We are traveling to Brussels the last week in October to visit our son who is studying there.
We have 7 days to travel around we want to explore Brussels and definitely Brugge but my sons want to go to
Paris for a few days. Any suggestions that could make this work? Should we fly into Brussels and fly out of Paris?
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
Both Brussels and Paris have international airports, and it is possible to get between the two in less than ninety minutes by Thalys high-speed train (www.thalys.com). Thalys tickets are much cheaper if booked well in advance. You can get from Brussels to Bruges in around an hour by Belgian domestic train (buy tickets on the day, no advance discount or seat reservations). I would look into the things to see in each place as they can't be completely described here, but:
Bruges/Brugge: Well-preserved early-modern town centre, can have an overpoweringly touristy atmosphere. Good art museum and interesting churches.
Brussels: IMO quite irrationally attacked on this board. Not a good day trip destination as the worthwhile sites are dotted around a fairly large city, but some good museums and fantastic art nouveau architecture.
Paris: Huge city with something to offer anyone.
Posted by
ft lauderdale, florida, usa
34 posts
by 7 days, do you mean you land from the US on one of those days? you will want to allow for jet lag and not plan that much that day. Google what you want to see in Brussels and have that organized. then go to Brugges early one morning and stay the night. it is charming at night when all the tourists have gone. You can do a day trip to Flanders field if that is of interest to you. I loved the hospital museum. Since it's late october, I don't think the boat ride would be running. then train to Paris. and fly out of Paris. I am going to be there at that time. I love off season traveling. less crowds.
Posted by
Denver
77 posts
We'll be there a little earlier in October. Starting in Amsterdam for three days, then train to Brussels for lots of day trips to Brugge, Ghent, Antwerp, etc. in seven days. In the middle of being in Belgium we're taking the train to Paris for an overnight to celebrate my 69th birthday. Been there once before but thought it would be nice to celebrate my birthday there.