Belgium, Holland: Water Landscapes. 10 days travel itinerary in the channels cities

We have prepared so much for this trip, we consulted various travel guides, magazines, books, cameras, DVDs and various internet sites and, above all, we all booked well in advance.

We start from Bergamo low cost flight with Virgin Express, Brussels destination.

Punctual to arrive and we head to the National to withdraw the car rental booked via the Internet.

In this regard, we compared several quotes rental car online and the cheapest was found to be the National.

Upon withdrawal, however, we recommend you carry the mail with the price confirmed on-line since, as in our case, trying to make you pay a price above the quote, perhaps by including costs for any necessary equipment, then you are well stubborn and do defend your right you will see that as we tick.

 

Gaasbeek Castle and Bruxelles

We decide to immediately visit the castle of Gaasbeek, located just outside Brussels, with rooms furnished.

Our guide advised us green Touring also a visit to the castle of Beersel but it is really a ruin: let lose Touring Guide and follow the recommendations of the Guide Mondadori. It 'much more reliable!

Then we head to the center of Brussels and park your car in the garage indicated by foot and reach the hotel Mozart.

The hotel is quite distinctive, decorated with a particular taste, and above all located in the center of a few meters from the Grand Place.

And then immediately begin in the afternoon, the visit to the center of Brussels:

- The beautiful Grand Place, one of the most beautiful squares in Europe with its ancient palaces, and especially with the Hotel De Ville;

- The Galeries St. Hubert: tunnels covered in elegant Art Nouveau style with lots of chain stores;

- The little statue of Manneken Pis, the symbol of the city;

- The Rue de Bouchers: via special full of restaurants;

- La Cathedrale Sts. Michel et Gudule with beautiful stained glass windows and a Baroque pulpit.

Also scoured the beautiful shops of Brussels, particularly the numerous Chocolateries, where you can buy chocolates from chocolate tastes different.

Also the sweet shop "The cure gourmande" very beautiful aesthetically, with sweets and cakes crafts of all kinds.

Let us also a stop in one of the most famous pub in the city "A la mort suffered" with a large selection of Trappist beers.

Dinner in a restaurant on the Grand Place, tasting the typical dish of the city: mussels (moules in French) in all their variations. Segnalo particularly gratinées moules (mussels gratin): very specific

Bruxelles. second day

After a breakfast reduced the minimum terms provided by our hotel, we go to patrol the suburbs of Brussels.

E 'therefore essential to take the subway. We thus discover that you can save considerably by making a one day for groups. With this single ticket you can travel all day, up to 5 people.

Reach us the Atomium, another symbol of Brussels. However, the city's museums open all very late in the morning (around 11). We must therefore settle for outside observers, among others discover that he is a fresh restoration, and the "balls" are beautiful shiny.

Subsequently, on the subway we go to the Palais Royal: beautiful interior, and then we discover with pleasure that the visit is free.

Then we go to visit another building in which our guide devotes ample space (perhaps too): the Musée Horta, home of the architect father of Art Nouveau (Art Nouveau).

However, the house was a disappointment not only the price of the ticket rather expensive and difficult to find the address: missed left.

Transit to the Parc du Cinquantenaire great but that area leaves us perplexed.

Let us return then to the beautiful Grand Place where we discover with pleasure that, despite the rain, are preparing the traditional carpet of flowers covering the entire square.

In the evening, when the carpet is completed and expertly lighted, the glance is incredible. We were very lucky to happen randomly in a given day of this initiative!

Dinner with fish in the above via de Bouchers, fun to choose the restaurant that we like more: there will be spoiled for choice and zealous waiters are competing to grab customers. However, here the fish are really cool!

Immediately after dinner we take a long sweet. The sweets are the Belgian waffles (waffles SQUARED stuffed with whatever you want).

Discover, after several tastings, the best waffles are made from a shop at the entrance of the Galerie St. Hubert (perhaps the name of the kiosk Papillon), where the wafers are made at the time under your eyes (while others are confined to warm those raised above).

To complete the evening, a stop at Le Cirio Cafe, with special fittings, from its "old coffee."

Beloeil, Tournai, Gent

We leave Brussels and we head to Beloeil to visit the castle.

Unfortunately we discover that it is closed for a cultural event and so we visit only the external beautiful. The castle is surrounded by large expanses of water. Who knows how the interiors have been?

