Flashback Thursday: Belgian Travel Tips

Nothing in the world is as wonderful as Belgian chocolate, Belgian beer and Belgian lace. These are the preferred gifts to bring home. Every town will have several choices and frankly, we tried most of them with delightful results. The prices vary greatly, so don’t be afraid to look somewhere else if they seem too high.

We made our base in Laarne. Van Hercke Bed and Breakfast is the ideal location, close to the highway, within an easy drive of all the cities of Flanders, and a delightful host and excellent bargain are hard to beat.

Getting around

You will need a car to reach most of the cities I mention in my previous post. If, however, you want to make your home base in Brussels or Antwerp, it is possible to take the train, the bus, or a tour to most of these cities.

Traveling in Flanders is both fast and confusing. Most of the town names are both in Flemish and French, so keep a sharp eye out. Parking is problematic in almost every city and town. Again, it will be pay and display. Always look for a machine, even if you are parked along the road; there will be one not far away. 

In parking garages, you should bring your ticket with you when you leave your car. You will pay in a machine. You insert your card, and the machine will tell you how much you owe. You can pay in cash or use a credit card. The credit card is inserted into the same slot as the card. Look for the parking signs as you enter a city. The larger cities will tell you which garages have space available and how many spaces are empty.