7day 'no plan' wander around some of Belgium and possibly a bit of the Netherlands 😊 (1 Viewer)

[Itsmcb]

So my son and I are having a 7day tour around some of Belgium and possibly some bits of the Netherlands. As the title suggests, we have no plan and no itinerary. We were originally aiming for Amsterdam at the weekend but its 'Pride' weekend so we are giving that a miss.

We left Cardiff just before lunchtime today and had a very easy drive to the tunnel. M20 was all coned off for the lorry queue but there were no lorries so it was a straight through run. The terminal was busy, I think a lot of people had set off early so were waiting longer than usual. LOTS (maybe 40?) motorhomes in the carpark. Our train was on time and apart from maybe 20mins queuing for the French Passport control everything went smoothly.
We are now parked up in the big Aire at Bergues for the night. Quite full as you can see. Just one other Brit here.

Chilling with the essential glass of wine now (in a real glass)

 

[Wildbill]

So my son and I are having a 7day tour around some of Belgium and possibly some bits of the Netherlands. As the title suggests, we have no plan and no itinerary. We were originally aiming for Amsterdam at the weekend but its 'Pride' weekend so we are giving that a miss.

We left Cardiff just before lunchtime today and had a very easy drive to the tunnel. M20 was all coned off for the lorry queue but there were no lorries so it was a straight through run. The terminal was busy, I think a lot of people had set off early so were waiting longer than usual. LOTS (maybe 40?) motorhomes in the carpark. Our train was on time and apart from maybe 20mins queuing for the French Passport control everything went smoothly.
We are now parked up in the big Aire at Bergues for the night. Quite full as you can see. Just one other Brit here.
View attachment 645928View attachment 645929
Chilling with the essential glass of wine now (in a real glass) View attachment 645932

Get out and get sum Belgian beer down you neck.
Bill

 

[Itsmcb]

We had a wander into Bergues town at around 8.00pm apart from the chip shop which had a queue, everything else including the two bars on the square were already closed Plenty of beer in Bruges, I'm thinking

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[Itsmcb]

A very quiet night on the Aire then a walk around Bergues this morning and everything was open again . It's a nice little town with some interesting buildings.

 

[Itsmcb]

Off to Bruges late morning, it only took about an hour to get there and we managed to get one of the last few spaces in the Aire near the marina. 25euros a night but that includes 16amp electric. It's more like a carpark, the spaces are really tight, I managed to squeeze tight to the hedge in an end space.

 

[Itsmcb]

Bruges is a fab place to visit, we are already planning to stay an extra day as there is so much to see.

Oh and the obligatory Duval

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[Holly's mum]

Ypres is worth a visit. There are lots of war cemeteries and battle fields in the area and they sound the last post at the Menin Gate at 8pm every evening which is very moving.

 

[Itsmcb]

Get out and get sum Belgian beer down you neck.
Bill

Unbelievable, Bar2B with the beer wall is closed on Wednesdays. We are going back there tomorrow

 

[NigelNovice]

Brugge, just off the square, there is a bar there with over 1200 different bottled beers and quite a few draught, we spent a while in there trying to get through the list but failed hic

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[suavecarve]

Blue beer at Roubaix, but check opening times

HUB

Située à Roubaix (France), la Brasserie HUB est une micro-brasserie urbaine et responsable : un lieu de production respectueux de l'environnement et de l'humain à dimension locale.

www.hoppyurbanbrew.com

 

[Reallyretired]

Amsterdam well worth a visit, just avoid the weekend, it's busy enough the rest of the time.

Also not far, I used to go from Eastbourne direct to Amsterdam as it was usually my first stop. Haven't been for 10-20 years though, I think diesel might have been a bit cheaper then.

 

[Itsmcb]

Amsterdam well worth a visit, just avoid the weekend, it's busy enough the rest of the time.

Also not far, I used to go from Eastbourne direct to Amsterdam as it was usually my first stop. Haven't been for 10-20 years though, I think diesel might have been a bit cheaper then.

We had planned to go to Amsterdam but it's 'Pride' weekend so giving it a miss this time

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[Itsmcb]

Brugge, just off the square, there is a bar there with over 1200 different bottled beers and quite a few draught, we spent a while in there trying to get through the list but failed hic

Yes, a few nice looking breweries and beer stops, we are going to investigate further tomorrow

 

[Chris Laing]

Bastogne is really good if you like your WW2 history

 

[Itsmcb]

Blue beer at Roubaix, but check opening times

HUB

Située à Roubaix (France), la Brasserie HUB est une micro-brasserie urbaine et responsable : un lieu de production respectueux de l'environnement et de l'humain à dimension locale.

www.hoppyurbanbrew.com

I'll put that on the 'possible' list for the way back

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[Coastal Cruiser.]

Off to Bruges late morning, it only took about an hour to get there and we managed to get one of the last few spaces in the Aire near the marina. 25euros a night but that includes 16amp electric. It's more like a carpark, the spaces are really tight, I managed to squeeze tight to the hedge in an end space.
View attachment 646297

No doubt the spaces at the end that are for larger vans are taken by small ones?

Did you have one of these?

