Belgium Travel Thread

[stupac2]

stupac2 Do you remember which Hotel Midi you stayed at? Just googling Hotel Midi Brussels gives me like 8 hotels that are surrounding the Midi station and they all have Midi in the name. Hotel Midi-Zuid?

Nope! Wife made the reservation so I can't look it up either. They're probably all fine.

 

[BusinessSloth]

stupac2 Do you remember which Hotel Midi you stayed at? Just googling Hotel Midi Brussels gives me like 8 hotels that are surrounding the Midi station and they all have Midi in the name. Hotel Midi-Zuid?

I'm staying at the Bedford Hotel. I believe that's by Midi. Came highly recommended by several people

 

[youbrewidrink]

I stayed at the Bedford last year, old but very nice and not far from the Grande Place

 

[Auror]

Stumbling location from Moeder is good for the Bedford, but we opted for the Pullman Midi. Right on top of the train, walking distance to Cantillon, newer, and good TripAdvisor reviews.

 

[Digita7693]

Stumbling location from Moeder is good for the Bedford, but we opted for the Pullman Midi. Right on top of the train, walking distance to Cantillon, newer, and good TripAdvisor reviews.

Pullman is very nice and an easy walk to cantillon, city center, and moeder!

 

[apatrick17]

My wife and I stayed at the Sandton Pillows when we were in Brussels back in September and were very happy with it. 10-15 minute walk from both Midi and Cantillon, just a few blocks from Moeder, and very close to city center.

 

[NAD1983]

NAD1983 I believe you were interested in looking at my itinerary. Here you go.

I don't know how I missed this until now, but unfortunately I will only be in Brussels Feb 7 - Feb 9... Too bad we don't overlap at all, but your itinerary sound amazing! Have an awesome time!

 

[NAD1983]

So I'm looking for advice from anyone that has done anything similar or ideally help from a Brussels local if someone is willing to offer their assistance to a helpless American

I will be flying into Brussels mid-day on Feb 7th and taking the train to Paris late on Feb 9th. I am fortunate enough to have three free checked bags so I'll be checking three 12 bottle shippers to fill up and fly back with. The problem is that I am traveling to Paris, Florence, Rome and then flying out of Amsterdam on Feb 20th. Dragging around three shippers is not an option so I was thinking that I would ship them from Brussels to my hotel in Amsterdam and have them waiting for me when I arrive on the 18th. Has anyone done anything similar? Or have any advice?

And if anyone is looking to do an IP trade I will have plenty of room in those shippers on the way into Brussels! Just shoot me a message.

 

[BusinessSloth]

I don't know how I missed this until now, but unfortunately I will only be in Brussels Feb 7 - Feb 9... Too bad we don't overlap at all, but your itinerary sound amazing! Have an awesome time!

Yes I will be in Brussels every night. My hotel is the Bedford by the Midi station. Not to mention I'll most likely in in Brussels the whole day of February 8th. No plans except a potential trade meet at Hoppy Loft.

If you're looking to do a trade for sure, sign up on RateBeer and post in their trade forums. Tons of Europeans there. Some will try to take advantage of you and value your beer at retail, with theirs at secondary, so don't get taken. I've been lucky to setup 2 trades that hit some really nice beers.

 

[NAD1983]

Yes I will be in Brussels every night. My hotel is the Bedford by the Midi station. Not to mention I'll most likely in in Brussels the whole day of February 8th. No plans except a potential trade meet at Hoppy Loft.

If you're looking to do a trade for sure, sign up on RateBeer and post in their trade forums. Tons of Europeans there. Some will try to take advantage of you and value your beer at retail, with theirs at secondary, so don't get taken. I've been lucky to setup 2 trades that hit some really nice beers.

Oh **** I didn't realize you were taking day trips, I thought you were staying outside of Brussels on those days

I'm staying in an air bnb a block west of Fontainas Square. I'm going to shoot you a PM tomorrow!

