Short trips from Brussels?
Jul 31st, 2005, 03:26 AM
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Short trips from Brussels?
Hi everyone; I've been learning so much about European travel from reading the posts here. We've been living in Belgium for about 4 months now, and I'm realizing how short the 3 years we have here will be! I'm working on my travel "wish list" and have come up with several places I'd like to visit while we're in Europe. (tops on my list right now is the UK, Prague, Santorini, Venice)
But I would also like to have a nice list of "Long weekend trips" that we could fit in during the year, places that we could enjoy on a 3 or 4 day weekend.
Some that I've already thought of:
1. Amsterdam (already spent one weekend but have plenty left for at least one more
2. Paris
3. Cologne/Aachen
4. Mosel/Rhine valley
5. Luxembourg
I would love to hear some suggestions from the seasoned travellers! "must sees" and hidden gems!
Requirements: Less than 4-5 hours by car or train, or easily accessible by cheap airline from Brussels. Would especially like some suggestions for the cold rainy winter season....
But I would also like to have a nice list of "Long weekend trips" that we could fit in during the year, places that we could enjoy on a 3 or 4 day weekend.
Some that I've already thought of:
1. Amsterdam (already spent one weekend but have plenty left for at least one more
2. Paris
3. Cologne/Aachen
4. Mosel/Rhine valley
5. Luxembourg
I would love to hear some suggestions from the seasoned travellers! "must sees" and hidden gems!
Requirements: Less than 4-5 hours by car or train, or easily accessible by cheap airline from Brussels. Would especially like some suggestions for the cold rainy winter season....
Jul 31st, 2005, 06:26 AM
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You were right the first time Travelnut; it's Maastricht. The locals don't pronounce the last T though.
Lovely town; well worth a visit.
I think in The Netherlands the national park Hoge Veluwe is nice to visit (near Arnhem). There are some good hotels that offer weekend deals; we've done this in November, when they usually have game on the menu. Go cycling in the park, visit Palace het Loo, and the WWII sites near Arnhem. The Bilderberg group have several hotels there.
And in winter a weekend in the Belgian Ardennen would be good too.
Lovely town; well worth a visit.
I think in The Netherlands the national park Hoge Veluwe is nice to visit (near Arnhem). There are some good hotels that offer weekend deals; we've done this in November, when they usually have game on the menu. Go cycling in the park, visit Palace het Loo, and the WWII sites near Arnhem. The Bilderberg group have several hotels there.
And in winter a weekend in the Belgian Ardennen would be good too.
Jul 31st, 2005, 06:34 AM
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1. Dusseldorf/Hattingen
2. Muenster/Muensterland
3. Baden-Baden
4. Basel
5. Zeeland (Middelburg, etc.)
6. Utrecht/Amersfoort
7. Strasbourg/Colmar
Numbers 3, 4 and 7 are best enjoyed by train...You can get to Basel or Strasbourg/Colmar by direct, nonstop train. To Baden-Baden, by ICE (or Thalys/ICE) train with a change at Koln. Basel also by cheap flights. Basel is great in January when they have terrific late nights at the museums with special events or during its amazing Fasnacht celebrations.
Muenster/Muensterland is a fun December road trip. Muenster has one of the best, most authentic and least touristy Christmas markets in Germany. Muensterland's "water castles" are charming and way off the beaten tourist track.
Dusseldorf is easy by car or train, good nightlife, great shopping. Hattingen is a lovely small medieval town (untouched by WW II bombs or tourist guidebooks).
Baden-Baden is best for a week-end at a spa hotel, just relaxing, dining at some of the town's very good restaurants, shopping and indulging in luscious pastries.
Those were all our favorite short breaks from Brussels, aside from the usual suspects like Brugge, Paris and Amsterdam.
While you are in Aachen, treat yourself to a facial at the Babor flagship salon in the old town, near the cathedral. (There is also a good Babor salon in Brussels on the Ave. Georges Henri)
Nice fall hiking in the Ardennes (watch out for the boar!) and be sure to visit the Jardins d'Annevoie. Get elegant upscale hiking and outdoor wear at Maison de la Chasse on Chaussee de Waterloo in Uccle (on the 900 block, I think).
2. Muenster/Muensterland
3. Baden-Baden
4. Basel
5. Zeeland (Middelburg, etc.)
6. Utrecht/Amersfoort
7. Strasbourg/Colmar
Numbers 3, 4 and 7 are best enjoyed by train...You can get to Basel or Strasbourg/Colmar by direct, nonstop train. To Baden-Baden, by ICE (or Thalys/ICE) train with a change at Koln. Basel also by cheap flights. Basel is great in January when they have terrific late nights at the museums with special events or during its amazing Fasnacht celebrations.
Muenster/Muensterland is a fun December road trip. Muenster has one of the best, most authentic and least touristy Christmas markets in Germany. Muensterland's "water castles" are charming and way off the beaten tourist track.
Dusseldorf is easy by car or train, good nightlife, great shopping. Hattingen is a lovely small medieval town (untouched by WW II bombs or tourist guidebooks).
Baden-Baden is best for a week-end at a spa hotel, just relaxing, dining at some of the town's very good restaurants, shopping and indulging in luscious pastries.
Those were all our favorite short breaks from Brussels, aside from the usual suspects like Brugge, Paris and Amsterdam.
While you are in Aachen, treat yourself to a facial at the Babor flagship salon in the old town, near the cathedral. (There is also a good Babor salon in Brussels on the Ave. Georges Henri)
Nice fall hiking in the Ardennes (watch out for the boar!) and be sure to visit the Jardins d'Annevoie. Get elegant upscale hiking and outdoor wear at Maison de la Chasse on Chaussee de Waterloo in Uccle (on the 900 block, I think).
Jul 31st, 2005, 06:41 AM
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FYI, if you go to Aachen by car, it's a prettier drive if you swing into town from the south. Coming in from the north isn't that attractive (although some day we MUST stop and find out what the heck The Tilke Store is all about!)
Jul 31st, 2005, 07:39 AM
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Trips abroad by car: the Baie de Somme (French northwest coast), Mosel Valley (Germany), everywhere in the Netherlands.
Trips by cheap airline from Charleroi (1 hr south of Brussels): Venice, Milan, Pisa, Rome, Gerona-Barcelona.
Trips by cheap airline from Charleroi (1 hr south of Brussels): Venice, Milan, Pisa, Rome, Gerona-Barcelona.
Jul 31st, 2005, 11:08 AM
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Hi LSUvetgirl,
We spent a very enjoyable day with a short drive south from Brussels to Waterloo.
There you can climb the 226 steps to the top of the lion mound and overlook the site of the 1815 battle which led to the defeat of Napolean. Also view the panoramic circular battle scene.
The musuems are interesting with the papers, letters, weapons, surgical implements, etc. of that era.
We also spent a few days in the Ardennes visiting the Battle of the Bulge memorials, staying in the wonderful town of La Roche en-Ardenne.
Enjoy JJ
We spent a very enjoyable day with a short drive south from Brussels to Waterloo.
There you can climb the 226 steps to the top of the lion mound and overlook the site of the 1815 battle which led to the defeat of Napolean. Also view the panoramic circular battle scene.
The musuems are interesting with the papers, letters, weapons, surgical implements, etc. of that era.
We also spent a few days in the Ardennes visiting the Battle of the Bulge memorials, staying in the wonderful town of La Roche en-Ardenne.
Enjoy JJ
