DonB Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 Sorry to use the C-word so early in the year! We are thinking about going to the Christmas markets in Brussels and Aachen, or somewhere else in Belgium/Germany. We have been searching for hours for campsites near Brussels open that time of year with no luck. Before doing the same thing with other towns, does anybody know what the usual procedure is for motorhomes at these markets? Can't believe that no-one goes to the markets in a motorhome! Would there be aires set up specially for the markets? The forum search facility doesn't seem to be working. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tracker Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 We too hope to be going to the Christmas markets but we will not bother with sites as long as there are Stellplatz and/or suitable overnight parking arrangements available. If not I hope the ASCI book will be handy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter42 Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 A favourite Christmas Market of my wife and I is at Valkenburg, in the south of the Netherlands. Not only are the various markets in caves, which means the weather cannot spoil them but there are a couple of 'open-all'year' sites nearby. Stadscamping Den Driesch, while not open all year, is open until Christmas and is only 500 metres from the centre of town ( and even closer to the caves). Maastricht also has a good Christmas Market and is easily reached from Valkenburg by bus or train. See www.campingdendriesch.nl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiggy Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 Hi Guys we have done the Christmas Markets a time or too Our favorite and largest is in Germany at Koln right in the heart of the city a number of markets each with its own theme and one of Europe's most spectacular Cathedrals to visit You also have a Stelplatz in the city just a short train ride from the markets right on the banks of the Rhine A perfect way to start your Christmas celebrations :-D (lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philjp Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 We went to Belgium last year staying at http://www.campingmemling.be/ in Brugge, there is also an aire in Brugge but it was overflowing and e15 a night. The aire is close to the town and railway, Camping Memling is within walking distance to center of town or catch a bus near site. we also took day trip to Brussels on the train if you are over 60 you can can get a reduced fair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan k Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 We visited the xmas markets in Bruges and Brussels last year in early December. We stayed at Camping Memling see earlier post, and visited Brussels by train for the day. Can't remember the cost for the train ticket but remember it was surprisingly cheap! and think it took about an hour. One thing I do remember about Brussels was the level of the alcohol fumes from the winter wine as we walked around the stalls cheers alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonB Posted July 23, 2009 Author Share Posted July 23, 2009 Thanks everybody! Does anyone know an aire in Brussels, or somewhere we can spend the night which is open in December? The campsites we have found are all closed at that time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starvin marvin Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 Christmas markets! Bah humbug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tracker Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 Lovely - good old fashioned humbugs! Anyone remember the good old days of sticky winter mixture? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Way2Go Posted July 24, 2009 Share Posted July 24, 2009 There's apparently a CamperStop at 50.840504, 4.361647 (see map below) which looks fairly central.However, the CamperStop book states that staying in a motorhome over night is not possible in Brussels.Looks like you'll need to park up to look around then find something just outside before you spend the night.W2G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonB Posted July 29, 2009 Author Share Posted July 29, 2009 Thanks very much Way2Go. Sorry for late reply, we have been visiting various friends in the south and have not been able to get online. Currently sitting in the van at a site near Salisbury watching the rain... We will have to give a bit more thought to this, maybe Brussels was not such a good idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Way2Go Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 To be honest, the Belgian Christmas Markets are nice but not a patch on the French and best-of-all German ones. The German ones in the small towns are really magical and full of wonder.If you get a chance check out the popular one at Aachen. The link is to last year's event but I'm sure the 2009 page will be up soon http://www.aachen.de/en/ts/90_festivals_events/90_30/index.html.If you send me a PM I'll tell you where there's a great car park close to town for motorhomes. I don't wanna brag about it here as I don't want to turn up in December and find it full of motorhomes ;-)There's an excellent Aire at 50.761169, 6.10294 which just on the outskirts of town.Use the coordinates above to check out the location in Google maps (satellite view) and zoom in to see us waving!!W2G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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