Ideas for easy family Eurostar break at Easter

[glittermagic]

Hi all
We have received a Eurostar gift voucher and need to use it ASAP. DH and I would like to take a trip during the Easter hols with our 3 children DDs 5 and 3 and DS 3 months. I am a little stressed at the prospect of much travelling with 3 DCs including my baby who is breastfeeding.
Could anyone recommend something easy with minimal travel and transfers that will occupy the little ones?
TIA

Eurocamp? They have 50% off deals at the moment too

Thanks I wondered about that. Have you ever been to one near a train station? I was looking into the one near Paris as a possibility

I’ve not been, just been looking myself as lots of friends have been and love it. Could you do car hire the other end?

A Eurostar Any Belgian Station ticket will take you all the way to Antwerp, witha quick platform change in Brussels. When you get toBrussels-Midi/Zuid, take the stairs down to the mainstation and check the departure boards for the next train toAntwerp.You don’t need a booking, your Eurostar ticket covers the local train toAntwerp, so just hop on a train and find a seat.
We stayed in a family room at Radisson Blue Astrid which can easily accommodate five and had a kitchenette. The hotel can provide cots and high chairs and children are allowed in the heated hotel pool. www.radissonblu.com/en/astridhotel-antwerp/rooms The hotel is directly across from the grand Antwerp Central Station which was really handy, and within walking distance of the zoo which is one of the best I’ve been to. Besides spacious open cages, the zoo features many cozy areas for rest, charming cafes and decent playgrounds. The zoo has even a planetarium, a greenhouse and a special house for penguins.
We like the city because there are lots of big beautiful parks, street art and plenty to keep the kids entertained. If you want something relaxing, I’d recommend Middelheim Sculpture Museum. It’s a good place to stretch the legs and it’s fascinating.
Antwerp also has the largest chocolate museum in the world. It’s incredible.
The dc would also enjoy Antwerp Miniature Park – an amazing park full of precise miniature copies of the most famous landmarks of the city.
A boat trip in the harbour is also relaxing and there are a few options to choose from. We liked the Jan Plezier pancake boat. www.janplezier.be/en/pancake-boat/

When does it run out?
Because until we know what travel arrangements will be after 29th March, I'd be loathe to book anything.

That's a great idea. I'm going to investigate

@RiceKrispie22 thank you so much that sounds amazing. Have never been to Antwerp and sounds like there's loads to do for the little ones, thanks again.
I am a bit worried about Brexit too. We have until August to use it but DH starting a new job soon which may mean we can't travel in the summer.
Part of me thinks let's just do Disney it'd be so much easier..!

Ricekrispie, would you happen to recall whether there is lift access from the Eurostar platform to the Antwerp departure platform?
This has been bugging me for a while, as ds who is a wheelchair user has Anywerp Zoo on his list.

This says that there is a platform elevator. www.belgianrail.be/en/stations-and-train/search-a-station/1/bruxelles-midi.aspx

Amsterdam. Lovely city, small, easy to get around. Direct train to it but you need to change in Brussels on the way back.

Alternatively 2 days in Bruges, train to Brussels and then train to Bruges.

I second Amsterdam. Fab city. Also I am pretty sure there is a Centre Parcs that you can get too quickly and easily on public transport from Amsterdam.