| Brussels is superbly located for quick-trips to | | | | Stadhuis (possibly the grandest town hall in |
| several charming cities in Belgium. The three | | | | Belgium, initially built in 1376) and the Belfort (also |
| day-trips in this article have been highlighted | | | | dating back to the 13th century) which towers |
| because of their proximity to Europes capital. | | | | over the Markt in the grandest of ways. It is here |
| Antwerp | | | | that the towns charter is kept. |
| A little over half an hour by train from the very | | | | - The Markt is one of the two central squares of |
| heart of Brussels is the busy city of Antwerp. If | | | | Bruges city centre - an open market has been |
| you have a longer stay in Brussels, you'll want to | | | | held here as long ago as the tenth century. |
| experience a day here to enjoy it's interesting | | | | - In case you didn't pick up enough chocolate in |
| fashion shops and nice mix of good value | | | | Brusses don't fret - Bruges has more than |
| restaurants. If you fancy a stay overnight then | | | | enough Belgian chocolate shops to keep your |
| the abundance of good, clean hotels will be a | | | | cravings satisfied. |
| welcome sight - particularly as they charge | | | | Ghent |
| significantly less than you'll pay in Brussels. You | | | | Ghent is severely under-rated as a tourist spot. |
| can book a hotel from the tourist office in the | | | | With it's quaint town centre comprising narrow |
| town centre of Grote Markt. | | | | canals, cobbled traffic-free streets & a fine |
| The equivalent of Grand Place for Antwerp is it's | | | | castle and cathedral it's a very alluring place to |
| pleasant Grote Markt square. Here are some of | | | | plan a day-trip to. It's also just a half hour train |
| the must-see sights in Antwerp if you're only | | | | ride from Brussels. |
| about for a short stay: | | | | Here are the must-see sights in Ghent if you |
| - After checking out Grote Markt amble over to | | | | happen to come for a short stay: |
| the Onze Lieve Vrouwekathedraal - one of the | | | | - The fabric of Ghents town centre was built in |
| most impressive medieval churches to be found | | | | the 13th and 14th century. Like Brussels It's easy |
| anywhere in Belgium, Onze Lieve | | | | to navigate through Ghent thanks to a |
| Vrouwekathedraal dates back to the 15th | | | | comprehensive and well run public transport |
| century. | | | | system. Your first port of call should be to the |
| - Museum lovers will enjoy Maritime Museum, | | | | impressive Stadhius (the largest town hall in |
| Rockoxhuis Museum, Momo (a museum dedicated | | | | Belgium) which dates back to the early 15th |
| to fashion), Plantin-Moretus Museum and Museum | | | | century. Close-by, the Belfort was built in the 14th |
| voor Schone Kunsten (art). | | | | century and offers stunning vistas over the city. |
| - Quite similar to Brussels, there are no shortage | | | | - It took approximately six hudred years to |
| of restaurants and cafes in Antwerp - however it | | | | complete St Baafskathedraal - Ghents most |
| is significantly cheaper to eat. | | | | prolific and oldest Cathedral and some parts of |
| Bruges | | | | this gothic masterpiece stretch back to the |
| Bruges is slightly farther away from Brussels than | | | | twelfth century. |
| Antwerp, but still conveniently placed for a | | | | - Ghent has some stunning listed buildings (many |
| day-trip. It takes about an hour to reach Bruges | | | | of which are a thousand years old) and you can |
| by train and it's well worth the effort when you | | | | see many of them in and around the area that |
| consider the beauty this well preserved medieval | | | | runs from St Michielsbrug to St Baafskathedral. |
| city has to offer. Because of this, Bruges can | | | | - Gravensteen Castle was constructed in the |
| often be packed in peak season and it can be | | | | eleventh century and it's one of the most prolific |
| difficult to obtain accommodation so be sure to | | | | landmarks of Ghent. Closeby are the Museum |
| book a place in advance if you plan to spend the | | | | voor Sierkunst en Vormgeving (with various |
| night. Being a tourist hotspot, eating out in Bruges | | | | displays depicting Ghent life over the past couple |
| can be somewhat more expensive than other | | | | of centuries) and the fish market (Vishmarkt). |
| places in Belgium, and the food tends to cater to | | | | There are alternative museums to visit - Museum |
| the mass number of tourists that flood the city | | | | voor Schone Kunsten has a large display of art |
| during peak times. | | | | dating back to the 14th century while the |
| Once you step into the heart of Bruges, it's not | | | | Bijlolemuseum is held in a building that was first |
| surprising to know that it's one of the most | | | | built in the 13th century. |
| visited places in Belgium - there's wonderful | | | | - Pop in to Vrijdagmarkt, a pleasant market |
| medieval charm here, including ancient building, | | | | & restaurant area peppered with market |
| narrow winding streets and a quaint network of | | | | stalls and quaint cafes/bars. |
| criss-crossing canals. | | | | - Stroll along the river Leie for one of the most |
| - Make sure you take a romantic boat ride along | | | | pleasant walks available anywhere in Belgium. |
| the cities beautiful canals. You can get a ticket for | | | | - Ghent has a large selection of restaurants, cafes |
| under six Euros. | | | | and bars and they range from pokey student |
| - Bruges has two segments to it's centre-square - | | | | type affairs to more elegant and expensive |
| the Markt and the Burg. The latter has some of | | | | offerings. The south of the city is known for its |
| the most interesting buildings in Bruges including | | | | student population so you're more likely to find a |
| the Heilig Bloed Basiliek, the upper & lower | | | | youthful crowd here. There's a reasonably wide |
| chapel and the Stadhuis (town hall). | | | | selection of choices throughout the city - from |
| - Bruges offers a choice of worthwhile museums | | | | traditional Belgian fare to Thai, Italian and Asian. |
| such as Groeninge (displaying a fine collection of | | | | - If you're planning on staying the night you should |
| Flemish art from as early as the 14th century). | | | | be able to find a room that meets your |
| The Gruuthuse Museum is another that museum | | | | requirements. Accommodation is typically fairly |
| lovers will enjoy - set amidst a grand medieval | | | | easy to secure (except for July when the town |
| mansion Gruuthuse offers an exquisite collection | | | | hosts Gentse Feesten). It's possible to secure a |
| of art & tapestry. | | | | basic room from as little as 25 euros - or if you're |
| - St Salvatorskathedraal is a gothic cathedral that | | | | able to afford something more extravagant you |
| dates back to the 13th century. | | | | could kip in style for 400 euros. |
| - Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk took over two hundred | | | | If your stay in Brussels extends to a week or |
| years to build and this sprawling church of our | | | | more, you should certainly consider a day-trip to |
| lady dates back to the thirteenth century. | | | | at least one of these wonderful Belgian cities. |
| - Two of the grandest sights in Bruges are the | | | | |