Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

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Belgium : Brussels - March 2009

Country Code: Dial for Belgium

In 2009 Brussels celebrates Belgian comic strip art. As the capital slowly awakens from hibernation, you can discover the city’s amazing murals, visit a huge book fair (5-9 March, foiredulivre.com), and shake off the winter blues on the revolving dance floor at the Mirano club, which is staging its legendary Dirty Dancing nights. Nina Lamparski resists being put in the corner

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 DE LA LIBERTÉ

More Montmartre than Brussels, this charming, leafy square lies only blocks down from one of the capital’s busiest boulevards. Come here to get away from the masses, browse through old-fashioned bookshops and watch trees blossom, as you warm up with a café latte. Catch the Metro to Madou, cross the road and walk past the Brabançonne statue.

Sleep soundly – Uniquely designed rooms, with stunning wall frescoes painted by young European artists, make Hotel Bloom (250 Rue Royal, tel. , hotelbloom.com, rooms from €170) one of the prettiest places to stay in Brussels.

Culture vultures – Catch a performance at the wonderful Cirque Royal (81 Rue de l’Enseignement), the velvet-red concert hall of the famous Botanique venue. See the worldrenowned Rudra Béjart Ballet on 7 March or French progressive rock band Magma on 9 March.

Must eat – Renowned for its fresh food and delightful interior, the two female chefs at award-winning Thaï Coffee (50 Rue du Congrès, tel. ) serve up delicious Asian dishes. Try the spicy kaeng chuchi (salmon fillet in red curry and coconut milk). For yummy home-made tartines (open sandwiches), sweet treats or just a great cup of coffee, meander down to the oh-so-cute Café Gudule (11 Rue du Gentilhomme).

Dance the night away – On the other side of the boulevard is the Mirano Continental (38 Chaussée de Louvain), where local and international DJs spin until the sun comes up. Recently refurbished, the cool and mostly snobfree club attracts a colourful mix of people, from models and ageing film producers to up-and-coming artists and students.

Shop til you drop – Yes, smoking is bad for you, but the little cigar shop Le Roi du Cigare (25 Rue Royale) is a haven for collectors of rare brands.

RUE DU MARCHÉ AUX CHARBONS

To the unsuspecting visitor, it might look like just another cobblestone street, but this narrow 13th-century alley near the Grand’Place harbours quirky cafés and boutiques, as well as brilliant murals.

Sleep soundly – Sophisticated travellers stay at the five-star Amigo Hotel (Rue de l’Amigo, tel. , hotelamigo.com, rooms from €620), located around the corner from the breathtaking square known as Grand’Place. Regular guests include French president Nicolas Sarkozy and supermodel-turned-first lady Carla Bruni. Not into conventional places? Try Hotel Orts (38-40 Rue Auguste Orts, tel. , hotelorts.be, rooms from €150), a lavish boutique hotel smack-bang in the centre of the lively St-Géry neighbourhood.

Culture vultures – Brussels celebrates the Year of the Comic Strip in 2009, so stroll down this street and check out the super-sized murals of famous Belgian characters. Then meet Tintin & Co at the Belgian Centre for Comic Strip Art (20 Rue des Sables), before visiting the comic-strip exhibition at the Fine Arts Museum (27 March – 30 June, 3 Rue de la Régence, brusselscomics.com).

Must eat – Jealously guarded by locals, cosy La Caneva (9 Rue des Grands Carmes, tel. ) is one of the best Italians in town. Feast on delicious home-made pasta while listening in on the banter of the ever-cheery owner. For a rum-fuelled dinner, head to the Cantina Cubana (6 Rue des Grands Carmes, tel. ), where tasty Latin-American cuisine and fiesta vibes go hand in hand.

Must drink – The terrace at Café Fontainas (91 Rue du Marché aux Charbons) has become a mingling ground for good-looking lads and pretty gals. Try their delicious hot chocolate. The bar opposite, Au Soleil (86 Rue du Marché aux Charbons), is the perfect spot for sipping a blanche beer on a chilly spring afternoon.

Dance the night away – You haven’t been to Brussels proper unless you’ve danced on the bar at Chez Maman (7 Rue des Grands Carmes), one of the capital’s most famous gay bars, and certainly its longest-standing.

Shop til you drop – The gorgeous boudoir shop of Lady Paname (5 Rue des Grands Carmes) stocks erotic toys, yummy massage oils and lacy lingerie. Privé Joke (76 Rue du Marché aux Charbons) sells urban wear, including the legendary Le Fabuleux Marcel de Bruxelles brand.

PLACE BRUGMANN

Located in the upper part of town, this posh yet understated art nouveau neighbourhood is a bustling hub of hip restaurants, excellent wine bars and trendy boutiques. Blend in with the local residents by sporting a V-neck sweater casually flung around your shoulders and reading French poetry!

Culture vultures – The area features many splendid art nouveau buildings, like the 1895 Maison Les Hiboux (55 Avenue Brugmann), the Maison Dubois (80 Avenue Brugmann), built by Victor Horta, and the imposing Maison Vandenbroeck (176 Avenue Brugmann).

Must eat – Slick back your hair and twist your way into Le Balmoral (21 Place Brugmann, tel. ), a bubble-gum-coloured 50s milk-bar serving great burgers and naughty milkshakes. If you’re after something less eccentric, dine at the excellent La Canne en Ville (22 Rue de la Réforme, tel. ). Once a butcher’s shop, this traditional restaurant serves delectable Belgo-French cuisine. For starters, have the fricassé de coquilles Saint-Jacques (scallops in a cream and wine sauce).

Must drink – With its original display of more than 250 labels, the Winery (18 Place Brugmann) has put a modern twist on the traditional wine bar-andshop concept.

Shop til you drop – Decked out like an authentic printing atelier, Le Typographe (167 Rue Franz Merjay) sells beautiful handmade stationery in a setting where modern design mingles with old-fashioned machines. The little boutique Les Précieuses (20 Place Brugmann) sells exquisite jewellery and other pretty things. If you’re male, relax and be pampered at Sea Me (544-546 Chaussée de Waterloo), a spa and beauty centre dedicated to men.

WATERLOO

About 15 km outside Brussels lies the green municipality of Waterloo. Sounds familiar? Yes, this is indeed the place where Napoléon Bonaparte was defeated in 1815. It’s the perfect destination for a fun day trip combining culture and leisure.

Sleep soundly – If you are on a tight budget but don’t want to give up your creature comforts, spend the night at the brand-new Martin’s Lodge (198 Chaussée de Tervuren, tel. , martins-hotels.com, rooms from €80). It’s part of the same chain as the four-star Grand Hotel right next door.

Culture vultures – Feel the spirit of history come alive at the Waterloo battlefield, proudly watched over by the 45-metre-high Lion Memorial, which commemorates the allied victory. You can witness realistic scenes from the battle at the Wax Museum. Then visit Belgium’s only Napoléon Museum, set inside a 1757 farmhouse. It’s where the emperor and his officers spent the night and hatched out their battle plans.

Must eat – Slick, artsy and with a touch of zen, Le Seigneur (389 Chausée de Tervuren, tel. ) is one of the best places to dine and drink in Waterloo. Using only premium produce, it specialises in steaks and grilled meats. Finish your meal with a cocktail at the restaurant’s bar, or enjoy a balmy spring evening on the newly refurbished terrace.

Must drink – The billiard hall known as Wellington Snooker (6 Rue de la Station) is a bit of a local institution and a fun alternative to the usual pubs.

Compiled by Nina Lamparski