Planning a trip to Belgium in September

[AnnInLa]

NWA has just initiated service into 2 new markets, Brussels Belgium and Dusseldorf, Germany. They are offering, for a short time, for a few weeks I believe, really, really good rates. So, am planning a trip to Belgium in September....Brussels, Brugge, and Leuven. Anyone been and have any input, advice?? Thanks!

[yy4me]

1. Belgium is fantastic, how long can you spend there?

We've included Belgium in 3 of our trips to Europe and I would go there again. Let us know your time available and what is of interest to you and I'll give you some suggestions.

[AnnInLa]

2. thanks! Haven't made actual air reservation yet, but

must do so very soon....Can fly for $511 from my home town (Lafayette, LA) to Brussels, which I consider a great price...promotional fare from NWA, so hope all the September dates haven't sold out! Yesterday, I went to B&N and got 2 good Belgium travel guides. I am most interested in seeing Brugge, I think. Looks like I will be spending 2 nights Brugge, 3 nights Brussels, and 1-2 nights Ghent...maybe a night in Leuven. 7-9 days, with overnight flight. Whenever I go to Europe or London, I try to visit all the art museums that I can fit into my schedule. I don't know alot about art, but I know I love the Masters. So, am excited about seeing the Dutch Masters on this trip.

I know that Belgium is bilingual, French and Flemish....do most of the population also speak English? Do you have any knowledge of these hotels: Welcome Hotel in Brussels, and Hotel Leopold in Brugge? (Reccommendations from the TripAdvisor forum)

The 3 train stations in Brussels have me a bit confused, but I think the travel guides will sort it all out for me.

Any issues with safety in Brussels, after dark, and a woman alone?

Have been considering taking the Eurostar into London (Windsor, actually, because accommodation prices are more affordable there) and re-visiting the Tates, V&A, Courtland, National Gallery. That would add a considerable cost to my trip, so that is still in the "consideration" stage!

If you could provide a "trip report" about your travels in Belgium, I would be most interested.....and, thanks again.

[yy4me]

3. Sounds great! You will have the best time with the Belgian

people. They are friendly, helpful and all speak English. Like most European countries, I believe English is taught in school. I think only once or twice, while in real rural areas, we found it necessary to speak some of our High School French.

I gather you will be using the train to get around by virtue of your comment about the train stations. Very easy, very affordable. We rented a car because we wanted to see some of the countryside in the eastern areas of the country. It is really not necessary because every major spot in Belgium is serviced by train.

As to your proposed itinerary, Brugge is the number one spot. Yes, it is touristy but that is how the people earn their living. It is not tacky, it is just beautiful. I believe I have read good reviews about Hotel Leopold but have not stayed there. There are several museums in the square that are very interesting. the Cathedral and the Michelangelo statue are worth a visit. A canal ride is a must in order to absorb more of the architecture and feeling of the place. From Brugge, you can rent a bike if you wanted to and take a ride to Damme. Beautiful way to spend a day. There are plenty of other things to do as you will see when you read your guides.

Brussels is a funny place. The Old Town is fascinating, the Grand Place is really beautiful as are the surrounding streets. There are over a hundred museums to visit if that is your main interest. The Belgian Tourist office in New York has a good travel information package. Call and request them to send it to you. We stayed at the Hotel Welcome on one of our trips and it is a good choice. I believe your time will be better spent with less time in Brussels however. Ghent offers a fascinating castle but the main attraction is Saint Bavo's Cathedral. Not only is this a wonder inside, it offers you an amazing opportunity to see Van Eycks masterful painting, "The Adoration of the Mystical Lamb", plus other treasures in the basement of the church. It is also a charming town to walk around.

Leuven is a college town, again very ancient in feeling. Roman ruins here and there. The town hall is one of the most unbelievable buildings I have ever seen. It is huge, ancient and every inch is carved with some wonderful motif.

We went to the diamond district in Antwerp and were a little disappointed. The museum and tour of a diamond cutting operation were fun but we thought on the whole, Antwerp was less than expected. If you have time and can get to the East of Brussels, Namur, Dinant are great one-day choices. Lots to see and do as you will discover. Farther east is the fascinating town of Bouillon. Incredible castle, charming town. Durbuy, a tiny town is a simple place to relax. Not much to see and do and we used this spot to recharge our batteries.

I can not think of a place in this tiny country that I would suggest you avoid.

