Marty99

OK, so i'm going to be travelling by train from Luxembourg to Amsterdam. To make the travel more bearable, i have decided to stay one night on the way in either Anterp, Liege or Brussels. Can people recommend one of these places above the rest?

Cheers

WallyKringen

Don't know Liege, but both Brussels and Antwerp are worth a stop. I'd say Antwerp more so than Brussels, although you could do both, easily:

From L. to Brussels it's only 2:28. For example, take the 09:06 (IC/R 4631) and get off at Bruxelles-Central. Walk the ten minutes to the area around the Grand' Place, lots of narrow pedestrian-only streets with restaurants, it's the historic center. Look around, have lunch - that's about all you need to do on a short visit. Sure, there is some more heavy-weight stuff to see (check any guide book or the "Destinations" on Frommers opening page), but you've seen the gist of it - get back to Centraal and take a train to Antwerp, either a direct one or first take the short hop to Noord and transfer.

It's only 33 minutes from Br.-Noord to Antwerp-Berchem, so you still have plenty of time to look around in Antwerp, and the next day before leaving for Amsterdam.

Check these trains at

http://plannerint.b-rail.be/bin/quer...p;L=profi&

WK

Budman

If you only have one day/one stop in Belgium, I would recommend Brugge.

tovarich

Brugge is great but not on the train route to Amsterdam. In Antwerp you'll be fine there's a lot to see:the gothic cathedral, the house of Rubens,the townhall etc...I know I live there.Paul

BTilke

Liege would be my last choice of the three options. Personally, I would do Brussels first, the Antwerp (I live part time in Brussels). Antwerp just doesn't do it for me, although I know it has plenty of fans. You have better restaurant and hotel options in Brussels as well.
WK, there is SO much more to Brussels than the GP; the Place is not the "gist" of Brussels.

travlsolo2

Budman - don't mean to hijack this thread, but what would you say are the 2-3 "must see/do" things in Brugge? Is there a bell tower to climb for a view of the city? I'll be there only an afternoon and evening and overnight and plan to just walk and walk and enjoy.

smueller

I would rank these possibilities as Brussels, Antwerp and Liege.

Have you considered Leuven? It's small than Brussels with lots of hotels near the train station.

Budman

With one afternoon & night, I would go up the bell tower -- great views, take the short canal cruise, and walk the many streets filled with chocolate and lace stores. Have dinner at one of the outside seating restaurants.