I will be spending a week in this city and i will be going on many excursions. I will be staying in the Crown Plaza Hotel there. What is it like? How far is it from everything?

I'll be spending a few days there in mid-latge June so can report back then. There looks to be a nice historic center, a church, a market etc... As well as stuff relating to the painter Rubens. Antwerp is well situated for visiting other Benelux sites. I *think* the Crowne Plaza is on the edge of the main downtown area, but I could be wrong.

For the best information on Belgian Cities (and other places), go to "www.jack-travel.com/belgium". Jack is a Belgian (may be from Antwerp) and writes in an engaging style. His coverage is complete and his restaurant and hotel recommendations are right on. Best guide book I have ever had. I simply printed of the pages.

Aileen, will you have a car? Then you could also easily visit some other nearby towns like Lier or Mechelen. Or the countryside north of Antwerp which is marvellous for hiking/biking.

Exuuuuuse, me, but if you have planned a week in Antwerpen, why???? Ahhh, you are an orthodox diamond trader from Tel Aviv with good connections in Sierra Leone? No??? If you are spending a week in Antwerpen you have to do six day exursions.<BR>

One of the most dreary sea ports in europe. Give it a miss.