A guide by David138
At its southern base, the Citadelle du St Esprit provides superb panoramas of both the valleys and the Grund.
Plateau du St-Esprit, Luxembourg City
Escape Brussels for a few hours and head 7.5km east to Tervuren.
A stroll in the expansive grounds of the Royal Museum for Central Africa is a joy in any season. You could describe a visit as quirky but it does give you a snapshot of Belgium's colonial past albeit from one side.
Then either continue by bus to the historic university town of Leuven or relax in a Tervuren bar or restaurant before catching the number 44 tram back to Montgomery where you connect with the Brussel's underground system.
If you’re enjoying the delights of Brussels, then we’d recommend taking some time out in Leuven.
One of Europe’s oldest university towns, a short hop from Brussels by train, it offers grand architecture alongside quiet gardens, café-lined squares, great shopping and a slower pace of life.
Try out Café De Werf, (for the best breakfast you’ll have anywhere), or nearby Domus, boasting an on-site brewery alongside many other Belgian beers and fine Flemish food.
The peaceful Begijnhof and botanical gardens are not to be missed, and on Saturday mornings the artisans’ food market is a must.
The Voorhuit is a Ghent institution. A Artdeco/socialist building, it has not lost its roots.
The huge café area plays host to multiple activities from quiet union meetings to cinema and concerts. Most of the latter are free. The French and Flemish press are available.
Sit down at any of the tables and you can be left alone or join in on the conversations. Nearly everyone talks English. The bar is good and very cheap and the food is wholesome. Homemade soup and bread for 2.60 euros which is great and pasta for about 8. Mostly fair trade and not bad for veggies.
For the stay over there my favourite in an ex-convent called Geertje Henckens on Zwartezusterstraat in the centre of town. There are only two bedrooms so book. A breakfast to die for and the second day it gets better.
If it is full try Faja Lobi in Tarbotstraat, a little further from the centre but with a lovely garden and (if possible) an even better welcome from the gay couple that run the place. Both are about 60 euros for a couple.
Then take a wander. Everything is within 30mins walk but take one of the river tours if you haven't done any research. The Cathedral is a must.
For light refreshment I recommend The Pink Flamingo in Onderstraat as possibly the most kitsch bar in the world. I go at least twice a year with my wife to Ghent and we are never disappointed.
The thing about the chip shop is true - it is the best.
Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat
This bar has a menu of over 250 beers - just about the widest selection in Ghent. It also has a huge, friendly bar-room with helpful staff and attracts congenial beer lovers from around the world. Find it just a minute's walk from the cannon that gives it its name ("Mad Meg" in English). A little touristy, especially during the day, but nonetheless appealing.
Vrijdagmarkt 50
09 224 24 55
www.dullegriet.be/01_Herberg_eng.htm
It is a little chip van that provides quality frites with mayonnaise. Just what is needed for a truly Belgian experience!
Vridajmarkt, near the massive socialist style building with a large window and clock.
It is the hottest mustard I've ever encountered in the world and is only found in Ghent. It goes particularly well as a dip for cheese alongside your beer.
Just past the Korenmarkt, heading towards the Graveenstein.
Don't go there! Stay in Ghent and take a short rail trip to Bruges for the day. Ghent also has canals and some wonderful art, including the great altarpiece in the cathedral and a good modern art museum.
It has lots of restaurants, plenty of beer and far fewer tourists. Unlike Bruges, it's a real place.
It's a downloadable audio guide that takes you round Ghent, telling you about the history of the town and the art and architecture. It starts and finishes at the cathedral and takes - well I suppose about three hours walking but I stopped for a beer half way.
We had a lovely evening recently in restaurant-brasserie Vivaldi in Wijngaardstraat 24 in Bruges.
It was a warm evening so we sat outside watching the horse-drawn carriages coming past. We had the local specialities, my wife had a pan full of mussels and I had Bruges filet steak. We also had the local brewed beer.
The quality of the food was very good and the price was reasonable - three-course dinner, drinks and coffee just under 70 euros for two people.
One word: mussels
Don't waste your money, time and patience in the city centre on the garish Rue des Bouchers or in St Catherine, instead head for Avenue Louise halfway between Place Stephanie and Rue de Bailli.