 

[Itsmcb]

No doubt the spaces at the end that are for larger vans are taken by small ones?

Did you have one of these?
View attachment 646337

Wow that looks fab, I think I'll go find one for a late breakfast
I'll have a wander around the parking later and look for the longer spaces, is there a sign?
I've just watched a big van that had pulled front first into a space opposite me have real trouble getting back out now that has filled up around him, lots shouting in Spanish from his wife
Lots of 'Florium' brand A class vans here, I've never heard of them before?

 

[mitzimad]

if the weathers good the coast between dunkirk and ostende is very nice ,aire at westende day pass on the tram goes all the way up and down

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[Dutch 68]

We had planned to go to Amsterdam but it's 'Pride' weekend so giving it a miss this time

Check out Giethoorn, it’s Fab, also Maastricht and Valkenburg in the south.

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

and look for the longer spaces, is there a sign?

It’s behind you!!

 

[Itsmcb]

Check out Giethoorn, it's Fab, also Maastricht and Valkenburg in the south.

Yes I've been to Maastricht and enjoyed it, a lovely town (city?). I saw Giethoorn when I was researching possible stops, it looks nice but it's a bit too far north for this trip. I think I'm getting lazy but after 9 hours from Cardiff on Tuesday I really can't be a**ed to drive much further

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[Itsmcb]

It's behind you!!

View attachment 646392

Haha, I saw this sign but surely it means no vans over 8m past this point?

 

[Dutch 68]

Yes I've been to Maastricht and enjoyed it, a lovely town (city?). I saw Giethoorn when I was researching possible stops, it looks nice but it's a bit too far north for this trip. I think I'm getting lazy but after 9 hours from Cardiff on Tuesday I really can't be a**ed to drive much further

It’s not that far, the Netherlands is very small lol, maybe just turn left and visit Texel, the biggest of the wadden islands, or bit closer Volendam, or turn right and visit Antwerp just over the border, it’s a fab City

 

[suavecarve]

It’s not that far, the Netherlands is very small lol, maybe just turn left and visit Texel, the biggest of the wadden islands, or bit closer Volendam, or turn right and visit Antwerp just over the border, it’s a fab City

Antwerp may be a fine city but I avoid it like the plague.
All the signs about it being an eco zone make me nervous as I sit in a queue for an hour trying to get past Antwerp.

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[Dutch 68]

Antwerp may be a fine city but I avoid it like the plague.
All the signs about it being an eco zone make me nervous as I sit in a queue for an hour trying to get past Antwerp.

Hard life if the word ecozone makes you anxious lol, read up about it and park accordingly. Nothing to worry about, plenty of places to park in Antwerp

 

[Bobbydaisy]

Been all round the Netherlands love it. As you are in Belgium would give Delft a look ,

Vakantiepark Delftse Hout​

nice site near IKEA store in lovely parkland with great pitches and facilities and an easy walk into town. The old town has lovely architecture and canals ,the main square has great bars & restaurants , a climb up the church tower gives fantastic views. A visit to the Delft pottery factory also within walking distance is interesting with good tour and information.

City camping in Delft

Camping in Delft met topfaciliteiten | Perfecte uitvalsbasis voor een vakantie in Zuid-Holland

www.delftsehout.co.uk

Dokkum,Arnhem and Oosterwijk all worth a visit but further away from where you are.

 

[suavecarve]

Hard life if the word ecozone makes you anxious lol, read up about it and park accordingly. Nothing to worry about, plenty of places to park in Antwerp

I have parked at Antwerp rocade on many occasions


https://www.visitantwerpen.be/en/transport/low-emission-zone

If you are planning to visit Antwerp by car start by checking here whether your vehicle may enter the low emission zone.

If your vehicle may enter the city, but it doesn’t have a Belgian or Dutch number plate, then you will need to register your car first*.

Does your car not meet the conditions for admission to the LEZ? Do you still want to drive into the city centre? Then you will be able to purchase a LEZ day pass up to eight times a year.

LEZ machines​

Did you enter the low emission zone by accident? Are you on your way to Antwerp but not certain whether your vehicle may actually enter the low emission zone? Then go to one of the eight LEZ machines and check, register or buy a LEZ day pass to avoid a fine.

Travel to Antwerp the smart way​

Do you want to avoid entering the low emission zone with your vehicle? Then use one of the many park and rides outside the LEZ. You can easily and cheaply travel into the city centre by public transport.

Broken Link Removed. Get off in Antwerp-Central, one of the most beautiful stations in the world, which is located in the city centre. From here on you can easily get to your destination by bus, tram, taxi or on foot. No more worrying about where to park your car.

Go to this website for further information.

*Attention​

Register your vehicle or permit through the City of Antwerp itself and avoid any extra administrative costs.

Beware of some commercial companies (such as Green Zone) that have offer to get your vehicle in order for the Antwerp LEZ zone by paying a fee. The City of Antwerp is not a partner of this type of organisation, and does not associate itself with their commission system.

These kinds of companies often also provide a sticker, but a physical document is not needed as a ticket for entering the LEZ zone in Antwerp. The control is automated on the basis of your number plate. So none of these stickers have any legal value.

Read all about other low emission zones in Europe here.

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