Planning on going to Brussels to see the 2018 Flower Carpet. Obviously prices will be higher because of this event. Sorry several questions:
1. For cost purposes do you suggest flying directly to Brussels?
2. We have 7 days. would like Brussels, Brugge, Ghent would like central location that allows us train travel instead of renting car. Doable?

The Flower Carpet runs Wednesday through Saturday. Thinking we begin with an arrival to Brussels on the Friday during this week at the end of the 2018 Flower Carpet hoping prices may drop in surrounding areas after the event ends.

Thanks for suggestions.

ACDB.

Belgium is said to have the densest rail system in Europe - trains go all the time to all those lovely places - most say to stay overnight in Bruges to enjoy it after day-tripping bus groups have gone - the city then takes on a dramatic surrealsness to me. - Bruges is a great base for Gent and Antwerp (don't neglect this gem!)

Belgian trains are cheap and just buy tickets as you go - look into some kind of day tickets too - great info on Belgian trains - http://www.belgianrail.be/en/ (official site of Belgian Railways- look there for specials); www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

No domestic Belgian trains except Thalys trains which you will not take -require seat reservations so no reason to buy ahead -at leas to save money TMK.

Brussels is in many ways a fascinating city but one that turns a lot of folks off because it is so modern and busy and -a few days there would be enough for most- Gent would be a perfect base for Bruges and Antwerp - those three cities everyone adores.

You could even day trip in to Brussels from say some nearby city like Mechelines - probably a 20-minute or so train ride north.

Yes, it's super easy to get from Brussels to Ghent and Bruges by train. No need at all to rent a car. Bruges, where I spent a few nights, is more touristy and crowded than Ghent, but I loved it

Flying to Brussels makes sense if you can get a good flight at a good price. If not, flying to Amsterdam or Paris might work better - you can use the trains from there too, although this makes more sense if you would also prefer a night in one of those towns too. Maybe not with only a week.

Note that flying into/out of Brussels airport doesn't mean you need to stay right in Brussels the night before departure - depends on what time you flight out would be. The country is pretty small, and the airport is well connected by train to other cities and towns besides Brussels. Leuven for example is a lovely town close to Brussels that's also got direct train service to Brussels airport. Antwerp does too. On my visit to Belgium, I spent my last nights in Antwerp and flew out the next morning, never had to go back to Brussels itself.

Everyone -at least Americans simply loves Bruges - Gent is nice but it is not at all as lovely thru and thru as Bruges and a larger more urban place - but a nice one for sure.

Some people claim not to like Bruges - too touristy for them, which is understandable. It is a place that is better in the evening when many day-trippers have left and the town is more quiet.

Much better staying overnight in Bruge and if possible not the weekend - it's a whole different place in the evening and early morning.
Train travel is so easy in Belgium . Also consider Ypres and Leuven

wonderful information - thank you so much! ACDB