Amsterdam and Brussels -- When You Go to the Choice Canal Cities

Getting There: Brussels is the closest international gateway to Brugge, one hour distant by train. Depending on your U.S. departure city, airlines serving Brussels are: American, Air France, Delta, Sabena, and United. Web links and phone numbers are listed in this magazine’s Airlines page.

Good train access is also available from London, England; Paris, France; and Frankfurt, Germany. Trains conveniently connect Brugge and Amsterdam. Web links are listed in this magazine’s Trains page.

Driving is not recommended, due to the difficulty of negotiating tight city streets. If you do decide to drive, it is recommended to rent a car from the United States before traveling. Most major car rental agencies service Brussels and other major European cities. The 1-800 phone numbers and Web links are listed in this magazine’s Autos page.

Staying There:

There are a number of reasonably priced accommodations right in the heart of both Brugge and Amsterdam. The two establishments below are recommended, based on our good experience in lodging there. Rick Steve’s Amsterdam, Bruges, and Brussels provides an excellent list of lodging and dining recommendations, as well as detailed information on sights and itineraries. This and other guidebooks are available through the Book Store.

Brugge: Hotel Botaniek, Waalsestraat 23, only a few minutes walk from the canals, the Burg, and the Markt. Approximately 3,000 BEF/night for double room. Phone: 32 50 341424. Fax: 32 50 345939.

Amsterdam: Canal House Hotel, Keizergracht 148, 2 blocks northeast of Anne Frank House. Approximately f340/night for double room. Phone: 31 20 622 5182. Fax: 31 20 624 1317. email: info@canalhouse.nl.

Belgium is at the crossroads of Europe, where Romance languages meet Germanic languages and where the Benelux union was established, leading to today’s European Common Market. Brugge is considered Belgium’s premier medieval gem city. Note that the language in southern Belgium is French, while in northern Belgium (site of Brugge), the language is Dutch. Most people are multi-lingual, including English.

The Netherlands is Europe’s most densely populated country, as well as one of its wealthiest. The average income exceeds that in the United States. The country is a biker’s dream, where small bike roads parallel streets and major autoroutes. Amsterdam, population 800,000, is considered Europe’s most 17th-century city, and it touts more canals than Venice. The native language is Dutch, and most people are multi-lingual, including English.