[addman]

Hi all,

We're thinking of doing a three or four day trip to the continent in July, in our Cooper. We'll be travelling by Eurotunnel to Calais. We've been to Brugge a few times, lovely place but kinda done to death now, but we're more keen on Belgium/Holland than France (no disrespect, but we did France last year).

We're looking for recommendations of places to visit, places to sleep, and of course, fun roads to drive down

We're quite into food, not really into churches, and prefer nice bars to banging clubs. Heading back to Amsterdam appeals, as does heading a bit north to do the Afslutdijk - looks pretty spectacular on the map, is it worth it? Also, never been to Brussels, is that worth it too? Or other places we've not heard/thought of?

All opinions gratefully received!

Thanks,

Adam.

[Morty]

Hey Adam,

I'm not into Holland so I can only give you some info on Belgium :
Brussels?
Well to be honest I like Gent and Antwerp more.
They're some nice hotels near the city centre and a lot of nice pubs there also. For good food you've got plenty of choice, from Belgian kitchen to the rest of the world.

TIP: for good beer you need to be in Belgium

[dcfkan]

Quote:

Originally posted by Morty
TIP: for good beer you need to be in Belgium

And fries/chips, don't forget those!!!

I did not find Brussels that exciting. I would love to visit Antwerp - only when I have saved enough for a decent souvenir

I heard that Amsterdam is not very car friendly because of all the canels.

How about driving to Germany? Cologne etc.? Germany = no speed limit on the autobahns

DK :apple:

[quicksilver]

Amsterdam, sorry but I don't like Amsterdam.
There are more places wich are funnier to visit. And the afsluitdijk.....in zeeland, a part from the netherlands there are the Delta Werken and they have more than the afsluitdijk.
Its also more beautiful then in the north.

And Maastricht is a nice place to visit with a huge numbers of terrace for drinking beer. (look out, only 2 promille is alowed)

We are living near Eindhoven (Best), if you want you can always come to our home, MINI drivers are always welcome....

But not on the 6 - 12 june, we are then in Italy to the International Mini Meeting.....

[Keevan]

i absolutely LOVE brussels, I loived there for 10 years and it's the best city I know.... well New York is better, but too far away..

other things to see:

Cologne
the nürburgring
the eifel

[addman]

Maastrict we stopped for lunch in, and it poured with rain! but we vowed to return... very pretty.

Cologne - a friend recommended that as well. Plus, as DK says, autobahns are a good excuse to, ahem, push on a little

So I think we'll do Maastrict on the way to Cologne, and Brussels on the way back

Bad news is - it now won't be this year My parents have had the cheek to organise their silver wedding anniversary party for the week we have on holiday. Some people (like my wife) have suggested I should have remembered such an important date, but given I have problems remembering my own anniversary, remembering my parents one was a mission too far...

So a shorter break this summer - probably around North Wales (my parents live in Gloucestershire).

Thanks all though for your inputs - we promise to make good use of them next year!

Adam.

[quicksilver]

.....you have a party from your parents and that makes a lot good
See you next year in NL

[Nosdrovni]

I live 30 miles from Brugge (Bruges), and must agree if you like Bruges you'll like Ghent and Antwerp more then Brussels. Brussels is bigger and all, but a lot less pretty or 'lovely', as bigger cities always tend to be in my opinion. As for roads, erm there's tons of small 'farmroads' inbetween small towns, but the Bruges/Ghent/Antwerp area is fairly flat (as is Holland) so no real stunning things like you have in the Ardennes or Luxembourg.

have fun

[Nosdrovni]

ah didn't read your last post addman
too bad, better luck next time

[arno]

Quote:

[i]... but we're more keen on Belgium/Holland than France (no disrespect, but we did France last year). ... [/b]

hihihi, you know, we can have a opposition about a politic attitude, not about the people.
We love you and yours car's

[addman]

Quote:

Originally posted by arno
hihihi, you know, we can have a opposition about a politic attitude, not about the people.
We love you and yours car's

No, my meaning was - we didn't want recommendations for France for this year, as we had been to France last year - it was time to head north again

I'm sure we'll be back to France in a couple of years, apart from our regular trips to Calais for booze of course.