Hi All,

Im planning to go to brussels and paris in two weeks time. I've looked though the forum and there are so much good information about Paris during my research for this trip.

Im currently in my early twenties, this is my first trip to europe and i will be staying with my friend in Brussels for three weeks and go to Paris for a day or two since its one-hour away. I was thinking maybe to go to Amsterdam, Lyon, Milan. So I would like to hear from you all if you have any information to share about Brussels. and also which of the cities you would recommend for shopping and also accommodation (lower cost hotels near shopping areas) recommendations if possible. Im planning to use most of my budget for shopping therefore would like to stay at hotels with lower cost and travel at lower costs.

Im planning to do some shopping in this trip (cartier, vca, longchamp, prada,etc). For those who are familiar with the prices for the above and where would be a better place to shop (better prices in Brussels or Paris). And also where is Brussels would you all recommend to do general shopping (clothes, chocolates, gifts etc).

Thank you in advance.

Don't Forget to visit Antwerp, only half an hour away. Great shopping and a beautiful city.

I agree .. Antwerp is definitely worth a visit. There are lot of places you can do day trips too. As for shopping. There isn't anything in Brussels you can't find in Paris. Specially when it comes to high end items. I would do all my shopping in Paris. Take that train and spend at least two days in Paris. I love Lyon but I wouldn't go there from Brussels, neither would I do Milan or are you planing on flying? You can take Thalys to Amsterdam with no problem.

Originally Posted by antwerp

Don't Forget to visit Antwerp, only half an hour away. Great shopping and a beautiful city.

Do you live in Antwerp? What kind of day trips do you like to do?

Originally Posted by Mediana

Do you live in Antwerp? What kind of day trips do you like to do?

Thanks for the reply. Im staying in Brussels city center. Im thinking of day trips to amsterdam, germany or paris and possibly staying one or two nights there depending on what is there to do there.

Originally Posted by Mediana

I agree .. Antwerp is definitely worth a visit. There are lot of places you can do day trips too. As for shopping. There isn't anything in Brussels you can't find in Paris. Specially when it comes to high end items. I would do all my shopping in Paris. Take that train and spend at least two days in Paris. I love Lyon but I wouldn't go there from Brussels, neither would I do Milan or are you planing on flying? You can take Thalys to Amsterdam with no problem.

Thanks for the reply. i will plan a day trip to antwerp. I was also thinking to do shopping in Paris but i will only be doing a day trip or stay a maximum of two nights as my partner would want to visit other cities as well. Therefore i was thinking that i might not have enough time to do shopping in Paris and looking for shopping places in Brussels since i am spending most of my time there.

Yup, i am planning to take Thalys to both paris and amsterdam. As for Lyon and Milan, im planning to take ryanair or easyjet.

In Antwerpen, the best shopping is in the Schuttershofstraat, Huidevettersstraat and the small pedestrian streets behind the Huidevettersstraat. Of you have enough time, you dan also try the Nationalestraat. Everything is within walking distance.