What would you do if you had a week to spend in Europe? Looking for places to enjoy fresh brews, live music and good food. Our plans already include 5+ days in Amsterdam (next March). We'd like to add an extra week to this trip... but we're not sure where to go! Where would you go?

Belgium is quite well known for its variety of beers, however someone else will have to provide specifics as I'm not much of a beer fan. There are some regular posters who can inform you about Brussels and Bruges, good dining and where to find the best beers selections. Brussels is about a 3 hour train ride from Amsterdam.

Brussels for sure. Belgian beer is superb (give me an idea of what type you normally drink & I'll make some suggestions) and there are some top notch restaurants there as well as a lively music scene.

as an alternative to brussels, i would suggest bruges which has a charm all its own and sports one of europe's greatest beer bars: 't brugs beertjie.

with an encyclopedic range of over 300 domestic (belgian) and imported beers and that slightly shabby yet familiar ambience that reminds one of one's local hangout, it is unquestionably a must stop for any hops addict.

on wednesdays, i believe, they have live gypsy music and the odd, occasional amateur is always enthusiastically supported (at least initially). but the real music is the undertone of friendly conversation and the clink of glasses and mugs.

they also have a restaurant, den duyver which specialises in beer associated dishes. it's a bit expensive but the dining experience is unique. the atmoshere is a 180 deg. turn from brugs beertjie being somewhat elegant with very fine service.

there are several more bars and restaurants which recommend bruges as a good travel spot not to mention the town itself.

not to confuse...

den duyver is independently owner and not associated with brugs beertjie

Munich is a great place for beer, food, and oompah bands.

Munich and Cologne, Germany. These are the twin towers of the holy empire of beer. Prost.

Bamberg, Germany. Beautiful city! Not destroyed during the war. I believe they boast of 7 breweries. My favorite spot in Germany. Check it out for yourself.

Hmm...I'll concede the point that Belgium is good for beer but I would have to point out that I'm pretty convinced that's because there is nothing else to do! I once had to spend 5/6 days in Brussels on holiday and have never been so bored....

What to do in Brussels? Let me see:
The Royal Museums of Fine Arts are worth a day each, easy; The EuroPark complex out at Heysel, another day, even with the Atomium currently closed for refurbishment; the Museum of Comic Book Art, The Chocolate Museum (free samples!), 2 beer museums (more free samples!). Picnic in le Cinquentenaire Park, visit the Royal Palace, take an open topped bus tour of the city, marvel at the grandeur of the aptly named Grand Place, visit some of the finest reaturants in Northern Europe, all without visitng a single bar or touching a drop of beer. Boring,eh?

Hi B,

>We'd like to add an extra week to this trip...<

Paris
or
Paris
or, maybe,
Paris.

There are certainly things to do in Brussels but unless you have a particular interest in something there, it is hard to imagine selecting it as a holiday destination. it does have somewhat of a bad reputation as a city but i think a lot of this is overblown...meaning that it's not that bad but hardly a prime choice as a holiday destination.

the truth is that the beer is good pretty much all over europe and belgian beers are known as some of the best. however, from the OP, it seems like there is more of a casual interest in good beer...an interest that can be catered for in just about any european city (or rural area).

doonhamer: The chocolate and beer museum (at the Grand Place - which is quite pretty but hardly worthy of the term 'grandeur') both took me less than 3/4 of an hour!! They're TINY!

Never had a memorable beer in Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, or Greece. Have had MANY memorable beers in Brugge, and I second the recommendations for t brugs beertjie (for drinks and their farm cheese plate) and Den Dyver (for a phenomenal dining experience). I'll also throw in De Garre and Erasmus because I like them more than 't brugs beertije even though their selection isn't as large.

For other Belgian beer info, go to www.babblebelt.com

I also recommend Bamberg even though I haven't been their yet. Home of rauchbier (smoked beer) and there are several breweries in this little town. You can go to www.franconiabeerguide.com for more info.

THANK YOU all for the suggestions. There's so much to consider. We're been leaning towards a day or two in Brussels since we started planning this trip. I love Belgian beers and Lambics. So Brussels just seems like the best place to drink. My boyfriend is a huge hop-head. So places that serve hoppy beers would be great, too.

Bisco, you may want to visit la Musee de la Gueuze, see www.cantillon.be for details (Tallulah, this was the one I meant, not the Maison des Brasseurs on GP)

Definitely visit Cantillon if you're going to Brussels.

You might want to search for some posts from BTilke - Belgian expert! Always has great suggestions for Brussels and surroundings.

Not sure I've found the Belgian equivalent of a hoppy IPA, but a Gueze is worth experimenting with. My fave Belgian is Duchesse de Bourgogne - a flemish red (sour) ale. Typically hard to find in the U.S. (getting a little easier), but if you see it on draft somewhere, give it a shot...very unique and tasty!