november-2011

Inspiring i i bbusiness i and dttravel l iin EEurope
NOVEMBER2011
60
European network
inflight magazine
Please take me,
I’m yours to keep
Celebrating
beautiful places,
people and things
PLUS
Diary / Food+Drink / Design / Culture
Fashion+Beauty / Africa / City Guides

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Belgian
Royal
Warrant
Holders
EENDRACHT
MAAKT MACHT
Des vols encore plus
économiques
L'UNION FAIT
LA FORCE
More economical flights
Vous l’aurez évidemment remarqué, les prix du carburant ont atteint ces
derniers mois des niveaux très élevés, ce qui n’est pas sans causer de sérieux
problèmes à l’industrie aérienne, d’autant plus que nous ne nous attendons pas à
une baisse rapide.
Chez Brussels Airlines, nous mettons tout en œuvre pour assurer des vols
toujours plus économiques et écologiques. Nous avons, entre autres, travaillé à
l’allégement du poids de notre fl otte en utilisant des matériaux plus légers -des
sièges plus légers et confortables équipent désormais nos avions. Nous avons
également lancé un programme de renouvellement de notre fl otte qui vise à
remplacer, un par un, nos avions par des Airbus moins gourmands en carburant. Nos
pilotes reçoivent également des formations afi n d’économiser du carburant.
Parallèlement, nous testons également, main dans la main avec les services du
contrôle aérien, de nouvelles procédures afi n de rendre notre approche et notre
atterrissage à Brussels Airport plus verts. Ce n’est pas seulement bon pour
l’environnement, cela signifi e aussi des économies pour notre compagnie, puisque
les nouvelles procédures permettent de consommer moins de carburant.
Nous sommes également persuadés que le gouvernement peut amener sa pierre
à l’édifi ce. La fragmentation actuelle de l’espace aérien européen implique que
nous volons souvent vers nos destinations par des routes indirectes. Il est prouvé
qu’avoir une approche harmonisée, un exercice qui à l’heure actuelle progresse très
lentement, pourrait faire réaliser des économies d’énergie de l’ordre de dix pour cent.
Nous vous remercions de voler avec Brussels Airlines aujourd’hui, et nous vous
souhaitons un agréable vol !
Michel Meyfroidt et Bernard Gustin Co-CEOs
Best
Short
Haul
Airline
Zuiniger vliegen
WELCOME \\\
Fuel prices have been going through the roof for months, and the aviation industry faces Winglets on aircraft help to
a very serious issue as we do not expect prices to fall rapidly. At Brussels Airlines, we lower air resistance and
reduce emission
are doing everything possible to enable more economical and ecological flights. For
example, we’ve endeavoured to lighten the weight of our aircraft by using lighter
materials – heavier seats have been replaced with comfortable ones that weigh less. We are also
replacing our current fleet one by one with less fuel-consuming Airbus aircraft, and our pilots
receive specialised training. These are just a few examples.
In addition, together with the air traffic control service, we are also trying new procedures
that would make our approach and landing at Brussels Airport greener. This is not only good
for the environment, but it also translates into savings for the company as the new procedures
consume less fuel.
We also feel that the government can play a part in this. The current fragmentation of European airspace means that we often fly circuitous routes to
our destinations. It is estimated that harmonising the European airspace, an exercise that’s currently seeing slow progress, could deliver energy savings
of almost ten per cent.
We thank you for flying with Brussels Airlines today, and we wish you a pleasant flight!
Michel Meyfroidt and Bernard Gustin Co-CEOs
Al maandenlang swingen de brandstofprijzen de pan uit. Als
luchtvaartsector worden we bijgevolg geconfronteerd met een
zware meeruitgave. En we verwachten eerlijk gezegd niet dat de
fuelprijs snel gaat dalen.
Bij Brussels Airlines doen we er intussen alles aan om zo
economisch en ecologisch mogelijk te vliegen. Zo proberen we het
gewicht van onze vliegtuigen te beperken door lichtere
materialen te gebruiken. Zwaardere vliegtuigzetels hebben we
vervangen door comfortabele en vooral ook lichtere zetels. Onze
piloten krijgen bovendien een speciale opleiding. En we vervangen
onze huidige vliegtuigvloot een voor een door zuinigere
Airbus-toestellen. Om maar enkele voorbeelden te geven.
Samen met de luchtverkeersleidingsdienst proberen we
daarnaast ook nieuwe procedures uit voor een ‘groener’ aanvliegen
en landen in Brussels Airport. Goed voor het milieu, maar ook voor
ons bedrijf, want zo besparen we heel wat brandstof.
De overheid kan eveneens haar steentje bijdragen. Wegens de
huidige versnippering van het Europese luchtruim vliegen we vaak
via omwegen naar onze bestemming. Uit schattingen blijkt dat
het harmoniseren van dat luchtruim, een oefening die momenteel
maar met mondjesmaat vordert, een energiebesparing van bijna
tien procent kan opleveren.
We danken u voor het vertrouwen en wensen u een aangename
vlucht met Brussels Airlines!
Michel Meyfroidt en Bernard Gustin Co-CEOs
Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011 3