 

[Digita7693]

So I'm looking for advice from anyone that has done anything similar or ideally help from a Brussels local if someone is willing to offer their assistance to a helpless American

I will be flying into Brussels mid-day on Feb 7th and taking the train to Paris late on Feb 9th. I am fortunate enough to have three free checked bags so I'll be checking three 12 bottle shippers to fill up and fly back with. The problem is that I am traveling to Paris, Florence, Rome and then flying out of Amsterdam on Feb 20th. Dragging around three shippers is not an option so I was thinking that I would ship them from Brussels to my hotel in Amsterdam and have them waiting for me when I arrive on the 18th. Has anyone done anything similar? Or have any advice?

And if anyone is looking to do an IP trade I will have plenty of room in those shippers on the way into Brussels! Just shoot me a message.

There are lockers at the Brussels train station that you can store luggage in. Friends of mine did it last time as we ran around Belgium and the Netherlands for 2 weeks. However, the lockers were shut down in December after the Paris attacks and heightened security in Brussels. I visited during this time and everything was fine, but you were not able to use the lockers. They should be available again as the threat level has dropped, but I cannot confirm this.

 

[NAD1983]

Sounds like a great option if I was heading back to Brussels! Unfortunately I won't be back in town after I leave on the 9th since I'll be flying straight from Rome to Amsterdam.

 

[Digita7693]

Sounds like a great option if I was heading back to Brussels! Unfortunately I won't be back in town after I leave on the 9th since I'll be flying straight from Rome to Amsterdam.

Shipping: might want to see if belgium in a box can help you out, I have had them ship stuff to me in Germany and the US, itd be worth the short trip to Antwerp. Or for peace of mind, just hop on a train and deliver them to the hotel yourself and make a day trip of it

 

[BusinessSloth]

OK maybe someone can chime in here. I am going to need a chunk of euros to buy some things to go at DHVL, and I'm trying to figure out what the best way to do this. I bank with Wells Fargo. They charge a $5 foreign ATM withdrawal fee+ 3% of the transaction+ I'm sure whatever bank's ATM I use will add on another $4-5. My banks current exchange rate on euros is only .05 cents less than actual market value (1.14 USD to 1 Euro vs. the market of 1.09 USD to 1 Euro).

What's my cheapest option here? Withdraw the money in 1-2 large transactions, or order a chunk of Euro ahead of time. Whatever I don't use at DHVL I can surely use everywhere else and save having to use my credit card, which is charged a flat 3% transaction fee for currency conversion.

 

[tosh1]

OK maybe someone can chime in here. I am going to need a chunk of euros to buy some things to go at DHVL, and I'm trying to figure out what the best way to do this. I bank with Wells Fargo. They charge a $5 foreign ATM withdrawal fee+ 3% of the transaction+ I'm sure whatever bank's ATM I use will add on another $4-5. My banks current exchange rate on euros is only .05 cents less than actual market value (1.14 USD to 1 Euro vs. the market of 1.09 USD to 1 Euro).

What's my cheapest option here? Withdraw the money in 1-2 large transactions, or order a chunk of Euro ahead of time. Whatever I don't use at DHVL I can surely use everywhere else and save having to use my credit card, which is charged a flat 3% transaction fee for currency conversion.

Back in the day Travellers Cheques and/or American Express was the best option.


However quibbling over a couple of dollars...Meh...you are on a trip to Belgium, a couple of dollars here, couple there. Too much counting pennies for me.

 

[NAD1983]

OK maybe someone can chime in here. I am going to need a chunk of euros to buy some things to go at DHVL, and I'm trying to figure out what the best way to do this. I bank with Wells Fargo. They charge a $5 foreign ATM withdrawal fee+ 3% of the transaction+ I'm sure whatever bank's ATM I use will add on another $4-5. My banks current exchange rate on euros is only .05 cents less than actual market value (1.14 USD to 1 Euro vs. the market of 1.09 USD to 1 Euro).

What's my cheapest option here? Withdraw the money in 1-2 large transactions, or order a chunk of Euro ahead of time. Whatever I don't use at DHVL I can surely use everywhere else and save having to use my credit card, which is charged a flat 3% transaction fee for currency conversion.

