Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with brussels

What is the best way to move from London, UK, to Brussels, Belgium?

meso — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 07:07:30 -0800

Hey there! I'm moving to Brussels for a job early November, and I'm trying to plan my move from London. What is the best way to do this move? My latest plan is to drive there in a van with a friend, stay with him for a couple of days, and have him drive the empty van back to London. Am I missing something? Is there an obvious way to make it easier/cheaper?

Right now the costs would involve paying the van rental, the Eurotunnel transfer between the UK and the continent, paying for a hotel, and packing stuff myself.

More information: I don't have any furniture, just books and clothes. It's not a massive amount. I don't have a driving licence myself. I'm also hesitating between driving there with a friend, gonig there on Eurostar and leave my stuff, or send them to myself by post.

Any suggestion would be immensely appreciated... thank you!

How to get from Toronto to Brussels (and what to do with a 4-year-old once there)?

fsmontenegro — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 13:22:58 -0800

Hi. Two questions related to an upcoming family trip - from Toronto to Brussels: - cost-effective (but not too tiring) ways to get from Toronto to Brussels? Non-stop flight? Connect elsewhere (London, Paris, Frankfurt, ...)? Fly into large hub (Paris, Frankfurt, ...) and book secondary flight or train? - things to do in Brussels with a 4-year-old?

Le nom nom nom.

IWoudDie4U — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:02:09 -0800

Where can we make out with French boys, what foodie things can I not miss in Paris, and what is the Kampa Park of Brussels? In two weeks, I will be in Paris for the first time, with
my family. Then Bruges, Brussels and Amsterdam. I will be on vacation with my parents and my sister. We love seafood and wine and meat and salty snacks and cocktail hour. And cheese. I am obsessed with France/ French cuisine/Food and cooking in general. I spent all winter baking macarons in my tiny Chicago apartment. I have Pierre Herme and Laduree already mapped out for macaron gluttony, and Stohler's for éclairs. My parents are graciously picking up the tab, so being thrifty isn't necessary. We're not looking to have dinner at any Michelin star restaurants- but what foods/restaurants/bakeries/shops should we not miss?

We'll probably have a nightcap after dinner with my parents, but my sister and I would like to go out a few nights. We're both in our mid-20s, both single. She's more mainstream sports bar/ beer/ frat boys, and I'm more offbeat hipster bar/ gin martinis/ hipsters. We will both begrudgingly put up with the other's choice for at least a night. We're staying in the city centers at all locations, and are transit-savvy. Any suggestions?

When we were in Prague, my mother, sister and I had dinner at Kampa Park. We ate outside on the patio right on the river, overlooking the Charles bridge. The food was exquisite, we watched the sunset, and when it got a little chilly, the waiter draped us with
warm blankets. Blankets! It was perfect. It'll be just the ladies for two nights in Brussels, and we'd like to repeat the experience- breathtaking views, superb service, and delicious food. Where should we go?

Is it practical to take Rail Europe from Paris at 1pm and spend an afternoon in Brussels, Belgium before taking a train that evening to our final destination, Amsterdam? [mi]

seinfeld — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 14:32:09 -0800

Is it practical to take Rail Europe from Paris at 1pm and spend an afternoon in Brussels, Belgium before taking a train that evening to our final destination, Amsterdam? [mi] The regional trains do not require a seat, but is there a place to stash our luggage so we can enjoy Brussels without lugging our luggage around the city?

- Where in Brussels is the train station? In the center of town? (Bruxelles Midi)

- Anything we need to see or do while spending one afternoon in Brussels? (I've searched and found a post from 2006 -- wondering if there is more current info)

Thanks for the help.

Brussels or Cape Town?

jay.eye.elle.elle. — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:06:31 -0800

I'm going to study abroad for four months this coming fall and I just cannot decide! Very soon I will need to start the process of applying for studying abroad. My parents and I have narrowed down all the schools offered to two: Universite Catholique de Louvain in Brussels, Belgium or University of Cape Town in Cape Town, South Africa.

I've done the whole pro/ con list thing but I need more input and more opinions. You guys will probably bring up things I haven't even thought about. Tell me about your study abroad experiences and which city you would rather live in.

This is just such a once-in-a-lifetime chance and I really want to pick the right place. Thanks so much.

Uniquely Belgian liquor?

scblackman — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 03:51:49 -0800

Liquor-is-QuickerFilter: I'm going to Brussels and Leuven next week and will be doing some holiday shopping. One of my relatives enjoys a drink (now and then) and I was thinking about bringing back a bottle of something unique -- that is, something one can't find readily in the US.

Any suggestions on a liquor that is uniquely Belgian and unique to Belgium? A one-line description would be great.

Help me see some of Europe!

bDiddy — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:07:06 -0800

I need advice for planning a trip to Europe next summer. The wife and I are looking to see some of Europe next summer. Neither of us have ever gone. She wants to see Prague and I want to drink beer in Brussels. So, here's what I think is the best plan, but I don't know. This is where I need advice.

