hetismij2

You can drink beer from 16 in Belgium, but they may increase that to 18 soon.
18 is the minimum age in the Netherlands.

There are red light districts in every town. I now where it is in mine but I wouldn't go there, any more than I would in a town in the US. I don't understand the attraction of staring at women who are being misused, like some animal in a zoo. Most of them are not happy hookers, but trafficked and forced into it.

Anyway back to the question, I would stay in Antwerp.

MyriamC

Locals are embarrassed? Why should we? The red light <i>district</i> (what's in a name?) is just an absolutely uninteresting area in the city. To us, locals, anyway.

Cowboy1968

In Antwerpen you should have a stroll in the art deco neighborhood if you like architecture. Not in walking distance from central station, but a short ride on the tram to Cogels-Osylei.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zurenborg

With regard to museums, I found the MAS very interesting.
http://www.mas.be/en

If you want to combine Flemish archticture as in Antwerpen with something else on your way to Amsterdam, you could also continue next morning to Rotterdam and spend the day there. Quite diverse and surprising city with lots to see.

PalenQ

http://www.middelheimmuseum.be/Museum_Middelheim_EN

A really nice modern art and sculpture museums on the edge of central Antwerp - nice outdoor statue gardens.

PalenQ

Now that this thread is dead - buried in Fodor's blackhole I will comment about this:

. <I don't understand the attraction of staring at women who are being misused, like some animal in a zoo. Most of them are not happy hookers, but trafficked and forced into it.>

And again you are not embarrassed if the case as you put it on such exploitation occurring right out in the open - like being sanctioned - are not the Dutch cops competent enough to arrest women traffickers - why is this patently illegal (I would hope) thing allowed then?

We have red-light districts but nothing so institutionalized as in Belgium and Holland- Germany has legal brothels but the tourist would pass them by without even recognizing them- why not put such trafficking out of sight and arrest the traffickers?

If what you say were true and I've read the same it perplexes me why something is not done about it, especially as it is so out in the open.

And I always thought prostitution should be legalized and controlled so such stuff don't happen - I think it is legal in Holland so why can't it be controlled?

I am very curious as to why this is so tolerated in such an 'advanced' society?

Whathello

PQ,
Sometimes you overthink.

You think that because I am Belgian I can answer it ?
Well I will :
As long as MEN behave like PIGS (apologies to the pigs) and need to have sexual slaves to satisfy their lowest sexual instincts we will we confronted with this situation.

But I don't think I can answer the question : is it better to have prostitutes inside houses better than on the street.

I honestly think that, 'tant qu'à faire' it is better for these human beings to be at least under a roof but it is a very small consolation.

So now, can we move on and discuss something more interesting about Belgium ?

PalenQ

So now, can we move on and discuss something more interesting about Belgium>

OK where can I find the best chocolate in Brussels?
The best waffles in Belgium?
The best Trappist beer?
The best antique lace in Bruges?
The best Friten (french fries) in all of Belgium?
The best .......... in Belgium. Fill in the blank.

Lisabu

I am a bit late getting back to my own post - travel and other things in life took over. Unfortunately the inexpensive flight from Munich to Brussels was cancelled on Sunday so we now fly in on Monday early morning so we only have a day to get a taste of Belgium on our way to Amsterdam where we will be staying Monday night. Luckily this takes the issue of visiting the Red Light District of Antwerp at night out of the discussion!

It is unfortunate that it is a Monday and some key museums that we wanted to see in Antwerp will be closed. My options now are stay in Brussels for the day, go from Brussels airport straight to Antwerp for the day or go from Brussels airport to Ghent. Regardless of the city we choose now, we will be visiting on a Monday so I need to choose the place with the most to do outside of museums (which in most cases is fine for my teenagers unless they are specifically history oriented) and we will need to leave by train to arrive in Amsterdam that night.

Antwerp, Brussels or Ghent? Our flight arrives into Brussels at 8:30 am so we will have an early start.

Thanks

Tulips

Antwerp offers the easiest onward trip to Amsterdam. But indeed the museums will be closed. Shops will be open, though. And the churches.
Let me know if you want any shopping tips for Antwerp.

Or stay in Brussel.

Whathello

Gent.

Gent is a little bit closer but it doesn't play a role but it is a very lovely city, with old houses, an old castle in the middle of town, castles, etc.

Antwerpen is more busy and industrial and less quaint.
Bruxelles is great but you need to prepare in advance - it is an unhomogeneous city and you will go to places that are not that interesting. In Gent, just go to the center and visit from there.

