Slow Travel Talk  Hop To Forum Categories  TRAVEL  Hop To Forums  The Rest of Europe    Belgium

Moderators: Doru, Shannon

Closed Topic Closed
Go
New
Find
Notify
Tools
  Login/Join 
Tim
Slow Traveler
Posted
I am thinking of three weeks in Belgium in March. I want to cycle Flanders and am thinking of using Brugge as a base. Any comment on this plan and any suggestions for long term accomodtions? I have found a few on different web sites but I am hoping for some reviews. Also I hope to find a place that would include a bike with the rental as I cannot get a direct flight from Calgary.
 
Posts: 144 | Location: Calgary.Alberta | Registered: 19 November 2002Edit or Delete MessageReport This Post

Moderator &
SlowBowl Skipper
Posted Hide Post
Brugge is a very pretty town but it is also super touristy and seemed expensive to me. I am sure there are areas of the city that aren't quite so touristy. I was there in the month of February and it was touristy even then. Also very, very wet.

I liked it though and if you aren't planning on eating out alot, it would be a really nice home base.

Shannon
www.chowbellabooks.com
 
Posts: 5240 | Location: Ocean Beach, California | Registered: 20 March 2002Edit or Delete MessageReport This Post

Slow Traveler
Posted Hide Post
I love Brugge!!! It is one my favorite towns in all of Europe! Stay at Bauhaus.

The picture on the first page for the flat rental is actually the flat that I stayed in when I was there. It was massive and recently renovated. Everything in the place was Ikea! Smile

Tony Polzer
Tour Operator
3 Millennia Tours
www.threemillennia.com
tony@threemillennia.com
 
Posts: 1225 | Location: Rome, Italy; Zagreb, Croatia | Registered: 12 February 2003Edit or Delete MessageReport This Post

Moderator
Posted Hide Post
I've been to Brugge in November and May. November was very slow, dark and extremely cold. The wind off the North Sea does blow right into the area. March will still be pretty cool. I was in Holland from April to June one year. When I arrived in mid-April, it was 32 degrees and the tulips hadn't started blooming. If you could go in April vs March, it would be a bit better both for weather and for spring flowers.

I only visited Brugge on weekends. I haven't been to Ghent or Ypres. I would think that it would be a good center for touring. It can be busy during the day but it does get quieter in the evening since it is a frequent day trip destination. The streets in the town center are cobblestone and narrow but I think they would be fine to get around in with a bike.

As far as a rental, De Drie Koningen has been recommended on Yahoo Travelzine. It looks very nice. According to their rates, March is split between low season and midseason. It doesn't look like they have a bike for rent.

I've worked in Holland a couple of times. Bikes are much more available there. Sometimes people would ship their bike via UPS instead of taking it on the plane. But I think that is pretty expensive. Since you are there for several weeks, you may want to look at bicycle dealers for longer term rentals or maybe purchase a used bike and try to sell it back.

A well known tour company which does both bus and bike tours is Quasimodo. I haven't taken their tour but I've know several people who have. They say they are good although one person did remark that they were very opinionated.

If you do happen to go later in March or April, I highly recommend going to Keukenhof Gardens outside of Leiden. There are great rides around Leiden. In fact, I would recommend Leiden as a touring center if you go to Holland. It is easy to get out of town on bike trails or fietspads in Dutch. There are several day bike rides from Leiden such as to the ride to Katwijk where you can ride in the dunes to Scheveningnen near the Hague. You can ride to Keukenhof.

Here's an interesting web site. It is in Dutch but you might find some information. I found a link for this page which is in English and all about touring Belgium by bike along the waterways. It has a lot of information on cycling in Belgium.

I don't know much about Belgium beyond Brugge and Brussells but I know lots about Holland. Feel free to ask anything.
 
Posts: 7448 | Location: Edmonds, WA | Registered: 25 October 2001Edit or Delete MessageReport This Post

Slow Traveler
Posted Hide Post
Another vote for Brugge! Lovely, charming city and shouldn't be too full of tourists in March.

SALLY WATKINS, Certified Travel Counselor
sally@century-tvl.com
www.sallywatkins.com
Italy Specialist
Certified Swiss Specialist
Certified Aussie Specialist
My business depends on referrals - please tell someone today!
 
Posts: 2250 | Location: Austin, TX | Registered: 29 June 2001Edit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Ann

Slow Traveler
Posted Hide Post
Marta, I reviewed De Drie Koningen for Slow Trav a while ago --Review 445. And here's another vote for Brugge!
 
Posts: 1503 | Location: Sunset Beach (Haleiwa), Hawaii, USA | Registered: 16 September 2001Edit or Delete MessageReport This Post

Moderator
Posted Hide Post
Very cool Ann. I thought I had read about it twice and I only found one thread on the travelzine. I thought I was going crazy this afternoon. I should have searched ST. Red Face
 
Posts: 7448 | Location: Edmonds, WA | Registered: 25 October 2001Edit or Delete MessageReport This Post
 Previous Topic | Next Topic powered by eve community  

Closed Topic Closed

    Slow Travel Talk  Hop To Forum Categories  TRAVEL  Hop To Forums  The Rest of Europe    Belgium

© SlowTrav.com 2000 - 2008