Solo Female Travel

Discussion in 'Belgium' started by SoCaliC8, Mar 22, 2016.

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  1. SoCaliC8

    SoCaliC8 Initiate (0) Jan 28, 2010 Idaho

    So...finally planning my dream solo beercation. Planning on flying to Brussels April of 2017.

    Some ?'s for those of you who have done this previously:

    As a 35 single, American female, will I be okay? I don't speak any foreign languages (except some horrible Spanglish), I've heard most places have people who speak English.

    I want to go to Westy, but is a trip there really worth it, or could I drink most of their offerings in Brussels?

    Besides Brussels, is there another city in the region that is worth checking out? Ghent? Brugges? A short train ride, etc?

    I won't be renting a car, so driving to out of the way breweries aren't really an option or would I be smart to go on one of those Belgian beer bus tours, but I know the European travel network is amazing.
     
  2. Hayley_86

    Hayley_86 Initiate (0) Jan 1, 2014 Netherlands

    I can't give you all the best tips but on a day like today let me tell you, yes it is safe. Things can happen anywhere but in general Belgium is one of the safer countries in Europe and with that in the world. So don't be afraid.

    Don't worry about languages, you will get around just fine speaking English. It will be slightly easier in the flemish part of belgium but also in the wallon part enough people would speak english.

    Brussels is a nice place to visit but besides beers not my favourite place in Belgium. I really enjoyed Antwerp. But very high on my wishlist is Brugges. From all I've heard it's beautiful. Getting to Antwerp from Brussel by train is easy.

    I think enough Belgian BA's here can help you with other good tips.

    If you happen to travel a bit north up to Holland I can give you more advice on where to visit here.
     
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  3. Bierman9

    Bierman9 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,669) Dec 20, 2001 New Hampshire
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    I'm not hot on Brussels, but Antwerp and Brugges? By all means!!! Highly recommended....

    Cheers!
     
  4. SoCaliC8

    SoCaliC8 Initiate (0) Jan 28, 2010 Idaho

    Brussels is just a lot easier to fly into.....and Cantillon :slight_smile:
     
  5. Albin

    Albin Initiate (0) Aug 18, 2013 Sweden

    Belgium is a small country and the railroad is very well planned. So it's very easy to get to antwerp, ghent and brugge. All within 1 hour from Brussels. So even if you stay i Brussels you can make day trips to the other cities. Wesvleteren is available in some of the bottle shops in brussels but you may have to pay 10-15€ per bottle.
     
  6. reprob8

    reprob8 Initiate (0) May 22, 2008 England

    Ghent, Brugge and Antwerp are all worth heading to. You will have no problems with language, or being a single female traveling alone. Oh, and nobody will understand you if you ask for a Westy.
     
  7. Ruds

    Ruds Initiate (0) Sep 15, 2008 England

    I would recommend booking a transfer flight to Westy regional airport if you can.

    Should save time on transferring in Brussels for the Westy Express !
     
  8. Euroglot

    Euroglot Initiate (0) Dec 16, 2015 Belgium
    Trader

    As a Belgian I can assure you that Belgium is a safe place (yesterday was a giant and devestating exception). Most of the people in Flanders (Gent, Brugge, Antwerpen, ...) and Brussels speak English. So you don't have to worry for language issues.

    Gent, Brugge and Antwerpen are very pretty, historical cities and you have a lot of beerdestinations (shops, bars, breweries) in those cities. If you want to go to Westvleteren you need to have a car (rental, taxi or BA's). You can't visit the abbey, but you can drink all three Westvleteren in 'In De Vrede'. They also sell sixpacks there (which beer depends on the stock they have). From Brugge it is more or less 35 a 35 min drive, from Gent longer. I don't know if you have that time in your schedule. You can drink (or buy) Westvleteren in a couple of bars/shops in Gent, Brugge and Antwerpen but you will pay around 10 or 12 euros for one.

    If you need any advice or extra help, just let me (or other Belgian BA's) know, we will be happy to help.
     
  9. ventura78

    ventura78 Pundit (960) Nov 22, 2003 Massachusetts

    I'll be leaving there about the same time you are arriving next year. It will be my 15th visit. I think you would enjoy basing yourself in Brugge. From the airport take the train in the lower level to Brussels, about a 20 minute ride. The train stops at 3 stations there, Nord first, then Centraal , then Midi. Get off at Nord and onto a Train to brugge, a 58 min ride.

    From there you can take day trips to Gent, Antwerpen and Brussels. You can buy westvleteren at Cambrinus in brugge, its a nice bar/restaurant. Right near there is Rose Red café , a great place for a beer and it's a hotel too.

    Enjoy your trip!
     
  10. Bierman9

    Bierman9 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,669) Dec 20, 2001 New Hampshire
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    No probs with the flight to BRU.... As others have said, train travel is super, and quick. I have even visited Brugges from Maastricht easily in a day.... I go almost everywhere by train.... Considering my intake :grimacing:, it's loads safer than driving!

    Prosit!
     
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  11. djhowell

    djhowell Pundit (893) Apr 1, 2009 Wisconsin

    You'll get by just fine with just a few phrases of French. We enjoyed Brussels as a home base for train trips around the country. It's very easy to get around by train, the country is not very big (this is a neat tool to demonstrate that).

    I highly recommend buying a SIM card at the airport so you're on a local carrier for your stay. If your phone is from Verizon it is SIM-unlocked already, other carriers you may need to call to ask.
     
