Belgium for two days

When will you be in Belgium? Will you have car? What are your likes and dislikes? First time to Europe?

Thanks for the reply! I do not have a car and is in Brussels.

The subject of what to see (and what to avoid) in Belgium is one of the most divisive ones on this board. Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, and Bruges all have fans and foes, and people will get quite heated up about their individual experiences. So, while I can say that I would rank them (favorite to least favorite) as Antwerp-Bruges-Ghent-Brussels, I would recommend you do some of your own reading and see what appeals to you. If you don't already have Rick Steves Snapshot: Bruges & Brussels, I highly recommend it as a good place to start (it now includes all four cities). Of course, there are other guidebooks too. With only two days, you'll have to be selec-tive no matter what. However, from Brussels, the other three are an hour or less by frequent trains, so you can see them if you want. Brussels has the Grand Place, chocolate, some great Art Nouveau architecture (best seen on a tour from ARAU if their schedule works for you), and...for me, that's about it. Bruges is "very touristy," but there's a reason - it's lovely and quite relaxing, as a well preserved medieval city. Ghent has historic parts like Bruges does, but they're interspersed with the modern city. And Antwerp is lively and vibrant (to me - others find it dirty and seedy). It, too, has a street of great Art Nouveau homes (Cogels Osylei - don't ask me how that's pronounced - near the Berchem train station, at the edge of the city center).

You didn't mention what time of year, but if you're visit will be in December, consider a daytrip to Hasselt for their annual "Winterland". Imagine the most elaborate Christmas market possible, throw in lots of eating and drinking, a temporary ice rink, and some theme-park caliber rides... you get the idea. And if you visit in the summer, consider a daytrip to the Belgian coast, particularly the towns of De Haan and De Panne. If you or anyone in your party has an interest in WWI history, I would recommend Ieper and the Westhoek area.

We did a walking tour of Brussels from the square. It was great. We met a tourist guide from Ghent, he said that while he loved Ghent, if we only had one additional day he said go to Brugge. Had fun there too.