R/T Brussels sightseeing look?

Question

Have 7 nights for a tour starting and ending in Brussels. If possible would like the tour to include Amsterdam. Any suggestions? Thought I'd use a 7 day rail pass for the trip.

Answer 1

I actually did a trip similar to this in 2005 and in 2007 because I loved it so much.  

I would suggest that you spend 2 night in Brussels, but after that if you do a full day of sight-seeing you will see pretty much everything.

Then I would go to Amsterdam, which is just a 3 hour train ride away.  It is GORGEOUS with tons of things to do.  You can keep yourself entertained there for days, and if you like beer you have to go to the Heineken factory.  It was one of the coolest museums I have ever been too.  Also, the Van Gogh museum is amazing and the "Free" Tours that they give starting in the main square starting at about 10 or 11am are fantastic.

Then, if you have time to do nothing else you must go to Brugges.  I have traveled all over Europe and Brugges took my breath away with its medival charm and beauty.  It is probably one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.  You can do it as a day trip, although seeing it at night is remarkable and it is only about an hour from Brussels.  

Antwerp is also really cool and it is on the train route from Brussels to Amsterdam, so you can get off of the train see Antwerp and get back on to come or go from Amsterdam.

I would look at the train pass before I used it though.   Belgium has fairly cheap train tickets in the country so you might spend more money than needed by buying the rail pass.  I would just do research before I bought it because I have never bought one because it was more expensive than just buying regular train tickets.

Check out the Belgian train tickets at:

www.b-rail.be

And the Thalys to Amsterdam:

www.thalys.com

Answer 2

Start in Brussels arround the Grand place and work your way to the North then you will see most of the shopping areas, depending on what you want to discover, for arts and history you are good for a day in the center.

Take the train to Antwerp, the biggest flemish city with the trainstation has just been completed his restauration it is unbelievable beautiful. Antwerp can you inspire for a complete day do enough of investigationn on the web.

Other options from Brussels.

Bruges by train

Ostend by train beautiful beaches.

Ghent by train

Hasselt by train.

But you are also in 2 hours by Thalys train in Amsterdam

1 hour and you are in Cologne Germany

1 hour 21 minutes to Paris

1hour 51 minutes to the heart of London.....

The train is your best travel partner in Belgium

Answer 3

I did a similar tour in 2000. In Brussels see as much as you can around the Grand Place. You don't have to stay centrally located because the public transport is great. It's about 3 hrs to Amsterdam 1 way so plan to make a circuit of the cities you want to visit.Brugge and Antwerp are nice towns with lots to do. A day in each should be plenty. All of the towns are pedestrian friendly but try to get rid of your luggage first as it's hard to really experience anything with it. Lots of rooms,hostels and bed-n-breakfasts so you can choose how much you want to spend.Check websites as well as the tourist bureau when you arrive at your destination.