Travel
Travel Postcard: 48 hours in Brussels
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-11-28 09:32
SATURDAY
10 a.m. - In the mood for a coffee, some fine chocolates and a flea market? Head to Place du Grand Sablon, world famous flea market, built on the site of a 13th century cemetery. Now have a lazy morning and take your time to leaf through the old books, the fine crystals, and antiques, art deco objects and pieces of furniture which belong to the fashionable 20th century and beyond.
Antiques go well with chocolate, and what could be better than Pierre Marcolini, one of the world's finest, whose shop is just by the Grand Sablon flea market.
12 p.m. - From Grand Sablon, you can walk up to Magritte museum in Place Royale to see the largest art collection of Belgian surrealist René Magritte. But there is more. The Flemish and French of Belgium flock to the newly inaugurated Musée Magritte museum every time they get the chance. The over 200 works of art are sheltered in the 2,500 sq m building of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium. To avoid queuing, you can buy your ticket online for 2 euros if you are under 25 and five euros if you are an adult. (onlineticketing.fine-arts museum.be/tickets1.aspx?〈=EN&CDBEventID=1MAGRT)
3 p.m. - If you get hungry, you have two options. But don't worry, you don't necessarily have to choose, you can take both.
One is to grab some Frites (French fries) for 2.20 euros at the 62-year-old Maison Antoine in Place Jourdan, which you can easily reach by getting off at Schuman and walking down Rue Froissart. Locals say they are the best chips in the world.
The other option is to go at Les Brassins (Rue Keyenveld 36, +322 2 512 69 99), a cozy Belgian restaurant serving traditional food and a wide range of beers in funnily shaped glasses. Take the metro to Porte De Namur and keep walking on Avenue Louise until you turn left on Rue du Prince Royal, a narrow cobbled street. Turn right on Rue Keyenveld and prepare to eat well. Actually, it's a struggle to eat badly at all in Brussels, and an even harder to eat expensive, especially at lunch. Try Belgian classics like lapin à la Kriek, rabbit stewed in flavored beer or the stoemp, a potato, onion and carrot stew accompanied by sausages.
You are now on the same road where Audrey Hepburn was born. After your meal, have a wonder around and find her memorial plaque on Keyenveld 48. 02 512 69 99
5 p.m. - Visit Musee Horta, the home and studio of Victor Horta, one of the Art Nouveau's finest practitioners and also one of the founders of Belgian Art Nouveau. The facade does not do the house any justice, but then which Belgian facade does? His house has been restored to its original condition and is now open to curious visitors who want an insight into the artist's original "breakaway" style. The entrance fee is 7 euros or 3.50 euros with a discount. (25, rue Américaine, St.-Gilles, www.hortamuseum.be/ ) Just in time for the sunset, you will be charmed by the way the sun pours down through the stained glass windows.
8 p.m. - Grab the metro back to Bourse and head to Rue Dansaert, where, at number 6, you will find an ancient door inscribed with an elegant A- it stands for Archiduc, the turquoise painted jazz club which started as a glamorous location for smoke and music-filled 'soirées' in 1937 and has played host to such music luminaries as Miles Davis. The Art deco room, with its ceilings and century-old sofas has kept its looks, its charm and...its function. Look up the programme on the internet before coming here. (www.archiduc.net) You will want to stay for more than just one drink. So have a Belgian cherry beer, an original Kriek and enjoy a jazzy night at L'archiduc.
SUNDAY
10 p.m. - Wake up early and head to the Galeries St. Hubert for a delicious breakfast. Tea room Mokafe (Galerie du roi 9, +322 2 511 78 70) has the most scrumptious handmade cakes in Brussels. You can go for a Belgian gauffre served with fresh fruit and cream and a cup of tea. Don't be surprised to find buskers playing different instruments in the St Hubert galleries, as well as many chocolate shops (that shouldn't be a surprise anymore), art galleries, book shops and antique brasseries. From here, you are within walking distance to both the Grand Place, if you want to throw a last glance and to Gare Centrale, if you are ready to pack you bags (with the chocolate, biscuits and other little souvenirs) and go.
