Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

Welcome to the Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

Destination Guides

bthere! Destination guides

Previous issues for Brussels

Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy,
please confirm event/venue details in advance.

Belgium : Brussels - February 2009

Country Code: Dial for Belgium

Join the Belgian capital in its celebration of romance and passion when it launches the Brussels in Love initiative. From big heart sculptures to free chocolate drinks handed out on the streets, this month is all about gooey grins and holding hands. Nina Lamparski gets swept off her feet

Getting around

Brussels Airport

Bus: The No 12 bus runs every 30 minutes between the airport and Rond-Point Schuman. The journey takes about 30 minutes. A oneway ticket costs €3.
Train: Trains from the airport run every 20 minutes at peak times. The journey takes 15 minutes and trains go to Brussels’ three mainline stations. Tickets cost approximately €2,80
Taxi: A taxi from the airport to the city centre will cost around €25-35. The journey should take about 25 minutes.
Tourist information: The main tourist office can be found on Grand’Place in the city centre (tel. , www.brussels.

PLACE SAINTECATHERINE

If the cynic in you thought romance was dead, a Valentine’s weekend spent at this wonderfully poetic square (once the capital’s fish market) in downtown Brussels will have you humming love songs by the time you leave.

Sleep soundly – The oh-so-pretty boutique Pacific Café Hotel is pure poetry, with fuchsia walls, delicate art installations and French music flowing from hidden speakers.

Culture vultures – No arts hub in Brussels is more spectacular than the dance and dramatic arts centre La Bellone (46 Rue de Flandre). Its glorious 18th-century façade was built by none other than Grand Place architect Jean Cosyn, while the courtyard is covered by a stylish modern-day glass cupola.

Must eat – Given that the square used to be where fish was sold, the area is still teeming with seafood restaurants. The best one is probably Le Vismet (23 Place Sainte-Catherine, tel. ), which serves fresh fish in a modern setting. It’s a favourite with journalists and politicians. For passion on a plate, go to Argentinian Los Romanticos (5-7 Quai au Bois à Brûler, tel. ) a lush, candle-lit place with live tango and salsa shows. If you’re not too full, take to the dance floor afterwards with your partner after you’ve eaten.

Must drink – Ring the doorbell and disappear down the rabbit hole at 30s jazz bar L’Archiduc (6 Antoine Dansaert). Once a regular haunt of legends such as Nat King Cole, the dry martinis get pleasantly stronger as the night wears on. Or soak in blues and booze at the Bizon (7 Karperbrug), which, like the whisky it sells, grows better with age.

Shop til you drop – If you are about to say ‘I do’, but are still missing the right dress, visit the gorgeous atelier of Belgian wedding designer Johanne Riss (35 Place du Nouveau Marché aux Grains, just off Rue Antoine Danaert).

SAINT-BONIFACE & MATONGÉ

What used to be a scruffy, nondescript square with run-down housing has been transformed into one of Brussels’ most vibrant multicultural districts. Come here to see the stunning art nouveau buildings, and for the booming restaurant scene, as well as the famous African quarter of Matongé.

Culture vultures – Built in the 30s, Flagey (Place SainteCroix, flagey.be), a former radio broadcasting centre, now houses concert halls and superb exhibitions. Don’t miss the international animation festival Anima (20-28 February). This year’s theme is comics.

Must eat – Serving traditional Belgian cuisine with a modern twist, the hip Belgo Belge (20 Rue de la Paix, tel. ) is a favourite with locals. Those in search of a more exotic experience should check out the Latin American café El Vergel (39 Rue du Trône, tel. ) for fresh, home-made empanadas (pastries stuffed with meat or fish) or Horloge du Sud (141 Rue du Trône, tel. ) and Le Tournant (168 Chaussée de Wavre, tel. ) for authentic African cooking.

