CristelleS

I'll be visiting Belgium in August - on the itinerary is Brussels and Ghent. While in Ghent, I thought it might be nice to visit Lille for a day-trip, it seems quite close. Are there any direct trains between Ghent and Lille - I seem to only see one via Brussels; which might mean I should rather change my itinerary round?

Also, any other interesting places near Brussels (as a base) you would recommend except Bruges? (Love Bruges, but been there many times).

We'll only be there four nights, so I figured on day in Brussels, two in Ghent and then one in Lille? Does that sound good?

Thanks happy travellers!
Cristelle

flanneruk

There are some direct trains, though those changing at Kortrijk add only 5-10 mins .

For all cross border train travel: www.bahn.com

gwan

Have you already been to Brussels? Personally I'd spend an extra day in Brussels and forget Lille. Lille's alright - there's a zoo, a decent art museum, some pretty buildings, shops etc. but nothing particularly to write home about in my opinion.

CristelleS

Thanks for the link and advice flanneruk!

gwan - I've been to Brussels more than once already, but it was quite long ago. I live in South Africa, travel to Europe is very pricey so I usually try and visit places I haven't been to before!

The art museum in Lille did attract me - but it also seems a bit expensive for a daytrip, so now I'm not sure. The other place that looks lovely is Maastrich in Holland, but that's in the opposite direction again from Ghent! Decisions, decisions!

My main goal for this trip however is to "de-stress", whereas usually I'm the "get-up-at-6am-and-cram-everything-possible-in" type of tourist - relaxing will be a new experience for me!

gwan

Well, I liked Brussels a lot and would like to go back (only been once, whereas I lived 40 mins from Lille for 5 months, so perhaps familiarity breeds contempt) but if you feel you've had your fill of Brussels, fair enough! If de-stressing rather than rushing around is the plan, I could envisage wandering around the streets of Lille (there are some pretty parts e.g. around the Grande Place, although not up there with Brussels' GP of course), an hour or two in the museum, lunch in a café...

I've never been to Antwerp, but I've heard nice things, and that looks to be just under an hour from Ghent (which I liked a lot too, btw).

gwan

FYI that info was from the Belgian train site, http://www.b-rail.be/main/E/