Mechelen, thoroughly recommend it (non footy)

Just got back from a long birthday weekend in Belgium and wanted to mention Mechelen as a possible city break for anyone who fancies Belgium and going off the beaten track.

Beautiful architecture, an old independent brewery, waterways and lovely welcoming people.

Started in Mons in the South for one night which was good, but wasn't as stand out as Mechelen, then a train north changing at Brussels. We also lucked out and got to go to a free gig in the grote market across the weekend with Saturday night seeing headliners Starsailor and Basement Jaxx (event called Maanrock). The coolest bit being able to sit in one of the many bars around the side and simply enjoy it.

A dutch couple we shared the brewery tour with suggested Utrecht, Maastricht and The Hague as possible areas to try in Holland, so may well give them a whirl next year.

Didn't find any grandma's flange for tyrone.... but i'll keep searching til I do ;-)