Travelling light? Carry-on baggage: overseas travel

[Reesha]

DH and I so want to go back to Belgium and Ghent in particular. What a pretty city. Sigh....

Have you been to Brugge? ...It's a notch up from Gent (former Brugge resident, perhaps take it with a grain of salt). I'd also argue Antwerpen is even prettier. If you ever bike tour in Belgium, definitely hit Damme, which is a quaint medieval village just outside Brugge. Also Sluis, NL just on the border

[Marquise]

I loved Belgium when I went there many years ago with my sister, who was living in Germany at the time. We went primarily for the art because I was studying art history and specializing in Northern Baroque but there was much more than just the art to love. I think it was in Ghent that we were heading for the train station and this being before wheeled suitcases were common (yes, that long ago), my sister had some sort of little folding cart that could barely hold our two very small bags. Something went amiss - couldn't have had anything to do with the cobbles! - and a little old man riding by hopped off his bike and said "Let grandfather help!" He secured things with a bungee cord and was back on his bike in a flash.

[indysteel]

Have you been to Brugge? ...It's a notch up from Gent (former Brugge resident, perhaps take it with a grain of salt). I'd also argue Antwerpen is even prettier. If you ever bike tour in Belgium, definitely hit Damme, which is a quaint medieval village just outside Brugge. Also Sluis, NL just on the border

Yes, we've been to Brugge, but we spent more time in Ghent on the advice of nearly everyone we spoke with, including a native here on TE. We much preferred Ghent. Much less touristy and crowded, but every bit as pretty. Brugge was wall to wall people when we were there in May of 2010. It was also more expensive than Ghent. We did go to Damme, too. It was lovely as well.

[Reesha]

Yes, we've been to Brugge, but we spent more time in Ghent on the advice of nearly everyone we spoke with, including a native here on TE. We much preferred Ghent. Much less touristy and crowded, but every bit as pretty. Brugge was wall to wall people when we were there in May of 2010. It was also more expensive than Ghent. We did go to Damme, too. It was lovely as well.

Probably a good point-- I had Brugge to myself for a whole year and got to see it during the quiet cold times, as well as the touristy crazy times. As it is, I lived in the tight little suburbs and spent my weekends riding the countryside. I'll have to remind myself not to do a bike tour of Belgium in the peak touristy areas and times. I'm hoping to do one with DBF in 2013

[malkin]

I'm just starting to think about packing for a trip to my parents in Switzerland. Essentials for this trip include robe, slippers, Ibex sweatpants, Kindle, knitting...

[Reesha]

compression sacks are a must for bringing knitting

[malkin]

compression sacks are a must for bringing knitting

Oooh!
That's a good idea!

[Reesha]

Oooh!
That's a good idea!

In fact it's the only way I was able to fit a month's worth of clothes, amusements (including knitting) etc into one internal frame pack for a sailing trip last summer. I should get some more for my summer packing this year!