Did I make a "happy" mistake - Antwerp?
 

Hi,

I'm heading to Antwerp instead of the city I wanted to visit originally. I won't tell you my original city because it's really embarrassing to admit at how bad I goofed up. :)

I've read some favorable opinions about Antwerp - meaning, if one had to choose from Bruges, Brussels, Ghent, etc.. It was rather high in the order of preference. I have visited both Bruges and Brussels in past years so I don't feel as if I'm missing out on those 2 cities.

I did a small bit of research and it seems that Antwerp has some great architecture and other lovely things to see. I am going in late November so I know it'll be chilly and any outdoor activities will be limited.

What are your thoughts/advice about Antwerp?

TR

Fascinating city - old architecture well preserved, diamond capital of the world (even if bling isn't your cup of tea, there are fascinating aspects to the craft), a harbour you should visit (they do tours), great food (typically of the French quality and the German portion size...) - and very short train trips away from Bruges, Gent/Gand, Brussels, and other fun places.

You "chose" wisely - go and enjoy!

I enjoyed Antwerp very much. Be sure to go to the Rubens House museum! Bruges is great too -- very much a step back in time. Did not care much for Brussels.

ditto to above - Antwerp is one of those cities that has a unique look and feel. Even in November i think Middleheim Statue Park would be great - one of Europe's primo outdoor statue parks and in a lovely park-like setting. Trams go right near the entrance (about 3 miles south of the town centre)

Middelheimmuseum
www.middelheimmuseum.be/ -

Sculpture Museum, Antwerp
In Middelheim-Hoog, you can also visit some indoor sculptures in the Braem pavilion, built by the Antwerp architect Urbain Braem, a former trainee of Le ...
www.aviewoncities.com › Antwerp › Antwerp Attractions

Thanks for the encouraging responses!

TR

TR will you post a report when you get back - and maybe let us in on the mistake ;)?

I am sure you will enjoy Antwerp. Good food, good beer, interesting city.

YES! Antwerp is one of the cities I would chose to live in. The Grote market, the churches. the squares, the ARubens house the harbor area, the merchant's house and the wonderful food. I would move to Belgium in a NY minute. And I amy if the US politics doesn't straigten it self out!

Belgian politics isn't exactly a bowl of cherries just now Avalon ;).

Given that you've already visited Brugge, I think you'll enjoy Antwerp. (And don't feel bad about the mix-up with the city. Andy and Beth nearly missed a flight in China because Andy got the airports mixed up, and they didn't discover the error until they were on the way to the airport!!) A former BF told me he enjoyed Antwerp in winter, he felt, even more than any other time as it was fairly devoid of tourists. And compared to where you live in the States, I'm sure the weather will actually be better. Just take layers, scarf, gloves, hat and boots, and perhaps fold-up umbrella and enjoy!

BC

Avalon, better hurry, there soon may not be much left of the Belgium we once knew...

and though not some folks' cups of tea Antwerp has one of the 'best' Amsterdam redlight districts with barely clad gals behind red-neon-lit picture windows - or did last time i visited - Amsterdam is basically getting rid of its redlight district from the standpoint of being so obvious so many Belgians are too

@hetismij: yes, I'll definitely write a trip report when I return. And, I may reveal my original destination! ;)

@avalon: the places you listed sound really cool. Now I need to do research.

@bc: are you coming to this year's GTG? I hope so! :)
Yeah, I sort figured that the weather would be similar there as it is here. I went last year around the same time and it really wasn't that bad. I'm not quite a pro yet in the layering department, but I'm getting there!

TR

TR, unfortunately no. I had been planning on it, and even had my plane ticket. However, my oncologist changed my appt at DFCI, and since I'm currently jobless, I really can't fly out <i>both</i> weekends, so I'll be coming into town the Thursday after the GTG, having my appt the following day, and flying back home on the Saturday after the GTG. I had to furnish my oncologist's name, office address and ph# so the airline would waive the fee they'd normally charge to change the ticket, but they were very nice about it. Sorry I'll miss you!

BC

BC: I'm seriously bummed. :(

Dude, please know that <i>I</i> am seriously bummed also. I will be there in spirit, and that's the best I can do under the circumstances. Hope you guys have a great time, and remember, some of the fun is in the mix of "olds" as Rizzuto calls the folks returning, and "new" people who've never been to the Boston GTG before!

BC

On the off chance that you are a beer geek...

Antwerp has one of the best bars in the world for beer.

It's not that they offer about 700 beers, but more that over 1/3 of them are aged over 10 years (and some of them are aged 30 years). It's more about quality (stellar) than quantity (impressive):
http://www.ratebeer.com/Place/state/...inator/533.htm


Here's a description of just of few of their offerings:
http://www.ratebeer.com/shelftag2.asp?pid=533

If you're there the last weekend in November, it's Antiques weekend, all the antiques shops beautifully done up for Christmas and open late and on Sunday.
Are you interested in fashion? There's the fashion museum on Nationale Straat, and some interesting shops.

I loved Antwerp. I think you'll enjoy relaxing and enjoying life amongst the beautiful architecture in the Grote Markt and the Rubens paintings in the wonderful cathedral. What a wonderful goof.

@Tulips: Wow, thank you for that information! I do like fashion so I'll have to see if I have time to check out the museum you mentioned. I haven't started planning my day yet.

@Nadia: thank you for reaffirming my "wonderful goof." I love that description!

TR

Let me know if you need any more information on shops; Antwerp is a great shopping destination. There's an exhibiton on hats on at the fashion museum at the moment;
http://www.momu.be/