Belgium - 8 days - 3 cities
Sep 25th, 2011, 11:41 AM
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Belgium - 8 days - 3 cities
OK - what's reasonable.?
I'm working on a trip to Belgium for this coming March for husband/self, 41 yr-old son and 35 yr-old son and his girlfriend. The boys and their dad really enjoy their beer. Considering Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp, Ghent - pick 3. Brussels seems like a given considering flights and I really want to see Bruges. But all is up for negotiation.
We will leave mid-west US on Thurs 15 March, arriving in Brussels 16 March, early a.m. One son has a return flight 20 March, 10 a.m. from Brussels. The rest of us return 24 March, 9 a.m from Brussels.
Thinking of getting a train on arrival and heading for Bruges. However that is the weekend. Would putting Bruges in someplace during the week be smarter? Do Antwerp or Ghent first? Then Bruges, End up in Brussels and convenient to departure? Still have to consider the 20th departure. Is an early morning train from Ghent or Antwerp or Bruges to Brussels airport possible?
We prefer BandBs or short term apartment rentals in "real" neighborhoods. We will NOT have a car.
With these parameters, what would you suggest?
I'm working on a trip to Belgium for this coming March for husband/self, 41 yr-old son and 35 yr-old son and his girlfriend. The boys and their dad really enjoy their beer. Considering Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp, Ghent - pick 3. Brussels seems like a given considering flights and I really want to see Bruges. But all is up for negotiation.
We will leave mid-west US on Thurs 15 March, arriving in Brussels 16 March, early a.m. One son has a return flight 20 March, 10 a.m. from Brussels. The rest of us return 24 March, 9 a.m from Brussels.
Thinking of getting a train on arrival and heading for Bruges. However that is the weekend. Would putting Bruges in someplace during the week be smarter? Do Antwerp or Ghent first? Then Bruges, End up in Brussels and convenient to departure? Still have to consider the 20th departure. Is an early morning train from Ghent or Antwerp or Bruges to Brussels airport possible?
We prefer BandBs or short term apartment rentals in "real" neighborhoods. We will NOT have a car.
With these parameters, what would you suggest?
Sep 25th, 2011, 11:59 AM
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I think that is a pretty good plan. Ghent is between Brussels and Bruges by train, so you could easily see it as a day trip or even half-day trip while staying in one or the other towns.
In Bruges, the Halve Maan Brewery has a neat tour, so that would be a must-see since you have beer lovers.
When we were there, we stayed at De Barge Boat Hotel, which was fun. It is about a 10 minute walk south of the main part of the old town and it a hotel on a boat, as the name suggests. It is on the canal rather than in a neighborhood, but if you like quirky places, you might check it out.
A note on budget and schedule - we found that lodging prices in Brussels over the weekend were significantly less that during the week due to the influx of business visitors during the week. We also found lodging prices in Bruges to be lower during the week than on weekends because it is a popular weekend getaway. So that might be something to consider when deciding the order of your itinerary.
In Bruges, the Halve Maan Brewery has a neat tour, so that would be a must-see since you have beer lovers.
When we were there, we stayed at De Barge Boat Hotel, which was fun. It is about a 10 minute walk south of the main part of the old town and it a hotel on a boat, as the name suggests. It is on the canal rather than in a neighborhood, but if you like quirky places, you might check it out.
A note on budget and schedule - we found that lodging prices in Brussels over the weekend were significantly less that during the week due to the influx of business visitors during the week. We also found lodging prices in Bruges to be lower during the week than on weekends because it is a popular weekend getaway. So that might be something to consider when deciding the order of your itinerary.
Sep 25th, 2011, 12:13 PM
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Sounds like a great trip. Can only give a recommendation in Bruges, a small bed & breakfast we stayed at several years ago, owned by a great couple, easy walking to the center of town, would not hesitate to stay here again.
http://www.b-bverhulst.com/
also here are reviews from Trip Advisor below:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._Flanders.html
Good luck with accommodations and enjoy your trip.
Susan
http://www.b-bverhulst.com/
also here are reviews from Trip Advisor below:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._Flanders.html
Good luck with accommodations and enjoy your trip.
Susan
Sep 25th, 2011, 01:40 PM
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We were in Antwerp, Bruges and Ostende, Belgium in August. The weather was rainy. Bruges is a must see, quaint town - easy to walk, lots of restaurants. The horse drawn carriage ride is fun. Antwerp near the port has a great restaurant, Italian - Pizza Arte - best food in Antwerp. Lots of outdoor cafes, but not all good, same food in most. Antwerp has a nice fashion district and new art museum. Enjoy your visit.
Sep 25th, 2011, 07:12 PM
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Agree with above re certain points:
1) hotel prices in Brussels are MUCH LOWER on weekends than weekdays
2) Bruges is VERY LOVELY on weekdays, try to avoid visiting on weekends as it is overrun by daytrippers.
3) second the recommendation on Absoluut Verhulst in Bruges
4) the trains in Belgium are convenient and relatively cheap to ride. No need for a car
1) hotel prices in Brussels are MUCH LOWER on weekends than weekdays
2) Bruges is VERY LOVELY on weekdays, try to avoid visiting on weekends as it is overrun by daytrippers.
3) second the recommendation on Absoluut Verhulst in Bruges
4) the trains in Belgium are convenient and relatively cheap to ride. No need for a car
Sep 26th, 2011, 08:35 AM
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A couple of my best Bruges memories are when it was raining.
One was walking through the streets of Bruges at dusk, a light rain falling, and NO ONE was out. It was magical. We stopped at a little shop for some bottled beers and then went back to our boat hotel and sat at the window watching the rain falling on the canal and enjoyed our lovely beers.
The other was when we ducked into a random cafe one afternoon to get out of the rain - we hung out for a couple hours watching the rain, having hot chocolate and crepes, and reading. The owners of the cafe were very cordial and chatted with us a bit about the history of the town. We would have never found that place if it hadn't been raining.
One was walking through the streets of Bruges at dusk, a light rain falling, and NO ONE was out. It was magical. We stopped at a little shop for some bottled beers and then went back to our boat hotel and sat at the window watching the rain falling on the canal and enjoyed our lovely beers.
The other was when we ducked into a random cafe one afternoon to get out of the rain - we hung out for a couple hours watching the rain, having hot chocolate and crepes, and reading. The owners of the cafe were very cordial and chatted with us a bit about the history of the town. We would have never found that place if it hadn't been raining.
Sep 28th, 2011, 06:26 PM
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Thanx to you all. I'm thinking that overnights will be in Brussels and Brugges with day trips to Antwerp, maybe Leuwen and Ghent. Found a "beer lovers" itinerary that end s up in Amsterdam. Can be easily modified to fit our Belgium only plan. The BanB suggestions look very good. Still checking on the boat hotel - looks like fun.
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