Fly into Prague and spend a few days there. Take the train through Germany, spending a night in some of the cities the train goes through. (Berlin, maybe Koln?) Then continue on to Brussels for a few days there. Then, if time permits maybe continue on to France.

So, as I've never planned a trip like this ever, I have a few questions.

Is it easier to fly in and out of the same city or can I land in one city and depart from another? Would it be significantly cheaper to do it one way vs the other?

Should I book train tickets in advance or when we're there? I've seen the seat61.com site so I know the Eurail pass isn't always the best bet, but maybe it will be for us.

Is it worth renting a car in Belgium? I want to see more than just Brussels. I'd LOOOOOVE to see some of the abbeys and some of the smaller breweries there. And getting up to the coast would be nice too.

How early should I be looking at booking this? And would a travel agent be any help to me? I've used a travel agent twice and I find them somewhat helpful, but not sure if it would be worth it for a trip like this.

Any other advice is welcome. Thanks in advance.

Cheap hotel/hostel near Brussels airport

soulbarn — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:30:08 -0800

My college-age niece (MEANING: broke, almost!) needs a cheap place to stay near the Brussels airport. She's going to be spending US dollars, so I know "cheap" is relative. She's an inexperienced traveler and a little timid. Any ideas?

brussels for the first time

purplefiber — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:15:54 -0800

Brussels: Where to stay, what to do, what to avoid, what to eat, etc. I'll be in Brussels, Belgium, this Saturday evening through Tuesday morning.
I am: female, 25, traveling solo, speak English and French, and it's my first time in Belgium.
I love: music, art, food, people watching, talking with strangers, walking, exploring.
I have: a tight budget, a mostly-vegetarian diet, a curious mind.
I need: a place to stay (favorite hostels?), and some suggestions of places to explore, good places to meet people, places to stay away from, your favorite beer, etc.
Your recommendations will be much appreciated.

If there are any Brussels mefites around- hey, a meetup would be great fun!

Cost of living in Brussels?

starscream — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 11:36:15 -0800

Migrating from Los Angeles to Brussels: My girlfriend is entertaining a job offer in Brussels; is she being offered enough to live comfortably there? My girl has been offered 80K/year Euro for a job in Brussels. The company is willing to pay moving expenses and so on, but is 80K/year enough to live there? I'm seeing wildly different prices on apartments and am unsure of the general cost of living in Brussels. I guess my question is: what wage does one need to earn to live comfortably in Brussels, Belgium? We don't wanna starve :)

Bonus questions: The company is in the area of the Belgian Parliament & Brussels Park. How is public transit in that area? Also, how difficult is it to find work in the IT industry in Brussels?

There were some great tips on this thread, but I'm looking for a bit more info. Thanks :)

Should I move to Belgium?

Anonymous — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 18:27:09 -0800

What should I know about moving from Boston to Brussels, Belgium? I recently got a job offer in Brussels, Belgium (posting anonymously because it will cause problems for me if my prospective employer finds out I am uncertain about making the move). My wife and I are both around 30, living in Boston. We've traveled plenty, but never lived outside the country and have never been to Belgium. Neither of us speaks French or Dutch.

So the question is, what do we need to know about moving from the US to Belgium? We've read all about visas and national health insurance and such. We're really wondering more about what life is like. Will we feel isolated, being only English speakers? What are good neighborhoods for a couple of expats to live in? How likely is it that my wife could find a job if we move there before she is able to arrange something? How expensive is it; how much money do two relatively young people need to make in order to live comfortably in or around Brussels? If you are someone who has moved from the US to Belgium, what did nobody tell you that you wish you had known? We will probably visit for a few days before making the decisions about whether to make the move or not. What should we do while we're there in order to help make the decision?

We're really just looking for any information at all about what it's like to live in Brussels, since we have never been there and don't know anybody there. If you have questions, you can send them to belgium.ask.mefi@gmail.com.

Bonus points if anybody can tell me what an American (USCF Cat. 2) would have to do to be eligible to race road and cyclocross in Belgium. Do you need an international license from USA cycling or a license from the Belgian Cycling Federation?

Accomodations in London, Belgium & The Netherlands

dhammond — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 23:49:14 -0800

I'm going to London, Belgium and the Netherlands from May 10th-24th, and I'm looking for great places to stay. My tentative itinerary:

London (5 nights - 5/10-5/15)
Brussels (1 night - 5/15-5/16)
Bruges (2 nights - 5/16-5/18)
The Netherlands (6 nights - mostly Amsterdam, but other cities as well - 5/18-24)

I'm traveling alone, and I'm interested in hearing from those who are quite enthusiastic about a certain place and want to tell me how great it is.

My basic requirements:

-- Located in or very to close to the city center, preferably away from tourist areas as much as possible.

-- Decent value. Less than $200 a night in most places, though I will go up on that in London or if it's a really spectacular place and gives a nice bang for my (floudering) buck.

-- No hostels.

--Big bonus points for buildings with nice, old-timey architecture.

For the Netherlands, I'll be spending a good deal of time in Amsterdam, but I would also be interested in hearing about other towns and cities that might be worth an overnight stay or long day trip.