After a short passage to the town of Tournai, we head to Ghent where we will spend the night.

Our hotel, Hotel Den Yzer, while conveniently located near a car park and just outside the pedestrian center, is rather "Spartan". But there accontentiamo, after all we have to stay only one night (though the site seemed better).

In this hotel, like many others that followed, we shall settle the bill immediately upon our arrival. Perhaps they fear that, after seeing the rooms, change its mind and ran away!

If you want to stay in a nice in Gent, then go to Gravensteen, in a splendid position.

Gent is a nice town, with the center crossed by canals. However, we find a little 'decadent and slightly neglected.

Climb on top of the Belfort and then visit the castle Het Gravensteen. The latter more than a castle is a fortress, then the interior is completely bare. Recommend that only a consequence exterior.

In the afternoon do a sightseeing tour with the boats on the canals.

In the evening dinner in a Pizza Hut (for bad) and then drink a coffee in the most panoramic of the city: the Graslei point along the channel where the most beautiful palaces and the most photographed in the city.

Rumbeke Castle - Bruges

We hope that today will not rain! We have to go to Bruges, the most beautiful stage of our journey! It can not rain! How are we to admire the beautiful canals?

But first we stop at the castle of Rumbeke.

The castle was quite pleasing exterior but the interior is non-existent.

However, the guided tour and long and boring. The zealous guide elaborates on duty for about 1 hour in describing the "no" more absolute. Never mind.

And instead it rains most of the afternoon ... che palle! Thus we can see Bruges in all its glory only in the evening, when it finally time cheers.

Even with the rain is beautiful Bruges. Each end should be photographed.

We visit the beautiful squares, the Markt, the Burg and the Hotel de Ville (or Stadthuis' as it were).

Walk the streets of the Begijnhof, with many shops and lots of tourists.

In a moment's break from the rain, climb on the boats which make the traditional tour of the canals. We can almost complete the first lap that repeats to rain.

Our hotel, Anselmus is nice and cared. However, despite being a stone's throw from downtown, is not located in a panoramic position on the channels (as I wanted).

However,. if you want to stay in a hotel truly beautiful, I recommend the Hotel Duc de Bourgogne or Bourgoensch Hof hotel prices are not excessive, just above our hotel.

Dinner outdoors at a restaurant with its views on the above hotel. Assaggio another traditional dish: carbonade flamande (a kind of stew). But not very good!

After dinner, coffee in a bar in Begijnhof outdoors with a good live music and time devoted to photos by night.

L'Aia - Haarlem

For a change, it rains!

But today it's raining really strong and shows no signs of stopping.

Let we leave Bruges and Belgium and we head to Holland.

First stop at The Hague. But too much rain to appreciate the place and then the city, while the capital, is not very interesting.

Haarlem then we go to, where to spend the night.

Haarlem disappoints us a little ', perhaps because it's raining again.

The main attraction of the city seems to be the bridge white swivel (but then in Amsterdam it will many others).

Our Hotel, Hotel Amadeus, this very spartan, is located on the main square of the city.

Unfortunately we are unable to visit the church, the Grote Kerk, because dell'assurdo time of opening of the monument (till 16). However, the particularity of the church are the so-called "shopping" against the walls of the building, now used as true and their shops, where rents were used in the past to the economic livelihood of the church itself.

Dinner at an Italian restaurant. Holland does not eat well as in Belgium, there is a typical Dutch but are present a lot of foreign restaurants.

Alkmaar, Hoorn, Enkhuizen, Edam

We leave a good time for Alkmaar, friendly town in the north of Holland, famous for its cheese market. Visit as the streets of the old yet still asleep rather quickly.

Then we go to Hoorn, another pretty village with a beautiful harbor and then we also stop to Enkhuizen, another even more beautiful town of Hoorn.

We are also a flyer for the event of a nice castle on the water, not far from Enkhuizen. We go on site but, unfortunately, is the day of closure. But the outside is really pleasant and do some photos.

We find also a short distance, another charming village, Medemblik, which houses a small but scenic castle: Castle RABDOUB.

Unfortunately captain on the day of weekly closure of the castle, however, we can admire the exterior and good to make different pictures.

Then we go to Edam, where we will stay for the night.

