We want to stay in either Bruges or Ghent for 4 days/3 nights (Wed to Sat), and use it as a base for some day trips. We would like to visit Lille, Ghent, Bruges, and possibly the coast.
I was wondering as to the pros and cons of staying in Bruges vs Ghent. I get the impression that while both are scenic, Bruges is more scenic. On the other hand, it is very touristy and seems to have more expensive food and lodging. It may also be very crowded, although we are likely to be out of town during most of the day.
Comments or suggestions would be appreciated.
Apologies for cross-posting. I%26#39;m not sure if people read the country forum or just the individual city forums.
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Bruges is a very picturesque city as can be seen in the movie %26quot;In Bruges%26quot; with Colin Farrell (even though it is a ridiculous movie) and very crowded and expensive for accomodaton but if you want something VERY special, you could think of www.kasteeltenberghe.be which is a little outside the city but therefore very quiet and very unique.
I think Americans generally love it, as you can read in the reviews here (it is under %26quot;specialty lodgings%26quot;). For that price you don%26#39;t find much in the centre.
You want to go to Lille? Would not be a city I think of first, but it%26#39;s up to you.
See www.brugge.be (EN , then %26quot;Tourism and seminars%26quot;, %26quot;sights%26quot; and %26quot;sightseeing%26quot;) for all tourist info and printable walks (they also have guided walks). This way I found www.bruges-ballooning.com and had a marvelous balloon ride, but a bit pricey.
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It all depends what you prefer: a very scenic but small and really touristy place (Bruges) or a very nice but more city-like place (Ghent). There is much more %26quot;real life%26quot; in Ghent. You really have to make your choice. Everything is close, you should of vcourse visit both. My personal vote is defintily for Ghent.
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Just want to echo what joop1 said really.
Bruges is lovely, small, beautiful, touristy and very busy. Great bars., great restaurants, wonderful churches and galleries/museums. It is the sort of place I would recommend for a romantic or celebratory weekend
Gent is quieter, more town-like, less touristy, perhaps not as picture postcard pretty as Bruges but that doesn%26#39;t mean it isn%26#39;t a lovely or architecurally intereting. It has some excellent bars and restaurants, great museums (the Huis van Alijn is fantastic!) and a laid back feel.
I%26#39;d probably go to Gent but that could be because I%26#39;ve been to Bruges a number of times and Gent only once...so far!
Whichever you choose I am sure you will have a great time.
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My preference is also for Ghent for the reasons mentioned above. Bruges is a definite must-see but more crowded. Ghent has something more %26quot;real%26quot; about it.
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dutchguy: thanks for the activity pointers. I looked at the castle, and it looks great, but we%26#39;re still trying to get a holiday flat. We were thinking of Lille for the day because one of my kids wanted to spend at least a little time in a third country. Right now our plans only call for Holland and Belgium due to limited time. I%26#39;d love to hear suggestions about some alternative nearby places, in France or elsewhere.
joop1, mightywease, Brown_locks: It sounds like both places are good, but you would all prefer Ghent by a little bit. I confess that we are actually leaning towards staying in Bruges, only because we think we can find a decent vacation rental (holiday flat) and could not find ANY listed at all for Ghent, except one apartment hotel.
I am wondering if all the restaurants in Bruges are fairly expensive. We won%26#39;t have a car, and that will limit our choices. I don%26#39;t know if restaurants in Belgium are just generally more expensive than in the US (which I can blame on the exchange rate), or if Bruges is substantially more expensive than other places in Belgium
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Bruges and Ghent are both very nice. Evenings though Brugges is magical. When the daytrippers go, Brugges is awesome. Antwerp is a lot of fun too.
A great place to get an idea of the what these different cities look like:
www.flickr.com Type city name in search feature. Also do a search Brugge night.
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