u u bcn txl bud edi gva ncl osl tlv vce vno brussels belgium 10,438,353 Euro (EUR) +32 6°C emma beddington There’s been a flurry of new openings in Brussels, from hotels to art exhibitions SABLON Place du Sablon is one of Brussels’ most beautiful squares – and with a weekend antiques market and a wealth of good bars and shops, it’s the perfect place to wander. SLEEP In a vast modern tower overlooking Egmont Park, The Hotel (Boulevard de Waterloo 38, (0)504 3335, thehotel-brussels.be, rooms from €125) is both elegant and well-equipped. Most rooms have a breathtaking view over the city, and there’s a buzzy 24th-floor bar and an excellent spa and fitness centre. EAT L’Ecailler du Palais Royal (Rue Bodenbroek 18, (0)512 8751) is one of Brussels’ classic special-occasion restaurants: set in a 17th-century brick house on the Grand Sablon, it has crisp white tablecloths, sublime seafood and wonderful views over the square. CULTURE The ING Cultural Centre (Place Royale 6) is currently hosting Yves Saint Laurent: Visionary, an exhibition of the designer’s most revolutionary creations, from the paper dolls he created as an adolescent to the famous ‘Smoking’. The Brussels Conservatoire (Rue de la Régence 30) INFO Brussels Airport is 11km north east of the city, in Zaventem. Train Trains from Brussels Airport depart from Terminal-1 every 15 minutes at peak times for the three main city centre stations. The journey takes around 25 minutes and public transport day passes cost €4.50. Bus The bus station is one level below the arrivals hall. Bus services 12 (weekdays) and 21 (evenings and weekends) to the city centre depart every 30 minutes; one-way tickets cost €3.50. Taxi The journey to the city centre costs €45 and takes around 25 minutes. Tourist info The main offi ce is at Rue Royale 2, (0)2 513 89 40, visitbrussels.be is located on the Sablon, and on Friday lunchtimes the public is invited to attend a series of free concerts by the very talented students. On 8 March there’s a Prokofiev recital and on 29 March, the composition students will showcase new works. SHOP Frenchman Patrick Roger (Place du Grand Sablon 43) is a recent arrival among the Sablon’s many chocolatiers, and has won over locals and tourists alike with his jewel-like pralines and delectable soft caramels. Beauty boutique Kroonen & Brown (Rue Lebeau 49) is a welcoming white space specialising in niche fragrance and beauty brands, from Miller Harris colognes to RMS organic cosmetics. LATER The Marquee (Rue Sainte Anne 20/22) calls itself a “deluxe microclub”. It’s certainly stylish – check out the vast chandelier – but is big enough to spread over three floors, playing mainly techno and electro on the ground-floor dancefloor. TIP On 2 March, Brussels is gripped by Museum Night Fever. From 7pm to 1am, 23 of the city’s biggest and best museums stay open with special activities, concerts, fashion shows and DJ sets. A tranquil room at Made in Louise, close to Place Stéphanie ST JOSSE Multicultural St Josse isn’t one of Brussels best-known communes. Nonetheless, there’s a surprising amount of cultural activities on offer, as well as some beautiful art nouveau architecture. SLEEP The Phileas Fogg (Rue Van Bemmel 6, (0)495 220 985, phileasfogg.be, rooms from €95) is an exquisitely decorated B&B. It’s set in a rambling 19th-century townhouse, decorated with finds from owner Karin Dhadamus’s travels around the world. On Friday nights, Karin cooks up a table d’hôte feast for guests (€30 per person). EAT Exquisite art nouveau brasserie De Ultieme Hallucinatie (Rue Royale 316, (0)2 217 0614) has finally reopened after a three-year closure. It’s a sympathetic and minimal restoration, preserving all of the tavern’s charm and its museum-quality fixtures and fittings. The food was never the main draw, and the menu of brasserie staples – steaks, mussels, salads – is largely unchanged. CULTURE In the former greenhouses of the botanic gardens, the Botanique (Rue Royale 236) cultural centre is the city’s best venue for new music. In
More than a school. www.isb.be/more