we're visiting there before going to Belgium)
I've been a little down because of all the rain talk, but what's done is done. About the rain gear... That's another issue we'll try to correct when we get in London (we're visiting there before going to Belgium)
Sep 29th, 2016, 02:21 PM
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Well at least the beer will always bee great and chocolate and french fries! I think the weather is very changeable - a sea climate and you could get a spate of good weather so there is always hope.
