POI from Calais via Belgium to The Ring?
Discussion
As per title, I am driving from Calais/Zebrugge through Belgium to The Ring ( solo as none of my pals are 'Car People....and don't really "understand"...!!
I shall probably stop over in Belgium on the way out, ; maybe Bruges as I have heard it is worth a visit.
And I was considering Koln as well, apparently a great city.
And what are the better hotel chains to use ; I am cautious with my budget, but don't want to 'slum it' either !!
I shall be doing a few laps of the Nordschleife but would like to explore that region as well.
Any suggestions/experience most welcome !
I shall probably stop over in Belgium on the way out, ; maybe Bruges as I have heard it is worth a visit.
And I was considering Koln as well, apparently a great city.
And what are the better hotel chains to use ; I am cautious with my budget, but don't want to 'slum it' either !!
I shall be doing a few laps of the Nordschleife but would like to explore that region as well.
Any suggestions/experience most welcome !
Brugges old town is indeed lovely, but the whole town centre is extremely car-unfriendly so plan carefully where you plan to enter or park.
Brussels has a motor museum called Autoworld, the ring road is always busy, and the local driving can be a bit eye-opening.
An hour east of Brussels in Spa Francorchamps which is a glorious circuit, maybe worth a look what’s on when you plan to be there.
Köln is a nice city (I live there a lot of the time) but the nightlife can be a bit “samey “. If you like cold lager the Kölsch comes in quickly-replaced 0.2 l glasses and the old squares offer great people watching. The cathedral is stunning, a must-see, plus there’s an observation tower on the east bank of the Rhein across from the main station. Brauhaus food is consistently good.
If you’re into football the large 1FC Köln stadium is in the west of the city and tours are sometimes available.
The motoring highlight is Motorworld in the north west near Ikea with a fine selection of Michael Schumacher’s personal collection. Everything except the parking is free.
North is Düsseldorf which I actually prefer as a tourist place with a bustling riverside area and more old squares to wander through.
There’s also Classic Remise which is similar to Motorworld.
South, across the river from Bonn, is Königswinter with a mountain railway to the top, it’s an amazing view for kilometres in every direction.
The Nurburgring is easy to get to. Personally I wouldn’t bother with the museum there, it’s very cheesy.
The surrounding area, the Eiffel, is very beautiful.
Enjoy!
Brussels has a motor museum called Autoworld, the ring road is always busy, and the local driving can be a bit eye-opening.
An hour east of Brussels in Spa Francorchamps which is a glorious circuit, maybe worth a look what’s on when you plan to be there.
Köln is a nice city (I live there a lot of the time) but the nightlife can be a bit “samey “. If you like cold lager the Kölsch comes in quickly-replaced 0.2 l glasses and the old squares offer great people watching. The cathedral is stunning, a must-see, plus there’s an observation tower on the east bank of the Rhein across from the main station. Brauhaus food is consistently good.
If you’re into football the large 1FC Köln stadium is in the west of the city and tours are sometimes available.
The motoring highlight is Motorworld in the north west near Ikea with a fine selection of Michael Schumacher’s personal collection. Everything except the parking is free.
North is Düsseldorf which I actually prefer as a tourist place with a bustling riverside area and more old squares to wander through.
There’s also Classic Remise which is similar to Motorworld.
South, across the river from Bonn, is Königswinter with a mountain railway to the top, it’s an amazing view for kilometres in every direction.
The Nurburgring is easy to get to. Personally I wouldn’t bother with the museum there, it’s very cheesy.
The surrounding area, the Eiffel, is very beautiful.
Enjoy!
I went to Koln in the summer (as part of a wider trip) & really enjoyed it.
We stayed at Adina Apartment Hotel Cologne, which is just off the Rhine near the Hohenzollern Bridge, and has a railway station within a couple of minutes-walk (Koln Messe/Deutz).
Modern, large, comfortable room & there’s an underground car park with direct access to the hotel – separate payment for the car park though.
You could also stop off @ Koln Motorworld on the way into the city, which is a combined classic/modern dealership/car storage/museum (Schumacher F1 car collection) + restaurants/shops. Free entry, nominal parking cost.
Did Calais - Spa for the WEC earlier in the year. Traffic around Brussels was very busy & the motorway journey was pretty boring - we came off the motorway early & took the back roads to the circuit, which were great & took us through the town of Spa.
We stayed at Adina Apartment Hotel Cologne, which is just off the Rhine near the Hohenzollern Bridge, and has a railway station within a couple of minutes-walk (Koln Messe/Deutz).
Modern, large, comfortable room & there’s an underground car park with direct access to the hotel – separate payment for the car park though.
You could also stop off @ Koln Motorworld on the way into the city, which is a combined classic/modern dealership/car storage/museum (Schumacher F1 car collection) + restaurants/shops. Free entry, nominal parking cost.
Did Calais - Spa for the WEC earlier in the year. Traffic around Brussels was very busy & the motorway journey was pretty boring - we came off the motorway early & took the back roads to the circuit, which were great & took us through the town of Spa.
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