Amsterdam to Belgium then Paris- assistance needed
Mar 19th, 2010, 12:37 PM
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Amsterdam to Belgium then Paris- assistance needed
My husband and I who are in our late 30's will be going to Amsterdam for a few days and would like to take a train to Antwerp, Brussels, Bruges. My question is would it make sence to go strait to Brussels and do day trips. Another option is to stay in Antwerp one night and then head to Brussels and do a day trip to Bruges. I am concerned because a lot of people post Brussels is a little overrated and to stay in other towns. What suggestions to the fine folks on Fodors have? We have traveled a lot and are comfortable moving about with trains.
Mar 19th, 2010, 01:25 PM
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I get to Brussels too often to like it 
I like Antwerpen or Gent better, but that (again) is personal preference.
One factual downside of Brussels is that hotels often charge much higher rates than in the neighboring cities due to the high number of business travellers and a larger number of conventions. You can avoid that when you are able to book far in advance.
Technically, you can do the day trip to Brugge from either city. Since Brugge is really nice, you could also think about staying there for a night or two.
I like Antwerpen or Gent better, but that (again) is personal preference.
One factual downside of Brussels is that hotels often charge much higher rates than in the neighboring cities due to the high number of business travellers and a larger number of conventions. You can avoid that when you are able to book far in advance.
Technically, you can do the day trip to Brugge from either city. Since Brugge is really nice, you could also think about staying there for a night or two.
Mar 19th, 2010, 01:32 PM
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Oops, forgot that you will need to go to Paris afterwards. In that case, staying in Brugge will not put you in a strategically good position. Maybe Brussels is best as a home base after all. Trains to Antwerpen and Brugge run frequently (at least 2 per hour).
Mar 19th, 2010, 03:08 PM
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Forgot to mention we are going at the end of the year..for New Years Eve in Amsterday. Also, We have the option of not going to Paris and just doing Amsterdam and a few cities in Belgium. Since we are trying to do this all within 7 days...I think Paris actually might be too much. All advice is appreciated Cowboy1968!!
Mar 19th, 2010, 05:43 PM
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monica
We got a fantastic deal on a 4 or 5 star (I forget) hotel in Brussels - huge discounts on weekends. This was 3 years ago but we paid around $230 US for four nights in a two room suite.
We based there and found it easy to train to Ghent, Bruges and Antwerp.
I second your thought that Paris might be too far. It deserves more than a passing visit. Nearby we also enjoyed Maastricht, Netherlands and Aachen, Germany.
We got a fantastic deal on a 4 or 5 star (I forget) hotel in Brussels - huge discounts on weekends. This was 3 years ago but we paid around $230 US for four nights in a two room suite.
We based there and found it easy to train to Ghent, Bruges and Antwerp.
I second your thought that Paris might be too far. It deserves more than a passing visit. Nearby we also enjoyed Maastricht, Netherlands and Aachen, Germany.
Mar 22nd, 2010, 10:05 PM
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soogies that is a fantastic deal....I'm thinking of doing only one night in Brussels and not sure if I should go to Bruges for a night or just for a day trip on my way to stay in Antwerp for 2 nights. Is it ridiculous to stay a night in each place?
