Eurostar short break next month where should 2 (50 something) women go? Recommendations please?

[iknowimcoming]

Me and my best friend want a mini-break somewhere next month, 3/4 nights (would prefer warm but honestly cba with flight chaos) so looked at Eurostar and prices seem reasonable for Bruges and Brussels but I don't know anything about either city really advice, suggestions etc welcome?

We had a great time in Brussels recently. Bruges is very pretty but you’re done after a day. However Ghent was just as nice as Bruges and seemed to have a bit more about it - it’s literally 30 minutes on the train from Brussels so you could do two nights in each place even?

Bruges is very pretty, older and small. Reminds me of somewhere like York. Can get very busy with tourists.

Brussels is a much larger more metropolitan city. I don't actually much like Brussels but that is just a personal opinion. There is a lot more to do there and plenty of people like it.

As PP said, Bruges is lovely but fairly compact. I'd certainly echo the recommendation to include Ghent somehow in your trip, even if you don't actually stay there. It's a beautiful city. There have been other threads about Ghent, so have a look for those. Eurostar usually offer an add-on called an Any Belgian Station ticket, which you'd need to take you beyond Brussels.
Have a great time whatever you choose.

Did they have any good prices for Avignon?

Have you also considered Antwerp?

Is there a reason you don't want to go to Paris? 100 times better than Brussels or Bruges.

Eurostar stopped all the trips elsewhere during/after covid.

Bruges/Ghent are both lovely towns for an autumn visit. It depends what you like doing? Brussels has some fabulous museums and lovely squares. You could base yourself near Central Station and the Grand Place (Ibis or Novotel) and do day trips.

I just had a look at where it goes and I would pick Nantes or Amsterdam - I loved Amsterdam. Also maybe Strasbourg?

Rotterdam or Antwerp!

Go to Brussels and do day trips to Bruges, Antwerp and Ghent. I used to live in Brussels and all four cities have their merits.

I’d go Brussels- pretty to walk around and lots of good food

What about Lille?

I went to Paris in July with DH and last summer with DD

www.seat61.com is a wealth of information on train journeys including Eurostar. He suggests itineraries and explains it all very simply.

We went to Brussels in April with zero expectations (a work trip for me, DH and the DCs tagged along as the train tickets were cheap) and we absolutely loved it. Went to Bruges for a day trip as well. We really liked:
Comic book museum
Comic book trail through the city centre
Museum of musical instruments
Magritte museum
Riding trams
Frites shops with all the toppings
Waffles with all the toppings
Chocolate shops everywhere
Beer, mussels, more frites
The medieval buildings are gorgeous as well, we did a walking tour

Didn't quite have time to go to the Herge museum so we will have to go back!!