Where, When, How much???? Belgium

[47Steve]

Hi all,

I am looking into organising a trip to Belgium / Battlefields next year possibly April / May time for the guys from work. There should be around 12 to 16 of us going across on bikes. We are all travelling from the North East (Newcastle Area.)

Can anyone recommend a good base to stay bearing in mind we will only be there about 2 nights and any good b&b's IE; food and beer?
Also which would be the cheapest way to travel? Probably prefer ferry from up north instead of the tedious motorways in the UK.

Would April / May be a good time to go? Or better going at another time of year.


Thanks in advance ..... Steve

 

[Wapping]

April / May should be OK, much the same as the weather you'll find outside your own front door at that time of year. There again, it could be snowing or lashing down.... so just like home.

You'll have just missed Easter if you go right at the start of April, but that whole fortnight is a popular holiday time... Book accordingly.

There is a lot of you in your proposed party, so you'd be well advised to book early. Expect to pay a deposit.

Ferry would seem sensible; it's what most bods from your far-flung neck of the woods use.

Ypres is as a good a place to stay as any for what you have in mind.

Lots of suggestions on where to stay on UKGSer and on assorted WW1 sites. The same names crop up, time after time.

 

[Grim Reaper]

We often go through the tunnel and stay the first night in Ypres 'Camping Jeugstadion', With a 6-7 am start from Middlesbrough and a Midday to 2pm train, an hour on that, lose an hour going into EU timezone, and an hour or so to Ypres it works out just great for a quick pitch, and out for drinks, Last Post and a meal before bed.

 

[gerarddwatts]

I've always used the Newcastle ferry for forrin trips and did so again outbound this year. This year we came back through the tunnel and the journey from Folkestone to about Scotch Corner was so mind numbingly ball achingly tedious that I swore I'd never do it again. Ferry every time. The whole journey....most of it on 2 lane m/way/dualler....was rammed with traffic, mostly competing to block lane 2 for miles.

I quite often drive down to Sussex to rellies, but I can choose my times and leave at 4...not really an option if you are coming from forrin.

Go by ferry.

 

[47Steve]

Thanks guys for the info. I now have some pointers to consider. Does anyone know if there is any discounts for ferry crossings? ...... TA

 

[gerarddwatts]

10% discount for SYHA members is about all there is as far as I know...

 

[sagalout]

Definitely do the ferry! We always do Hull > Zeebrugge which leaves leaves you an hour from Ypres, which is a pretty good base, close to most of the big, well known sites. Nice town, plenty of places to eat drink and stay. Not sure where Newcastle goes to?

 

[gerarddwatts]

Don't forget...

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showth...y-Crossings?highlight=P&O+ferry+crossings

 

[gerarddwatts]

Definitely do the ferry! We always do Hull > Zeebrugge which leaves leaves you an hour from Ypres, which is a pretty good base, close to most of the big, well known sites. Nice town, plenty of places to eat drink and stay. Not sure where Newcastle goes to?

Ijmuiden...Amsterdam

 

[47Steve]

ok, i think YPRES it is. Can anyone recommend anywhere that could accommodate possibly 16 of us? ...TA

 

[gerarddwatts]

Have a look at booking.com in the absence of any recommendation. Lots of info on Ypres on here if you search.

 

[47Steve]

Have a look at booking.com in the absence of any recommendation. Lots of info on Ypres on here if you search.

Thank you

 

[NeilDD]

Steve,
email the tourist centre in Ypres, they are very helpful, and speak perfect English.

HTH
Neil

 

[47Steve]

Thanks neil