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The new Panamera Diesel.
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AVERAGE CONSUMPTION (L/100 KM) : 6,3 - 6,5 / CO2 EMISSION (G/KM) : 167 - 172.
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IMAGE DAVID DE VLEESCHAUWER
FR Résumés des articles en français
NL Samenvattingen in het Nederlands
30 Arias of outstanding beauty
Discover
your check-in
options: see
page 92
The iconic Bolshoi Theatre, which has been closed to audiences for the past six years, will
open its doors to the public at the beginning of November with the Glinka opera Ruslan and
Ludmilla, followed by Tchaikovsky Tchaikovsky’s s Sleeping Beauty. We
take a look behind the scenes
36 A stroke of luxury
Luxury doesn’t mean what it used to. Gone are the days of logo mania, in-your-face bling and
ostentatious status symbols. Enter a new understanding of ‘luxurious’ that goes back to the
root of the concept. We ask creative movers and shakers what floats their (designer) boat
ISSUE 60 NOVEMBER 2011 \\\
contents
PHOTOGRAPHER MARIANO HERRARA
42 Sablon-faire
As Brussels prepares to host Nocturnes du
Sablon, Jenny McNeely explores the Sablon’s
cobbled streets and finds an area dusting off
its staid reputation to face the future
51 Business trends
Germany’s low unemployment figures fail to
boost growth, Nestlé barks up the right tree in
Austria and Prague beats the competition
with high-quality, low-cost cosmetic surgery
56 Ahead of their time
With mobile phones freeing the watch of
its functional need, Geneva’s independent
watchmakers are responding by
rediscovering what a watch can be
We like hearing from you!
Follow @FlyingBrussels on
Twitter, or join facebook.com/
brusselsairlines
Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011 5

ISSUE 60 NOVEMBER 2011
contents
Regulars
16
8 Diary
Must-see events and exhibitions across
the network during November and beyond
10 Interview
Diamond geezer Alexander Dayekh talks
about polishing up the family business
13 Fashion & beauty
We source the hottest fashion trends this
month from collars to capes and reveal
two alluring new boutiques in Brussels
16 Sleep
For five-star repose befitting our
luxury issue, we drop into the most
opulent hotel openings in Europe
18 Food & drink
Transform the chore of
Christmas shopping into
a gorgeous mini-break
with our guide to the best
festive markets in Vilnius,
Geneva and Krakow
24
6 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
21 Drive
The new models from Ferrari and Jaguar
should be on your Christmas wish list – along
with a Gucci Fiat to match your handbag
23 Culture
We review a thoroughly modern Wuthering
Heights and Rihanna’s new album Talk That
Talk, before curling up with our book this
month, The Way We Live In The Country
18
24 Design
Pull a chair up to the fire
and read all about the
revival of the classic
wingback chair. We also
chat to London designer
Lee Broom
26 Africa
Victoria Averill takes us on
a tour of the wave of new
hotels, bars and restaurants
that are revitalising
Nairobi’s urban landscape
///DISCOVER MORE... Why not check out this issue online at
btheremag.com, or download the b.there! app by scanning this code (left)
with your iPhone/iPad to take you to the iTunes App Store. You’ll need
a QR reader (barcode scanner), which you can download. You can then
access extra online content.
IMAGE AXIOM
City guides
Now you can
check in online
or via your mobile
brusselsairlines.com
Get the lowdown on cities across
the network from local writers
61 My Vienna
Austria’s capital offers luxurious shopping
and a feast of fine dining. Porcelain designer
Hedwig Rotter takes us on a leisurely walk
around her favourite spots
66 Brussels
74 Barcelona
75 Budapest
76 Lisbon
77 Manchester r
78 Oslo
79 Rome
80 Stockholm
81 Strasbourg
82 Tel Aviv
83 Warsaw
Plus
Belgian city
focus on
Bruges p70
Namur 72
Check out our guides online at
btheremag.com and start booking
your flights at brusselsairlines.com
Airline section
Keep up to date with all the
latest news and information
from Brussels Airlines
85 News 87 In partnership
88 Profi le 89 b.foundation
90 Choose how you fl y
92 Check-in 93 Safety
94 Comfort 95 Relax 96 Fleet
98 Miles & More 100 Maps
103 Airport info 104 Menu
ALL FLIGHT PRICES QUOTED ARE FOR A RETURN TICKET IN B.LIGHT ECONOMY FROM OR TO BRUSSELS, ALL TAXES AND FEES INCLUDED, IF BOOKED ON BRUSSELSAIRLINES.COM. TICKETS ARE NOT CHANGEABLE, NOR REFUNDABLE. PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE
COVER IMAGE PHOTOGRAPHER: DAVID REES; PHOTOGRAPHER’S ASSISTANT: FENELLA METT; WITH THANKS TO DELVAUX, ANNE WARD AT NEWSPAPERCLUB.COM, AND TO THE CHARMING CHRISTIAN VINCENTI AT ECCLESTON SQUARE HOTEL, LONDON SW1, ECCLESTONSQUAREHOTEL.COM

