Portugal or Brugges??

Postings like this are a never-ending source of amazement and amusement.

I know which I would choose, but I'm sure for completely different reasons to you. If you can't be bothered to do any of your own research and make up your own minds, toss a coin.

I would choose Lisbon, which is much more interesting as a city than Bruges, which in my mind is stuck in amber, and visually more attractive than Brussels. But if you like Art Nouveau, then Belgium would be the choice.

If you chose Brussels you can take day trips by train to many other cities - even Amsterdam.

What you said, Michael, is kind of what's stuck in my memory about the two... that maybe Lisbon is a bit more of an interesting city. Also, I'm assuming it's much less visited than Brussels. Would you agree? But I do love the Art Nouveau style and my husband likes the idea of having so much good beer within his grasp... We probably wouldn't have time for day trips as we'd only have a few days in whichever city we choose to leave from. Bratsandbeer, is there somewhere well worth the trip from Brussels that is truly a short hop away? One of the things that stands out most in my memory of Brussels was our visit to the Atomium. The exhibits at the top seemed like something from a 6th grade science fair. But the city itself was very pretty.

What time of year? In warmer weather, Bruges is so wonderful for biking along canals and scenic fields - for example, the short trip to Damme. I'm going to be there for three days in April and can't imagine a more lovely place to walk, bike, and drink beer. (Of course, I haven't considered the possibility of incessant rain.) Plus, my B&B host has given me some out of this world restaurant recommendations that I can't wait to try.

I'm not clear on whether you're considering Brussels or Brugge.

If you base yourself in Brugge you can do easy day trips to Ghent and Antwerp and still be only an hour or so from Brussels. Brugge is much prettier than Lisbon. The food is about equal and people in both countries are friendly although since Brugge is much smaller than Lisbon the people are friendlier than they would be in a large city.

Nothing is very far from Brussels. Ghent, Bruges and Antwerp are within an easy train ride (probably a shorter ride than taking the D train in NYC from end to end).

These pictures might be of interest:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/collections/72157622957887247/

But I still would choose Lisbon which also presents a greater change in atmosphere from Paris.

Good point... Lisbon would be a greater change from Paris. We're considering either Brussels or Brugge. No firm plans yet. Abbydog, can you recommend your B&B in Brugge? I was in Antwerp for a day about 20 years ago, but don't recall much about it. I may look into Antwerp or Ghent... maybe that will sway me in one direction or another. We'll be there at the beginning of June. Will accommodations be difficult since it's the start of the summer season? We generally stay in apartments rather than hotels, but since we'll be there for just a few days apartments are likely out of the question. If anyone has hotel recommendations for any of the above, I'd appreciate that. Again, maybe something will catch my eye and confirm that THIS is the place to go! Thanks for the pictures, Michael. I'm heading there to take a look now!

If staying in Ghent, you might want to check my trip report. Just click on my name to find it.

Ooo, I found lots of good B&Bs but the one I chose is Cote Canal:
www.bruges-bedandbreakfast.be/

The host has been so helpful already!

abby;

Caroline is a most gracious hostess, and Cote Canal is serene and peaceful yet right on the canal.

I expect you will have a wonderful stay. I think you might be taking the room my friends were trying to get there in April .

Lisbon is beautiful that time of year. I liked Brugge but loved Lisbon!

I have not been to either but Travel and Leisure has Brugges listed in the top 10 cities of Europe...Portugal was not. Have fun!

This type of thread is utterly useless.

Line up the Lisbon fans and line up the Brugge fans. Now everyone count each line.

Ooooh, there's people in both lines!!! How strange is that.

"B-r-u-g-g-e" is how it is spelled.

"This type of thread is utterly useless."... In YOUR opinion, Aramis. Don't speak for all of us. I find it helpful because I appreciate hearing people's personal opinions about a particular place. In that this is a "FORUM," it's meant to promote conversation and opinions. Yes, everyone lines up behind their favorite city, but for a reason... and some of us appreciate hearing those reasons. I don't like the silly polls on the forum, so I just ignore them... I don't condemn the people who post them and enjoy participating in them.

Thanks for the B&B and Ghent info, Abby and Michael. We're leaning in that direction for now. We're thinking we want to save Lisbon for a much longer trip.

And that would be your opinion.

Aramis
The spelling of most cities in Belgium depends on if you're spelling it in Flemish, Dutch, French, or German. All are acceptable.

Brugges was good for about a day for me-Lisbon and the rest of Portugal would definitely be my choice but then I enjoy the Mediterrean(sp?) area more.

Aramis, you are not alone.

BarbaraMH We were in Brussels only a couple of days - went to Brugges one of those days - so I can't really tell you any good day trips. We are now planning a trip to Amsterdam and will take some day trips either by train or car. I would like to go to Delft to the pottery factory. Maybe into Germany or Luxembourg.

We went from Brussels to Paris by train and it didn't seem like a very long train ride between the two cities.

Enjoy which ever city you choose.

We spent two dasys in Brugges and then went to Amsterdam for three days.

Brugges has to be among the most beautiful small cities anywhere.

I haven't been to Lisbon so can't comment.

On the second day we rented bikes and rode to the outskirts and took the bike path that goes around the city. We stopped at the windmills and went up the one that's open.

Any town with canals, boats flower boxes and swans in the lakes can't be bad.

There was one spot that always seemed to have a gathering of people. We nicknamed it "The View".

On the other hand, I've never been to a place that I didn't enjoy or that I considered a waste of time.

B-r-u-g-g-e

Poor little Flemish town not only has to deal with the majority of people using the French version of it's name, it gets a smashed together spelling.

"The View" you are speaking of is from the corner of Pandreitje and the Rozenhoedkaai across the canal towards the belfry.

It is commonly referred to as just "Rozenhoedkaai" (The Quai of the Rosary) or, I suppose, "The View" works if your Flemish is a bit rusty. Either way, I'll be damned if it isn't the finest vista these eyes have ever seen. I get goose bumps just thinking about it. My last request would probably be to just wheel my gurney over to the edge and prop me up for a spell with a box of dark chocolates, some frites, mayonnaise, and maybe a waffle or two.

Google yourself up a treat.

"On the other hand, I've never been to a place that I didn't enjoy or that I considered a waste of time." I agree wholeheartedly, Myer! Even when I was choking on the smog in Beijing or being pounded by a typhoon in Malaysia, I've always loved just being in a different place and experiencing a new culture.

I must be more of a Mediterranean type person, too, dutyfree... because that's where I was gravitating, but my husband is really leaning more towards Brugges/Amsterdam. We were in Southern Spain last year so I'm inclined to let him win this one. When it boils down to it, I'll be happy wherever we land. And I'm liking the idea of biking around, which seems to be more popular in the Northern European cities.

We have visited Portugal twice, including Lisbon, and Belgium quite a few times. Brugge is wonderful and we would choose it over Lisbon. Personally I wouldn't go back to Portugal but I would visit Belgium again.

Last time in Brugge we stayed at De Triptiek and would highly recommend it. They have 3 beautiful rooms and it's quite central, we walked from the train station and it's an easy walk into the main square.

http://users.skynet.be/fb974761/eng/index01.html

Kay

"Travel and Leisure has Brugges listed in the top 10 cities of Europe...Portugal was not"
Nice and useful things we learn here in Fodors