If you had three days....

Hi,

My boyfriend and I are coming from Paris, and trying to decide where in Belgium to spend our weekend (arriving Friday morning in Brussels, leaving Sunday evening from Brussels). Should we spend the day in Brussels, and Saturday in Bruges, and hit Ghent on the way back to Brussels? Any advice? TIA!

Marissa

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I would go to Brugge and hit Ghent on the way, then go to Antwerp in the evening and stay overnight, stay in Antwerp and then go to Brussels Sunday morning for the rest of the day.

Ghent: it is a nice city, but not spectacular, you can easily see everthing within a short time

Brugge: it is a beautiful, small town, but more like a museum

Antwerp: this is may favorite in Belgium, because it is a quite big, historic and lively city with a lot of sights, restaurants, shops...

Brussels: I do not think it is very attractive to first time visitors, it is more a city you learn to like, when you live there.

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When you arrive in Brussels, take the train from South Station (where the Thalys stops) to Central Station and store your luggage there. You can take a walk around the Grand Place and then walk on up toward the Sablon (it will be marked on the green signposts.) Have lunch on the Sablon as all the restaurants around there are good and not as much of a toursit trap as the area around the Grand Place (for a really good Belgian meal that is not too expensive try the Forestiere cafe). Take the train from Central Station to Brugge (no reservations required and stay in Brugge for Friday evening.) I like the Orangerie as it is charming and well located and the owners are quite friendly. Spend Saturday walking around Brugge and if the weather is good take the canal tour around the city.

Antwerp is also a nice city though it would be tough to squeeze it in unless you take a train from Brugge to Antwerp on Saturday and stay in Antwerp Saturday night. (There is transportation from Antwerp to Brussels airport which you can arrange at your hotel.) The best located hotel in Antwerp would be the Hilton. If you do go to Antwerp, be sure to go to the Reubens House Museum. It is the restored residence of Peter Paul Reubens and is only one of three existing residences of famous artists of that period. A really terrific restaurant in Antwerp is Le Zoute Zoen, you can walk there from the Hilton.

I am not sure of your budget . If it is a tight budget you might want to look at the tripadvisor recommended hotel list for less expensive hotels. The Hilton is very nice but not cheap.

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