visiting Belgium for a weekend in June

Discussion in 'Belgium' started by buschwhacked, Dec 16, 2014.

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  1. buschwhacked

    buschwhacked Initiate (0) Dec 16, 2014 California

    Hi. We are currently planning a trip to Belgium in June and would love some advice. There are a few places that we know we want to stop at but we are wondering if our current plan looks reasonable.

    Friday: Taking the train from Paris to Brussels. Stopping at Cantillon. Renting a car and traveling to Watou. Staying at the St Bernardus B&B.

    Satuday: Cafe de Vrede and De Struise. Is it possible to bike between these two places? We just would like to avoid driving. Staying at the B&B again.

    Sunday: De Dolle and then travel to another undecided city... We are looking to stay one night in another city and then return the car in Brussels on Monday and take the train back to Paris. Some thoughts were: Antwerp and do Kulminator Monday morning, stay the night in Ghent (we love Gulden Draak) or just heading back to Brussels Sunday night.

    Any thoughts on our plan or better options? We would really like to do Struise, Dolle and Vrede... and how can you pass up a trip to Kulminator? Thanks for your help.
     
    #1 buschwhacked, Dec 16, 2014
  2. barrybeerdog

    barrybeerdog Pundit (941) Aug 17, 2012 South Dakota

    Ghent is a beautiful city with plenty of beer options. The Ghent Alter Piece by van Eyck brothers is a must see.

    Make sure you check the open hrs & days of the Kulminator. The earliest they open is 4:00 PM (Tue-Sat) & 8:00 PM on Monday, closed Sunday. Antwerp is a great beer city with plenty of very good bars, plus if you enjoy art, the Rubens home/museum makes for a great stop.

    While in Antwerp visit the Grand Horta Café for lunch & the unfiltered Palm, next, check out the Rubens museum, & then stop at Oud Arsenaal for a quick beer, (all 3 places are on the same square). From there hike to Waagstuk for more great beer, by that time the Kulminator will be open & you can dive into the greatest cellar bar on the planet!

    Pick up a copy of Tim Webb's Good Beer Guide Belgium, 7th edition. This a great guide for all of Belgium.
    I have visited Belgium 3 times in the last few years & have had a great time on each trip. Just be flexible & realize early that you can't see &/or drink everything in one, two, or three trips! So enjoy your beer vacation, it is a wonderful country!!
     
    #2 barrybeerdog, Dec 16, 2014
    Last edited: Dec 16, 2014
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  3. buschwhacked

    buschwhacked Initiate (0) Dec 16, 2014 California

    I did pick up Tim Webb's book and have been using it as a reference. I think we are leaning more towards staying the night in Ghent. A little less travel and a beautiful city.
     
    #3 buschwhacked, Dec 17, 2014
  4. ventura78

    ventura78 Pundit (972) Nov 22, 2003 Massachusetts

    First things that come to mind are is it too late to fly into Brussels and can you stay longer? Every time I visit I avoid driving to maximize drinking time. Two of my 14 trips there were weekend ones, you seem to have a lot on your plate for a short visit. Many may not agree, but I would stay in Brugge, and avoid renting a car. On Friday in Brugge you could visit De garre and The Brugge Bear. For Dinner, a reservation at the Park Restaurant is always nice.

    On Saturday you could take the train to Antwerpen for your Kulminator visit.

    Sunday could be split between Gent and Brussels to hit cantillon .

    On Monday you could catch the train to the Brussels airport from brugge, with a connection in Brussels.

    Brugge has a lot of classic watering holes to spend you time in.

    Cheers
     
    #4 ventura78, Dec 17, 2014
  5. erbu

    erbu Crusader (418) Feb 12, 2014 Belgium

    Cantillon is closed on Sunday.
     
    #5 erbu, Dec 17, 2014
  6. barrybeerdog

    barrybeerdog Pundit (941) Aug 17, 2012 South Dakota

    Good call, Ghent is a beautiful city. Make a stop at De Hopduvel if you are taking beer home. They have an amazing selection.

    I agree w/ ventura78, it would be best if you could skip the car rental & use the trains, (just driving into Ghent & parking will be a pain in the ass & the trains are too easy)!
     
    #6 barrybeerdog, Dec 17, 2014
  7. Stevenwings

    Stevenwings Initiate (0) Jan 15, 2014 Belgium

    just use a beerlover,driver and car :wink:
     
    #7 Stevenwings, Dec 17, 2014
  8. buschwhacked

    buschwhacked Initiate (0) Dec 16, 2014 California

    We would prefer to just use the trains but there is no easy way to get to Watou. If we were just sticking to the bigger cities the train would be perfect. Car would be quicker for us given our lack of time.
     
    #8 buschwhacked, Dec 17, 2014
  9. wesbray

    wesbray Initiate (0) Feb 29, 2012 Canada (AB)

    I'll be there in June too.
     
    #9 wesbray, Dec 18, 2014
  10. Stevenwings

    Stevenwings Initiate (0) Jan 15, 2014 Belgium

    That true there is not reaaly a good connection to Watou or you can use the busses line but am not sure where it stops ...
     
    #10 Stevenwings, Dec 18, 2014
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