Belguim and Spain

[BARR1965]

I am planning a trip sometime this Spring (last week of April or first week of May)and need some suggestions on things to do and places to stay and visit in Belguim and Spain. Which part of Belguim (City) is great for visiting that has an ample place for culture, gay life, and escort service and same thing for Spain (Madrid, Barcelona, Ibiza). How far are they from Paris (my home base). Should I take a Eurorail or just fly? Thanks.

[Guest Taurus]

RE: Belgium and Spain

 

If you mean Bruxelles, the capitol of Belgium,

I recommend staying at the fin-de-ciecle

Hotel Metropole which is near the old city and has

a good restaurant. For fine dining, hit Le Cygne at the

Gran'Place. For sex, contact Dorian, who is

amazing. Bruxelles is about 3 hours from Paris by train.

[Guest YFSC]

>I am planning a trip sometime this Spring (last week of April

>or first week of May)and need some suggestions on things to do

>and places to stay and visit in Belguim and Spain.

 

The best thing to do in Belgium is to get together with Steven Draker. :9 }(

If he's home and not in the US, that is. :7

[+ glutes]

>The best thing to do in Belgium is to get together with Steven

>Draker. :9 }(

>If he's home and not in the US, that is. :7

 

I second this, Draker is fantastic!

[trilingual]

As for Spain, until there's TGV service, fly there. It's far enough from Paris to be worth taking the plane.

 

Ibiza has very little "culture." It's a small island that's primarily a summer resort for a party crowd.

 

Barcelona and Madrid are two of the great cities of the world, and offer everything you could want in terms of culture and a gay scene. If you're into art and painting, Madrid is probably your best bet, as the collections at the Prado, Thyssen and Reina Sofia museums are among the finest on earth. If you're more into music and architecture, Barcelona is probably your choice, with monuments to Modernisme (Catalan art nouveau) everywhere, and a superb musical life. Both cities offer fine shopping, great restaurants, and non-stop gay life. And you don't have to limit yourself to just one. There's convenient air shuttle service between the two cities, and in the next few years there will also be high speed train service on Spain's AVE system.

[Steven_Draker]

RE: Belgium and Spain

 

>If you mean Bruxelles, the capitol of Belgium,

>I recommend staying at the fin-de-ciecle

>Hotel Metropole which is near the old city and has

>a good restaurant.

 

Taurus,

Forgive me I have to disagree with the first part of your posting.

I’ve been to most of the hotels in Brussels and if there is one hotel you should avoid that would be "Le Métropole". Except the location there is nothing else! This is a very old and rustic property which has been going downhill through the decades. Seriously in need of renovation.

 

There is a range of downtown hotels – starting with the Amigo (recently renovated and perfectly located for the Brussels’ visitor adjacent the Grand Place), then the Conrad (uptown hotel located in the nice shopping area).

 

 

>Bruxelles is about 3 hours from Paris by train.

 

You might update your information. The Thalys is servicing the two capitals with 24 trains a day (every 30 minutes) and the trip takes only 1h25 not 3 hours.

 

BARR1965, don’t miss Bruges (Brugge - flemish spelling) – Belgium’s premier landmark signature.

I'll be happy to provide further information.

 

Warm regards,

Steven Draker ~