Edam is a pretty small town but equally beautiful.

Since I (Daniela) was already in Holland and already been to Edam, I wanted to come back and stay here. The village is very pretty with its small canals, small, flowering houses, bridges etc.. etc..

The road that leads us to Edam and the surroundings are very scenic.

In town there are very few hotels (maybe only 3) and fortunately we have booked at the Central, the Dam Edam Hotel, overlooking the canal and with themed rooms.

To us to a room Rembrandt, gloomy and dark as a Rembrandt and very monumental, with both walls and black curtains.

However the rooms are all different. Who knows what happen to you?

In town there are very few restaurants, including the restaurant of our hotel (quite expensive as restaurant, hotel instead as the price is normal).

We decide to have dinner in a cafeteria, a little 'squalid, run by an Egyptian.

But the food is good and we spend very little.

VOLENDAM - MARKEN - ZAANSE SCHANS - AMSTERDAM

This morning, the program includes:

- Stop in Volendam: graceful and tourist country with many souvenir shops. The interesting area is overlooking the harbor.

- Stop in Marken: an ancient fishing village with many wooden houses are green and black around the pretty port. The village is tiny and the visit requires a short time. But a stop here is essential.

- Stop at Zaanse Schans, where there are few mills visited entirely.

The place, although very pretty, it is very touristic. It 'sets a goal of organized tours and still offers a complete insight of Holland: windmills, wooden clogs, cheese etc.. etc.. Not to be missed.

So we come down in the center of Amsterdam.

Unfortunately, there is now the parking problem and we understand now that we are more in the central area by car and the prices of covered parking increases.

However, our hotel is right in the center, located on the Singel canal, and we can not park in the suburbs too. How do we drag our luggage?

Then into a parked car near Leidse Plain. Parking cost per day: EURO 36.00 (and we have to stay 2 days).

Patience: save on food and entrances to monuments.

I Daniela, have already been to Amsterdam, so I know exactly what it is worth visiting or not.

As it is now afternoon, we visit the city briefly, leaving the details visit the next day.

However, for a complete overview of the city should do now and the usual boat tour on the canals. And so do.

The romantics may also make the night cruise on the canals, passing under the bridge lighting.

We are too tired to find a decent restaurant (and Amsterdam is really difficult). Then dinner at an Italian restaurant nearby.

When darkness comes, we do night photos of the famous bridge white, magere Brug, which is well-lit evening.

The hotel Amsterdam, hotel Agora is a dear 2 stars (EUR 126.00 per room per night). But everything is terribly expensive in Amsterdam!

We, who have traveled a lot, consider one of the most expensive city in Europe (like London and Paris more expensive).

Fate then attention to the many "balordi" who crowd the city.

If you are away from the area between Central Station and Dam Square

And 'This is the area most at risk (the last time I have stolen the wallet).

Amsterdam

Today is the day devoted to visit the museum.

Unfortunately, as always here, always the museums open late (but before 10 and often from 11 onwards). And to think that the morning has gold in the mouth!

First and then we visit the flower market (opening soon).

We therefore await the opening of the building Willet Holthuysen, beautiful private residence with period furnishings and original analogue Huis Museum Van Loon (with furniture and furnishings of effect).

Curiosity leads us also to visit a House Boat Museum. And 'interesting to see how you live on one of those picturesque houseboats located on the canals of Amsterdam.

Also visit the Magna Plaza shopping center, more attracted by the majestic architecture and for rest and then a visit to the Rijksmuseum, the main city museum is located where the famous painting by Rembrandt "La Ronda at night."

In the evening we decide to dine at the floating Chinese restaurant "The sea palace." A true giant pagoda float, cleverly decorated. Average prices and significantly higher than any Chinese restaurant.

Near the Chinese restaurant in the station area, there is a particular floating hotel, the Botel. Maybe, if you want to stay in a hotel other than the usual price and a pretty economic, this could be the solution.

If we knew, we were booked here.

MUIDEN - DEN HAAR Castle - ANTWERP

We leave Amsterdam and we head to Muiden for the exterior of the castle Muiderslot.

The castle is quite dramatic, surrounded by water.

The interior, however, few interesting.

However, near Utrecht, is a truly fantastic castle that deserves any kind of diversion: the castle Den Haar. Word of the castles that the experts have visited so many!

