Leuven Travel Forum

I am flying into Brussels for the "Mankind" exhibit in Leuven. I've never been to either city so I'm wondering about the following:

(1) A good hostal or hotel to stay at in the $45-$60 USD price range.
(2) How far is Leuven to Brussels? Does it make more sense for me to take a hotel in Brussels?
(3) How safe are both cities? I will be carrying a lot of video and audio gear so I need to know how safe these cities are.
(4) Any favorite places?

Hey there!
I'm going to Belgium for the first time too, I'm actually going to more or less the same places. Leuven is supposed to be 20 to 30 minutes train ride away. Check the http://www.b-rail.be/nat/E/ site.
Good luck!

(1) check at the website www.leuven.be Choose as language English. You'll find hotels, B&B and hostals under "Staying over". The prices are in EURO.
(2) Leuven is only 20 kilometers from Brussels. There are a lot of trains between the 2 cities.
(3) If I were you, I would stay in Leuven. This is a small city, very safe. There are no "no-go areas". It is a university city, so a lot of students.
(4) Visit the "Old market". This is a pedestrian area with old buildings but full of bars.

bye bye
Katia

Yeah, Leuven is a very small and a very safe city... It's the oldest and the most famous university town of Belgium and it is often called the biggest bar of Belgium... ;)

Greets from Belgium,
vince

Leuven, that's where the Stella brewery is, right?