Any suggestions.

[Thor1340]

My wife is going to be in Bruxuelles in July and I am thinking of taking her on the bike.
1. Is it safe to park in the City, are they bike friendly?
2. What would be the best / quickest route from either Calais ferry or Tunnel or is there a better option?
Many thanks for any advice

[SPM]

Stuart, No city is safe to park in but Brussels is better than most. Judith and I stayed in a small hotel on the outskirts that had an underground car park. Navigating the city on the bike was easy however you can walk round most of it.

We went on the chunnel, much quicker and if you use the motorway you'll be there in 1 1/2 hours, however if you're into your military history there is a more scenic route that will take you through the Ypres Salient. If you have never visited a WW1 battlefield before it is a truly humbling experience that everyone should do once in their life. If you want any more details e-mail me and I'll send you some info.

[GJH]

For a truly moving experience you should visit Ypres any evening for the Last Post ceremony. It is held every night of the year at, I think, 2000hrs at the Menin Gate. Even if you are not that interested in military history that is an experience that should not be missed.

[simoncharles]

Thats interesting. Will bear it in mind.

[vvk]

My wife is going to be in Bruxuelles in July and I am thinking of taking her on the bike.
1. Is it safe to park in the City, are they bike friendly?
2. What would be the quickest route

Brussels is reasonably safe when parked. A hotel with parking is of course best.
The is a port/arrival in Ostend, that would be the quickest route.
Calais-Brussels is a good highway, what does the GSP say?

Ah, the Atomium is redone, very nice!
A good hotel with private parking just off the grounds, I think the name was Holiday Inn.

Shopping mall and cinemacentre within walking distance. Many Vietnamese restaurants there.

Bruxelles, nice city!

[Thor1340]

I knew I could count on you good people to steer me in the right direction.

Stuart

[meese]

Ah, the Atomium, I remember it well. And Little Europe. Could've saved a lot of money and just gone there first. :)

[Malki]

Ypres is most definately worth a visit for the last post, today will be its 26,574th tribute. For those that don't know, Ypres is also known as Ieper and can only be found on Garmin GPS by that name. As GJH says, even if not interested in WW1 stuff its a nice town. http://www.lastpost.be/mainpage.htm
And when in Brussels, you have just got to take the bike down into the underground ring road around the city, one of the most thrilling, but scariest experiences of my life. I had to do it twice :D
Just make sure you know which junction you want to get off before you plunge into its depths.
Calais to Brussells will take about 5 hours. Ostend to Brussels about 1 hour 20 mins. Have a good one.

[myk_edwards]

For a truly moving experience you should visit Ypres any evening for the Last Post ceremony. It is held every night of the year at, I think, 2000hrs at the Menin Gate.

Don't know why, maybe it's because I've lived Military all my life (dad was Army) then I was Air Force, but I get a lump in my throat when I hear the first few bars of the last post.

[Rockdoc]

I don't think you have to have been in the military to be moved, Myk. We were in Ypres last Easter and the Menen Gate ceremony is very special. There were hundreds - of all ages - crowded under the arches that Saturday night and there wasn't a sound from anyone as they buglers played. A dropped pin would have sounded like a peal of bells.....

Fabulous!

Keith