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Started By
Message
Thoughts on Antwerp?
Posted on 7/27/15 at 2:39 am
Posted on 7/27/15 at 2:39 am
Anyone ever been?
I have a few days off from work and was thinking about taking the train into Belgium for either a day, or one night trip.
Thoughts on the city? Is it at least better than Brussels? Note: I don't wanna go to Brussels, I've already been, it's not bad by any stretch (it's still a European capital, and the EU capital) but suffice to say that Delirium Cafe is the key landmark in the city.
That's my only worry is that Antwerp will be the same, and my chief experience will be drowning away the rainy, grey weather with some high-quality Belgian brews, which while I don't have a problem with that, I could essentially do that here in Amsterdam (we have a Delirium Cafe here now).
TIA!
I have a few days off from work and was thinking about taking the train into Belgium for either a day, or one night trip.
Thoughts on the city? Is it at least better than Brussels? Note: I don't wanna go to Brussels, I've already been, it's not bad by any stretch (it's still a European capital, and the EU capital) but suffice to say that Delirium Cafe is the key landmark in the city.
That's my only worry is that Antwerp will be the same, and my chief experience will be drowning away the rainy, grey weather with some high-quality Belgian brews, which while I don't have a problem with that, I could essentially do that here in Amsterdam (we have a Delirium Cafe here now).
TIA!
This post was edited on 7/27/15 at 2:40 am
8
Posted on 7/27/15 at 2:47 am to purpgold718
Do it - I've never been but you know those girls and women will be golden and fine and the beer incredible:
Posted on 7/27/15 at 2:53 am to SirWinston
Yeah, it's only 40 euro roundtrip on the train which isn't too bad, considering it's a 2 hour, 20 minute journey each way.
I really wanna go to Ghent, but that would be 60 roundtrip, and add another hour, and 15 minutes of travel time each way; so there's that to consider.
Anybody done both Ghent and Antwerp; and have some comparative notes, feedback or thoughts?
I really wanna go to Ghent, but that would be 60 roundtrip, and add another hour, and 15 minutes of travel time each way; so there's that to consider.
Anybody done both Ghent and Antwerp; and have some comparative notes, feedback or thoughts?
Posted on 7/27/15 at 3:14 am to purpgold718
Antwerp seems like a pretty "rare" city to visit as an American, which could mean you will find surprising and interesting things about the city when you visit that you hadn't heard of before.
Maybe it's just me, but never have those I know that have traveled to Europe included Antwerp in their destination plans. That makes it more unique, imo.
Maybe it's just me, but never have those I know that have traveled to Europe included Antwerp in their destination plans. That makes it more unique, imo.
Posted on 7/27/15 at 3:15 am to purpgold718
Did both about 3 weeks ago. Both cities were absolutely gorgeous. Spent an entire day in each, did the boat ride in Ghent, took a tour of the Castle, etc.
Antwerp had more to do/see though but was also more crowded. Ended up lounging at the park after a day of sightseeing.
Antwerp had more to do/see though but was also more crowded. Ended up lounging at the park after a day of sightseeing.
Posted on 7/27/15 at 3:37 am to HailHailtoMichigan!
Yeah well this isn't my first go around in Europe, to say the least. Also I live "in the area" (Benelux), so it couldn't hurt to check out.
I really want to do Ghent but it's the extra travel time keeping me at bay, because that means if the gf and I are gonna go all that way we'll definitely wanna got accommodation and stay for one night. Whereas, while that is highly likely for Antwerp as well, I'm almost sure it's not as expensive for hotels/air bnb's as Ghent, given that as you said, it's not so so touristy....
I really want to do Ghent but it's the extra travel time keeping me at bay, because that means if the gf and I are gonna go all that way we'll definitely wanna got accommodation and stay for one night. Whereas, while that is highly likely for Antwerp as well, I'm almost sure it's not as expensive for hotels/air bnb's as Ghent, given that as you said, it's not so so touristy....
Posted on 7/27/15 at 3:49 am to purpgold718
I like Antwerp more than Brussels, but that's still not saying much. Nice place but there isn't a whole lot to do or see.
Posted on 7/27/15 at 3:51 am to TigerPride10
You said Ghent is too far. Not sure where you're based out of. Utrecht is a little further from Antwerp (30 minutes away on the high speed train) as well, but I'd recommend it more.
Posted on 7/27/15 at 5:28 am to purpgold718
I found Antwerp to be far better than Brussells. Brugges is close by, right? You might consider that instead. I'm not sure where you are based, so it's hard to say what other travel options you might consider. I've never been to Ghent.
Posted on 7/27/15 at 5:33 am to purpgold718
If in Antwerp grab a beer at Kulminator. Once you get over the "why does this look like my wired uncle Sal's living room?" aspect it becomes a fascinating place.
