Please Help with Destination City In Belgium
Mar 26th, 2015, 06:08 AM
#1
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Please Help with Destination City In Belgium
I really need advice and ASAP!
I leave in a week for Amsterdam. I arrive the morning of 4/2. A friend and I (she lives in Amsterdam) then depart for Venice from 4/4 and come back the morning of 4/7. I really want to travel to Belgium for a Day trip. I am leaning towards Brugge. Yes I know it's 3 hours each way via train and I am ok with that. I have been know to actually drive 3 hours to visit my brother for the day and turn around and drive back home. It is a long day.
My question is this...Is this really the best city for me to go to?
I love old historical architecture, I'm not really into art museums. I want charm and history. I found train service to Brugge and one of the stops I would need to change is Ghent. I would love to see a Castle. I have read that the Gravensteen Castle is there. Is it even feasible to take the train and when we stop in Ghent to visit the Castle, come back and continue onto Brugge? Or is this too much?
Please help, I really need to book my train tickets!
I leave in a week for Amsterdam. I arrive the morning of 4/2. A friend and I (she lives in Amsterdam) then depart for Venice from 4/4 and come back the morning of 4/7. I really want to travel to Belgium for a Day trip. I am leaning towards Brugge. Yes I know it's 3 hours each way via train and I am ok with that. I have been know to actually drive 3 hours to visit my brother for the day and turn around and drive back home. It is a long day.
My question is this...Is this really the best city for me to go to?
I love old historical architecture, I'm not really into art museums. I want charm and history. I found train service to Brugge and one of the stops I would need to change is Ghent. I would love to see a Castle. I have read that the Gravensteen Castle is there. Is it even feasible to take the train and when we stop in Ghent to visit the Castle, come back and continue onto Brugge? Or is this too much?
Please help, I really need to book my train tickets!
Mar 26th, 2015, 08:38 AM
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CW:
At least it's not summer when the throngs converge upon Brugge. I personally strongly favor the town after three visits over 25 years, and my family members have been visitors also. I suggest Brugge. Here are some pics of both Brussels, and Brugge (you can ride bikes from Brugge to Damme on a riverside paved path...or take the little boat (see pix). No reason you can't take a local train to nearby Ghent for a few hours to get your castle fix. Have a great time, CW!
(see pix below)
At least it's not summer when the throngs converge upon Brugge. I personally strongly favor the town after three visits over 25 years, and my family members have been visitors also. I suggest Brugge. Here are some pics of both Brussels, and Brugge (you can ride bikes from Brugge to Damme on a riverside paved path...or take the little boat (see pix). No reason you can't take a local train to nearby Ghent for a few hours to get your castle fix. Have a great time, CW!
(see pix below)
Mar 26th, 2015, 09:11 AM
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Mar 26th, 2015, 09:31 AM
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Thanks Tower for the response. Do you think that I will have enough time to do all of this? I only want to go to Brugge for the charm. I guess I am wondering if it's worth it?
The other things I am going for is chocolates to bring home and beer sampling - but I can get that in any city in Belgium. I like to just meander about and take pictures.
The other things I am going for is chocolates to bring home and beer sampling - but I can get that in any city in Belgium. I like to just meander about and take pictures.
Mar 26th, 2015, 12:31 PM
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CW:
If you're looking at just the day trip that you profess in your OP opening, you're short-changing one of Europe's most charming cities. It would be helpful if at least you could give a full day and night.
<i>Meandering about taking pix</i> will keep you busy as it a most photogenic target. I think you can tell that from my pix.
If you're looking at just the day trip that you profess in your OP opening, you're short-changing one of Europe's most charming cities. It would be helpful if at least you could give a full day and night.
<i>Meandering about taking pix</i> will keep you busy as it a most photogenic target. I think you can tell that from my pix.
Mar 26th, 2015, 04:13 PM
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I think it's one thing to think of Brugge as a scenic and worthwhile destination (which I think it is without a doubt) - and the desire to go to Belgium for a day.
Personally, I'd probably think it's too much hassle for just one day - and rather spend the day in Delft and/or Gouda or Haarlem. Flanders and North/South Holland share the same architecture and layout of towns so Brugge is special by its size of the historic old town and is beautiful, but it's not exactly unique.
Belgian chocolate is available across Europe - I am pretty sure that your friend will know where to buy Godiva, Neuhaus or Leonidas chocolates in A'dam (probably even at Schipol airport)- so you don't have to shlep it with you from Belgium. The same goes for Belgian beer. Leffe, Hoegaarden, Kriek, Maes or Jupiler should be available from your next door Albert Heijn supermarket in Amsterdam (but you may want to check with your friend to be on the safe side).
Personally, I'd probably think it's too much hassle for just one day - and rather spend the day in Delft and/or Gouda or Haarlem. Flanders and North/South Holland share the same architecture and layout of towns so Brugge is special by its size of the historic old town and is beautiful, but it's not exactly unique.
Belgian chocolate is available across Europe - I am pretty sure that your friend will know where to buy Godiva, Neuhaus or Leonidas chocolates in A'dam (probably even at Schipol airport)- so you don't have to shlep it with you from Belgium. The same goes for Belgian beer. Leffe, Hoegaarden, Kriek, Maes or Jupiler should be available from your next door Albert Heijn supermarket in Amsterdam (but you may want to check with your friend to be on the safe side).
