Re: Belgium Info Please?

Roger is right about Brugges - worth a trip all by its lonesome. It's been a few years but In 't Spinnekopke for food and beer - together, Le Paon Royale for food, and Mort Subite just because stick out in my memory. You must also head out to Beersel for Drei Fonteinen and Centrum Hotel www.centrumhotel.com . You can get there by train or tram. We've never taken the tram - you have to change trains and climb a pretty respectable hill but it's a short, manageable trip for lunch. The last trip (uh oh - three years ago), we stayed in Brussels at a place just off the square called L'arlequin for about 90 Euros. Convenient and decent - I found and booked it through travelocity.com - but there's no shortage of decent accommodations in all price ranges. The two spots I liked best in Brugges were Erasmus and Den Diver. Den Diver requires reservations and something more dressy than cut-offs and a ripped tee but it and Spinnekopke are especially known for their beer cuisine. Erasmus is a perfectly delightful cafe in the hotel of the same name with a fantastic beer list and wonderful food - the only place we went to twice on our first trip. I can't imagine needing a car as train service is fast, frequent, and relatively inexpensive. There are three connected stations in Brussels and all station platforms have complete schedules for that station including track numbers. See about buying a multi day pass. You can take the train to any part of the country from the airport. A word of caution - some of these family run places close for a few weeks for the holidays. We took the train to Beersel between Christmas and New Years, climbed the hill in a wet snowstorm to be greeted by the sight of a closed Drei Fonteinen. We found much solace and gueze at Centrum Hotel a few yards away. Spinnekopke was closed, too. Enjoy,,,,, hmm - time for a road trip -----Original Message----- From: Chicago Beer Society Home Brewer List [mailto:CBS-HB@LISTSERV.UIC.EDU]On Behalf Of Adam Sent: Friday, December 05, 2003 1:51 PM To: CBS-HB(a)LISTSERV.UIC.EDU Subject: Belgium Info Please? Hi All Long time Clark St. Ale House employees Rebecca & Cody are getting married and will spend part of the honey moon in Belgium, I am asking for info since I've never been, and know there are many experts on the list. General info is good, places to stay, how to get around would be most appreciated. and of course,, were to go for beer, which breweries & Pubs should not be missed.!? Good places to eat, any other info they might be able to use. If a rental car is recommended. Thanks Adam Clark St Ale House 742 N. Clark Chicago,Il 60610