Ed

My wife and I arrive inn late Oct. at Charleroi airport via Ryan Air. We have five nights to split up. Current plan is 3 nites Brussel and 2 nites Bruggeee with daytrip to Ghent. Does train from Charleroi go to Brugge, or should we stay at Brussels first. Any reasonable Hotels for either location. Thanks for any input. We leave US on the 22d of Oct.

Diane Moll

We normally fly into the main Brussels airport so I checked to see if there is a website that might help you. www.charleroi-airport.com gives you a lot of good information. There are trains departing at :07 and :34 every hour for Brugge with a stop at the main station in Brussels. Brussels is a beautiful city but we have never stayed overnight there. We have always stayed in Brugge. There are many reasonably priced hotels and if you do a search on Brugge on this forum, you will get a wealth of information.

wes fowler

Ed, <BR>I'd be more inclined to spend three days in Brugge and two in Brussels for a couple of reasons. You'll find accommodations less costly in Brugge than Brussels; you can do a day trip to Ghent from Brugge as easily as from Brussels. Brugge offers a great deal more that does Brussels, particularly now that it is less inundated with tourists. (I've never spent less than five days in Brugge, never more than three in Brussels.) Any train from Charleroi to Brugge will involve a change in Brussels or Schaarbeek, a suburb. Most trains are locals with many stops; you can anticipate a total ride time approximating two and a half hours or so. <BR> <BR>I can suggest a number of hotels, both in Brussels and Brugge; what constitutes "reasonable"? Let me know either by Email or by posting here and I'll give you a list to pursue.

Nancy

Three nights in Brussels is entirely too much. Bruges is a beautiful place but I think two nights is probably enough for Bruges. My recommendation in Bruges is the Hansa Hotel. <BR> <BR>If you plan on renting a car, I'd suggest a day trip to Bokrijk. It's an outdoor living museum that was fascinating. Next time I go back to Belgium, I'd go there again in a heartbeat. <BR> <BR>And when you're in Belgium, don't forget about trying some of that cherry or raspberry beer. It's great!!!!

Lois

ED: Agree strongly that Brussels due less time spendt than Brugge. Brugge is amature photographer's paradise... One hotel we stayed at in Brugge was the Die Swane... A bit on the Pricey side, as I remember, but beautifully romantic ground floor room off the center garden and Delft tile gas fireplace. (Room they originally offered was far more plain) <BR>In total, 3 trips from Los Angeles to Belgium, have spendt at least 8 days Brugge, 2-3 in Ghent, and about 3 Brussels. Depending on your interests, I'd give more time to Brugge.. Good art Museum in Brussels.. In Brugge, be sure to see Michaelangelo's Madonna w/Child in a Church. (Admittance is FREE..)Also the Church of Holy Blood... Ghent, the Castle, and it's small museum of torture devices. Enjoy

cathy

Our family (2 adults, 3 teens) spent a week in Belgium this past August. We highly recommend the In Flanders Fields museum in Ieper. It was a highlight for us. The last bugle call in the evening in Ieper was very moving. You can easily make Ieper a day trip from Bruge and Brussels. We however, stayed 2 nights and enjoyed the town and location.