You are sure you land in Bruxelles or are you diverted elsewhere ?
Please check http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ort-report.cfm

There are links that are interesting.

Whathello

Ps : I got quite upset with this red light district on that thread, didn't I ;-)

Lisabu

I have not been notified that our flights have been changed. Since they are not until early July I assume things will be on schedule in terms of flights.

I am leaning toward Ghent for our short trip to Belgium. I am going to leave Antwerp to another time when the museums I want to see are open.

Another thought I had was to rent a car and visit a few of the smaller towns as we make our way to Amsterdam. We will have come from Munich and will be staying for 5 nights in Amsterdam, so smaller towns might be a welcome change. On this short trip I know the kids want to experience the world of Belgium waffles, chocolate and frites. Just soaking in some local culture might be more important this time around than hitting specific museums (which will be closed anyway) or sites.

Any thought on this idea- I was thinking Leuven, Mechelen and Lier and then onto Amsterdam. Otherwise we will just train to Ghent and then train onward to Amsterdam.

Whathello

I was going to recommend leuven or lier. I am no fan of mechelen.

Tongeren is great too albeit I have been told. Never found the time to go myself. A shame.

annhig

Tip of the day : we Belgian like being greeted.
In Antwerpen you should say 'goeie dag' (good day) which is pronounced like 'shoo yer dach'. It will at least bring a smile to the lips of the other party when you struggle with pronunciation.>>

Whathello - we Cornish like being greeted too - here you should say "All right" which is pronounced "Alrigh(t)"? with an upwards inflection; this is not infact an inquiry after your health and should be answered thus "Alrigh(t)" with a downwards inflection. That should bring a smile to the lips of the other party as they enjoy what for the cornish is a long conversation.

Seriously Pal - know that we have left the subject of red light districts but what you said was terribly naive; people trafficking is a terrible scourge and likely to get worse over the next few years. The victims are deterred from giving evidence against their exploiters by a combination of violence and fear, not just for themselves but for their families whom the traffickers threaten to harm if the victims go to the police or try to escape. They are also scared to death of being deported as illegal immigrants as often their papers have been forged or destroyed. The police are fighting a losing battle which will continue as long as some men are prepared to satisfy their urges with no thought for the feelings of the other party.

Ruby99

With only a few hours, if you do stay in Brussels, you might want to see the Atomium. We also really enjoyed a couple hours at Cook & Book, a huge book store and restaurant. It was a bit of a trek by metro, but I really enjoyed it.

Too bad the comic strip museum is closed on Mondays, the kids might enjoy that.

I have never been to Antwerp, but really enjoyed Ghent and Bruges... Lots of great shopping, great food and things to see

Sassafrass

I have not been to Antwerp, but highly recommend Ghent. The river through the city center is lined with outdoor cafes and restaurants. It is really lively, lots of young people enjoying the scene, but also beautiful. If the kids have the patience for it, you can take a boat tour through the canals. It is only about 45-50 minutes and cheap, 6-7 euros. I was there for a parade, so did not get to see even the castle, but was so impressed, I would love to go back. We met several people over the course of a day, and they were wonderful, very nice to Americans.

For teens, I would certainly recommend it over Bruges. We were in Bruges for several days and enjoyed biking, going to the beach, etc. but wished we had stayed in Ghent instead.

Tulips

Lisabu, renting a car is not necessary for the places you mention, as they are easy to get to by train. Roads in Belgium are very congested, and parking is not easy and expensive in cities. And if you want to return the car in Amsterdam you're faced with a drop-off charge.
If you are going to small villages, countryside; yes, rent a car. But in Flanders the cities are the main attractions.
And these are easier to get to by train.

You can buy tickets online at www.nmbs.be and print them - these are valid for any train on the day. Or buy at the station. They will be the same price.

PalenQ

annhig - I do not doubt any of that and have said so but if cities like Amsterdam don't then make it illegal based on the 'facts' you present shame on them and if it is like you say yes shame on them and they put up with and condone exploitation - Amsterdam in part because it is said to be the #2 tourist sight in Amsterdam - I abhor the situation as you say too but there are I believe some people who willingly engage in this activity too and to throw the baby out with the bathwater - well again shame on city officials for allowing such stuff as you allege and I do not doubt but am not sure it is all like that or nearly.

Young men also do this in Amsterdam - escorts - and are these folks too exploited? They are all over the world as are gals now online. Some would say anyone who charges for sex is exploited.

I deplore any sex slavery or exploitation as any of this type of stuff in general and hope local authorities would be able to put a stop to it - Amsterdam and Belgium apparently has not and thus rather condone it then.