Belgium, traversed in my first Inter-Rail trip back in 1976 travelling from Köln to Paris, why interrupt the journey? Inter-Rail #2, 1978, a French train strike meant no way back to the UK via Calais, Oostende was the solution, no Bier partaken of. Inter-Rails #3 &4 in 1980 and 1982 saw Oostende as the preferred route, let’s miss out France altogether. By 1997 and Inter-Rail #6, let’s fly to Brussel, avoid England.
As Bier the palate developed, it became a matter of – bring on all styles, especially Lambic. Then Charleroi, aka – Brussels South – aye right – came into vogue. Since retirement, and the lack of pressure on time, Eurostar has been very useful – when a friend gets me a ticket at the right price. Flying from Scotland to Amsterdam was the preferred route in 2018, thus a stopover in Antwerpen.
train+
In 2025, SNCB launched – train+ – discounted tickets for all, and a spectacular deal for over 65s in particular. The SNCB app lets one contribute €6.00 (€4.00 for over 65s) monthly, to the scheme. Unlike the Deutschland Ticket, one does not have to cancel the monthly payments.
Hence, one can travel the length of the country for a maximum of €14.00 (€5.50 over 65s).
Hector’s Holländisch Hootenanny, a Brugge too far – was the summer tour of 2011, the detail is written, as is 2014’s – Hector Bounces Back. 2025 saw an extended weekend trip which highlights these pages to the full.
As is the aim in Bier-Traveller, the venues visited are illustrated below and via the – dropdown menu – above.
Brussel / Brussels / Bruxelles
Oostende
Verviers
