Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

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Belgium : Brussels - October 2009

Country Code: Dial for Belgium

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.

CIMETIÈRE D’IXELLES

You don’t need to be enrolled in your umpteenth year of study to enjoy this vibrant neighbourhood centred on Brussels’ university campuses. Apart from its excellent eateries and great nightlife, there are plenty of littleknown quirky attractions here.

Culture vultures – Like Paris’s famous Père Lachaise cemetery, Cimetière d’Ixelles (on the roundabout of Avenue de l’Université/Chaussée de Boondael) is the last resting place of many illustrious names, including art nouveau architect Victor Horta, writer Charles de Coster and sculptor-turned-painterturned- sculptor-again Constantin Meunier. Reaching for the stars is free at the astronomical dome, tucked away on the top floor of the D building on the ULB Solbosch campus (Avenue Depage). Night-time visits take place after dark every Wednesday during autumn and winter, but only if the skies are clear (check by emailing pourbaix@ astro.ulb.ac.be before attending).

Must eat – Sushi lovers will be in seventh heaven at Kamo (123 Avenue des Saisons, tel. ), one of the most authentic Japanese restaurants in town. Given the tiny space, booking is a must.

Must drink – Close to celebrating its 10th anniversary, Le Tavernier (445 Chaussée de Boondael) is still the best bar around. The crowd is a mix of students and young professionals. Don’t miss the Uptown Soundz night, when DJs play freestyle, house, disco and funk. For a sportier night, order your drinks at the bar of Brussels Bowling (92c Avenue des Saisons), which has six lanes and stays open until 5am on weekends.

Shop til you drop – Cute, cosy and natural, Natur Pur (49 Rue François Dons) sells organic baby clothes, accessories and skincare products. Stock up at Special Beer Service (15 Rue des Loups), which sells hundreds of labels. During colder months, try a stronger one, such as Cuvée des Trolls.

PARVIS DE LA TRINITÉ

Under the watchful eye of the 16thcentury Trinité church, this lovely The city is served by Brussels Airport, located in Zaventem. Train Trains from the airport run every 15 minutes at peak times. The journey takes 20-25 minutes and trains go to Brussels’ three mainline stations. Tickets cost around €2,80. Bus The no.12 runs every 30 minutes between the airport and Rond- Point Schuman. The journey takes about 40 minutes. A one-way ticket costs €3. Taxi A taxi from the airport to the city centre costs about €38. The journey should take around 25 minutes. Tourist office The main office is on Grand’Place (tel. , brussels international.be). cobblestoned square is surrounded by a hotchpotch of small tearooms, eccentric fashion boutiques and art shops. It’s perfect for fun-loving trendspotters in search of a more laid-back urban vibe.

Sleep soundly – Situated in a quiet street off Avenue Louise, the four-star Izán Avenue Louise Hotel (4 Rue Blanche, tel , izanavenue- louise.hotel-rez.com, rooms from €60) is an advocate of traditional elegance and excellent service. The central location makes it the perfect choice for a weekend stay.

Must eat – You won’t find another place in Brussels like bio fusion eatery Chez Tan (95 Rue de l’Aqueduc, tel. ). The interior has been laid out according to the principles of feng shui, and the cooks pay utmost respect to the ingredients they use. The seasonal produce is always fresh and prepared on the spot. Come here to nourish your body, mind and soul. To dazzle your dinner companions, take them to the recently opened Dorcia (7 Rue Washington, tel. ), which serves divine world cuisine in a gorgeous setting. Or wash down Lebanese mezze with rosewater syrup at Le Cèdre Châtelaine du Liban (3 Place du Châtelain, tel. ).

Must drink – Time stands still at the nostalgic Salon de Thé (38 Rue du Bailli). Watch autumn leaves whirl by on the street as you sip delicious gyokuro tea and feast on sweet or savoury pastries – a true delight. Opened earlier this year, The Old Inn (76 Rue Washington) is a friendly sports bar offering generous helpings of pub grub and a jovial atmosphere.

Dance the night away – Party animals in search of more unconventional places should check out Le Célestin (26 Rue du Châtelain). It may not be the prettiest joint in town, but few other places can claim to attract such a diverse crowd and get the entire room to shimmy until the sun comes up. Keep an eye open for the incredibly tall trumpeter who occasionally plays along with the music while swaying in the sea of dancing people. It’s best to arrive after midnight.

Shop til you drop – If you’re coming from Avenue Louise, stroll down Rue du Bailli towards the church and discover myriad cool and unique stores. In Art Gallery Dérapages (98 Rue du Bailli) you can buy paintings and photographs in four sizes – small, medium, large and extra large. Naughty but nice is the mot du jour at What Else? (83 Rue du Bailli), where you can find sexy lingerie and playful accessories. For pretty handmade jewellery, pop into Dédée K (18 Rue de l’Amazone).

SCHAERBEEK

This important migrant district, where Belgian troubadour Jacques Brel was born, is becoming a sought-after location for Eurocrats and expat families. Get up early on Tuesdays for the food market in Place Dailly.

Sleep soundly – Although it has only been open a short while, the three-star Hotel 322 (322 Boulevard de Lambermont, tel. , lambermonthotels.com, rooms from €85) has already acquired a reputation for its slick, comfortable interior, superb breakfast buffet and welcoming service. Rooms come equipped with flatscreen TVs and Wi-Fi, and sauna and hammam facilities are also available. All in all, Distances in km from Brussels Antwerp 47 Arlon 187 Bastogne 150 Bouillon 156 Bruges 96 Dinant 93 Ghent 56 Hasselt 77 Knokke 94 Leuven 26 Liège 98 Mechelen 26 Mons 56 Namur 63 Tournai 84 For more info, go to visitbelgium.com this is an easy, contemporary and friendly establishment that won’t break the bank.

Culture vultures – As part of Biennale Art Nouveau (voiretdirebruxelles.be), which takes place on the first four weekends of October, visitors to Schaerbeek will have the opportunity to peer inside private homes, schools, hotels and many other venues built in this famous architectural style. Meanwhile, kooky, weird and typically Belgian, Clockarium Museum (163 Boulevard Reyers) showcases a selection of art deco clocks.

Must eat – Run by the Bruno family, Italian restaurant Senza Nomé (22 Rue Royale Sainte-Marie, tel. ) has proudly maintained its Michelin star for several years and serves outstanding food in a cosy setting.

Must drink – Le P’tit Bouchon (90 Rue de Linthout) is a wine bar opened last year by expert importer Thierry Letellier. The place has an inviting bohemian-chic charm thanks to its wooden floors, coral walls, animal-print chairs and cute bar counter.

A LITTLE FURTHER OUT… GENVAL

A 20-minute train ride from Brussels’ city centre lies the lovely village of Genval, famous for its lake and Sonian forest. This poetic spot is perfect for a romantic autumnal getaway.

Sleep soundly – One of Belgium’s most renowned hotels, the five-star Château du Lac (Avenue du Lac, tel. , martins-hotels.com, rooms from €75) is located right on the banks of the lake.

Culture vultures – Wrap up warm and take an afternoon stroll around Lake Genval, nicknamed the “pearl of the Ardennes” and surrounded by stunning belle époque houses. Alternatively, travel back in time at Musée de l’Eau et de la Fontaine (63 Avenue Hoover), which was the first museum of its kind in the world.

Must eat – Whether you’re a guest at the hotel or simply a day-tripper to the area, it’s worth dining at the sumptuous Genval Les Bains (87 Avenue du Lac, tel. ), the hotel’s restaurant, which has great views over Lake Genval.

Compiled by Nina Lamparski