Belgium in December
Oct 11th, 1997, 07:20 AM
#2
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Enjoy your trip. Not much to see in Brussels - except for the remarkable Grote Place! All you need is a day or so to see the sights in the city center.
Plan a day-trip (via train) to Brugges - it's a small-scale Amsterdam with many medieval (I believe) buildings (churches, govt. offices, etc.
Plan a day-trip (via train) to Brugges - it's a small-scale Amsterdam with many medieval (I believe) buildings (churches, govt. offices, etc.
Oct 13th, 1997, 12:01 AM
#3
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I spent a very nice week in Brussels in December a few years ago. It's chilly but little snow and not as cold as many cities in the States at that time of year. The Grand Place was very nice at night with a big nativity scene and huge tree all lit up with Christmas lights. If you like Art Nouveau architecture Brussels has many marvelous buildings in that style.
Oct 15th, 1997, 08:56 PM
#5
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Tricia: Nice choice of a town... not too many people appreciate the charm of Brussels (unjustly). After you will have been done with the Grand Place, consider some of the lesser known attractions. On Saturday and Sunday morning, try not to miss the antique market at Place Grand Sablon. Brugge is NOT to be missed and is easily accessible by train (if travelling on weekends, ask for a "weekend ticket". It's 40%25 off). Another very pretty little town is Dinant, in the Ardennes (sp?) region. On a Sunday morning, the market in the southern train station (Gare du Midi in native tongue)is a refreshing experience - it's a Mediteranean kind of everything market. Unless you have a personal interest in the particulars of Napoleon's Waterloo batlle - do miss Waterloo. I fail to understand why a previous posting rated it as a "not to be missed".
As to hotels, on Place Ste. Catharine there is a very reasonably priced hotel. Used to be called by the same name as the "Place" but changed recently. You cannot miss it if you are in the "Place". If you can, try booking via your travel agent - they frequently offer 4 star hotels at 2-3 star hotel rate. While on Place Ste. Catharine, look around and you'll see some of the best-in-town seafood restaurants (use your eyes, nose, and the menu posted outside thr restaurant to pick one). And yes, almost forgot: with the fast train service commencing December, Paris is only 80 minutes away by train... ;-)
As to hotels, on Place Ste. Catharine there is a very reasonably priced hotel. Used to be called by the same name as the "Place" but changed recently. You cannot miss it if you are in the "Place". If you can, try booking via your travel agent - they frequently offer 4 star hotels at 2-3 star hotel rate. While on Place Ste. Catharine, look around and you'll see some of the best-in-town seafood restaurants (use your eyes, nose, and the menu posted outside thr restaurant to pick one). And yes, almost forgot: with the fast train service commencing December, Paris is only 80 minutes away by train... ;-)