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on earth. For details,
see picture above. For further details of the extraordinary new NX200’s capabilities, see
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IMAGE DIETER TELEMANS
Seize the day and check out one of the fabulous events
taking place on the Brussels Airlines network this month
Autumn Exhibition BRISTOL
Until 31 December
Taking place away from London, the focus swings towards work by unknown, emerging and
established artists. This historic exhibition has taken place every year since the Royal West of
England Academy was founded 159 years ago. Everything is for sale and as the academy
participates in the Own Art scheme (through which you can borrow up to €2,280/£2,000 and
pay it back in instalments, ownart.org.uk), you can start your own art collection. rwa.org.uk
8 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
Brussels’
Museums
Nocturnes
BRUSSELS
Until 15 December
If the Nocturnes du Sablon
(24-27 November, see our
Sablon special in this issue) has
whetted your appetite for
evening adventure, Brussels’
museums kindly oblige with a
season of late-night openings.
Every Thursday, a selection of
museums throughout the city
will stay open until 10pm. Those
taking part in November include
the Museum of Fantastic Art,
the Musical Instrument Museum
and the Beer Museum.
brusselsmuseumsnocturnes.be
ARTWORK LUKE JERRAM
Skate at Somerset
House presented by
Tiff any & Co LONDON
22 November – 22 January
Somerset House’s ice rink is a winter
institution in London; this year it has even
more sparkle thanks to the Tiffany Shop and
Tiffany Christmas tree, around which you can
gather for storytelling. Back on the rink,
experts will be on hand with skating tips.
You may not be able to compete with the
ice-rink’s patron (Olympic gold medallist
Jayne Torvill) but you might learn how to
skate backwards or stop of your own accord
rather than just skating into the barricades.
somersethouse.org.uk
30% off b.light economy fares*
Book: 1-25 November, travel: 25-27 November
Promo code: MLHRTIFF
Wine Fair TOULOUSE
4-6 November
More than a hundred enthusiastic
winemakers, both amateur and professional,
will be hoping to entice thirsty visitors to
this fair at the Parc des Expositions de
Toulouse. So if the special people in your life
would like nothing better than a quality
bottle of plonk in their Christmas stocking,
make this your one-stop shop.
salon-vins-terroirs-toulouse.com
Brussels from €99; Toulouse from €119; London and Bristol from €139 return, taxes included
IMAGE JONANGELO MOLINARI

*DISCOUNT ONLY APPLICABLE FOR RETURN FLIGHTS FROM BRUSSELS, BOOKED ONLINE AT BRUSSELSAIRLINES.COM AND NOT APPLICABLE ON AIRPORT TAXES AND OTHER SURCHARGES
René Magritte: The Pleasure Principle VIENNA
9 November – 26 February
In collaboration with the Tate Liverpool, this exhibition delves into previously under-explored
aspects of Magritte’s life and work. The artist’s development is charted through more than
100 works from throughout his lifetime, from paintings to commercial advertising. Rarely
shown photographs and fi lms will also be on display. albertina.at
30% off b.light economy fares* Book: 1-18 November, Travel 18-20 November
Promo code: MVIERENE
/// COMING UP
IMAGE N.P.-M.V.-05 ©DIRK BRAECKMAN; COURTESY OF ZENO X GALLERY ANTWERPEN
Dirk Braeckman
LEUVEN
Until 8 January
Enter the world of Dirk Braeckman, one of
Belgium’s leading artistic photographers,
this month in Leuven. While his former
commissions have included photographing
the Belgian royal family, the work on show in
this exhibition is slightly less traditional.
Atmospheric and suggestive, it focuses on
the everyday but imbues it with a deeper
meaning. In the words of the artist:
“I investigate things that seem insignifi cant.”
mleuven.be
9-11 Dec Verba et Voces Festival, Krakow (capellacracoviensis.pl)
4-7 Jan Stockholm Winter Games (wintergames.se) 1 Jan Space of Sound Festival,
Madrid (spaceofsoundfestival.com) 27 Jan-6 Feb Gothenburg International Film Festival
Brussels, Berlin and Barcelona from €99; Vienna and Turin from €119 return, taxes included
ARTWORK RENE MAGRITTE
Ars Nobilis BERLIN
5-13 November
diary
World Press Photo
Exhibition BARCELONA
23 November – 18 December
This month the Centre de Cultura
Contemporània de Barcelona hosts the
world’s most prestigious photo exhibition.
This collection of often shocking images is
never less than thought-provoking and as the
year’s end approaches, the works in the show
visually prompt visitors to refl ect on the
events of 2011. cccb.org/ca
30% off b.light economy fares*
Book: 1-25 November, travel 25-27 November
Promo code: MBCNFOTO
Berlin has gained a reputation for hosting
cutting-edge design fairs and generally being
the capital of cool, but this month the
forward-looking city takes a moment to look
back. Ars Nobilis, which celebrates its 12th
birthday this year, takes place in the
Automobil Forum and attracts thousands
of antique and art enthusiasts.
arsnobilis-kunstmesse.de
Luci d’Artista TURIN
November – January
Open-air events become scarce in the colder
months, but this event turns Turin into an
outdoor gallery showing the work of the best
contemporary artists. Light shows and
instalments create some of the most original
Christmas lights you will see in Europe.
contemporarytorinopiemonte.it
Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011 9
IMAGE MARTIN ROEMERS

