response to Ghent question.

This is for a certain individual who replied to our question about going to Ghent vs Brussels for a day. I would like to thank you for your input and for making our decision to stay in Brussels for the day more fact based.I would also like to ask that in any future communications with people from around the world that you try not to come across so nasty while attempting to make the people asking the questions feel like they are of a lesser intellectual capacity than you. If that was your intent how sad.We certainly are aware of what Brussels has to offer and were simply doing some fact finding. Stay with being helpful and please try to have your responses contain more positive help and leave the attitude behind as it does not belong in this type of a forum.

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Removed on: 7:16 pm, October 09, 2009

Renassiance hotel?

How far is it from the Grand Place? What kind of area is it in? And is it any good? I%26#39;m visiting just as a tourist and what to be near the tourist attractions.

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If you google renaissance hotel brussels, you will get a map showing you exactly where it is. This hotel is more conveniently located for business visitors (especially those visiting certain EU departments) than tourists, being near the European Parliament and the Gare du Luxembourg, so convenient for getting to Luxembourg if by any chance you wanted to. It isn%26#39;t on the metro, but about 10 minutes walk from Trône on metro line 2 (which serves Gare du Midi); on the other hand it is served by plenty of buses, including the 27 from Gare du Midi where you would arrive on the Eurostar. Also convenient for people arriving from Brussels Airport as it is served by the airport bus (12 on weekdays, 21 at weekends).

The area itself is an office ghetto apart from the Place du Luxembourg which is full of cafés and restaurants. Brussels is too small for anywhere to be far from the tourist attractions, but the Luxembourg area is not bang in the centre of town, most tourists want to be near the Grand%26#39; Place.

If you look at the list of %26quot;Brussels hotels%26quot; on the left you will find that many VT members have commented on location.

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i have stayed near the EU business district area, i would NOT recommend it for fri-sun stay, it is literally a ghost town during this time, most things are closed and there are hardly any people. I would recommend you stay at renaissance sister company Marriot. It is opposite the stock exchange and near Boeurs station. It is central to everything, and literally a few mins away from the grand place, bars, restaurant etc. Its slightly more pricey than Rennaisance, but definately worth the extra price. Or maybe stay at the Alma hotel? I have stayed here many times, and it is very central as well, only a few mins walk from grand place.

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Removed on: 7:19 pm, October 09, 2009

How to get from Amsterdam central train station to Antwerp

Hi everyone! It will be my first time in Europe for a business trip and I don%26#39;t know how to get to Antwerp train station from Amsterdam central train station. Could you please help me as I need to be in Antwerp before 10 A.M?

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The 07:56 InterCity arrives at Antwerpen-Centraal at 10:01, if you need to be there before then the previous train is 06:56 arr. 09:01. Being an IC, you don%26#39;t need reservations, can just buy your ticket on the date of travel or e.g. the day before if that is more convenient.

http://bahn.hafas.de/bin/query.exe/en

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Just type in %26quot;Dutch railways%26quot; and you should reach their website.This will give you all the info. you need through the journey planner including the platform number for departure and the cities passed through en route.

More precise addresses appear to be www.ns.nl/reisplanner %26amp; nshispeed.nl

Dutch Railways phone number is (00) 313 02 354 000, wait to be offered Option 1 English speaking, if you can%26#39;t speak Dutch.

Fares to Antwerp are as follows:

1st class single 43.40 euros

%26quot; %26quot; return 86.80 %26quot;

2nd class single 28.80 %26quot;

%26quot; %26quot; return 57.60 %26quot;

I checked this 2 minutes ago.

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Removed on: 6:18 am, October 10, 2009

So, Central it is.....

I already asked and was answered my question about the difference there is about changing trains in train stations when traveling with luggage. It was recommended Central Station. Oh, I forgot to say I will take the train at Bruxelles Int%26#39;l Airport and my destination is Bruges of course for those who didn%26#39;t see my last post.

So, this is my question:

When I buy the tickets, Should I say I want to change in Central?, or maybe, say: Tickets to Bruges via Central? These might sound maybe silly questions but it is very important to know these small details that could help release the stress that one might already have because of jet lag. I begin my journey at 9:40AM and arrive at Bruxelles at 9:05AM the next day. So, that%26#39;s why these small details will help me feel less stressed when we arrive at the airport and have to buy the train tickets to travel for a few more hours in order to arrive at our first stop in our schedule. (Our schedule is Bruges, Paris and London.)

So thanks in advance for your helpful reply.

