u u bcn txl bud edi gva ncl osl tlv vce vno kortrijk belgium 10,438,353 +32 6°C Euro (EUR) Emma Thomson THIS INNOVATIVE TOWN ON THE RIVER LEIE OFFERS A GENTLER PACE OF LIFE GROTE MARKT Dotted with cafés and restaurants, the city’s central square is presided over by a sturdy red-brick belfry – all that remains of the once-great 13th-century cloth hall destroyed in World War II. SLEEP The stylish B&B Dharma (Groeningestraat 18, (0)56 29 36 56, bedandbreakfast-dharma.be, rooms from €80) has three beautiful rooms, decked out in calming colours and featuring interesting objets d’art. Note it’s cash only. EAT Nata (Grote Markt 4, (0)56 20 12 20) is an upmarket brasserie that occasionally serves local speciality Kortrijkse bil (smoked veal). To sate a sweet tooth, Ridder & Hove (Voorstraat 7, (0)56 22 44 42) is the best place in town to try kalletaart – apple cake flavoured with marzipan and Calvados. CULTURE The course of Belgian history was changed forever on the outskirts of Kortrijk in July 1302, when Flemish foot soldiers went head to head with a cavalry of French knights – and won. Known as the Battle of the Golden Spurs, it was the first time in history INFO Brussels Airport is around 100km east of Kortrijk. Train Take a train to either Brussels Noord or Deinze, then take a connecting train to Kortrijk. Trains to Brussels Noord leave the airport at nine minutes past the hour, every hour, and take about an hour and 35 minutes; trains to Deinze depart at 50 minutes past the hour, every hour, and the journey takes just under two hours. A single ticket costs €18. Taxi A taxi to Kortrijk city centre from the airport will cost from €120 and take a good hour. Tourist info The offi ce is at Begijnhofpark, (0)56 27 78 40, kortrijk.be that a horseback army had been defeated by footmen. Multimedia museum Kortrijk 1302: Seven Centuries in One Day (Begijnhofpark) re-lives the drama. LATER With any luck, the weather may just be warm enough to enjoy a cocktail or two on the roof terrace of Punta K (Sint-Maartenskerkhof 8). It’s a sleek bar located above the Dell’ Anno restaurant, and is popular with well-heeled townsfolk. ALONG THE LEIE Around ten-minutes’ walk north of the central part of the town, the River Leie branches to form a citycentre islet known as Buda Island. It’s a peaceful, quietly up-andcoming neighbourhood which is now being touted as a hub of innovation and creativity, with the converted textile factory known as Budafabriek at its heart. SLEEP All aboard Ahoi (Handelskaai 1, (0)56 22 91 70, ahoi.be, rooms from €62), a charming converted barge moored on the river, right in the centre of Kortrijk, close to the Grote Markt. Its small, simple rooms have capsule The splendid City Hall dominates the ancient Grote Markt en-suite bathrooms, and a delicious organic breakfast is served in the bar. EAT The atmospheric t’Mouterijtje (Kapucijnenstraat 25A, (0)56 20 14 14) serves up a predominantly fish-focused menu of scallops, prawns and homemade shrimp croquettes beneath an old, brick-vaulted ceiling. A great place for a lively lunch. CULTURE Definitely worth a detour is the charming Broelmuseum (Broelkaai 6), which occupies a creaky 18th-century waterside mansion and displays an interesting collection of art produced by locals. Look out, too, for Brussels-born artist Constantin Meunier’s haunting Begrafenis van een Trappist (‘The Burial of a Trappist Monk’). SHOP If you’re looking for an unusual edible gift, make your way to Kortrijks Chocoladehuis (Leiestraat 35). It sells begijntjes – nun-shaped chocolates – in honour of the town’s ancient begijnhof, where pious women once lived. TIP Pick up a Degustatiepas (‘Tasting Ticket’) from the tourist office. It costs €9 and buys you an aperitif, coffee and sweet treat to keep you going as you explore. TO ADVERTISE HERE contact Svetlana Sosnina svetlana.sosnina@ink-global.com tel. +44 (0)207 613 8797, +32 (0)2 808 1576 ALAMY
EVERE MAGRITTE Unique investment close to NATO BRIGHT, SPACIOUS APARTMENTS IN A GREEN ENVIRONMENT • Only 2 kilometers from NATO • Guaranteed rental succes • An investment opportunity not to be missed • 2 bedroom from € 239.500 • 3 bedroom from € 259.500 7 days a week from 9h00 till 21h00 Tel. 02 626 29 29 www.immpact.be I wish to receive more information: about housing about investing NAME: TEL: ADDRESS: E-MAIL: Send to Immpact - Terkamerenlaan 28, 1000 Brussels, or fax to 02 626 29 28, or mail to brussels@immpact.be
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