interview
Dayekh Jewellery is fast
becoming one of the most
renowned firms in the diamond
business. Managing director
Alexander Dayekh found time in
his hectic schedule to talk to
Richard Bence about his
company’s success and what it
means to him to live in Antwerp
I inherited a hugely successful company
that my father grew from scratch. He
started in the late 1950s in West Africa as a
small-time river miner, before setting up in
Antwerp as a wholesaler of rough diamonds.
He then moved into polishing and made
history by crafting a 295-carat stone, one of
the largest diamonds ever known, into the
four Challenger gems. Next it was
manufacturing and finally retailing. We’re
now proudly one of the few companies in the
world who can start with a rough diamond
and end with a finished jewel.
We tackled the recession by introducing
Investment Grade Diamonds. We sold them
to financial institutions and private buyers
as an anti-inflationary commodity to protect
liquid wealth. Our customers were amazed
that 25kg of gold equated to just 2gr of
diamonds, saving them high costs in storage
and security.
Evolution is key to our success, and my
favourite innovation is our own diamond
shape, the “D” Brilliant Cut. It’s a 105-faceted
diamond with a Lotus Flower Pattern on the
pavilion, which breaks the light into even
more frequencies than the round brilliant
shape, giving our diamonds more sparkle, fire
10 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
Alexander Dayekh

and brilliance. When we were testing it out
with a technician, he said he had never seen
anything like it.
As an entrepreneur, it’s hard to completely
disconnect from my business, even when
I'm on holiday. My Blackberry and iPod
never leave my side. I’m a practical traveller,
so I try to pack as little as possible. In today’s
fast-paced, hyper-connected world, people
who are serious about building their brand
need to stay in touch with it, nourish it and
protect it, even during holidays. I suppose
once the company is world-renowned I’ll be
able to shut my phone down for a couple of
weeks and take a real breather.
I’m a big fan of the Buddha-Bars (buddhabar.
com) – they’re not just hangouts, they’re
spaces that nurture something above and
beyond themselves. The music is original and
isn’t too loud, so it allows for great
conversation, the drinks are well made and
the interiors are just gorgeous.
I’m very lucky to call Antwerp home. It offers
so much in the way of design and fashion,
such as the famous Antwerp Six and other
top designers and it’s exciting for its fledging
restaurant and bar scene. My favourite shop
is and always has been Verdi clothing. It’s in
the same gallery as our shop and I know I can
find all my tastes there, which is a rare
occurrence indeed.
My favourite restaurant in Antwerp is Bistro
de Koraal. It’s in the Old Town, near the
cathedral and serves international cuisine in
a warm, cosy and intimate environment. A
top American chef once said his favourite
cuisine was Belgian, because it’s basically
French cuisine but served up in Germansized
portions.
I recently spent 10 wonderful days with my
wife at the Hotel Splendid in Italy. It’s an
hour’s drive from Milan on the north side of
Lago Maggiori, surrounded by the beautiful
and majestic Alps. The service in the hotel
was truly impeccable, and the restaurant was
so good it actually succeeded in keeping us
coming back for more. We only ate away
from the hotel once during the entire stay.
I’ll never forget the road trip we did
across five African countries. We started
in Cape Town then travelled through
Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and
Zimbabwe before returning to South
Africa. We drove 8,000km in just three
weeks and saw all kinds of nature, and
the entire Milky Way stretched from
one horizon to the other in the night
sky. In terms of being reminded of
the vastness of it all, that trip
scores very high.
Clockwise: Hotel Splendid on Lake
Maggiore in Italy; the historic
Groenplaats in Antwerp with the
cathedral in the background;
Alexander always travels with his
iPod; in the Dayekh factory
Getting behind my drums helps
me de-stress. I don’t get to
do it often these days, but it
releases negative energy in my
body. When that’s not possible,
my partner in crime, my loving
wife, surprises me by booking
us into a spa.
My hero is love. Whether you’re
chasing a heart or fortune, whether
you’re building a household or a
firm, the highest quality of life
comes down to this: how much love
did life make you feel?
Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
11
IMAGE PHOTOLIBRRARY.COM
IMAGE GETTY IMAGES

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Stéphanie Duval gives us the inside scoop
on the latest trends from planet fashion
Hot under the collar
From a child’s uniform to a very grown-up fashion accessory
fashion+beauty
Take the ladylike trend
to the next level with a
Col Claudine collar
Make-up artist and hair stylist Rebecca Despeghel embarked ked on a new adventure
when she launched Col Claudine this year. Inspired by a simple piece of leather, she started
making elegant collars, to be worn as an accessory on top of your clothing. The label’s name
is derived from an 18th-century novel by the writer Colette. In Claudine at School, lead
character Claudine wears a shirt with a white collar, which popularised this item of women’s
and children’s clothing as the ‘col Claudine’. In the 21st-century, Despeghel has combined an
historic style with the trend for all things ladylike to create a quirky and beautiful accessory.
The collars come in a range of materials, from classic leather to texture-rich cowhide, and can
be yours from €119. colclaudine.be
The white direction
Arrow launches iconic new shirt
A crisp white shirt is the essential item in
every man’s wardrobe and now US menswear
label Arrow has created the perfect
specimen. It has merged three styles –
classic, casual and contemporary – into one
piece; classic due to a French cuff, casual
with a button-down look and contemporary
in the fi t. In addition to this pinnacle piece,
Arrow has developed eight different white
shirts for all types of occasions, made from
the fi nest and most luxurious cotton
supplied by Thomas Mason. No better way to
re-launch this heritage brand than focusing
on its strong suit! arrowlife.com
Bag a classic
Luxury travel accessories oozing with
style and practicality from Travelteq
In the never-ending search for the perfect
luggage, the need for beautiful but practical
handbags and smaller leather goods is often
overlooked. Once you have found a decent
suitcase and carry-on trolley, turn your
attention to Travelteq – a brand that is sure
to fi nd the way to your heart and travelsavvy
mind. A handbag (starting from €385)
that holds your literature
in a handy side pocket,
or an iPad case (€180)
that doubles as a
business-card holder:
the only problem
you’ll ever face
is choosing
from among
Travelteq’s
large and highly
covetable
assortment.
travelteq.com
Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011 13

