Lois

I have a loooooooong list of places that I would like to visit both in Europe, and around the world. My husband and I are considering Holland and Belgium for our next trip. Please tell me why you love these countries so that I can make a well informed decision. Thanks to all!

Susan

Hi, Lois, I don't "love" Belgium, but from a trip an May and about 15 yrs' ago, I can recommend it for: The beauty and antiquity of Bruges, the surprising beauty of Brussels, which has great art and history museums, and fabulous Art Nouveau buildings all over; visit the Horta Museum (the leading architect of Art Nouv. it's in his house! The Magritte house museum, the flea markets, the old town. Even more meaningful to me were the battlefields of the Western Front in Flanders, where I easily drove with a map to discover hundreds of ww1 cemetaries and monuments and towns and villages rebuilt Entirely so thoroughly were they flattened. Visit the Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres, and the Kollwitz museum in a nearby town. This wonderful artist's son Peter is buried in the German cemetary there. I loved the green hills and valleys and the ancient stone villages of the Ardennes, and the old town Dinant there nestled in the banks of the river. I wasn'toverlyimpressed w/ the food, kind of overcooked French, but the mussels really are good, and a thick, concentrated jam from Liege. There are fewer Us and othe tourists in Belgium. At a 1-1 rate of exchangew/ the us dollar, especially hotel prices are cheap. I rented my car from a new private co. at something like www.be.happy.be. He was great. I guess I'd go back!

susan

Oh, and Ghent, too. Refer to any travel guide for more ideas.... Have fun!

mauld

Along with those cities mentioned above, I would heartily add, Antwerp. It is a beautiful city with lots to do, but much less hectic than Brussels or touristy like Brugge. It is a very quick trip from Brussels and I found it much less expensive.

Myriam

Of course I second Michelle's opinion. Antwerp is a city that is alive day and night since many people actually live IN the city centre. The city is very compact, the historical part is as picturesque as Brugge (IMO), we have lots of fine museums, churches and other monuments. And Antwerp is indeed cheaper than Brussels, especially eating & drinking. Lots of choice in restaurants with food from all over the world, great cafés with upto 500 different beers ... etc. etc.

SA

I am not crazy about Brussels but Bruges, Oostende (on the coast for some North Sea swimming) & mussels & on to Amsterdam, Delft & Maastricht (don't miss this quaint little place. Brussels is good for flying in & out of & shopping. + stop by & see Mannekin Pis.

Lois

Thanks to all for your recommendations! I am going to research all of the towns that have been suggested.