  12. Sparty93

    Sparty93 Devotee (375) Aug 29, 2013 Michigan

    I did a solo visit a couple of years ago on the tail end of a business trip. From Brussels, I drove to Westvleteren, then tried to get in to de Struisse, de Dolle, and St. Bernardus. They're all in neighboring towns, but everybody other than Westy has really limited hours (one or two days a week, only weekends, whatnot). You can do Westy in a couple hours - no real reason to stay there unless you intend to go to the other breweries, or you're into history and hit up the WWI battle sites. Spend a few days in Bruges. Tons of really great cathedrals, canals, museums, and of course beer. Just a wonderful town to wank around. You'll figure out most of the major spots, but I'll recommend a little pub called t'poatersgat (spelling?). I know it's listed here in the website's "places" section for Bruges. Not the best rated place, but it's in the basement of an old church and has a ton of personality. Ghent is an easy day trip from Bruges and definitely worth it.

    I'll be heading back to Belgium next month. Since I've done the northern portion, I'm heading south from Brussels this time. The southern portion is more scenic with river valleys and forests. I haven't figured out an exact plan yet, but the cities of Namur and Dinant, hiking some castle ruins, Orval, and the fortress of Bouillion. Maybe Bastogne. Yes, I'm a history as well as beer nerd.

    Question for the Belgian locals: is the Chateau Miranda still standing? Can it be visited (just walking around the outside)?
     
  13. Bierman9

    Bierman9 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,669) Dec 20, 2001 New Hampshire
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    I did some WWII touring in conjunction with bier-hunting a couple of times recently.... Have hit Bastogne twice. One day-trip from my base in Liege - train then bus to Bastogne. There I rented a bicycle and rode all around... Bois Jacques, Bizory, Foy, Rechamps, Houffalize.... what a day! Second visit I rented a car from Maastricht and drove around the area, then hit Malmedy on the return. Great times!


    Prosit!!
     
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  14. SoCaliC8

    SoCaliC8 Initiate (0) Jan 28, 2010 Idaho

    It's still a work in progress, but I appreciate the amazing advice and tips!!
     
  15. atomeyes

    atomeyes Initiate (0) Jul 13, 2011 Canada (ON)

    as said in multiple other threads, you're really missing out by not checking out De Struise and De Dolle on a Saturday (and Sunday, if you have time). Westvleteren's a 10 min drive from de Struise. plan to stay overnight because you will get plenty drunk.

    is it safe? 100%. Brussels would be the least "safe" city, but it's more of a party city. More drunk people on the streets, including teenagers. but i don't see it being an issue.

    the one thing you should be aware of - and this is not meant as an insult to my Belgian friends - is Belgians are much less politically correct than we North Americans are. it's not as gropy or cat-cally as Italy, but jokes and comments that are considered offside in North America are totally fine in Belgium. you'll only hear them if people are comfortable with you, so it probably doesn't apply. coming from California? it will probably be zero issue. coming from the deep south? you may be taken aback.
     
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  16. Jwale73

    Jwale73 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,942) Aug 15, 2007 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    How long will you be there? Brugge is a very easy city on foot and you can easily occupy yourself for three-four days.
     
  17. ventura78

    ventura78 Pundit (960) Nov 22, 2003 Massachusetts

    The Medieval ambiance of that city is always a draw for me
     
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  18. atomeyes

    atomeyes Initiate (0) Jul 13, 2011 Canada (ON)

    really?
    i'd suggest 2 days.
    food is overpriced and not great. there are a few very good bars there. and it's a good roaming city, but not enough for one to do for more than 2 days, in my opinion.
    it is a very lovely city.
     
  19. einhorn

    einhorn Savant (1,141) Nov 3, 2005 California

    Well, if you're doing a beercation, you really need to look into neighboring countries, all easily accessible with train and special "all inclusive" passes. So many options, so much to see. My advice is to take as much time as possible to travel and experience Europe and the side places, whether it's beer-related or not.
     
  20. jesus_man

    jesus_man Devotee (349) May 8, 2015 North Dakota

    We've been to Brugge twice and it's a great city. We've always had kids in tow so our touring is slow, but I do believe a solid 2 days there is plenty. Brussels is about the same. Have not toured Ghent or Antwerp.

    In Brugge - do book a tour at the De Halv Maan brewery. Quite entertaining and make sure you get yourself a Straffe Hendrik Quad to try.

    Westvleteren is a unique experience, but unless you have an appointment to buy your two cases, In De Vrede isn't anything special. Beers there are around 5 EUR and you can usually buy a 6'er or two at ~21EUR ea. But the money and time you spend getting there probably isn't worth it. Just get yourself one of each at a local bottle shop. Actually, I'd skip the Blonde and just go with the 8 and 12

    As mentioned earlier - asking someone if they speak English in their native language goes a long way, even if it's horribly done. Youtube can probably help you with pronunciations. If you can get French and Flemish down, you should be good.

    We've been to Bastogne quite a few times and the history there is amazing! I could recommend some things to do there if you decide you want to venture that far south.

    Maybe see if you can find a beer fest to attend!

    As to safety, just be aware of your surroundings, especially at busy public places, and be sure someone knows where you are at any given time. I would also recommend getting yourself a SIM so you have communication.

    Lastly - don't plan to do it all. Leave some things to come back to as I can almost guarantee if you're coming for beer, you'll want to come back!
     
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