fashion+beauty
Destination beauty
Two new high-end boutiques open in Brussels
14 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
In black and white:
Senteurs d’Ailleurs’ new
luxury boutique
Founded in 1997, Senteurs d’Ailleurs has since slowly but steadily upgraded from a little
boutique with quaint French cosmetics brands such as L’Occitane to a powerhouse carrying
only the most highly covetable labels from around the world. The store has just moved to a
new dual location at 1 Place Stéphanie, where the haute cosmétique is presented in a pristine
white futuristic shop, while the haute parfumerie can be found next door in a mysterious
black boudoir. Expect to fi nd brands such as Aesop, Eve Lom, Cire Trudon and Serge Lutens at
this beauty wonderland. At the other side of town, niche beauty shop Cosmeticary is opening
a Bobbi Brown Studio at 11 Auguste Ortsstraat. Aside from a recent pop-up project, this will
be the fi rst time the popular American make-up, cosmetics and accessories brand has had
a serious presence on Belgian soil. senteursdailleurs.com; cosmeticary.com
Rock your body
agnès b has fun with DIM collaboration
French designer agnès b is known to dabble
in much more than fashion alone. She has
opened up a restaurant in Taiwan and a
fl ower shop in Hong Kong; she’s a fi xture in
the art scene and very much into music and
fi lm. It’s a miracle she fi nds time for yet
another adventure, but it’s not surprising
that it should be a collaboration with French
underwear label DIM. To celebrate the 10th
anniversary of DIM’s Body Touch and the
20th birthday of its Pockets range. It’s the
fi rst time agnès b has applied her fun vision
to underwear. Among the fi ttingly adorable
results are the Body Touch Etoile (bra €33
and panties €17.50) and star-struck boxers
(€19.90). agnesb.com
TREND Cloaked
in style
This season it’s all
about the cape
Blame it on Harry
Potter or the
recent vampire
invasion of pop
culture, but this season
there’s no way to escape
the cape. Less bulky than
a coat and way more
elegant, it encourages our favourite autumn
pastime: layering. Choose the style of cape
that works for you, whether you like clean
lines and minimalism or a more romantic
touch to your ensemble. Once the mainstay
of superheroes, the cape is now a fi rm
favourite with the fashion set. The only
version we haven’t been able to locate yet is
that elusive invisibility cloak. fi lippa-k.com;
hugoboss.com; tommyhilfi ger.com
The scent of travel
Guerlain bottles the essence of the
world’s great capital cities
Of course it’s nice to bring home a souvenir
from your travels. But if you’re tired of the
same old tacky objects and curious
mementos that somehow don’t seem so
funny once you get home, perhaps it’s time to
look for a new way to relive your memories.
Guerlain’s Voyage collection attempts to
capture the soul of a city in a haute couture
scent: a terribly classy way to keep your
favourite travel
destination close to your
heart. Cosmopolitan
cities Tokyo, New York
and Moscow are already
available, and as from
this month, London
is also part of the
collection with a hint
of boiled sweets and
a grassy note. From
€150 for 150ml.
guerlain.com

Winter Magic
in Maasmechelen Village
Relaxing Christmas shopping does exist in a street like no other. With 30% to 60% off the recommended retail
price of luxury labels, over 100 chic boutiques and beautiful cafés and restaurants, it's like Christmas day every day.
Special offer until the end of the year! Discover Maasmechelen Village with the Shopping Express from Brussels
and receive 2 tickets for the price of one. To benefit from this offer, book online on www.maasmechelenvillage.com
and use the promocode: BTHERE.
Promotion valid for departures between 1 November 2011 and 31 December 2011.
Opening soon:
UGG & Michael Kors
OPEN ON SUNDAY
© Maasmechelen Village 2011 10/11

