Spa GP help.

[MrKipling43]

So, while I was being completely useless coming up with ideas for a holiday this year, my wonderful wife has suggested that we take in the Spa GP. Yes, I won marriage.

Anyway, we have the race itself pretty well covered, but we're looking for somewhere to stay/things to do in the week preceding the Main Event.

Do any PHers who have been there before have any suggestions for camping/hotels in the Ardennes neck of the woods? Also, thinking of maybe a couple of days in Reims.

Any advice is most welcome.

Ta.

Pete

[Great Dane]

Museum abouth the Battle of The Bulge at malmedy
Viewing tower near Spa
val De Dieu brewery
smaller brewery near Malmedy (only open at week end)
Chocolate factory near Eupen
Luxemburg
Drive round Nurburgring
Trier and Mosel
bastogne
underground caves
Nice walks around Schloss Rheihardstein
haute fagne nature reserve
Dams near Eupen


just to get you started Our group has been going for years although we switched from F1 to LMS/ILMC about 5 years ago....We arrive early and have one day to spend and I have taken it on to arrange something and in twenty years I have always managed to find something new... There is a famous health spa in Spa (hence the name spa)

[MrKipling43]

Magic, ta.

[Mrs Pitstop]

Bruges is ideal for a few days and should please the OH. It's romantic, has lots of chocolate shops (dumon is my favourite!) and is very pretty.

[Alicatt1]

Also not far away is the waterfall at Coo (pronounced Ko)and the spectacular cave Grotte van Han ( http://www.grotte-de-han.be/ ). If you go over to Maastricht there are the underground defensive tunnels also worth a visit is the fort at Eben Emael ( www.fort-eben-emael.be ) but that has to be a booked tour as it is not open every day.
Lots more info on the area can be found at http://www.malmedy.be/

Heading to Malmedy on Saturday as the kids are on a KSJ (Scouts) camp near there

Edited by Alicatt1 on Tuesday 5th July 08:20

[MrKipling43]

Thanks very much for the suggestions chaps and chapesses.

Thinking of Bruges, then onto a campsite at a lake near (ish) Reims for a few days, then up to Spa for some, er, spa action and the GP.

[He Skunk]

Silly to suggest it I know,but in among the champagne tasting I am sure you won't forget to visit what remains (fortunately quite a lot) of the old circuit at Reims .

Probably a stupid suggestion , as that is probably why you thought to go in that direction ?

Luxembourg is a pretty city to visit too, even if the locals are not SO friendly (well, actually, just a bit strange would be more accurate )

[Alicatt1]

Also at Reims they have just completed the renovation of the cathedral after it got a bit shot up in WW1 and WW2.

Just back from Malmedy, was quite wet for a while and a load of road works on the way south for something to do with a Grand Prix being held at Spa New signs and road markings are being put in already for August. Have a good stay and be sure to try the Abbey beir tehy have good ones from Ciney and Chimay also from Rochefort ( my favorite)