Outside are the most beautiful! The park takes away the breath, with a great moat and waterways. We find that fewer than 3 wives are making the photo.

The interior, at least those included in the tour, I am mad!

Unfortunately, although the huge castle, you only visit a limited number of rooms.

But it is worth the pain!

Last night staying in Antwerp, and then return to Belgium.

Antwerp is also a nice city.

We visit all but only externally, as we arrive in the afternoon.

And then there are museums to visit.

There are museums of diamonds, but we are not interested the article.

There is the cathedral.

There is a long walk along the River.

There are two pretty squares: the Grote Markt (Prevedi large square) and Groenplaats.

The center is crowded by many restaurants with outdoor seating, many of them Italians.

They choose one and dinner.

Our Hotel, Cammerpoorte, although quite modern and not very attractive outside, but it is convenient, cheap and with the absolute best breakfast of our trip.

At the reception there is a gentle boy handyman.

The hotel has its own private covered parking and is within walking distance from the pedestrian area.

MECHELEN - LIER - MAASTRICHT

In the morning, we leave the hotel and visit a few cities of Belgium: Lier and Mechelen.

It is in both cases of attractive and colorful city of Belgium. In particular Lier visit the church of St. Gummaruskerk, with the most beautiful polychrome glazed Belgium.

We go further still in the Netherlands for the last night of our journey and reach Maastricht.

We reach a lot of difficulties with the hotel, because of prohibitions on access to pedestrian areas.

However, after about 30 minutes of laps in the city and various arrabbiature, we can reach the hotel by car squallido most of our trip: Hotel La Colombe.

Outside does not seem bad but the interior is really pitiful, and all voted to save.

Example: sachet of shampoo in the bathroom already open; EURO 10.00 deposit for the remote so. etc..

Patience: for the last night had to happen is so ugly.

The city of Maastricht, known to chronicle the famous treatise, is not evil.

Certainly there are many monuments to visit.

However, the center is very vibrant and pleasing. Large pedestrian areas, many shops.

The thing that strikes us more and more we like is the "Mill of the bishop." This is a charming watermill fully functional, used by a bakery, BISHOP'S MILL, with an adjoining small museum and the opportunity to buy and taste them in the hall, the products of sweet and savory bakery.

So buy two big slices of apple pie.

Dinner outdoors in a big square with many restaurants, one attached to another.

Hoensbroek Castle, Lovanio, Bruxelles airport and return flight

And 'our last day.

However we have several hours available before you have to bear at the airport.

We visit a castle, more beautiful externally and internally (Hoensbroek castle about 30 km from Maastricht) and the town of Leuven.

Leuven is a university town, usually teeming with young people, but at this time of relatively quiet. Visit the Groot Begijnhof (not very interesting and rather off-center), the church of Sint Pieter and the City Hall (Stadthuis), the Gothic facade is richly decorated. Visit inside the building even though the guide is pretty boring and logorroica.

Let us quickly Leuven and head to Brussels to reach in no time.

The airport of Brussels is very nice, quiet and orderly. E 'for this reason that we elected the point of departure and arrival of our tour.

Waiting for the flight (always punctual) was easily deceived by the pleasant visit to the shops at the airport.

We buy chocolate pralines from us in Italy.

Regarding chocolate pralines: preferably always bought those chocolate in bulk rather than packaged. This way you can choose those with the ingredients you like and even more spending will be lower than those graded packed!

In conclusion: Belgium and the Netherlands although so close, are completely different.

Belgium ordered more and more liveable and more elegant. Perhaps closer to the culture of us Italians.

The Netherlands and much more characteristic landscape. But the Dutch are not the most friendly and all those bikes, they give much annoyance to both the car to pedestrians.

COST:

Flight A / R Virgin Express from Bergamo to Brussels and back: EURO 100.00 per person

National Car Rental for 11 days: EUR 300.00 approximately

Average cost per night in a hotel 2 / 3 stars: EURO 100.00 per room per night, breakfast included

Cost parking garages in 24 hours: EURO 15,00 per day (Amsterdam EURO 36.00)

Average cost per dinner (light) for 2 restaurant: EURO 40.00 total for 2 people

Average cost museum admission: EUR 6.00 per person

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Dani and Max