sleep
Entertain in style in the
Crowne Plaza’s gastronomic
gem of a restaurant, Le Sélys
Crowne Plaza LIÈGE
9-11 Mount Saint Martin, tel. +32 (0)4 222 9494, crowneplazaliege.be
As hotel brands go, Crowne Plaza wouldn’t be
the fi rst one you’d turn to when looking for
luxury. Meetings and conference facilities
perhaps, but not luxury. So it was a surprise
to stay at Liège’s new fi ve star (one of the
few in Wallonia apparently) and fi nd the CP
logo above the door. This converted castle,
where once aristocracy did whatever
aristocracy did, is now a fairytale retreat
with all the mod-cons thrown in. Perched
above the city on Mont Saint Martin, the
views from the various terraces are
breathtaking but before you get carried
away by all that, head down to the
spectacular spa in the basement. So often
a high-class hotel is let down by its inferior
pool/gym/spa facilities. Not so here – clearly
a lot of thought (and money) has been put
into it. You could check in for the pool alone.
Upstairs the rooms in the modern extension
are comfortable but the real attraction is the
rooms in the old Sélys Longchamps period
house itself (which by the way will set you
///NEWS
back €425, so make sure your credit card is
more prince than pauper). This is the luxury
issue, but if you can’t quite justify splashing
out on a room, then Le Sélys gastronomic
restaurant (which was not yet open at the
time of visiting) is also a draw, while
downstairs is La Cave bar, located in an old
16th-century arms room. You’ll party like it’s
1599. Doubles from €145. Richard Bence
Looking for somewhere with a bit of soul to rest your head? Erfgoed Logies specialises in historic cottages and luxurious bed and
breakfasts in the Belgium, Germany and France. Just the ticket for a cosy pre-Christmas escape. erfgoedlogies.nl
The lobby lounge
features a Swarovskicrystal
chandelier
Corinthia LONDON
Whitehall Place SW1, tel. +44 (0)20 7321
3050, corinthia.com
The Corinthia is a dazzling new €345m
fi ve-star hotel in an historic building that
once housed the Ministry of Defence. For
such splendour, guests get the run of
a lavishly appointed joint with a snazzy
cocktail bar and two smart restaurants.
Massimo’s dining room is high-ceilinged and
very swish. David Collins Studio was hired to
create the right effect, which uses both
grand gestures such as massive chandeliers,
a seafood bar and wine wall, and exquisite
detailing such as stitched leather seats and
other expensive furnishings. The restaurant’s
name refers to Massimo Riccioli, the head
chef from La Rosetta in Rome. Or try the
British restaurant, Northall, which is a lesson
in comfort-food classics. Like everything
else here, the ESPA spa is a show stopper.
Spread over four fl oors – and at 3,300 sq m
the largest of all London spas – the enormity
and grandeur of ESPA Life is breathtaking.
Soft curved walls throughout, black Tunisian
marble and textured leather make this what
baby spas want to be when they grow up.
Fancy a cut and blow dry? Head to the
Ultimate Make-Over Room at the inhouse
Daniel Galvin salon. And for last-minute gift
buying, this is the only hotel that Harrods
deemed worthy enough of having a
concession at. Corinthia has A-list written all
over it. Rooms from €459. Richard Bence
16 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
Brussels from €99; London from €139 return, taxes included

We scour the network for the most stylish places
to stay. This month: Liège, London and Florence
Regal St Regis: nothing
says opulence like a
baroque Italian interior
St Regis Hotel FLORENCE
1 Piazza Ognissanti, tel. +39 055 27161, stregis.com/fl orence
Luxury in Florence has been redefi ned with the opening of the St Regis
hotel. Housed in a majestic 18th-century palazzo and just a cappuccinopowered
walk away from the Uffi zi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio and Duomo,
this is the place to splash out for a special occasion. With the St Regis
brand priding itself on surpassing the ranking of fi ve stars, you can
expect unparalleled comfort and service.
Throughout the hotel’s 81 rooms and 19 suites, you can take
advantage of a butler (on call 24/7), unpacking service, or even a
personal shopper to show you the best places to indulge in Italian retail
therapy. But it’s the overall décor and ambience of the hotel that’ll blow
you away. Empire-style furniture, Murano crystal lamps, gilded mirrors
and plush leather sofas fi ll the public rooms on the ground fl oor, creating
undeniable opulence. Upstairs, the choice of rooms and suites is vast,
each with its own appeal while providing a luxurious escape from the
modern world. King-sized beds are dressed with burgundy-hued velvet
drapes and crowned with ornate gilded fi nials. Some rooms, where the
views of the River Arno will take your breath away, feature spectacular
19th-century frescoes. Book a room with a private terrace, where you
can relax with a cocktail and enjoy the view as the sun sets over the
vermillion rooftops of the city.
As it’s in Tuscany, one of Italy’s prime wine-producing areas, it’s no
surprise that the St Regis boasts an underground cellar and wine-tasting
room. In a medieval section of the building with vaulted ceilings softly lit
by candles, a sommelier will guide you through a series of vintages paired
with traditional antipasti; the hotel can also organise day-trips to local
wineries. And don’t forget to start or fi nish your evening in the bar, with
its spectacular trompe-l’oeil walls. Allow head barman Christian Pampo
to surprise you with a St Regis Bloody Mary, where the traditional mix is
livened up with a dash of grappa di Brunello and a drizzle of locally
produced acacia honey. Doubles from €450. Scott Adams
Florence from €99 return, taxes included
Admission free
RETROSPECTIVE
EXHIBITION
PATRICE
COURCELLE
Artist-historian
A paintbrush
serves history
18 NOVEMBER 2011 – 31 MARCH 2012
Royal Museum of
the Armed Forces and
of Military History
SRAMA - KVVL
1815
2015
Parc du Cinquantenaire 3
1000 Brussels
infocom@klm-mra.be
www.klm-mra.be

