Anna

We're going to Europe for 3 weeks in May and are just starting to plan the trip. The *one* place we know we want to go is Brugge as we have missed it on all our past trips. Trouble is Brugge is not near anyplace else we've wanted to see. But maybe I just don't know this area of the continent well enough...there may be some great and interesting towns and sights within a relatively nearby area. We hate to waste time traveling about when we only have 3 weeks total. <BR><BR>We've already been to Brussels for a week (long enough) and have been to places like Colmar and Kayserberg and Riquewihr in France. Can anyone tell me of other places in eastern France that you enjoyed (and why and what)? We like the outdoors, museums, walking, historical sights. Not interested in shopping or nightlife. BTW we have also spent 5 days in Rouen so wouldn't want to go there again. And we have spent a month+ traveling all over Holland so have seen much of that country. In Germany we have been to Freiberg but didn't go much further north than that when we were in western Germany. My husband loved Germany whenever we've been there so maybe there are still some great places in Western Germany we haven't seen. Any suggestions please?

ann

some suggestions - why don't you also spend some time in Ghent/Antwerp - those towns have very nice museums, cosy markets, lovely terraces, etc...<BR>and did you ever consider Lille in northern France ? It is the largest town in Northern France, but still has remarkable lovely streets and sights.<BR>Have you ever been to Luxemburg ? Most of its castles are ruins, and it's more known for its nature than for culture, but it has some lovely little towns.<BR><BR>And what about Dijon, Beaune and the Burgundy area ? Dijon has some very nice museums, and the Beaune Hospital is known for its fine architecture... you would be able to enjoy lovely (burgundy) wine, visit some of the nicest little roman churches and discover a pretty area of France. You then could also continue to the Loire Valley...<BR>Enjoy your trip !<BR><BR>

Russ

It's a pretty quick shot into Germany via the busy but attractive towns of Aachen and Cologne. You could head south into the Rhine Gorge (a very different animal from the Rhein near Freiburg!) and visit a few castles, try the wines, and do a little hiking or biking in the smaller towns between Koblenz and Bingen, the prettiest section. You could also visit the Mosel River, heading southwest from Koblenz, which is similar to the Rhine but much sleepier, with many smaller villages to visit, then head into Luxembourg and/or France. Here's a page of highlights:<BR><BR>http://www.mosel-reisefuehrer.de/moselhighengl/moselhighlightsengl.html<BR><BR>I like Cochem for atmosphere, and Trier is a very interesting city.

wes fowler

Anna,<BR>Have you considered eastern and southeastern Belgium with its castles, monasteries, rivers, forests, hiking trails and lovely inns? Here's a possible itinerary that might be of interest. I've a few more that might appeal as well. If so, Email me directly and I'll forward them to you.<BR><BR>Time for a beer or two, another river, some forests, castles. perhaps a picnic and a grotto (warm clothes required). Let’s trek to Rochefort and its Trappist brewery, then south to St. Hubert, Neufchateau, Florenville, Orval and its Trappist monastery, where you can pick up the fixin’s for a picnic, then north past Bastogne to Houffalize and alongside the banks of the Ourthe to La Roche-en-Ardenne. <BR><BR>Assuming Furfooz is your home base, drive through the park to the road leading to Veves where you’ll find a castle dating to the 7th century that sits high above the village on a ridge. The present building dates from the 15th century and has been restored over the subsequent centuries. Continue on to Celles, the village that marks the extent of General von Rundstedt’s German army advance during the Battle of the Bulge in WW II. About 4km south of Celles you’ll find a fork in the road going off to the right. Take it and you’ll end up where the boat rides on the Lesse start. Continue on the fork to the left to Rochefort on yet another river, the Lomme. If you’re into spelunking or cave dwelling, and you’re dressed for 50 degree weather, you can take a tour of a grotto, a complex of underground caverns with marble and limestone formations. It’s about 6kms southwest of Rochefort in the town of Han-sur-Lesse. Just outside of Rochefort is the Abbey of Saint-Remy, home of one of the five genuine Trappist breweries in Belgium. There are three different beers, identified by their gravity: Rochefort 6, Rochefort 8 and Rochefort 10 with the latter, a dark brown beer with an almost chocolate taste being the finest.<BR><BR>Drive south now via Rte 803 to St. Hubert and pick up Rte N89 south through the Ardennes forest to Recogne. There take Rte 40 to Neufchateau, Rte 85 from Neufchateau to Florenville. Stop at the church at Florenville and walk to the terrace behind it for a panoramic view of the Semois valley. Take Rte 88 about 8kms south to Villers and thence Orval. <BR><BR>The Trappist abbey of Notre Dame d’Orval is without a doubt the most beautiful monastery in Belgium. It’s a large complex including the ruins of the old abbey, a new basilika, courtyards, gardens, dairy barns and stables, the brewery and a shop where you can buy breads, cheeses and the beer made by the Trappists. Unlike the Rochefort monastery, Orval makes only one beer, Orval, one of the finest in the world. Here’s where you get your fixin’s for a picnic. <BR><BR>Head back to Florenville and take Rte 85 north through Neufchateau to Bastogne. The drive from Neufchateau to Bastogne isn’t particularly scenic. You might want to stop on Rte 85 a bit north of Lacuisine to picnic while you’re still in the Gaume forest.<BR><BR>At Bastogne, take Rte 30 north to Houffalize. This town was flattened by American bombers during WWII but it’s worth a stop to visit the Li Vi Form museum which details Belgian country life. From here, we’ll drive the Ourthe Valley to La Roche-en-Ardennes. Almost every village along the way has walking paths that offer views over the river. There’s a view point in the parking lot at Misramont that offers a superb view of the lake that forms the convergence of a couple of streams that create the Ourthe.<BR><BR>La Roche is a tiny village in an absolutely lovely setting. As a result it’s laden with tourist hotels and restaurants. You can also rent boats and there are over 60 miles of foot paths. Despite its charming looks, La Roche was almost completely destroyed in WWII as a result of a bombing raid. <BR><BR>From La Roche, take Rte 89 south to E 46, then E46 northwest to Rte 97 which will take you back to Furfooz (love that name!). <BR>

Fanny

If you end up liking Brugge - and how could you not? - you'll probably like Ghent too. It's from the same time period, one of the old Art Cities like Brugge, lots of rich history, museums, churches etc. Depending on your mode of transportation, it's a short train ride from Brugge, or a short direct drive by car from Brugge or Brussels. <BR><BR>And if you have any desire to see the North Sea and walk its shore, the coast road isn't a far drive from Brugge. There are plenty of small city-towns dotting the coast but I have to warn you - many of them have that touristy "resort" type feeling with high rise hotels and souvenir shops. But if you ignore that, it can be a pretty afternoon drive when you want to take a break from the museums and cobblestone streets. <BR><BR>