I am planning a holiday in the Low Countries. Using public transports the "tour" will include Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, The Hague and Delft.
I like history, art, museums, antiques, fairs, chocolates...
Can someone pls advice on hotels to stay, places to visit or forgotten cities to include in the "tour".
Thanks a lot !

Lots of great advice at this site, if you don't have it.

www.jack-travel.com

My Belgian friend would definitely tell you to add Antwerp!

My vote always goes to the Hotel Adornes in Bruges. The marvelous reception manager is Natalie and she can recommend activities, shops and restaurants.

ophelia, you should get lots of useful information at this website:

http://www.visitflanders.co.uk/

Hi Ophelia,

No need to repost. Just click on your name and all of your posts will come up.

In Delft (which is a good base for The Hague, Rotterdam, and even a day trip to Amsterdam), these 3 hotels are very close to the train station, but absolutely not in a 'seedy' area or noisy:
Hotel Leeuwenbrug
Hotel de Ark
Les Compagnons
Bridges House

You can walk to everything (museums, restaurants, cafes, Delft Blue factories, from these hotels, including all public transportation. Check out the main website of Delft:
http://www.delfttoerisme.nl/indexeng.html
Finally, the best - and I mean the Best - chocolate is at:
Chocolaterie De Lelie
Voorstraat 10 (just behind the Old Church)

I would definitely add Antwerp to your list of places. I think it's more interesting than Brussels.

I'd also add a trip through the Meuse river valley. You can even do this in one long round-trip day from Brussels or Antwerp. Drive along the river to Dinant, a charming town with a postcard setting. Have lunch, visit the fort and cathedral, and head back.

Following a previous posting, I wonder if someone could help me again.
Is Brussels Central Station the right station to get the trains to Antwerpen, Louvain, Ghent and Brugges?
Recommendations on moderately priced, clean and safe hotels near Brussels Central Station woul be great. Hotel Ibis Off Grand'Place sounds you ok ?
Best options of travelling from Brussels to Delft (and return) : via Rotterdam? By train ? By bus?
Thank you so much

I noticed that Ibis hotel and thought that it might be a good place to stay. It is certainly convenient to Centraale station. It is in a bit of a busy location as there is a sort of small square in front with shops around. There was a band (from Peru, or something) playing there one evening. Guessing that Ibis would be quiet at night after the tourists leave.

In Brussels, the Horta museum and I have heard very good reports about the music museum (it was being installed when I was in Brussels). In Ghent, the museum of decorative arts and the folklore museum, both within five minutes of the castle of the counts of Flanders. For a very nice B&amp;B, search for my <i>Trip Report: Ghent, Normandy and Brittany</i>.

the brussels central station is very near to the ibis (less than 5 mins walk) ... however all trains are in tunnels, so you don't see them, and the area isn't the usual &quot;sloppy&quot; area around other stations.
you will be able to catch the normal trains from the central station to anywhere in belgium, as well as the ones going to amsterdam.
enjoy your stay !

Try the Hotel Welcome in Brussels. It's another 10 minutes walk, but you can get the metro practically from teh door and it's just peachy

For great breakfast in e.g. Brussels check www.painquotidien.com

Have some real Belgian 'french fries' with the best mayonnaise ever in a frietkot - fries shop.

Oldest Delft Blue factory is in Delft, De Koninklijke Proceleyne Fles, check on www.royaldelft.com

Go to Utrecht, especially in summer time, with the old canal (oudegracht)with two street levels. On the lower one directly along the canal there are lots of cafes and restaurants in the old cellars with possibilities to sit at the water.

Haarlem, Haarlem, Haarlem. A small city outside of A'damm. I loved it there. It was just the ride size, near the beach, had a great art museum (Frans Halls Museum), a nice town center with a huge church. Plus, 15 minute train ride to A'damm.