I want to go to Paris

[xiggi]

<p>

As far as Belgium goes: Ghent would be my first choice: It’s an incredible, beautifully preserved medieval city, and less touristy than Brugges. Brugges is lovely, gorgeous, I love it, but it is extremely touristy. I preferred Antwerp to Brussels. If you do go to Brussels, stay around the St. Catherine area. Buy lots of chocolate, eat lots of waffles. Figure out which kind of waffles you prefer, the lighter Brussels waffles, or the heartier Liege waffles. Belgium has the best food in Europe IMHO.

</p>

<p>All the cities mentioned above have a number of great points. And a few negatives as well, as usual. First, one has to remember how close they are --making visiting them in a couple of days easier. The great food will be ubiquitous, albeit more expensive than in Paris. Brussels will be the most cosmopolitan and quite similar to Paris in terms of immigrants. That makes the centers a hodgepodge of nice and so nice sections in many districts. Bruges and Ghent will have fewer issues. Antwerp is very nice and has a booming fashion world. It is, however, pretty bad traffic wise. This said, getting around with a car would not be hard from Paris with a return to CDG after the trips.</p>

<p>Bruges (and Ghent) in the winter and early Spring will not have hordes of tourists, but also fewer “tourist” areas at full hilt. The weather might also not be conducive to take boat rides on the canal. Heck, it might get cold in July! </p>

<p>I would suggest to give each city a short chance. The Grand Place is a must see in Belgium and with a bit of luck, one can avoid the tourist traps that result in poor restaurants in proximity to the Grand Place. Walking from the Grand Place to the Place St Catherine, one can make stops at Cirio (one of the oldest bars) check the original Pain Quotidien, and have a sumptuous lunch at Noordzee on the fish market. </p>

<p>For communications between Paris and Brussels, the TGV takes about 90 minutes. Antwerp and Ghent are 30 minutes away from the Central Station and Bruges around one hour. </p>

<p>Fwiw, I think that a trip to Brussels is an easy change of pace from Paris, and depending on one’s taste, equal of even superior in many areas. But truly comparing the two countries is a fool’s errand. They are different and well worth an extended trip. </p>

<p>PS Airbnb is probably easier than VRBO for shorter stays. </p>

[mstee]

<p>Thank you for the Belgian overview. It was originally just sort of an afterthought to the Paris trip, but now, I don’t which country I am more excited to visit! I am so thankful for every suggestion. It looks like we will spend 3 - 4 days in Belgium, now, and a week in Paris. I have a feeling it won’t be long enough, already. I never got to travel when I was younger, trying to make up for lost time . . . </p>

[xiggi]

<p>I think your balance is right. Paris has more typical touristy sites and a ton of world class sites. In a week, you should be able to see many at a leisurely pace. 3-4 days in Belgium will offer a solid glimpse of the medieval towns. Regarding transportation, I would forego a car in Paris, but it is doable in Belgium and helps for day sites.</p>

<p>As far as airbnb goes, here is an example of a rental that has a superlative location. <a href=“https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/768754?s=Bjv8”>https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/768754?s=Bjv8&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>The flat is REALLY located in the top left corner - 30 feet from the City Hall. Stunning.</p>

[coralbrook]

<p>Definitely rent an apartment in Paris if you are there for a week. That will give you a great excuse to peruse the boulangeries and markets.</p>

<p>Tip for Orsay museum, they are open Thursday nights. Much shorter lines and crowd is more local.</p>

[mstee]

<p>Oh my. I immediately checked to see if that airbnb was available. It was not. Had it been, I think I would have planned my stay in Belgium around staying there. </p>