My sister and I are going for a long weekend in Belgium. We will likely stay in a different town each night - yes, crazy but we are like sharks (we will die if we stop moving). So - arrive Saturday morning and leave Wednesday morning. Our last night we plan to stay in Brussels ... other cities we are planning on staying in are Ghent, Antwerp and Bruge. Thinking about train lines and best places to be on a Sat night - what would be your itinerary? If we did stay in one town two nights where would you choose?
Posted by
St. Louis, MO USA
1976 posts
Hi Bronwen. By a long weekend, do you mean that you will arrive in Belgium from the U.S. on Saturday and you will return to the U.S. on Wednesday? Can I ask why?
My favorite city in Belgium is Ghent, so I would recommend staying there. I also liked Tongeren (it has some cool Roman ruins and part of its medieval wall) and Tournai (awesome cathedral, Roman gate). These 3 towns are pretty spread out (even though Belgium is a small country) so you should also consider how distance would work with your itinerary.
Posted by
OP
maplewood, new jersey, usa
818 posts
Thanks. I will look into those other towns. I am really excited about Ghent.
Yes - we will be there just 4 nights. I find a trip to Europe for a long weekend is easier than getting to the west coast. I have done a 4 night trip to Amsterdam (2 nights Amsterdam, one Delft and one Leiden) and there it worked great because the towns were all close and easy train rides.
Posted by
OP
maplewood, new jersey, usa
818 posts
Looked at train schedules closer - Not doing different each night. Sister crazy. Thinking Ghent. Bruge. Brussels. Any B & B / hotel recommendations?
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
I would recommend staying in Ghent and visiting Brugge. The cities sit pretty close to each other. Ghent gets the preference for lodging because the center of Brugge is dead at night.
Posted by
Atlanta
1357 posts
I agree with Tom about Brugge. It's a great little town, really cute, but if you're looking for nightlife, it ain't there. But definitely visit it during the day.
Posted by
OP
maplewood, new jersey, usa
818 posts
Is the trip from Ghent to Bruge bikable?
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
If you are in very good shape, maybe. Otherwise, they sit a little too far from each other. On a clear day from the Belfry in Brugge, you can just barely see Ghent on the horizon... and I can not remember if this was with the naked eye or a tourist telescope.
Posted by
Antwerp
34 posts
The trip between Ghent and Bruges is absolutely bikeable. Returning the same day however is only for the real cyclists. And they won't be able to spend much time in the other city. http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=670865 gives a good impression of what to expect while cycling between Ghent and Bruges. As Flanders is overloaded with canals, you can even choose a different and still bicycle friendly way to return. http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Cycling-from-Ghent-to-Bruges-and-back-95-towpaths is more or less the same but with a cue-sheet to complete this DIY bicycle tour.
Posted by
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
I'd definitely stay a night at Oostende. It's a beautiful seaside resort and it's got a great restaurant and bar scene in the old town and by the harbor. We stayed at the Access Hotel which turned out to be just in the right location and was walking distance to everything exciting.
Posted by
OP
maplewood, new jersey, usa
818 posts
We wil be there in October and so far have Sat and Sun nights in Ghent, Monday in Brugge and Tues night in Brussels. We may, on Sunday, take the train out to Oostend (sp) or to Antwerp for the day. I expect weather will be uncertain temperature wise (as it is here in NY in October)? Jeans, sweaters, long skirts, and boots? This is the first ime my sister and I have travelled together (we are 41 and 45). I am excited and a little nervous! We both love travelling and are low maintenance types - she is more into museums and I just like wandering aimlessly - hopefully we find a happy medium.