Where to go close to Belgium

[ramz]

I'm planning a holiday with my girlfriend in September, starting from Amsterdam (spending 2/3 nights there), then hiring a car to drive down Belgium, using Gent as a base to visit Bruges and perhaps Brussels (I'm starting and ending the holiday in Amsterdam as I'm travelling there on work.)

After Gent we've got about 3 days left over to visit somewhere else. So far the options I'm considering are:

1. Lille
2. Reims
3. Somewhere in the west part of Germany

Any tips? Suggestions?

We've also got to drive back to Amsterdam for the flight back, and Reims is about as far south as I'm willing to go.

[itsnotarace]

Nurburg village, just happens to have a racetrack there.

Spa Francorchamps is worth a nosey too. They too, just happen to have a racetrack.

You could spend a couple of days in and around Ypres (no racetrack), fascinating to go and look round the WW1 trenches etc

[snakeswitht1ts]

Cologne is a very good place to visit.

[PaulHogan]

We were in Epernay a couple of weeks ago on our way back from Classic Le Mans. Loved the area but would stay in Chalons-en-Champagne if out that way again. Lovely little town. Cruising round the small champagne houses was fantastic and you can buy the real deal for €14/bottle. You pay more for Moet and other houses you'll have heard of but the little houses give them a run for their money - they just don't produce as much. Went to a couple of nice restaurants in Epernay. The L'oeil D'Boeuf and La Cave du Champagne - both produce excellent food and are places you'd need to book in advance.
After Epernay we went to Gent/Ghent/Gant and that is definitely a place we'd return to. Try the Belga Queen restaurant. Not as good as the two in Epernay but there or thereabouts.

[Puggit]

Kent

[ramz]

itsnotarace said:

Nurburg village, just happens to have a racetrack there.

Spa Francorchamps is worth a nosey too. They too, just happen to have a racetrack.

You could spend a couple of days in and around Ypres (no racetrack), fascinating to go and look round the WW1 trenches etc

I know this is Pistonheads, but the OH might not appreciate the racetrack part.

Ypres sounds like it might be worth a day trip from Gent though.

PaulHogan said:

We were in Epernay a couple of weeks ago on our way back from Classic Le Mans. Loved the area but would stay in Chalons-en-Champagne if out that way again. Lovely little town. Cruising round the small champagne houses was fantastic and you can buy the real deal for €14/bottle. You pay more for Moet and other houses you'll have heard of but the little houses give them a run for their money - they just don't produce as much. Went to a couple of nice restaurants in Epernay. The L'oeil D'Boeuf and La Cave du Champagne - both produce excellent food and are places you'd need to book in advance.
After Epernay we went to Gent/Ghent/Gant and that is definitely a place we'd return to. Try the Belga Queen restaurant. Not as good as the two in Epernay but there or thereabouts.

Good stuff

Now I just have to choose between France (Reims) and Germany (Cologne.)

[Bluebarge]

Reims itself is not v.exciting; were it not for the Champagne houses, it would not be worth the detour IMHO. I would opt for Cologne personally.

[chefdon]

sorry mate but Maasticht in the south of NL is a dump , its like going to northampton..

[ramz]

Bluebarge said:

Reims itself is not v.exciting; were it not for the Champagne houses, it would not be worth the detour IMHO. I would opt for Cologne personally.

Doesn't have to be particularly exciting, as long as the food's good! Which I'm assuming it will be since it's France.

[Dr Jekyll]

Monschau is worth an hour or two. In Germany but close to Spa and roughly on the way to Nurburg.

[Busamav]

Dr Jekyll said:

Monschau is worth an hour or two. In Germany but close to Spa and roughly on the way to Nurburg.

That ^ old age prevented remembering the name earlier.

[ramz]

Thanks again all.

As I said before now it's just a matter of choosing between Köln and Reims. I think I'd prefer Köln but the missus said she'd rather do Reims.

Reims it is then.

[kiteless]

Bit of a lastminute.com recommendation, but Saverne is rather nice (not far from Strasbourg). Good eateries and bars, and a chocolate shop to die for!

Also, we had the best pizza outside of Italy there.

[chefdon]

Strasbourg). good city good food. easy to get round.

[5potTurbo]

Gent or Brussels to Strasbourg is quite a drive .... how about Luxembourg? We've a lovely "capital village", and a good wine region on the Moselle. Closer than Reims (which is pretty dull).

Lille is also a lovely city and not so far to get to from Gent.

BTW, if you're staying in Gent, use the train to/from Brussels. MUCH easier!

Edited by 5potTurbo on Thursday 26th August 08:47