Yvonne

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All you need to ask for is %26quot;so many tickets to Brugge, please, one-way%26quot;. They know you can%26#39;t get there without changing trains in Brussels and it makes no difference to the price whether you change at Nord, Central or Midi: one Brussels (city) station is the same as any other. (For the record, Brussels Airport is in fact outside the city and region of Brussels, in Zaventem, Flanders!)

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Dear qaminari:

Thanks for your answer to my post and also for the geography information. It%26#39;s important that a tourist know these details. It%26#39;s good to be able to find one%26#39;s bearings.

So, I buy the tickets as suggested and once I%26#39;m at Central I check the next train to Bruges and I%26#39;m on my way.

Thanks again.

Yvonne

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Removed on: 6:21 am, October 10, 2009

directions, please

Could anyone please provide me with directions to walk from Alfa Empire Hotel in Appelmanstraat to the University of Antwerp? How long should the walk take for a very fit 24 year old? Not me, my daughter!

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The University of Antwerp has four different campus.

1. Stadscampus

2. Drie Eiken

3. Middelheim

4. Groenenborger

Here%26#39;s a website with directions to the various campus:

http://www.ua.ac.be/main.aspx?c=.ROUTE I%26#39;m afraid it%26#39;s only in Dutch. If it%26#39;s not clear, just let me know what campus.

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Thank you for info.

I%26#39;m not sure which campus she requires, but I%26#39;ll let you know as soon as possible.

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She needs directions to Drei Eiken, please.

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It%26#39;s a fair walk, even for a fit 24 yr old!

In fact from the hotel to the campus is 7 km or about one hour and 45 min. walk.

There are buses that leave at Central Station (bus no. 17 or no. 21) and stop at the University Hospital that is on the same grounds as the campus.

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Thank you, amboseli.

It looks like she%26#39;ll be on the bus!

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Removed on: 9:25 am, October 10, 2009

Wonderful Brugge Trip Report

Second visit to this wonderful city and just as perfect as the first.

Brugges has got to be one of the most romantic small towns in the world. Beauty, culture and friendly folk in a picture-perfect setting. Its so beautiful and walkable to everything you would want to see or do. Extremely safe even late at night.

We stayed at the Cote Canal B%26amp;B and I can%26#39;t say enough about this outstanding B%26amp;B and Caroline who owns and runs it. The most wonderful B%26amp;B we have ever stayed at. Did a separate review for anyone interested. Its a two-minute walk to the town center. Extremely quiet and romantic. Only problem, as with all old buildings, there is no elevator and steps to the rooms could be challenging to older folk or people with special needs. The incredible view and garden right on the canal is wonderful. The house is full of antics and history. Caroline is a gracious host and so friendly. Breakfast was to die for. Fresh squeezed orange juice and fruit bowls, warm rolls of all kinds, meat, cheeses, and eggs cooked anyway you want. Fresh ground coffee, etc. Breakfast is served in the garden when its nice outside. Huge rooms with private bathrooms and spotlessly clean.

Had some great food at Diligence on Hoogstraat 5. Right around the corner from Diligence another great place with super yummy fish dishes. I lost the card so can%26#39;t post the name.. .sorry. Its on the same side of the street as Diligence and is only open for dinner closed Mon %26amp; Tues. Maybe someone can help out here. Ate dinner at Cambrinus and it wasn%26#39;t as good as last year. Still an incredible place for their house beer that comes in light or dark.

Took the brewery tour and it was fun. Who couldn%26#39;t love a Zot brew at the end. Came home with some Zot glasses.

Took the boat ride all over again to marvel at the incredible beauty at every turn. Not to be missed by any visitor to Brugge.

Evenings are just wonderful when the crowds go. Anyone wanting to visit Brugge should try and stay at least one night.

Train ride from Amsterdam to Brugges was very easy to do.

Great site to see what Brugges looks like, www.flickr.com. Type in Brugge in search feature.

Anyone with questions, please feel free to PM me.

Distance around town

Just wanted to know how far the Brus-Midi train station was from the Grand Palace. We wanted to take the bike tour (starts at 10a) but our train doesn%26#39;t arrive until 9a and I wasn%26#39;t sure that was enough time to get there.

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If you are bringing bikes it is certainly enough time as it would only take 10 (say 15 with traffic lights) minutes to cycle straight up Avenue Stalingrad and rue du Midi to the GP.

If you aren%26#39;t bringing bikes it%26#39;s not just the time to get to the GP that you need to take into account, but surely also the time to stow your bags somewhere and collect a bike from wherever these are kept. You can go by train to Gare centrale (e.g. by the airport train that leaves Midi at 09:12) in 4 minutes, then it takes about 5 minutes to walk to the GP.

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Removed on: 11:18 pm, October 09, 2009