Wow Wells Fargo sucks! BECU has no fees for credit and only 1% for debit. Plus they cover 6 ATM fees per month.

Wish I could help but my plan is to withdraw at a bank in Brussels after I land. Might be worth it to open a CU account before you leave?

 

[Digita7693]

Atm is almost always the best deal if you can't use a credit card that has no transaction fees. Or open a free ING bank account, no fees at a slew of banks around the world. Travelers cheques you usually get screwed cause a bank will have lower rates and charge a processing fee.

 

[ckowalski]

OK maybe someone can chime in here. I am going to need a chunk of euros to buy some things to go at DHVL, and I'm trying to figure out what the best way to do this. I bank with Wells Fargo. They charge a $5 foreign ATM withdrawal fee+ 3% of the transaction+ I'm sure whatever bank's ATM I use will add on another $4-5. My banks current exchange rate on euros is only .05 cents less than actual market value (1.14 USD to 1 Euro vs. the market of 1.09 USD to 1 Euro).

What's my cheapest option here? Withdraw the money in 1-2 large transactions, or order a chunk of Euro ahead of time. Whatever I don't use at DHVL I can surely use everywhere else and save having to use my credit card, which is charged a flat 3% transaction fee for currency conversion.

I set up a capital one account when I was living in Germany for a credit card because they charged no foreign transaction fees. I also opened a bank account in Germany and calculated how much money I would need and transferred all at once from my US account. There was a fee on that but it wasn't a lot from what I remember. Then I was able to pull money from my german account with no fees the rest of the time.

I was also there a lot longer than you will be so atm may make more sense for you, but setting up a quick account at home with a bank that won't charge you for using your card overseas might be worth your while, even if it's just as an emergency option.

 

[BusinessSloth]

Thanks for the advice all! I think I'm going to get a couple hundred converted into Euro at my bank since their rate is very good right now, and I'll just use my credit card for large purchases.

 

[apatrick17]

Have you looked into whether Wells Fargo has a partner bank in Europe? We bank with Bank of America and Deutsche Bank is their partner bank in Europe, so whatever country we were in we'd find the nearest Deutsche Bank ATM and never paid any fees.

 

[BusinessSloth]

Have you looked into whether Wells Fargo has a partner bank in Europe? We bank with Bank of America and Deutsche Bank is their partner bank in Europe, so whatever country we were in we'd find the nearest Deutsche Bank ATM and never paid any fees.

They do not have a partner bank or partner ATM's. They're pretty lame when it comes to international. In fact they're pretty lame for a lot of things...Need to find a credit union to switch to.

 

[LuxWanderer]

Just want to give a shout out to the folks at DeStruise and De Dolle breweries. They are the best! So friendly, helpful, knowledgable, and talented. We hit both last Saturday and I can say it was one of my favorite beer days of all time. So many great beers on draft right now at DeStruise and to see the system they brew on, well, it's inspiring. De Dolle has such a great bar and the brewers are tops. The 2009 Oerbier Special Reserva we drank there is gonna hang around as a top beer of the year for me for sure. Look forward to making a longer visit soon. Veurne is a beautiful little town we visited to buy beer at a little chesse shop ( recommended by DeStruise ), it will probably be my base next time.

 

[DoctorRock]

Thanks for the advice all! I think I'm going to get a couple hundred converted into Euro at my bank since their rate is very good right now, and I'll just use my credit card for large purchases.

When we went, I took out the max a couple days in a row, just in case I needed a large sum of cash down the road.

Have fun at DHVL! One of the waitresses was nice enough to drive my wife and I to the train station after a 4 hour dinner/beer session. Great people, great food and great place.

 

[Dsnuckz]

BusinessSloth one omission I see is "Malt Attacks" in Brussels. Super cool owner I can't remember the name of rn. I brought some CA beers and we had a nice little share. He only had classic, but a rediculous amount of tilquen & de cam

This! Malt Attacks is a must. Antoine (the owner) is the greatest. I set up a trade with him and he ended up showing me around town and driving me to Cantillon and Brasserie de la Senne. Great guy to enjoy some beers with.

