Hello,
We are traveling from Paris to Belgium on 28th March.
We have 7 days to do Belgium (Brussels,Bruges, Antwerp and Ghent) are what we thought but are open to suggestions and Amsterdam if it is not too rushed.
I don't know what way to do these, stay in one place or move once or twice.
Where we should finish if we are going to Amsterdam.
We are very open to ideas.We prefer trains as our mode of travel.
We like museums,architecture,markets , really anything of interest.
We are in our 60's but are agile and can walk all day
Thank you in advance
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Day
1. Train from Paris to Ghent (4N)
2. Day to Bruges
3. Day to Antwerp
4. Day to Brussels
5. Train to Amsterdam (3N)
6. Amsterdam
7. Amsterdam
Posted by
OP
Shell Cove Australia
14 posts
Thank you very much So make Ghent our base?
Posted by
the Netherlands
2487 posts
Distances between these cities in Belgium are short and the trains run frequently (several times per hour). All your places of interest can easily be done without changing hotels. Gent (as is the Flemish spelling) is right in the centre: 30 mins from Brussel and Brugge, and 1 hr from Antwerpen. Check at the website of the Belgian railways for schedules and possible discounts (such as a weekend ticket).
Visiting Amsterdam as a day trip involves a lot of hours on the train: 3 hrs on the Intercity and 2 hrs with the high-speed Thalys. But there is enough in Belgium to keep you busy. Brussel might not be the most attractive city around, but it has a good collection of museums. Mechelen (between Antwerpen and Brussel) is amazingly attractive. The same is for Mons (»Bergen« in Flemish), 1,5 hrs from Gent.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
In debt to correct Flemish names and spellings above. Thanks.
Posted by
the Netherlands
2487 posts
Lovely country where you must buy a ticket to Bergen to arrive in Mons, and you have a station which alternatingly is indicated as Bruxelles-Midi and Brussel-Zuid.
I was somewhat confused about the Amsterdam option. To make it a worthwhile trip, you indeed must move north. A hotel doesn't need necessarily to be in the city. Many find Haarlem (only 20 mins away) a much nicer place to stay. And Utrecht (30 mins) also offers attractive possibilities. Both are wonderful destinations in themselves.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
You could spend your entire 7 days in Belgium, but if you want to go to Amsterdam, I would give it (or Haarlem) a couple of nights, at least. If you stay in Gent, you could see each of the other cities in one daytrip for each, leaving you a few nights for the Netherlands.
Posted by
Portsmouth, NH
29 posts
I would try to fit 2 nights in Amsterdam, as it's a city that's definitely worth seeing.
Posted by
Atlanta, Georgia
451 posts
I agree with djd_syd.
Posted by
OP
Shell Cove Australia
14 posts
Thank you to everyone who replied to my post. I now have2 full days in Amsterdam. We then move to Gent for 4 days. All booked. Happy lady !