October break-recommendations please!

[Allloveisbeautiful]

Thinking of getting away at October half term with 16 year old daughter… currently Paris, Brussels or Glasgow on the list as want to travel by train… any suggestions which may be best at that time of year?!

Glasgow would be my last choice. Edinburgh is nicer in my opinion.

I would pick Brussels.

@CosyNavyLeader we went to Edinburgh in 2020. It is lovely. Glasgow close to Loch Lomond which would be beautiful I’m sure

Not wanting to be THAT person who doesn't recommend any of the options but just checking you know there's a train to Amsterdam too?

Of your three I'd vote Brussels personally. A great city, loads to do, nice food, less full on than Paris and easy to get around.

What do you want to do?

The south of France is okay by train. The TGV from Paris to Marseille takes 3 hours, then you can get a local train east along the coast.

@HarrietBond 🤣 we went to Amsterdam a couple of years ago and loved it. Would go back but not just yet. I’ve been to Brussels too but over 20 years ago so maybe worth a revisit…however it’s not as cool as Amsterdam for a 16 year old!

I will throw Antwerp in to the mix. It has lots of lovely shops, zoo, aquarium and some great museums. The Red Star Line museum is fabulous - about emigration from Europe to the New World. Rotterdam is also really nice for a weekend and you can get a transport ticket also covering the Hague and the beach. I live in Brussels and there is certainly lots to do here too. Atomium and Mini-Europe, lots of museums and good places to eat.

From Rotterdam - also day trips to Utrecht and Leiden.

Brussels has its cool bits! It does depend what your daughter likes though.

@HarrietBond main things she likes are music, fashion/hair/make up, vintage shops, food, film and the arts plus feminism and a bit of history chucked in 😂

She sounds great! There's lots of that in Brussels. Some excellent vintage shops and the flea markets (including the famous one at the Sablon). Also very good modern shopping (depending on budget, Avenue Louise has a lot of big hitters.) The Magritte Museum? The African Museum out at Terveren has changed over the years from celebrating Belgium's colonial past to be a relatively eye opening account of Leopold II's activities in the Belgian Congo.

@MissAmbrosia if you have any recommendations for food or accommodation please let me know!

What about Inverness? And hunt for Nessie?

Amsterdam

Caledonian Sleeper to Inverness

Bruges also doable by train - Brussels -> Bruges

If you have time in Belgium then Ghent is worth a visit, we were there a few weeks ago and my 16 year old really enjoyed it.

Bruges is awesome at Christmas time - Christmas markets 😍😍😍

Bruges might be dull for a 16 year old though.

@CosyNavyLeader and @PixelNomad what else is in Inverness?

I'd go further south. Lisbon, Barcelona, Madrid.

I went to Amsterdam in April and cold doesn't describe it.

Bruges or Antwerp with or instead of Brussels.

In Brussels itself - you can't go far wrong with the Novotel or Ibis Grand Place. Close to Central Station and the historical centre. Round Ste Catherine there are lots of good seafood places - Rugbyman II (ignore the name) is good for moules frites. Karma Kitchen near there is great for Indian fusion food. Les Petitis Oignons near the Sablon does slightly more upmarket tradtional Belgian dishes or there is Chez Leon near the Grand Place - there is also a Hard Rock Cafe on the GP itself. Art Deco bars like the Falstaff and Cirio. The Musical Instrument museum has a roof top cafe which you can visit without going in to the museum. Maison Antoine on Place Jourdain is famous for frites mayo and you can take your chips to neighbouring bars to sit with a drink. Nearby is the EU commission and the Natural History Museum. From Montgomery you can get the 44 tram out through the forest to Tervuren and the African museum. Vintage shops tend be round Place St Gery. The main shopping street is Rue Neuve. The Wolf Food Hall is near there. At 16 your dd will be allowed wine or beer in bars and cafes. Comic Book Museum is quite fun.

So much to do!
Do you like hiking/walking? There are loads of lovely hikes and riverside walks.
Loch Ness of course and Urquhart Castle
If you can hire a car, 30 min drive to Chanonry Point to spot dolphins
Botanic Gardens
Inverness Museum
If you go, you have to visit Miele's Gelateria! Literally the best ice cream I've ever had outside of Italy 😍

Also, the journey on Caledonian Sleeper is part of the adventure - leave London in the evening and arrive at 7am in this beautiful countryside, the beds are super comfy and you can also get dinner & drinks and breakfast on the train.

@PixelNomad that all sounds amazing! However we are nearer to Birmingham so not sure if that would work for us?