Belgium in 3-4 days
Feb 12th, 2023, 07:56 AM
#1
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Belgium in 3-4 days
Hi, I will be traveling from the US to Belgium in the Spring to visit someone in Leuven (just for a few hours), and would like to create an itinerary to see some parts of the country. I am most interested in beautiful scenic quaint villages, nature, crafts (like seeing how linen or lace is made or glass...) and countryside. Possibly even kayaking or a scenic boat ride.... Gardens, maybe a farm... Less interested in large busy cities and museums for this trip. I am also trying to figure out a nice area to stay. If I can stay a little longer, is it worth also driving or taking a train to Amsterdam (have never been) or elsewhere? Thank you for any suggestions.
Last edited by JSamps; Feb 12th, 2023 at 08:26 AM.
Feb 12th, 2023, 10:57 AM
#2
Last time I took a boat ride through the Belgian countryside was in in 1978.
I was working on the bridge deck of a 15000 ton freighter at the time, and the trip from Terneuzen lock to Gent was very scenic.
Our daughter graduated from Leuven, and I remember it is quite easy to enjoy it more than just a few hours.
Brussels is surrounded by gardens, arboretums and forests; Groenendaal, Tervuren, Sonian etc.
The only way to find out if a place is worth visiting is to visit it.
I was working on the bridge deck of a 15000 ton freighter at the time, and the trip from Terneuzen lock to Gent was very scenic.
Our daughter graduated from Leuven, and I remember it is quite easy to enjoy it more than just a few hours.
Brussels is surrounded by gardens, arboretums and forests; Groenendaal, Tervuren, Sonian etc.
The only way to find out if a place is worth visiting is to visit it.
Feb 12th, 2023, 11:49 AM
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If you are less interested in large busy cities and museums for this trip then avoid Amsterdam. It is touristy, busy and has a lot of museums.
Lace making is now centred in Bruges.
For countryside and kayaking then maybe the Ardennes would suit you? https://www.ardennes.com/en/
You may need a car.
When is this trip?
Lace making is now centred in Bruges.
For countryside and kayaking then maybe the Ardennes would suit you? https://www.ardennes.com/en/
You may need a car.
When is this trip?
Feb 12th, 2023, 01:10 PM
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If you have access to a car then you can explore Flemish Brabant and Wallonian Brabant (outside of Brussels). Beersel and Gaasbeek are nice, and between Antwerp and Leuven you will find Lier, which is on a rail line between the two (not easily accessible from Brussels, you might prefer a car). I agree with Vanaarle about lace - it used to be one of the traditional industries in Belgium but has now receded only to the most touristed area of Belgium (Bruges), where you can see displays. There used to be a lace shop in the Grand' Place in Brussels but I think even that has gone. Also agree about the Ardennes, but again you will need a car.
Kayaking - there is some on the Lesse River, you have to go to Dinant but you can do this by train. I've done it and it is quite a long journey - takes several hours but you can take your time and have a picnic along the way.
Lavandula
Kayaking - there is some on the Lesse River, you have to go to Dinant but you can do this by train. I've done it and it is quite a long journey - takes several hours but you can take your time and have a picnic along the way.
Lavandula
Feb 12th, 2023, 02:03 PM
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I really loved the small towns while stalking the elusive Westvleteren 12 (often named best beer in the world). Rented a car in Ghent and tooled through pleasant places, up to the coast, past a military cemetery or two, and not only picked up a couple packs of the Westy 12 the cafe' In De Vrede across from the monastery (to buy cases you need to register your license plate in advance and they have availability only on certain days). Stayed in Poperinge where they by some glorious coincidence were having a beer festival with tastings of a whole range of local brews. Idyllic barely "scratches the surface" of this epic beer run.
Feb 12th, 2023, 02:23 PM
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If you are less interested in large busy cities and museums for this trip then avoid Amsterdam. It is touristy, busy and has a lot of museums.
Lace making is now centred in Bruges.
For countryside and kayaking then maybe the Ardennes would suit you? https://www.ardennes.com/en/
You may need a car.
