Parsley Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 We will have reached the grand total of 25 years marriage this June and I'm looking for a destination for a short break. I have health issues with traveling and so we have narrowed it down to Eurostar destinations Brussels or Bruges. Has anyone any recommendations on either of these destinations, nice hotels, things to see and do and ease of getting around etc. OH has said in a moment of madness that he will pay so extravigant suggestions also welcome By the way, I married when I was 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Kate Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 I'd def go Bruges as Brussels is not very interesting or pretty and Bruges is lovely. Having said that, there is a fabulous hotel in Brussels called the Metopole which is amazing http://www.metropolehotel.com/ (or at least it was when i last went there ten years ago..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 I've done both and I'd suggest Bruges; far prettier and nicer people too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 I went to Brussels last year and loved it, but then I was staying with someone who lives there and who was able to show us around. It's good if you like art, there are some good museums there including a Magritte museum, and a musical instrument one. There are also some fabulous restaurants - we went to one called the Cafe des Spores that just serves mushrooms, and in the City area you get very good deals on lunch menus. I haven't been to Bruges for many years, but it is very pretty - possibly a bit more touristy, Brussels after all is a capital city and can be quite busy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 I don't know Brussels but I do like Bruges. Cobbled streets, chocolate, beer, museums, canals and romance. The only thing I would say is that prices in Belgium are outrageous at the moment especially in restaurants or anywhere touristy. Maybe the exchange rate will be better for us by then. I hope so because we've got our 30th in April and are hoping to go to Trier. Congratulations. Is that the silver anniversary? Brilliant. We drove and the hotel we stayed in was outside Bruges so can't help there but it is full of nice buildings, an interesting museum in a convent, swans on the canal, horse drawn rides, a farmers market but I can't remember which day. We only saw a little bit and think tours are probably a good idea to get a better feel for the whole city. A trip on the canal is fun and informative. Lots of Chinese tourists, don't go to restaurants on main square - very overpriced. Not many grocers in town centre so we found it hard to buy wine, beer & snacks for evenings. We have good memories of there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P&P Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 Another vote for Bruges here! Brussels is quite nice, but Bruges is lovely!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 I've been to Brussels a few times for work, its lovely but very busy and the main attractions also attract lots of beggars who hassle you while you rest/eat/drink Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 I've been to Bruges quite a few times for leisure and Brussels more times than I care to remember for work. The good news is that they are only 1 hour apart on the train, so I would go to Bruges which is smaller and prettier and if you have time take a day trip to Brussels. Bruges is small and intimate and you can wander about for hours admiring it all; the canals and the architecture are lovely. We have stayed in a variety of hotels, but more recently we've started staying in B&Bs. These are cheaper, friendly and there are some fabulous ones, the Belgians can do design! There are loads of cafes, and one in particular gives you a plate of chocs with your coffee. There are fab choc shops (bit of a theme here), restaurants which can be a little pricey, and little shops selling bits and pieces. There is a brewery which is well worth a visit, and a folk museum which is actually all about old fashioned life in Bruges. There are also lots of great bars if you like Belgian beers. The Grand Place in Brussels is awesome, there are a couple of breweries to visit including one which brews cherry beer in the old fashioned way with airbourne yeasts and local fruit, numerous excellent cafes, bars and brewery taps which are just like they were 120 years ago (the Mort Subite is highly recommended), a fantastic museum of modern art, various other museums in the park which are also very good, an efficient metro/tram meaning you can get to different bits of the city as well as the buses. Some parts are full of trendy shops and great for a browse. Eating out isn't cheap but if you get away from the main drags you can find value for money food and also fantastic quality high-end expensive food, which is a real treat. Brussels is full of all nationalities working for the European Commission; if you were going to stay there I would imagine that weekend rates would be cheaper. Have fun, congratulations on your wedding anniversary, sorry for the novel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janepie33 Posted January 18, 2012 Share Posted January 18, 2012 Another Vote for Bruges. Lots to do. Lovely food (if you avoid the expensive main square) and CHOCOLATE!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 Bruges definitely, as someone else said Brussels is nice but Bruges is lovely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 Def. stay in Bruges and visit Brussels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 Totally agree. I have been to both and would choose Bruges Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cats and Chickens Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 My vote is definitely for Bruges Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superkitty Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 Another vote for Bruges! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 I haven't been to either but just wanted to say congratulations and have a lovely time wherever you go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 I've done both and I'd suggest Bruges; far prettier and nicer people too. Hey what's that supposed to mean ? I'm from Brussels, and found the Bruges people terrifying . Mind you within Belgium there is a bit of a flemish/french thing going on, which thankfully foreigners dont have to deal with. My vote totally goes to Bruges too, much, much more romantic. Congratulations on the anniversary . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pips_pekins Posted May 10, 2012 Share Posted May 10, 2012 Parsley, are you going to Bruges in June? I hope you have a lovely celebration whatever you are doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsley Posted May 10, 2012 Author Share Posted May 10, 2012 Well.........we have decided on Bruges but my ever patient husband has agreed to postpone it until later in the year as it does rather clash with my hatching and showing diary Our anniversary is the 20th June so I'm looking for ideas for a special day out. Wendy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pips_pekins Posted May 10, 2012 Share Posted May 10, 2012 You obviously have a lovely OH. I know it isn't the anniversary date but the Bluebell Railway have a victorian picnic on 30th if that is your sort of thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
