What to do, where to go using cheap Eurostar tickets , October half-term?

[ChippyMinton]

I have some heavily discounted Eurostar tickets to use, and can get to Lille, Brussels or Paris. Any suggestions about where to go onwards by train, or what to do from any of those stations?

I was thinking Amsterdam, or possibly a Centre Parcs type stay?

.

Leiden in the Netherlands is very nice. Like a smaller, less seedy version of Amsterdam, with lots of history, canals and nice places to eat. It is also much cheaper re. hotels than Amsterdam. Which is only 30 minutes away on the train. Also easy to get the places like the coast, The Hague and Delft by public transport. Bruges and/or Gent are also lovely.

Duinrell is fab and doable by train / bus but not sure what it would be like in October.

Thanks Porto - I was just looking up Duinrell. A day trip to Amsterdam is probably enough. I just fancy a Dutch vibe for a few days.

Leiden is really nice for that - I could move there. It's a university town so lots of young people on bikes and terraces. Really good indian restaurant ( well compared to Brussels at least) and a great Tapas place. They have a windmill, boat trips and the like. And there is a space museum place about 30 mins on the bus.

The pool is good at Duinrell - and the Duingalows are good - better than the Eurocamp mobiles. The Fun Park SHOULD be open if UK half term coincides...The town is within easy walking distance as well.

Eperheide and De Kempervennem (CP) are really nice - but a pain to get to without a car. Though if you hire bikes - there is enough on site that you don't need one for a short break. De Vosserem is also supposed to be good. Also have a look at Landal.com as some of those sites might be easily accessible by public transport - the website gives details....

And this might be a bit "out there" but we are off to Ypres next week to do a battlefield tour and the Last Post at the Menin Gate. With all the WWI centenary stuff going on, we thought it would be really interesting and a good bit of joint UK/Belgian history for dd. I didn't realise there are still trenches and the like you can visit. My sister has taken her kids on the way home from visiting us and said it was fascinating - but after 8 years in Belgium we have never been.

Though I might suggest offsetting that with time in Bruges for chocolate and pretty buildings....

Will look at Landal too. Duinrell park is open for part of the week, and the pool is open. It's pretty good value for a Duingalow () as a result.

Your mention of Ypres has just reminded me that the DC will be there over Remembrance weekend with their Scout troop. Otherwise it was a good suggestion.

I am going to pack extra tissues. We went to the Cenotaph once on Remembrance Sunday and i was emotional then. I booked a private tour and asked to make it a bit more "child friendly" - though really that is an impossible ask and dd is old enough to appreciate (a bit) the horror that went on. I was more concerned that we might get stuck on a bus with old chaps who wanted in depth details about artillery etc and that she would be bored and lose interest. At least now she can ask lots of questions... This year that day is going to be a biggun - your kids are lucky to get to experience something like that.

The shop is very good at Duinrell - I bought a poffertjes kit - it's not expensive. The place is spotlessly clean - I love the Dutch parks. I didn't go much on the on-site restaurant - but there is pancake house up the road and the town in so close....

Now I need a poffertjespan!