heading to Belgium - best 2 1/2 days?

Posted by neila.steve.mann on 09/20/24 06:40 PM

we're landing in London and don't yet know how we're getting to Belgium.
Nor do we know where we're going. We land Sunday very early and leave Wednesday morning. Coming from the US. We want safe interesting places to walk around and visit. We like beautiful sites (we're generally in favor of mountains, etc) and we enjoy culture. Unfortunately the wife loves shops. But unique ones. We're American so don't need fancy American shops. We enjoy great casual food. And walking around taking in the people and the atmosphere. It's only 2-2 1/2 days....

If you're a couple (I'm mid 50's, she's mid 40's (go me!)), where do you go? What's your itin? I see Grand Palace in each of the first two...it's a start!
I'm reading about Brussels and Antwerp and Bruge but not sure how to pick.

Posted by Pat

San Diego, California

09/20/24 07:00 PM

5681 posts

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/the-netherlands-belgium-april-2024-brought-the-rain-pants-needed-the-rain-pants

Perhaps scroll to the Belgium section of my Trip Report, maybe there are helpful ideas.
When is this trip?

Cameron Hewitt was just in the NL in the spring, so check out his Blog here, and other Trip Reports, under that section here.
Join city -specific Facebook Groups for on the ground, real-time posts.
Have a great trip. Safe travels!

Posted by neila.steve.mann OP

09/20/24 07:21 PM

3 posts

thanks a lot Pat. That's a heck of a blog with lots of great info. Appreciate the pointer to it.
I did forget to mention this is a VERY last-minute trip - we're leaving tomorrow (booked the return flights today).

Posted by lavandula

Sydney, Australia

09/21/24 01:31 AM

42 posts

If you arrive in London on Sunday morning take a flight immediately to BRU (Brussels international airport, not Charleroi). With such a short time I would only be tempted to do one city. So pick either Brussels if you want to weigh heavily on the shopping and museums, or Bruges if you prefer atmosphere (picture medieval city, but lots of sightseers). Or Antwerp if you prefer cafés.

In Brussels the shopping areas are Rue Neuve, in the centre of the city, and the area around the mint; if you are prepared to go further afield there is higher-end shopping at Avenue Louise, and you can then walk from there along Avenue Toison d'Or to Porte de Namur, where the Chaussée d'Ixelles starts. That is also shopping (chain shops, not so high end). In Antwerp you can walk from the station along the Meir with shops the whole way, up until you get to the old town and there is a huge cathedral, the Onze-LIeve-Vrouwenkathedraal, which is 13th century. I don't know the shopping in Bruges well enough to comment on that.

Good luck, I hope you have a nice trip.

Lavandula

Posted by neila.steve.mann OP

09/21/24 01:45 AM

3 posts

Hi Lavandula,
You are correct that the time is too short for more than one city. It's also why I want to optimize our time.

Your descriptions of the cities are consistent with what I've been reading and help solidify which way we will go
Thanks so much for taking the time
Stebe