From Flemish cities to the capital Belgium in first class

In the film “One night... a train” by André Delvaux, the protagonist boards a train at Antwerp station, dozes off, and is astonished by what he discovers upon waking, before being left on the platform of a station, ready for a series of events as extraordinary as they are memorable. An adventure not without similarities to your own. In this itinerary concept by rail, the train makes stops in the cities of the Flemish masters - Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges - before reaching its final destination in Brussels, the Belgian capital. In Antwerp,where this train trip begins, the historic centre unfolds around the Grand-Place (what would Belgian cities be without their Grand-Places?), as well as the museum and fashion districts, and the docks on the Eilandje side. A maelstrom of Gothic, Baroque and Art Nouveau that whets the appetite. Ghent, where the Lys and the Scheldt meet, tells another, more ancient story. That of the merchants who unloaded their cargo on the Quai aux Grains. And then there's the history of the Quai aux Herbes, which faces it on the other side of the Lys. A thriving activity that led to the emergence of grand architecture, as demonstrated by Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, the Castle of the Counts and Saint Nicholas’s Church. Next comes Bruges, like a medieval parenthesis. You can go canoeing among the swans, wander from small squares to larger ones (notably the Markt and Burg Square), and take in the architecture, whether it is the Gothic style or the simpler yet ever-so-charming look of the beguinage and the Sint Anna windmills. Brussels brings the journey to a close, as it should. Of course, there is also a Grand Place here with its Italo-Flemish style houses and the imposing hotel where Saint Michael, as usual, has vanquished the dragon. But that’s not all. And you’ll be in good company to discover all of this.

Your journey

The plane has the advantage of speed. While it carries passengers above the clouds, it nevertheless deprives them of the variety of the landscapes. As for the car, while it certainly offers some flexibility, it also requires attention and logistics that you would sometimes gladly do without. Only the train allows you to truly grasp the distances while leisurely enjoying the passing landscapes. You travel between each of your stop-offs by train before heading, from the platform,  to your carefully selected accommodations, chosen for their location, comfort and character. And what character! In Antwerp, you’ll set down your suitcases in the former Augustine convent, then in Ghent, in the former Post Office hotel, and in Bruges, in what used to be a brewery. It’s safe to say you’ll have touched the very soul of what makes Belgium when you arrive at your final haven, the Place des Martyrs in Brussels. Exploration is made even easier by a few appointments added to your schedule: a city walk in the footsteps of an Antwerp local by adoption, and a discovery of the architectural side of Brussels alongside an expert. Not to mention securing reservations at the most sought-after tables to avoid any disappointments. And if you wish to complement this already enticing programme with a chocolate-themed tour in Brussels or a boat trip on the canals of Bruges, simply let us know. Extending your adventure by a few days to reach an accommodation nestled in the heart of nature, renowned for its excellent cuisine, is also possible. After all, your journey is designed to suit your wishes, including on site. To help bring all this to life, you will have access to the contact details of our Concierge at your destination. This person, in coordination with your travel specialist, is trained to respond to sudden requests and to resolve (minor) setbacks.