Stopovers between Calais and Frankfurt?

[JustAnotherManicUsername]

In August. DC will be 13 and 10. They don't mind a bit of culture / history but also like a good pool, especially outdoor ones. We'd like to take two or three days for the journey (which is only 7 1/2 hours total to our destination) so that could be one day of traveling or shorter journeys over more days. As cheap as possible, so not fancy hotels. I really like Brussels but big cities tend to be expensive. Ghent? Bonn?! A nice country b&b would be great but I don't know where to look for those in Belgium and Germany (like chambres d'hotes in France). An apartment would be ideal so we can cook for ourselves and maybe not all be in the same bedroom! Any suggestions?

I've done the route you're suggesting a few times in one day so have no personal recommendations (not true, stayed in an Ibis outside Ghent but not sure that counts!). However friends have said Aachen is well worth a visit.

Thanks. It looks to have a great spa! I wonder whether that would work with kids?! Possibly, if they are permitted. And if not the cathedral looks good.

We've stayed in the wrong bits of the Netherlands/Belgium for you but have a look at Airbnb's. There are quite a few rural B&B's who post on there for traffic (so you tend to be in a holiday home/converted barn on their property). After the summer they had, a lot went out and purchased mobile aircon units! A lot of towns seem to have municipal outdoor pools and waterslides, by the way (DD swims).

Check out Youth Hostel prices if you can bear to share a family room - they are often in great locations, even if the rooms are sparse. They usually have bars/table tennis/washing facilities.....

Ghent is pretty in the centre (don't be put off by the suburbs); quieter than Bruges. Possibly your boys are past the age for parks, but there is an open-air museum at Bokrijk and there is an enormous playground (free) next door. Google maps takes me quite close, so I thought I would mention it.

Near to Aachen is "Drielandenpunt". You can stand in 3 countries at once, there is an observation tower and a labyrinth that drenches you if you aren't paying attention.

Ghent was lovely, we stayed in the youth hostel which is very central and a good price.

Thanks, great suggestions.

You could do a slight detour and stop in Antwerp. Cologne also good for a visit.