My only suggestion would be to have less time is Brussels, more in Brugge. I day in Ghent is all you need there. The distances are so short between destinations that you can do more than one place in a day or two. It is a case of staying wherever you are at the moment. The tourist offices can help you find a room but it seemed to us that every town and city had plenty of rooms. The only time we had a problem was out last trip to Belgium when we wanted to stay a night in Brussels and there was some kind of a world conference going on and we could not find a room within 20 miles. It worked our for the best as we found a wonderful Inn on the road to Dinant that was one of the best places we ever stayed in Europe.

We never had reservations except for the night before we flew home. It is risky to be too far from Brussels if you have an early flight home. By train not so bad but by car, all you need is one traffic tie-up and you have missed your flight. The airport is easy to negotiate and train access is quick and uncomplicated.

ATM's everywhere, everyone takes credit cards. Food is great. Please feel free to ask me any specific questions you may have. Sounds like a good deal and by September, the crowds will be gone and you will be able to enjoy wherever you find yourself.

[AnnInLa]

4. Thanks for all the info, especially

about decreasing my time in Brussels. I printed out your post and will refer to it when reading my travel guides. It's kinda funny, because the Brussels "expert" on the Brussels TripAdvisor forum advised me to do the opposite, reduce time in Brugges in order to spend more time in Brussels. I understand that there is more to see and do in Brussels, but thought I would enjoy the atmospheric peace/relaxation in Brugge...just wandering about and absorbing, so to speak. The pictures of Brugge on the internet are just marvelous, and I used one (with canal and Flemish architecture) as my new desktop backdrop....to put me in the mood, lol.

So, the area around the Welcome Hotel would be safe at night for a woman?

Yes, will be using the train system....the train systems in Europe and GB are just awesome.

Do you think that seeing the town hall in Leuven is worth the trip there, or could I safely eliminate that town from my plans?

I do wish the dollar was not so weak compared to the Euro and Pound. Last year, in London however, it was surprisingly easy to economize, so didn't find it terribly burdensome, (except for accommodation.) I expect that the relative expenses on this trip will be much less tho, thank goodness!

[yy4me]

5. A couple of quick additional suggestions:

The guide books by Frommers and Rick Steves offer the most interesting and doable itineraries and reviews for Belgium but if I could suggest, sign up on www.fodors.com for access to what many consider the best interactive talk site. There is much written about Belgium to read (search on top right of home page) and if you ask questions, many will chime in and give you their opinion.


No safety problems in Brussels, just wear a money belt, and use reasonable caution.
You could even do the main sights in Belgium and hop a train for a couple of days in Amsterdam.
The Rijksmuseum would be an art lovers top choice of things to do there. I believe it is about 3 hours by train.

[AnnInLa]

6. thanks.....I did buy the Frommers and Rick Steves

and someone gave me the DK guide. I'll go to the Fodors site too.

Whew, I need to win the lottery.

BTW, is Belgium one of those countries where you need to bring your own wash cloth? Small thing, but important to me!

[yy4me]

7. Your comment struck me as funny. On my list of important

things to always bring with me (kept in my passport and updated as needed, #1 on the list:
Wash cloth. No small thing at all.

Leuven can be left out in favor of more and varied things elsewhere.

Like any travel experience, you can make or break your costs by making economies wherever you can. We found that most inns and B & B's where we stayed in Belgium included breakfast in the room rate. We tended to eat a large breakfast, stop mid-afternoon for a snack (maybe a glass of wine) but not real lunch. Dinner was always at small, local spots off the main tourist squares. All restaurants display their menu with prices outside their door. Too much $$$ and off we went.

You will be able to eat reasonably in Belgium, and will be able to find great street food and lighter fare. Don't miss the Waterzooie, a national specialty!

If you win the lottery, I'll be jealous. If I won, I'd be on a flight to Europe soon after cashing in my ticket.

[AnnInLa]

9. I don't like staying in B&Bs, mainly because I smoke

nasty, nasty, nasty. I try for small hotels with at least a continental breakfast provided. Then, in mid afternoon, I try to position myself in or around a museum. I have found that museums have very good, basic, filling food! They always have a soup of the day, and give you large hunks of bread...that with a small salad or dessert makes a very good meal. When I travel alone, I am very hesitant to go out for a meal by myself at night....that old bugaboo about women eating alone at night, damn. So, I always take along an immersion coil in case there is no coffee maker in the room, and some dry soups and buy a stash of crackers and candy bars.

How much fun discussing travel is! I know what you mean about the lottery....the bling would have to come later, after my trip around the world. (Altho there are some parts of the world I have no desire to see, go figure.)

[DrDan]

8. the food in Belgium is very very good

Some wonderful restaurants. Somewhat costly, but really good.

Visit the guild-hall area - quite interesting.