Flanders, Belgium

Flanders, Belgium

I think Flanders is Europe’s best kept secret. Growing up in Europe, this was a place we went to often since it was so easy to get to. Rail Europe is a fantastic way to travel around in Europe and today you can go from Brussels to Paris in 1 hour 22 minutes, to Cologne in 1 hour 47 minutes, Amsterdam in 1 hour 50 minutes and London in 2 hours and 1 minute. This is a great place to use as a base, and visit some of the iconic culture spots of Europe. You should never fly in Europe, take the train.

Flanders is a northern region of Belgium with its capital city of Brussels being the headquarters of the European Union. It is the size of Connecticut. It is a truly international hub and everyone speaks English. It has one of the most sophisticated networks of bike routes in the world.

Try and plan your visit to Brussels in time for one of the many annual festivals at the Grand Place, which began as a 13th century market, or take time to stroll the trendy shops along Rue Dansaert, the epicenter of the city’s fashion district. Try Belgium’s national dish, Moules Frites (mussels and fries). Seek out the tavern A l’Imaige Nostre Dame, found down a narrow lane off the Grand Place to sip a Malheur Blonde or a strong Tappist beer. In nearby Ghent, you can stroll through art museums and find contemporary Flemish restaurants. Bruges is also a great place to visit. The chocolate mecca since the l6th century. It has 55 chocolates shops, I have checked them all out over the years.

A short ride takes you to the port city of Antwerp. One of our favorite spots is Grote Markt, the main square lines by dramatic architecture in the lovely Flemish Renaissance style. Picturesque Bruges is another essential spot where we can suggest an unforgettable sight, climb 366 steps to the 272 foot tall bell tower for panoramic views of the perfectly preserved medieval town. Another libation for which Antwerp is famous is Jenever, a juniper based spirit that was the precursor to gin and is still imbibed today. Go to De Vagant, a wonderful café offering more than 200 kinds of Jenevers and a food menu to compliment. Eighty percent of the world’s rough diamonds are handled in Antwerp. Go to a diamond factory to see them cut the diamonds and drool in the shop.

You can explore the Flanders region in a week doing day trips to other places. I must confess, that I love Paris, London and Amsterdam so much that I could spend a week in each with no problem at all.

If you want a trip to Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris with outstanding value, excellent hotels, breakfast daily, Van Gogh Museum and Canal pass, Amsterdam as a local tour with dinner, Brussels hop On and Hop Off city tour, Paris city tour and Seine cruise, 3 day Paris Visit Pass, Paris Trip Builder guidebook and first class rail between the cities on Rail Europe which is fun. I always buy a meal on the train, or get something to take with me since each station has smashing food. I’ve spent many a holiday over the Christmas period in these cities which are absolutely gorgeous with all the festive decorations up. Outstanding concerts and smashing markets.

Go somewhere different for your winter holiday. You wont be sorry.

Maureen Jones

All Horizons Travel/Frosch

825 Santa Cruz Avenue

Menlo Park, CA 94025

650-961-2340 Direct

Maureen.Jones@Frosch.com