"Ray" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > We are flying into Brussels because I didn't book the flight
    > early enough to fly directly into Paris.
    > The plan is to spend 1/2 the time in Paris and 1/2 the time
    > in London. However, since we will in Brussels anyway,
    > perhaps we could make the best of it and see something
    > interesting near Brussels. At first, I considered
    > Brussels, but I get the feeling that Brussels isn't
    > worth seeing.

Wow. Not sure how to respond to a statement like this.

Brussels is a charming city with a beautiful old city center, marvelous
restaurants, and an interesting mix of Dutch and French culture. Your
itinerary is very tight, and it makes sense to limit the number of cities
that you visit. But to say that Brussels isn't worth seeing . . .

    > I've never heard of Bruges before. Now, I'm interested in
    > it.

As beautiful and dramatic as Brugges is, you'll find it very, very, very
touristy. It is, however, somewhere that can be experienced in half-a-day
if time is really an issue.

    > Of course, the other option is to simply get on the
    > Thalys and go directly to Paris.

If I recall, you've allotted only 3 days to Paris. That's very little time
to even get a taste of the city, which is really best appreciated by
walking, at a slow and pleasant pace, savoring the sights and sound,
stopping in cafes and sipping a coffee while watching the parade of people,
etc. If all you do is run from tourist attraction to tourist attraction --
here the Arc de Triomphe, there the Louvre, now to the Eiffel Tower --
you'll miss the best part of Paris and have a miserable time as well. I
happen to love London, but if I were going to "short" a city visit, it would
be London rather than Paris.

    > Thanks again for the help.
    > --
    > If you are knocked down seven times, stand up eight.
    > --Japanese Proverb

In article ,
"Paul Tauger" wrote:

    > "Ray" wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    > >
    > > We are flying into Brussels because I didn't book the flight
    > > early enough to fly directly into Paris.
    > >
    > > The plan is to spend 1/2 the time in Paris and 1/2 the time
    > > in London. However, since we will in Brussels anyway,
    > > perhaps we could make the best of it and see something
    > > interesting near Brussels. At first, I considered
    > > Brussels, but I get the feeling that Brussels isn't
    > > worth seeing.
    >
    > Wow. Not sure how to respond to a statement like this.
    >
    > Brussels is a charming city with a beautiful old city center, marvelous
    > restaurants, and an interesting mix of Dutch and French culture. Your
    > itinerary is very tight, and it makes sense to limit the number of cities
    > that you visit. But to say that Brussels isn't worth seeing . . .
    >
    > >
    > > I've never heard of Bruges before. Now, I'm interested in
    > > it.
    >
    > As beautiful and dramatic as Brugges is, you'll find it very, very, very
    > touristy. It is, however, somewhere that can be experienced in half-a-day
    > if time is really an issue.
    >

absolutely -- like many small charming towns in Europe, it is the
tourist equivalent of a theme park. Quaint and charming streets --
boutiques and tourist traps.

    > >
    > > Of course, the other option is to simply get on the
    > > Thalys and go directly to Paris.
    >
    > If I recall, you've allotted only 3 days to Paris. That's very little time
    > to even get a taste of the city, which is really best appreciated by
    > walking, at a slow and pleasant pace, savoring the sights and sound,
    > stopping in cafes and sipping a coffee while watching the parade of people,
    > etc. If all you do is run from tourist attraction to tourist attraction --
    > here the Arc de Triomphe, there the Louvre, now to the Eiffel Tower --
    > you'll miss the best part of Paris and have a miserable time as well. I
    > happen to love London, but if I were going to "short" a city visit, it would
    > be London rather than Paris.
    >
    > >
    > > Thanks again for the help.
    > >
    > > --
    > > If you are knocked down seven times, stand up eight.
    > > --Japanese Proverb
    >

"Ray" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > > How are you planning to travel (1) to Brussels (2) from Brussels to
Paris
    > > (3) Paris to London?
    > We are flying into Brussels, and then taking the Thalys from Brussels to
Paris,
    > and then the Eurostar from Paris to London.

These are the best choices. Bear in mind, however, that the one-way fares
on Eurostar can be expensive. Are you flying back from Brussels as well?

Peter

On Wed, 26 Feb 2003 16:42:19 GMT, Peter McGurk wrote:

    >> We are flying into Brussels, and then taking the Thalys from Brussels to
    > Paris,
    >> and then the Eurostar from Paris to London.
    >
    > These are the best choices. Bear in mind, however, that the one-way fares
    > on Eurostar can be expensive. Are you flying back from Brussels as well?

Then why is the Eurostar from Paris to London the best choice? A flight
between CDG & LHR can cost as little as 50 Euro.

--
-BB-
To reply to me, drop the attitude (from my e-mail address, at least)

Go to Bruges, it's only one hour from Brussels and worth it.

--
John Vittoe
"Chance favors only the Prepared Mind."
Louis Pasteur, 1852
www.vittoe.com

"Ray" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > My family of 3 is going to Europe. We are arriving in Brussels, and then
    > we are going to Paris and then London. We have 8 days.
    > Our plan is to spend the day we arrive in Brussels, and then spend 3
    > days in Paris and the remainder of our stay in London.
    > However, I've read quite a bit about Bruge. Should we spend one day
    > in Bruge, and cut out a day in either London or Paris?
    > Thanks,
    > Ray
    > --
    > If you are knocked down seven times, get up eight.
    > --Japanese Proverb

I went to Paris, Brugge and London last year. If I had to do it over again I
would skip Paris completely and spend more time in Brugge and London.

It was my first visit to Brugge and I loved it. I'd go back in a heartbeat if
someone would send me the money. This the hotel we stayed in and it was really
nice.
http://www.pandhotel.com/

Also take a look at Jack's website. He really knows a ton about Paris and
Bruges (among other places) and his tips are always good.
http://www.jack-travel.com/
He used to post here but has given up. I have never going wrong using his
guide.

Mary


John Vittoe wrote:

    > Go to Bruges, it's only one hour from Brussels and worth it.
    > --
    > John Vittoe
    > "Chance favors only the Prepared Mind."
    > Louis Pasteur, 1852
    > www.vittoe.com
    > "Ray" wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    > > My family of 3 is going to Europe. We are arriving in Brussels, and then
    > > we are going to Paris and then London. We have 8 days.
    > >
    > > Our plan is to spend the day we arrive in Brussels, and then spend 3
    > > days in Paris and the remainder of our stay in London.
    > >
    > > However, I've read quite a bit about Bruge. Should we spend one day
    > > in Bruge, and cut out a day in either London or Paris?
    > >
    > > Thanks,
    > >
    > > Ray
    > >
    > > --
    > > If you are knocked down seven times, get up eight.
    > > --Japanese Proverb