IMAGE ALAMY
food+drink
Vilnius
3 December – 6 January
Though the locals decided to keep their city secret while in the throes of shaking off their
Soviet past, Vilnius has now burst onto the Christmas scene with a vengeance and its new
market is set to rival the best and oldest markets of towns in Germany and Poland. For the
third year running, Town Hall Square will be converted into an arena for the fun and frivolity
only a good December market can bring. There are heartfelt cheers amid labyrinths of carts
displaying festive knick-knacks and delicious food. Lithuanian specialities, often
overshadowed by the more popular cuisines of surrounding countries, are on offer in every
corner of Town Hall Square and include delicacies such as herring, mushroom-filled dumplings
and cranberry pudding all washed down by jugs of homemade cider. The Vilnius Tower,
standing at 326m high, is decorated with lights from top to bottom to resemble a Christmas
tree, the tallest one in the world, according to Vilnians.
Krakow
1 December – 31 January
Come December, Krakow is a winter
wonderland where revellers hum to the
cheerful buzz and Christmas hilarity ensues.
///NEWS
18 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
In the gloom of a Baltic
winter, Vilnius is alive
with light and celebration
The Christmas market is a visual feast and is
set to the backdrop of one of Poland’s
prettiest cities. Though winter brings
bitterly cold weather, young and old alike
brave the snow to experience the brightly
coloured wooden chalets and the myriad
gifts and trinkets on offer in and around the
main square and its market building, the
Sukiennice (Cloth Hall). Mouth-watering
piernik (honey cake) and a vivid cornucopia
of nuts, cookies and dried fruits go well with
mouthfuls of grzaniec galicyjski, or hot
mulled wine. But the heartiest winter warmer
is a dish of dumplings, eaten at a market stall
or in one of the restaurants on the square.
From dumplings to cookies, Luciano Di Gregorio samples
traditional treats at Europe's Christmas markets
IMAGE PHOTOLIBRARY.COM
Try the Swiss seasonal treat
of brunsli - brownies - with
a cup of mulled wine
Geneva
25 November – 24 December
Its name conjures images of conventions,
treaties and world peace, but Geneva isn’t all
about geopolitical landscapes and a neutral
arena for diplomacy. It’s a lakeside gem
nestled in the middle of Europe and in winter
becomes a haven of festive lights, fluffy
snow and lots of hearty food.
In the centre of the city at the popular
Place de la Fusterie, Geneva’s Christmas
market has a decidedly jovial atmosphere:
smiles are in abundance and kids stare in awe
at carved wooden toys as smoke billows
from roasted meat stalls. Swiss delicacies
such as brunsli (Christmas brownies) and
zimtsterne (cinnamon cookies) are enough to
put a spring in your step and a sip of hot
mulled wine is the perfect accompaniment.
In beautiful San Miniato, a hilltop town in Tuscany, November is the month of the truffl e. A quarter of Italy's revered white truffl es come
from this region, and the yearly Truffl e Fair which celebrates the harvest stretches over the last three weekends of November. san-miniato.com
Geneva, Krakow and Vilnius from €99 return, taxes included
IMAGE STOCK FOOD

