Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

Welcome to the Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

Destination Guides

PERFECT PICNICS

When the sun is out, nothing tastes better than lunch in the open air. Turn to page 42 for our low-down on Europe’s best picnic spots, arm yourself with our favourite alfresco accoutrements, and tuck in…

Picnic spotted

Eating alfresco does not mean that lunch can, or should, descend into Lord of the Flies territory. Keep things civilised with this Emma Bridgewater hamper that oozes old-school, Brideshead Revisited-style chic. Fashioned from wicker and leather, the hamper is stocked with a cooler bag, a tablecloth, silver salt and pepper shakers, a corkscrew, a stainless steel flask, four juice glasses, four teacups and four napkins. €468, www.harrods.com

Blanket base

Picnic blankets usually come in one of two fabrics – horrid, scratchy wool or weird waterproof plastic – and sitting on either is about as comfortable as donning a hair shirt. Conran’s cotton-rich blanket in muted, earthy tones is soft enough to make sitting on it more of a pleasure than a penance. But it’s not so delicate that you spend the entire afternoon worrying about getting the grass stains out once you get home. Comes with its own handy bag so it’s easy to transport. €44, www.conran.com

Think pink

Warmer weather calls for rosé wine. But why not up the aspirational ante with a bottle of pink Champagne? Illustrator and darling of the London design scene Daisy de Villeneuve has created a set of hot pink, tulip-shaped champagne flutes for Moët & Chandon. The four delicately stemmed glasses come with a solid Perspex base that each glass can be plugged into. After all, spilt champagne and shattered glass do not a perfect picnic make… €75, www.moet.com

Ethical eating

Ease your conscience about leaving five bar gates open and trampling on crops by tucking into your picnic off these

Bambu Veneer plates. Made from 100% organically grown bamboo that has been peeled directly from the stalk, this ethically sound set also biodegrades four months after disposal.

They’re a bit more robust than china, too. Set of 11 Bambu Veneer Plates €17,65. Set of eight Bambu Veneer Knives/Forks Spoons €14,70, www.heals.co.uk

Strung up

Take a post-lunch nap in Muji’s rope hammock. The hammock is suspended by cords attached to two sturdy metal rings. You’ll need to find a pair of trees about three metres apart, then string the hammock up and prepare to do absolutely nothing for the rest of the afternoon. It also comes in a cute calico bag. €12, muji.net