 

[Snarf1]

Plane tickets have dropped to almost reasonable and I'm getting pretty excited about getting back to Belgium in May. My wife gets to go this year and we'll have the luxury of being able to rent a car for a few days, so I'm looking forward to visiting some new places.

Anyone stayed at the B&B over the Thiriez pub before? (Yes, I know it's in France!) Is it possible to visit De Ranke or any suggestions on other stuff to do out that way? Feedback on Van Eecke or the B&B at Sint Bernardus?

I've never been to any of the saison breweries and would really like visit Fantome too, but don't think we will have the time to do both the Poperigne region and Soy. What else is there to do if we make the trek out to Danyland? B&B options out there? Ghostyurt?

 

[Digita7693]

Plane tickets have dropped to almost reasonable and I'm getting pretty excited about getting back to Belgium in May. My wife gets to go this year and we'll have the luxury of being able to rent a car for a few days, so I'm looking forward to visiting some new places.

Anyone stayed at the B&B over the Thiriez pub before? (Yes, I know it's in France!) Is it possible to visit De Ranke or any suggestions on other stuff to do out that way? Feedback on Van Eecke or the B&B at Sint Bernardus?

I've never been to any of the saison breweries and would really like visit Fantome too, but don't think we will have the time to do both the Poperigne region and Soy. What else is there to do if we make the trek out to Danyland? B&B options out there? Ghostyurt?

I would highly recommend going to Quintessence since you are planning on being in Belgium in May.
http://www.cantillon.be/br/3_18

 

[Snarf1]

I would highly recommend going to Quintessence since you are planning on being in Belgium in May.
http://www.cantillon.be/br/3_18

I'd love to, but won't be there until the end of the month.

 

[LuxWanderer]

Plane tickets have dropped to almost reasonable and I'm getting pretty excited about getting back to Belgium in May. My wife gets to go this year and we'll have the luxury of being able to rent a car for a few days, so I'm looking forward to visiting some new places.

Anyone stayed at the B&B over the Thiriez pub before? (Yes, I know it's in France!) Is it possible to visit De Ranke or any suggestions on other stuff to do out that way? Feedback on Van Eecke or the B&B at Sint Bernardus?

I've never been to any of the saison breweries and would really like visit Fantome too, but don't think we will have the time to do both the Poperigne region and Soy. What else is there to do if we make the trek out to Danyland? B&B options out there? Ghostyurt?

Fantome is an insanely cool place to visit. That said it is truly in the middle of nowhere. Bastogne Brewing is kinda close and they make a great stout and saison (orval esque). Not sure if they are open more than once or twice a year though. I would say that you are better off spending your time around Thiriez and Blaugies, as well as De Dolle and De Struise. Some of the best beer days I have had are in those areas! In the end you can't go wrong.

 

[Snarf1]

Fantome is an insanely cool place to visit. That said it is truly in the middle of nowhere. Bastogne Brewing is kinda close and they make a great stout and saison (orval esque). Not sure if they are open more than once or twice a year though. I would say that you are better off spending your time around Thiriez and Blaugies, as well as De Dolle and De Struise. Some of the best beer days I have had are in those areas! In the end you can't go wrong.

Not sure we'll make De Struise. Pub is open only on Saturdays? With only two weekends, we will be in Beersel one Saturday and Buggenhout the other. One of the Sundays will be a trip to to De Dolle with the other at Grote Dorst. Might try and do De Dolle as a lead in to checking out Poperigne, Watou, and Thiriez. St Sylvestre is very near Thiriez and one of my favorites, so perhaps I'll get to visit it my first biere de garde brewer as well.

 

[SeaWatchman]

Anyone stayed at the B&B over the Thiriez pub before?

No, but visiting Daniel was awesome, especially if you can speak French to him or his daughter or his wife if they're around. Insanely generous.