Chou de Bruxelles has a menu featuring more than 30 different types of mussels as well as other Belgian fare (stoemp, waterzooi etc). They're the best mussels in Brussels! The service is good and the atmosphere is always very nice.
Midway down Avenue Louise you'll find Rue de Florence; 26, rue de Florence, 1050 Bruxelles; Tel: 02 537 69 95
www2.resto.be/choudebruxelles/default.htm
Lovely hotel overlooking the canals in the quieter part of Bruges. The inclusive breakfast is a huge and varied spread served in front of an open fire in the dining room. Rooms have modern and comfortable furnishings, yet it retains a historic feel and individual personality. There are free bikes to borrow and the staff are exceptionally friendly and helpful. It's a 5-10 minute stroll into the main square.
Hotel Adornes
Sint-Annarei 26, Bruges
www.adornes.be/
Visit De Proeverie Tea-Room, Katelijnestraat 6, for the best hot chocolate you will ever taste!
It is a fabulous little tea room with delicious cakes and chocolate taster plates from Sukerbuyc Chocolatiere, and you can buy more chocolates to take away at the Sukerbuyc Chocolatiere shop opposite when you've finished.
Visit Ypres- a must for every living Briton to understand how many people sacrificed themselves for our freedom today.
If the Belfort stands guard over the Markt in Bruges then the The Stadhuis or Town Hall is sentinel of the Burg.
This magnificent Gothic building was built between 1376 and 1420 and renovated in the 19th and 20th centuries. On the first floor is the restored Gothic Hall, which can be visited for an entrance fee of 2.50 euros (price includes a very informative audio guide).
What strikes you first about the Gothic Hall is the vibrant colours with which it is decorated. The brown, gold, red and burgundy of the arched ceiling and the large, multi-coloured wall frescos. The latter were commissioned towards the end of the 19th century and show scenes from the history of Belgium and Bruges such as the defeat of the French at the Battle of the Golden Spurs in 1302. Where the ceiling arches meet are small keystones showing scenes from the New Testament and around the perimeter of the hall, where the arches touch the wall, are small frescos representing the months and seasons.
A small room leading off from the hall contains a number of historical artefacts including an interesting and detailed map of the city.
Burg
This is a wonderful way of seeing Bruges from - literally - a different level. You cruise along some extremely beautiful stretches of canal overlooked by some extremely pretty buildings, especially the houses right by the water. Many have stone jetties leading into the canals, some have overhanging windows and others small courtyards overlooking the water.
The trip takes about 30 minutes and there are many views that will have you reaching for your camera.
One, small criticism is that the boat driver/guide can differ in quality. Some can be a little lack-lustre in their commentary – ours always seemed to have gone past the building, point of interest etc by the time he got round to talking about it and so I felt I didn’t get as much information about what we were seeing as I would have liked. However I would still recommend a canal trip for anyone visiting Bruges. Sit back, relax and enjoy seeing the city from a different viewpoint
The trip cost approx 5 euros.
George STAEL Katelijnestraat 4.
Yep, this fantastic bar serves over 300 types of beer. A bit daunting but the beer menu allows you to choose by region, brewing style etc ... and if you're still unsure the bar staff are happy to recommend one.
Given the bar's excellent reputation it can get busy so you may find yourself squeezing onto a table or into a small standing space. Make the squeeze though, the beer and the atmosphere (a great place to chat, gossip, discuss and put the world to rights - in a friendly way - all fuelled by the marvellous beer) is well worth it!
Kemelstraat 5
Just went over to Bruges and visited this great chocolate shop. It was a chilly morning and Francoise (Fa) Thomaes and Barbe Van Den Haute were serving fantastic hot chocolate in their first floor tea-room. A great big cup of Belgian chocolate hot milk in a floating island of chocolate filled with fresh cream!! On the side - fresh Belgian pralines from their chocolatier. Decadent and delicious!
I enjoy my visits here as they always help in choosing just the right selection for my daughter Joanna.
www.oldchocolatehouse.com/
+32 50 340 102
#1, Mariastraat - next to Simon Stevinple
Check out the map of the city to see how close everything is to the centre www.oldchocolatehouse.com/Map.html
Search Been there