As a point of reference, I stayed at the Strand Palace in London last year and, though I found it a bit shabby, it was a steal at under $200 in an incredibly central but not too touristy area. I don't mind staying there again, but would love to try something different if you can recommend something.

Thanks, y'all!

What to do for a working week in Brussels?

jkaczor — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 12:39:33 -0800

What to do for a working week in Brussels? Finally - work sends me somewhere interesting. So, what can I do after 6pm on a weekday? I will maybe have 1-2 weekend days depending on logistics. Should I try to head out-of-town for one of those weekend days?

Creepy tourism in Europe?

Bookhouse — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 09:37:54 -0800

What are some creepy things to do in Brussels, Amsterdam and London? I'm getting ready for my first trip to Europe, which will be focused on Belgium with side trips to Amsterdam, London and maybe Paris. My girlfriend and I have macabre tastes and would like to visit some creepy museums and exhibits while we're there. I'm talking medical oddities, true crime stuff, hallways made of bones, you name it. We're hip to the Tower of London and would like recommendations on the best Jack the Ripper walking tours, etc. Nothing is too outre, but the supernatural ranks far lower than anything real.

Where and how can I store luggage in Brussels, Belgium for ~8 days?

ejames — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 10:27:35 -0800

Where and how can I store luggage in Brussels, Belgium for ~8 days? I'm traveling to Europe next weekend for a study abroad program in The Netherlands. I'm flying into Brussels, Belgium and need to store my luggage (2 large duffel bags) while I travel to Italy for a week before classes start. I'm flying into Brussels airport, then need to store my luggage somewhere, and go to Charleroi airport. When I return, I'll need to go from Charleroi, pick up my luggage, and take a train to Maastricht, Netherlands. So storing at a train station might be a good idea.

1. I've heard that I can store luggage at the Gare du Midi train station for longer than 24 hours, but I don't have that confirmed. I'd rather not have to make an international call to find out ($$).

2. Is Gare du Midi the right train station I'd want to store it at to then be able to take a train to Maastricht? Would it be better to store it at Gare du Nord or Centrale? Or would it be best to store it in Charleroi, and then could I head to Maastricht right from Charleroi?

3. What's the best way for me to get from Brussels airport to Charleroi airport for cheap? Taxi, bus, train?

I'm a little new to this. It's my first time in Europe and I'm also on a budget.

Has anyone had to store baggage while traveling in Europe? I'd rather not lug my huge bag around with me that first week. What did you do?

Brussels to Amsterdam

honeyx — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 07:08:37 -0800

Cost of taking the train from Brussels to Amsterdam? I want to take a train from Brussels to Amsterdam in early November. I found a site for the trains which list departure times . But there aren't any prices listed. Anybody have any idea what this train might cost and the return? Thanks for your help.

Things to do in Brussels

davar — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 13:49:07 -0800

Looking for vegan restaurants and things to do with a three year old in Brussels. We (my husband, three year old and myself) will be spending a couple of days in Brussels next week. We plan to visit Bruxelles les Bains. Are there any other things we should not miss? I searched for toy stores online and found Caisse Noisettes and Serneels. Any other recommendations?

I found this overview of vegan restaurants but if you have any personal recommendations, they would be very welcome, as would recommendations for health food or other food stores.

Shopping in Brussels

Wilder — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 14:39:47 -0800

Shopping in Brussels? A friend and I will be in Brussels for one afternoon and she wants to buy a dress for a wedding. Semi-formal but she is not into designer. Any tips on shopping in Brussels? I only know the main square and a few streets around that?

Enjoying NW Europe on the cheap?

knapah — Fri, 19 May 2006 10:14:22 -0800

TravelFilter: This summer I and 3 friends are planning on travelling around part of Europe by train and are looking for advice on the main areas we plan to stay in. Information on hostels or other cheap accommodation (first hand if possible) would be great (more inside) We are students in the UK and are planning on getting the Interrail pass for Zone E (France, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg) so we can travel with relative freedom for 16 days.

We plan to stay in these cities primarily (although advice on other places in the general area would be accepted):

Lille (2 nights)
Brussels (3 nights)
Amsterdam (4 nights)
Luxembourg City (1 night)
Northern France including Paris (6 nights)

What I am looking for in particular are cheap (in the vicinity of €20 to €30 per night) hostels in each of the first 4 cities and also general advice for places to stay/see in Northern France.

Any other advice from people who have had InterRail or Eurail passes before would also be appreciated.

Many thanks

How to experience New Years in Brussels.

margaretlam — Tue, 22 Nov 2005 21:15:17 -0800

New Years in Brussels this year. All by myself. What's the best way to spend it? First trip to Europe, two weeks with London as a homebase, and skipping around to check out the capitals across the English channel by wandering around and seeing a handful of 'must-sees' touristy things. I'll be there on the 30th till the 1st. I know the local celebrations will just sweep me away, but anywhere specifically that I should go or avoid? Other general advice about Brussels also welcomed.