want to go somewhere in france/ belguim from dover and advice on crossing water

loates123

any more places hotels to stay

loates123

cheap hotels in good locations are hard to find

loates123

anyone finding it very hard

MegS

Look at www.accorhotels.com they do Etap (very clean, basic with bathroom) and Ibis. All price ranges.

Word of advice on driving, when you come off the main road (motorway/dual carriageway type) and realise its the wrong exit do not expect to just drive a little way and get back on the road, you end up doing a long journey with the main road parallel to you and no means of getting back on it, so you can see it but can't join it. Don't know how they do it but it is never simple lol.

Last week of August is usually quieter as French/Belgian kids go back to school. The beach at Boulogne is great as it has a mini park on it, Nausicaa is probably the best aquarium I have ever been to (and I don't like aquariums), Suitehotel at Calais is great, about 60 euro a night, big room with fridge, microwave, dining table and chair and big bathroom. Near Cite d'Europe which try to avoid at all costs - pricier than anywhere else but does have a Carrefoure. Suitehotel is in walking distance of Cite d'Europe so if you're knackered after driving then its only a short walk to some (overpriced and not that great food but passable) restaurants. Belgium is great but before you go try to find out if they are french speaking or dutch (flemish) speaking. Antwerp is dutch Brussels is french. If in Brussels then make sure you know what exit you want as it has a tunnel system one way system and you can drive round for hours lol.

All in all driving in France/Belgium is great, Mr Meg far prefers it to over here but then we live in Portsmouth and its a nightmare. Going round the roundabout the wrong way is a bit odd, also the french tend to going all the way round the outside no matter which exit they are taking.

Its about an hour and a half to Brussels from Calais and there is a water park and space centre there. Basically from Calais you can go in any direction. Bruges not sure if it would be suitable for a kid, very pretty though. I'm definitely going to look into plopsaland. I was only looking today for ideas for a long weekend as I need to top up the wine.

MegS

Dennlys Park is the one I think someone earlier was trying to think of near Boulogne. Bruparck is the one in Brussels.

jaymac_2

Take a look at the French section of laterooms.com for hotels and prices there.

loates123

thanks does anyone know the location on the hotels below what do be able to walk to places dont want any where too busy tho but some where to walk too .
family drink meal etc
Etap Hotel Saint Omer Centre
Formule 1 Arques Saint Omer

loates123

anyone


looked at late rooms all far to dear

no cheap hotels for 3 in de panne left

jaymac_2

Arques is a village near St Omer...the place where crystal d'arques comes from. Etap are nicer than Formula 1...I think they have a shower, and St Omer is a nice enough town to stay in. There is a canal which is supposed to be nice but I never actually found it! It's a good choice for a first drive in France, go for it!

loates123

thanks what hotel do i want to be booking