Trip to Belgium

[imported_Stephen]

I am planning a trip to Belgium and Luxembourg in August, does anyone have any suggestions as to: where to go, what to see, where to stay, etc.?

Hi!
If you plan on a trip to Belgium this summer, you should tell us exactly how long you plan on staying with the date of your arrival, and also what kind of money you can dispose of. Do you plan on renting a car, take a eurail pass or a tour? Will you be travelling alone or not and how old are you? (young people tend to like other things than older people).
Understand this, in Belgium and Luxembourg like everywhere else, people celebrate folkloric events and other special celebrations which might be interesting for you to see. If we know when you are coming we can best tell you what will be on the agenda for that period.
Belgium has lots of castles and historic spots to visits, in the summer you might find music festivals too.
Can you define your tastes a little, what do you like to do?
You always have the choice to check out the tourist boards from Belgium and Luxembourg, check out Barnes and Nobles or another great book store for Arthur Frommels'books on those 2 countries, or wait for some kind people to give you an answer.
Cheer-up, travelling is not as hard as this!

[imported_Stephen]

Hi Panchita, thanks for responding so quickly. I am planning to be in Belgium for a week, and in Luxembourg for about 3 days. I am 44 and enjoy doing various things. I naturally want to see all the local sights but also enjoy seeing how the average Belgian lives. I would like to visit both Brussels and Bruges. I would also like to stay at a hotel (moderately priced) that is conventiently located to the center of town. I hope this gives you something to go on. Thanks again for responding to my query.

Hello Stephen!
I was answering you when my computer decided to cut me off, so I will try again.
I am glad I know something about you, it helps, but I still don't know the date of your trip or how you are going to move around in Belgium and Luxembourg.
Let us say you are not going to rent a car, you can do just fine taking trains, trams and buses. Most of all, I hope you like walking, because there are so many things to see in Brussels and Brugges which you will enjoy a lot more while walking. Anyway, you can spend 5 days in Brussels without being borred, 2 days in Brugges, and your 3 days in Luxembourg.
I suggest you go on line with http://www.expedia.com They can find you any hotel anywhere in the world, they show you pictures, prices and a map of each city with the location of each hotel. When I want to go somewhere, I always go throught them. In this way, you will have a nice hotel moderately priced exactly where you want it. The next step is to ask your hotel for a map of the city, and to pinpoint to you all the monuments and interesting things to see.
In Brussels, you have a ton of sightseing material, museums, historical places etc.. and at night, you can go dancing or see a strip tease show (if you are interested)
Don't leave Brussels without eating at the "Petite rue des Bouchers", close to the Grand Place, and don't forget to eat the delicious chocolat from Belgium.
You can go to Brugges by train, it is not too far, but don't travel at peak time, because Belgian people go to work and back by train, and it can be packed. If you don't smoke, try to go in a wagon "non fumeurs", or you will die.
Brugges has a lot of history, it is a very ancient town. Try to go on a boat ride on the canals, and look for a lace maker. They still have a couple of them around, and sometimes they show how to make lace by hand, which is very interesting.
For Luxembourg, you do the same thing at the hotel. The good thing about Belgium and Luxembourg, is that people are really nice and appreciate what Americans did for them during the war.
I know you will have a lot of fun, and wish you had a spot for me in your suitcase. Just joking... my husband would kill me!
Enjoy, I will be with you in my thoughts.

[fleming]

Also worth visiting:
Antwerp. This city is one of the biggest ports in Europe. It is also the center of rought diamants trades (even bigger than New York or Hong Kong). There is a lot to see overthere...some medieval buildings, musea, etc...

Gent. Big city. Nice middle-age-like center. Lots of places to go out at night.
By the train, it is only half an hour from Brussels (in fact if you from Brussels to Bruges you'll pass by Gent). However, the trainstation of Gent is somewhat far from the center.

If you have enough money for a quick visit to Paris: You can take the "Thalys" from Brussels to Paris. This highspeed train will take you there in an hour and a half.
If you take a normal train, it is less expensive but it will take you four hours to get to Paris.

Brussels-London: The highspeed train "Eurostar" will take you from Brussels to London in less than four hours. This train goes under the North-sea tunnel.

[fleming]

euh... I mean... it takes the tunnel under the North-sea (The Chunnel that is).

[imported_Pablo]

Hello, I would like to know about the 31st of December night dinner. I'm going to Brussels the 28th of December, and the 30th, for two nights to Brugge. Do people go out for dinner the 31st? Do restaurants open that night? Do I have to make a reservation in advance?
I'm from Spain, and here it wouldnt be easy to dine that day without a reservation.
I would also like to know how is weather like in december. Will there be snow. If so what kind of shoes should I wear.

Thank you very much for your information.
Pablo.

[Marianneschippers]

Better use http://www.eurohotelguide.com/, it is much faster and cheaper. If you would like to visit Brussels hotels go here:

http://www.eurohotelguide.com/brussels/index.html

Or for Antwerp hotels go here:

http://www.eurohotelguide.com/antwerp/index.html

I hope it will help you.

Greetings,
Marianne

[dadib123]

2 room apartment in the center of antwerp to let, totaly renovated, fully furnished, fully equiped, including fully equiped kitchen. all in luxary style. to let for any period, 550 Euro monthly, possible weekly or daily rent as well.
please contact me,
eldadb123@yahoo.com
thanks, eldad

by the way, if you are in the area on aug/sep, im there and looking for a travel mate in that area. let me know.