Belgium in 2.5 days

Does this mean you have 3 nights in Belgium? I would tour Brussels when you get there from Paris. Then be off. Whether you stay in Bruges or Ghent, well that is a hard one. I loved them both so much. I have been to Bruges 2 times, once staying there for 5 nights (yes, i love it that much). I stayed in Ghent for 3 nights, and loved that city too. But my experience with Brussels both times, was no more than 3-4 hours and then I am off. I have stayed at Absoluut Verhulst in Bruges both times and would stay there again if I go back. I stayed at De Waterzooi in Ghent, which was so fabulous. We stayed in the attic loft room. So wonderful.
Base in Bruges and day trip to Ghent is what my gut says, but I would find a way to spend 2 nights in each city.

Yes, 3 nights in Belgium. We leave Paris early morning on Monday. I planned to go to Brussells and do Grand Palace. You'd suggest doing that and then leaving for nights in Bruges? Where's the best chololate and/or lace place to visit? I'm trying to hit the hot spots with her. We'll leave Belgium for 5 days in Germany. (it was her choice). Obviously, we could spend a lot of time in every country, but we only have so much time. I'm trying to do entire trip without a car. Are the hotels in Bruges convenient to train station? What would be your suggestion for itineary?

I would base in Brussels and do day trips to Bruges and Ghent. That will make for the shortest commutes, plus I love Brussels. However, not everyone does, so Bruges may be safer. I would not go to Waterloo. It will take too much time on such a short visit, and I thought it was pretty underwhelming.

Mary, I lived in Brussels for five years and returned last summer. Your choice of Bruges & Ghent are solid picks. Brussels is a wonderful place, but very much a business/commerce centered place. Hotels during the week can be tough and expensive. With your limited time, I'd suggest just one day in Brussels and the balance of your time in Bruges and Ghent (Bruge being the primary place). In Brussels spend your time at the Grand Place, St. Michael's Cathedral, the Mannekin Pis (you'll be rather surprised), and walking the local neighborhoods. I strongly suggest you skip Waterloo, it will be disappointing, especially with your limited time. Make sure you get a Belgian waffle off the Grand Place! Chocolate & Lace - don't buy in Brussels, you'll pay more. Bruge & Ghent accomodations - I always suggest staying like a local. You dont need a big fancy place to stay, since more of your time will be spent out touring the city and sites. There are a lot of good 3 star hotels to stay in the inner city of Bruge. A canal tour is worthwhile, climbing the tower probably is not. The frites at the base of the tower in the Grote Markt are great. Its a very easy train ride from Brussels to Bruges. A quick bus ride gets you to the center of town.

With only 2.5 days, I would skip Waterloo. If you expect something along the lines of a preserved Civil War battlefield, you will be disappointed. There's only a few monuments, and a handful of historical markers. The battlefield itself is still used for primarily for agriculture. Save your valuable time for the cities.

Mary, For an effective visit to Waterloo, you need a car to get around from the different sites and the town. True, you can go from the train station in Brussels to Waterloo by public transportation, then what, unless you hire a taxi.

Twice I've trained into Brussels and left my luggage in their lockers, then spent 1-10 hours in town. After collecting my bag, I then continued on to Bruges. If you want, see Ghent as a day trip. The Bruges train station isn't very close to hotels, but there are city buses marked 'Centrum' leaving for the Old Town (and main plazas) every few minutes. Follow everyone outside and buy your ticket from the agents in the ticket booths. In 5 minutes or so, you'll be at the center of town. Hang on tightly ;-)

Hello Mary. For chocolate souvenirs, you should of course go to a Brussels chocolatier called Mary chocolates! http://www.mary.be/ They have several locations. I believe the one closest to the Grand Place is the one inside the Galerie Saint-Hubert (which is itself worth a quick look-see). I recommend it not just because it shares your name. They have excellent chocolate. And they have some beautiful packaging for souvenirs. For lace, there is of course the Kantcentrum in Bruges http://www.kantcentrum.eu/en/ The real highlight there is the lacemaking demonstrations that they have. For souvenirs, I'd recommend a place right down the street from the Kantcentrum which specializes in hand-made lace (a lot of what you'll see in more central souvenir stores is machine made). It is a little place called 't Apostelientje. http://www.apostelientje.be/UK/1 Enjoy your trip. Bruges is a wonderful place to stay.

My parents and I went to Belgium this June and stayed in Ghent at the De Waterzooi as well and stayed in the attic sweet loft. Christian and Kaye were so friendly and breakfast was the best meals we had on our whole 2 week trip. We stayed in Ghent for 3 days and went to Kinderdijk and Delft Holland on the first day. Went to Brugge on the second day. I fell in love with Brugge. Ghent is bigger then Brugge and we got lost a lot trying to navigate through the city. Brussels was horrible, dirty and not worth our time. Brussels in our least favorite city we have been to in 11 European countries we have seen. The Mannekin Pis is a waste. Not worth seeing IMO.

Dumon Chocolate Shop in Bruge...It was fairly close to the Tower. I ate breakfast one morning at the Grand Place, it was a great view with my eggs and coffee. I stayed 1 night near the Grand Place and then 2 nights with a friend of mine who lived just outside of Brussels. We hopped in his car and drove up to Bruges for about half the day. That was good for me but everyone is different...went to the Church of Our Lady to see the Michaelangelo's Madonna of Bruge, climbed up the Tower (I had watched the movie "In Bruges", dark comedy, so I had to do that), ate a late breakfast, lunch, had a great waffle with cream and strawberries, toured a brewery, and ate some chocolate at Dumons...also took some back to the US with me. Brought back quite a bit of chocolate that trip! Maison au Chocolat from Paris, Amedei from Italy and Dumons from Bruge...yummy. Check out Michel Chaudun's chocolate shop in Paris, a few blocks from the Invalides.

Have been to all three and would stay in Brussels. Both Bruges and Ghent are nice visits. In neither will you find the hotels or B and Bs near the train station. It is a bit of a hike into Bruges from the train station and a bus or tram ride (can't recall which) into Ghent. Ghent has a few picturesque locations withing a very small radius. Bruges is unique with its canals. But, Brussels has far more, spread over a much larger area. I would spend at least a full day and evening exploring Brussels.