First trip to Brussels

Hya everyone

Me and my husband are going to Brussels for the first time in November, and we are staying at the Silken Berlaymont Hotel. Has anyone stayed there? if so, whats it like? We have booked for a room only, so i would be really grateful for some tips on where to eat and drink, places to go in the daytime, and the night time.

Also, how much spending money do you think we might need? we are going for three nights, and we are travelling by train from Cardiff, then we have to catch a tube from Paddington to St Pancrass, then by eurostar to Brussels

I must admit, that while i am really looking forward to the trip (its our first trip without the kids), I am also a bit nervous, because we are travelling on our own, on foot, and without the help of a tour rep incase anything should go wrong, eg, what if we get on the wrong tube at Paddington, or miss our train, Silly things really, so if anyone has any advice or tips, they would be greatly appreciate

Sorry for all the questions, and thanks to all who take time to read this post.

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I don%26#39;t stay in Brussels hotels so can%26#39;t comment on what the Silken Berlaymont is like, I have only used the coffee bar and the toilets (which are very nice!)! Did you check the %26quot;Brussels hotels%26quot; list on the left for comments by TA members?

Your hotel is in the EU area behind the Berlaymont, you%26#39;ll find plenty of restaurants in nearby rue Archimède, rue Stévin and rue Franklin. My favourite is an Ottoman Turkish one called La Sublime Porte (rue Franklin) but all depends on what you are looking for. There are also several Irish pubs - Kitty O%26#39;Shea%26#39;s, The Old Oak, James Joyce, Hairy Canary...

Nearest metro and railway station is Schuman. You can actually catch a train from Gare du Midi, if that%26#39;s where you arrive, to Schuman (via Central and Nord: included in Eurostar ticket) but whether this is convenient depends on your time of arrival. Alternatively you can take metro line 2 to Arts-Loi and change there for Schuman. Look for the %26quot;Charlemagne%26quot; exit (green signs in the metro indicate exits, orange is used for %26quot;correspondances%26quot; or connections to other lines), which if you are coming from Arts-Loi will be at the rear end of the metro, i.e. when you get off, walk AWAY from the engine to the far end of the platform.

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Hi Wickedwelshmam

I am sure you will cross London fine without a tour guide.

When you get to Paddington station %26amp; head for the Underground, you want the Hammersmith %26amp; City line or Circle Line to Kings Cross / St Pancras to catch the Eurostar. You can also catch the District line to Edgware Road %26amp; then the above lines onwards. You do not want the Bakerloo line. The Underground stations may be in different parts of the Main Line station concourse, so if you only see Bakerloo you are in the wrong place. It will take at least 40 minutes to get round London.

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