Looking for a Guide in Netherlands/Belgium

Wow Scott, i can guide you guys with some info but show you around for several days would not work for me. Perhaps another BA?

 

@Stevenwings

 

Hi Abowman,

where do you want to go? And where are you ending (flight home).

I am new here, but maybe I can give you some tips where to go.

 

Having been to Amsterdam a few times my recommendations would be,

Brouwerij Het Ij - Microbrewery in a windmill which does a 5 beer tasting tray for about 8 Euros. I think you take the tram to The Tropenmuseum and it's a five minute walk from there.

Het Elfde Gebot - Small bar on Zeedijk, but has a great range of beer.

Café Belgique - Tiny bar on Gravenstraat, but a real experience and a decent range of beers on draught.

In D Wildeman - Former distillery on Kolksteeg with a massive rage of draught and bottles.

De Bierkonig - Fantastic bottle shop just off Dam Square.

Hope that's some help to you and enjoy your trip.

 

Hi, I live in Brussels.

For accomodation I'd recommend any hotel according to your budget with good reviews on booking.com or tripadvisor. The area around Place Stephanie and Avenue Louise is nicer than "downtown" where a lot of tourists end up. You must visit the main historical square Grand Place, plenty of places to have a beer.

For bars, the obvious choice is Moeder Lambic. There's one down town (Place Fontainas) and one in a more residential area about 2Km further (a bit smaller and quieter). I'd avoid Delirium cafe (lots of beers but too touristy).

Ratebeer has many other bars to recommend outside of the city. Some are so obscure (and good) that I'm surprised any tourist at all knows about it.

You're best off renting a car to visit places outside of Brussels (Westvleteren, 3 Fonteinen, …) although the big cities of Antwerp, Gent, Leuven are all easily accessible by train.

Westvleteren - if you're interested you can visit the bar across the road of the Westvleteren abbey and drink as many of their beers as you want. You can also buy 6 packs without needing to make a reservation, althought they don't always have them in stock. Keep in mind it's a 90 min drive from Brussels and you'll need a GPS. The area is nice (around Ypres), lots of WWII history there and many other breweries (Struise, …).

Brussels has many excellent restaurants. "Fin du Siecle" is an obvious choice down town.

Let me know if you have more specific questions, I'd be happy to help.

 

We do beertours so just let me know (pm me) and we work something out

 

If your not staying in 1 spot i know some places to sleep in the Flemish and French part to spent a night or two that is connected to beer ...

 

Plenty said about Brussels and Amsterdam, but for Rotterdam my favorite place is Kaapse Brouwers. One of the best upcoming Dutch breweries, they have a 20 tap bar and small beer shop in an old warehouse with other craft food places. Well worth a visit.
http://www.kaapsebrouwers.nl

There's also Plan B not so far away which is a great bottle shop.

 

Perfect timing for this thread. Found on this morning I have to go to Rotterdam in 2 weeks for qork. Will probably fly into Amsterdam and work in a day trip to Brussels. Looking forward to more suggestions!

 

I just posted the information below for another traveler going to the Netherlands & I think it would work out well for you too:

I agree with the idea of taking the train to Bodegraven and visiting de Molen, (de Molen is a quick 10 min walk in this small town). They have a nice bar and bottle shop, plus great food.
Before switching trains in Utrecht, walk out of the train station and visit Café Olivier (3 min walk outside the station on a small shopping street). The tavern is housed in a former church and has an absolutely beautiful interior!!
The train ride is short & quick enough that you can visit each of these places in an afternoon & be back in A-dam by evening beer hour at de Wildeman!! Enjoy your trip!