Posted on 7/27/15 at 5:42 am to TigerPride10
I live in Amsterdam, so I've already been to Utrecht as it's only 20ish minutes by train
Posted on 7/27/15 at 5:53 am to purpgold718
quote:
by purpgold718
I live in Amsterdam, so I've already been to Utrecht as it's only 20ish minutes by train
Cool. I lived in Den Haag for a couple of years. Have you been up north to Groningen? It's a nice little college town that's worth a visit before the weather gets bad. Otherwise if you need to just get out of holland for a day, I'd say Brugges or Ghent. It's really not that much further from Antwerp and it's worth the extra hour or so. You could also find a cheap hostel, or sign up on couch surfing.
Posted on 7/27/15 at 6:05 am to TigerPride10
quote:I'd do Ghent over Brugges. Don't get me wrong, I love Brugges, but it can be a little overbearing with the density of tourists.
if you need to just get out of holland for a day, I'd say Brugges or Ghent.
However, if you have several days off, why are you saying Ghent may be too far? Why not take a long weekend to Berlin or Hamburg? Drive to Calais and take the ferry across the channel to Dover? Hell, you are only a 3.25 hr train ride from Paris.
I live about 5 hours from Amsterdam and have made that trip for a long weekend. I wouldn't let 2 hours limit your travel potential.
Posted on 7/27/15 at 6:09 am to TigerPride10
Yeah I've heard good things about Groningen.
But I don't know, I guess I wanted to get out of NL, particularly to Flanders. Ironically to speak Nederlands (or 'vlaams') to see how my Amsterdam accented Dutch holds up, or can at least be aided with several biertjes!
Brugge is out of the question as the gf has been several times, and sees it's style as too much of a smaller Amsterdam (like Utrecht and Haarlem) with way too many tourists and way too boringly small.
While I've never been, I frankly agree and would rather see Ghent which with roughly 200k inhabitants, is an actual city (albeit a small one at that) while remaining quite quaint and picturesque.
However I have a feeling the ole lady won't be too keen on the extended travel time, so that could be a deal breaker as well...
Maybe I'll look into Köln as well...
But I don't know, I guess I wanted to get out of NL, particularly to Flanders. Ironically to speak Nederlands (or 'vlaams') to see how my Amsterdam accented Dutch holds up, or can at least be aided with several biertjes!
Brugge is out of the question as the gf has been several times, and sees it's style as too much of a smaller Amsterdam (like Utrecht and Haarlem) with way too many tourists and way too boringly small.
While I've never been, I frankly agree and would rather see Ghent which with roughly 200k inhabitants, is an actual city (albeit a small one at that) while remaining quite quaint and picturesque.
However I have a feeling the ole lady won't be too keen on the extended travel time, so that could be a deal breaker as well...
Maybe I'll look into Köln as well...
This post was edited on 7/27/15 at 6:17 am
Posted on 7/27/15 at 6:12 am to Spirit of Dunson
Hamburg and Köln would be options for DE.
Paris has some appeal to, but I be poor at the moment and the only mode of transit I could afford would be the shitty eurolines bus, which is a fricking haul and a half in journey time, each way.
Plus the gf has already been there a lot too.
The likeliest contenders atm (based on budget/travel time/gf has been there several times already) are Köln, Gent and Antwerpen...
Paris has some appeal to, but I be poor at the moment and the only mode of transit I could afford would be the shitty eurolines bus, which is a fricking haul and a half in journey time, each way.
Plus the gf has already been there a lot too.
The likeliest contenders atm (based on budget/travel time/gf has been there several times already) are Köln, Gent and Antwerpen...
Posted on 7/27/15 at 6:16 am to purpgold718
I've only been to Antwerp for work, so can't comment too much on that one. I've only been to Köln to pick up folks at the airport, so can't comment on that one.
Ghent was nice. Do that.
Ghent was nice. Do that.
Posted on 7/27/15 at 6:29 am to purpgold718
I'm a boxing promoter, what do I know about diamonds.
Posted on 7/27/15 at 7:02 am to purpgold718
Köln is great for a couple of days. Plenty to see and do and it's different from Holland so you'll feel like you actually got away. Only about 2 hours from Amsterdam Centraal if I remember right.
This post was edited on 7/27/15 at 7:06 am
Posted on 7/27/15 at 7:26 am to purpgold718
quote:
Thoughts on Antwerp?
It's a bridge too far
:rimshot:
Posted on 7/27/15 at 7:35 am to TigerPride10
Daughter will be living in Maastricht. When we visit we'll do Koln (I've been, wife hasn't ) and I'm wondering about nearby Liege. Comments, anyone?
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