Must drink – At nearby Place Fernand Coq, visit the funky L’Amour Fou (185 Chaussée d’Ixelles). Great art on the walls, a crazy chandelier made of wine glasses, excellent cocktails and comfortable couches make this place definitely worth a visit. Design lovers should head to the new Crystal Lounge (40 Avenue de la Toison d’Or) for superslick décor and masterful cocktails.

UCCLE

Home to many a well-off diplomat and some of Brussels’ nicest streets, this green neighbourhood is known for its great lifestyle.

Sleep soundly – A closely kept secret, the rather sumptuous Manos Premier (100-106 Chaussée de Charleroi, tel. , manoshotel.com, rooms from €315) is an art lover’s paradise. Check their online weekend packages for the chance to get a great deal.

Culture vultures – The lovely Van Buuren Museum (41 Avenue Léo Errera) is an art deco house, which once belonged to banker and patron David van Buuren and his wife Alice. It’s filled with rare furniture, stained glass windows, sculptures and international masterpieces. It also has a large garden.

Must eat – Mingle with politicians and celebrities at Brasseries Georges (259 Avenue Winston Churchill, tel. ). It’s famous for its seafood bar. Carnivores, go to rustic De Hoef (218 Rue Edith Cavell, tel. ), one of the city’s oldest restaurants, located in a 17th-century farm.

Dance the night away – Watch the sun rise in the forest at the posh Jeux d’Hiver (1 Chemin du Croquet), which attracts a yuppie crowd.

Shop til you drop – Just past the massive urban park known as Bois de la Cambre and only minutes away from the European School, lies a row of designer shops located at 950 Chaussée de Waterloo. After visiting legendary Antwerp fashion label Essentiel, pop into Clair de Lune, a boudoir selling jewellery, candles and rare perfumes. Next door is Belgium’s only Maje boutique, a Paris label selling slinky dresses and beautiful sweaters. For modern knitwear, head to Berenice (968 Chaussée de Waterloo). Then pop into Rue Blanche (1091 Chaussée de Waterloo), one of the hottest designer names around at the moment. Snowboarders and adrenaline junkies should make sure they visit Twin (1021 Chaussée de Waterloo).

PLACE DU CHÂTELAIN

With its cobblestone streets, evening market and plenty of bars, this charming area attracts boho-chic professionals and is one of the capital’s prettiest spots for hanging out on a Saturday afternoon.

Sleep soundly – The boutique White Hotel is still one of the most unusual and best-priced places in town.

Culture vultures – Design and architecture lovers should check out the Fondation pour l’Architecture (55 Rue de l’Ermitage), which regularly features amazing exhibitions.

Must eat – On a Wednesday afternoon, the square is a popular place, especially with trendy locals. That’s when the food market is held. Munch on Lebanese snacks, feast on freshly roasted chicken wings, or try cheeses and baguette.

Must drink – Housed in a former bank, Banco (79 Rue du Bailli) gets noisy with expats on any given week night. Right opposite, funky Roxi (81 Rue du Bailli) serves excellent mojitos and has a separate smoking section. Wine lovers will appreciate the modern and laidback Oeno Tk (29-31 Rue Africaine). Alternatively, sip champagne on Friday nights at the lush Soirée Boudoir, a weekly event that takes place in the five-star Warwick Barsey Hotel (381 Avenue Louise).

Dance the night away – Hop into a cab and head to the Mirano (38 Chaussée de Louvain). Once a cinema, the club features a revolving dance floor and super-cool lounge with photography exhibitions. The best events here are the Dirty Dancing nights that have a line-up of Belgian and international house DJs.

Shop til you drop – Featured in Wallpaper magazine as one of 2009’s labels to watch, ambitious Antwerp tailoring line Café Costume (24 Rue Léon Lepage) has just opened a Brussels branch. You can create your own hand- made suit by picking every element, from fabric to buttons, from a menu, just like in a restaurant. Meanwhile, Rue du Bailli features numerous little fashion and interior designer shops, such as the quirky Mozaïk Créations which sells gorgeous greetings cards and other lovely stationery.

Compiled by Nina Lamparski