When is this trip?
Lace making is now centred in Bruges.
For countryside and kayaking then maybe the Ardennes would suit you? https://www.ardennes.com/en/
You may need a car.
When is this trip?
Feb 12th, 2023, 02:57 PM
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I really loved the small towns while stalking the elusive Westvleteren 12 (often named best beer in the world). Rented a car in Ghent and tooled through pleasant places, up to the coast, past a military cemetery or two, and not only picked up a couple packs of the Westy 12 the cafe' In De Vrede across from the monastery (to buy cases you need to register your license plate in advance and they have availability only on certain days). Stayed in Poperinge where they by some glorious coincidence were having a beer festival with tastings of a whole range of local brews. Idyllic barely "scratches the surface" of this epic beer run.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dougla...57637084431776
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dougla...57637084431776
Feb 12th, 2023, 03:03 PM
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If you have access to a car then you can explore Flemish Brabant and Wallonian Brabant (outside of Brussels). Beersel and Gaasbeek are nice, and between Antwerp and Leuven you will find Lier, which is on a rail line between the two (not easily accessible from Brussels, you might prefer a car). I agree with Vanaarle about lace - it used to be one of the traditional industries in Belgium but has now receded only to the most touristed area of Belgium (Bruges), where you can see displays. There used to be a lace shop in the Grand' Place in Brussels but I think even that has gone. Also agree about the Ardennes, but again you will need a car.
Kayaking - there is some on the Lesse River, you have to go to Dinant but you can do this by train. I've done it and it is quite a long journey - takes several hours but you can take your time and have a picnic along the way.
Lavandula
Kayaking - there is some on the Lesse River, you have to go to Dinant but you can do this by train. I've done it and it is quite a long journey - takes several hours but you can take your time and have a picnic along the way.
Lavandula
I think in the short amount of time I’ll be there, I probably would travel too far. And I don’t really want to miss what makes Belgium Belgium.
Pethaps there are gardens or parts of Brussels that would be nice to see, along with Bruges and possibly some of the towns you mention above. Of those towns, which do you recommend most?
Thanks so much.
Feb 12th, 2023, 11:08 PM
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These people say it better than I can:
https://www.toerismevlaamsbrabant.be/en
https://www.destinationbw.be/en/
cdnyul mentioned Tervuren, which is a parkland / suburb on the outskirts of Brussels, to the east; if you like parks, the Bois de la Cambre is right in Brussels (at the end of Avenue Louise, Tram 8).
Most people are content with Brussels - Ghent - Bruges - Antwerp, but Dinant is really pretty and is a non-Flemish counterpoint to the others I mention. But you are not really going off the beaten track by picking any of those options, nor are any of them villages or rural, they are all cities, even Dinant. All are easy by public transport. Only if you had time and transport would I prioritise Vlaams Brabant or Brabant Wallon, but only you know what you are looking for in a holiday
Lavandula
https://www.toerismevlaamsbrabant.be/en
https://www.destinationbw.be/en/
cdnyul mentioned Tervuren, which is a parkland / suburb on the outskirts of Brussels, to the east; if you like parks, the Bois de la Cambre is right in Brussels (at the end of Avenue Louise, Tram 8).
Most people are content with Brussels - Ghent - Bruges - Antwerp, but Dinant is really pretty and is a non-Flemish counterpoint to the others I mention. But you are not really going off the beaten track by picking any of those options, nor are any of them villages or rural, they are all cities, even Dinant. All are easy by public transport. Only if you had time and transport would I prioritise Vlaams Brabant or Brabant Wallon, but only you know what you are looking for in a holiday
Lavandula
Feb 13th, 2023, 09:53 PM
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Ooh, I just had a thought ... since you are interested in lace, there is a museum in Tournai (Wallonia, Dutch name Doornik) which specialises in lace. I haven't been there but that seems like an obvious place to learn about lace-making. Good luck!
Lavandula
Lavandula
Feb 14th, 2023, 02:33 AM
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Feb 14th, 2023, 02:59 AM
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