Lisa Curtiss fi nds high fashion, high concept and
high performance among the latest motor stars
Styled up with the top down
Powerful performance meets fl exibility with Ferrari’s new soft-top
Ferrari’s new 458 Spider is simply drop-dead
gorgeous. Like the 458 Italia, it’s a mid-rearengined
berlinetta, but with a fully retractable
hard-top roof that takes just 14 seconds to deploy.
The 458 is powered by Ferrari’s naturally
aspirated, direct-injection 4.5-litre V8 engine,
Gucci to go
Fashion icon + iconic Fiat = street smart
A taste of the future
Jaguar’s stunning new concept sportscar is sleek and compact
///NOVEMBER DATES
drive
Ferrari’s sportiest V8
just got even cooler
nominated as the 2011 International Engine of the
Year for its engineering excellence.
The 458’s economical, high-performance motor
produces 425kW at 9,000 rpm, with a hefty
540Nm of torque to manage a blistering
3.4-second 0-100km/h dash. Irresistible.
Say hello to the ultimate fashion statement on wheels
(and we don’t mean monogrammed luggage). Gucci has
teamed up with Fiat to make over the 500, and has now
added a soft-top option to the model.
Choose from two colour schemes – white with glitter and
brushed-chrome-plated accents and black with glitter and shiny-chromeplated
accents. You’ll want to get your order in quick, though, for this €17,500
baby: the hard-top 500byGucci notched up no less than 3,000 pre-orders when it launched.
If this gorgeous concept car is anything to go by, Jaguar is set to add a handsome new two-seater model to
its range. When the C-X16 debuted at Frankfurt in September, the crowd was in awe of its sleek looks and
luxurious interior. The most compact Jaguar for a generation, the C-X16 concept is lightweight with
rear-wheel drive and a super-charged, 3-litre V6 engine producing 280kW and 450Nm of torque. Its slick
8-speed box conducts a 0-100km/h sprint in just 4.4 seconds.
Not quite convinced of its cool credentials? It even offers drivers
a punch-back-in-the-seat experience via a hybrid
push-button boost system for on-demand acceleration
– both handy for overtaking with a fl ourish, and thrilling
for its Formula-1 inspired feel.
11-13 Nov F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 25-27 Nov F1 Brazilian Grand Prix
Your car is
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Bruges, Capital of Chocolate
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Tom Seymour looks forward to a new take on Brontë, revels in
the idyll of country living and tunes in to Rihanna’s dubstep beats
MUSIC Rihanna
Talk That Talk
It I may upset certain Irish
farmers f to hear, but
Rihanna’s R ascent as the
most m controversial, prolifi c
and a naturally talented pop
star t of fh her generation continues apace with
her sixth studio album since her debut in
2005. To put that into perspective, Michael
Jackson released all of two new albums in
the entirety of the 1980s.
It says much of Rihanna’s widespread
appeal that her last album Loud is still high in
BOOK The Way We Live: In the Country
By Staff ord Cliff and Gilles de Chabaneix
the charts, and it didn’t take long for her new
single ‘We Found Love’ to hit the heights too.
Produced by Scottish production maestro
Calvin Harris, Rihanna’s ethereal vocals are
located with thumping house beats, plus
Harris’ signature synth riffs and build-up and
drops. It’s a classic, if conventional, crowd
pleaser, but Harris’ infl uence is not total.
Elsewhere on the album, bouncing dubstep
beats are increasingly evident, while the
reggae strains of Rihanna’s youth in
Barbados are still present and correct.
From F the groves and vineyards of Provence to the dry hills of California,
the t farms of Australia and the forests of Canada, Gilles de Chabaneix’s
impressive i
photographic exploration of the remote and rustic pleasures of
rural r living is a true feast of distinct architecture, extravagant decorative
schemes, s awe-inspiring landscapes and the kind of liberated domestic
expanse e only possibly in the countryside.
Chabaneix combi combines traditional and contemporary elements with a sympathetic, attentive
eye: an airy, minimalist sitting room looks out on an ancient piazza; bunches of herbs and
antique tools hang from rough-hewn beams; an aged stone fl oor shines through the glass top
of a modern dining table.
Unachievable it all may be for normal city folk, this is still
an opportunity for a brief reverie of a blissful, indulgent
retirement in some far-fl ung corner of the world.
///COMING SOON
The hits keep coming thick
and fast from music’s
favourite Bajan beauty
IMAGE REX FEATURES
culture
James Howson plays the
brooding Heathcliff in
Wuthering Heights
FILM Wuthering Heights
Director Andrea Arnold Starring James
Howson, Kaya Scodelario
After her second fi lm Fish Tank, set on
a forgotten council estate in Tilbury, won
Outstanding British Film at the BAFTAs last
year, Andrea Arnold joined the ranks of
acclaimed UK directors such as Ken Loach
and Alan Clarke.
So when news broke that she was to adapt
Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights – the usual
preserve of comfortable Sunday-night TV –
it posed the question: how would she make
the literary classic her own?
The answer is to turn the story into a
fi erce, elemental parable of romance, with
Arnold asking us to consider exactly what it
took to live in a remote Yorkshire farmhouse
in the 19th century. No longer is this life
merely suggested as a metaphorical prop for
Heathcliff’s wild isolation.
With intense, brooding, complex
performances from fi rst-time actor James
Howson and Kaya Scodelario, Arnold has
fashioned something equal to, or maybe even
better, than Fish Tank.
Hollywood’s new darling Brit Marling (who famously swapped banking for acting) stars in dramatic sci-fi romance Another
Earth, out in early December Also at the beginning of next month, the conscientious hip-hop artist Common returns with new album The Dreamer,
The Believer Romance writer Melanie Dickerson is set to release her latest novel The Merchant’s Daughter in mid-December
Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011 23

design
TREND WATCH Wingback chairs
The comfy classic is getting a makeover
Nothing says winter luxe quite so beautifully as a stylish
wingback armchair in front of a roaring fi re. This classic
has been reinvented lately, Tom Dixon helping to boost
the trend with his curvaceous velvet wingback sofa and
chair (handmade by traditional UK fi rm George Smith)
and now there’s a huge
variety of styles to
choose from.
Clockwise from top: ‘Chauff euse’ by
Alongside Tom Dixon’s Piero Lissoni for Living Divani; ‘Jake
Kilim’ from Flamant; ‘Louis XV goes
top-heavy beauty, the to Sparta’ by Maurizio Galante and
Tal Lancman for Cerruti Baleri;
‘Jake Kilim’ by Belgian wingback chair by Tom Dixon
interiors company Flamant
(fl amant.com) is on-trend with
its ethnic and rustic design features.
Then, in keeping with the
trompe l’oeil prints on the
catwalk is the ‘Louis XV
goes to Sparta’ by Cerruti
Baleri (cerrutibaleri.com).
Upholstered in digitally
printed fabric to mimic
classical carrara
marble, it’s soft to
touch but appears
as solid as sculpture.
Finally, for the
ultimate in comfort,
Piero Lissoni’s sensuous ‘Chauffeuse’ (livingdivani.
it) makes you want to hunker down, curl up and purr.
///LOG ON TO...
Check out wannekes.com for designs by Jaime Hayon, Cecille Manz and
gorgeous brightly coloured textiles by Dutch duo Scholten & Baijings
24 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
Isabel Lane discovers a cool new way to do comfy, and meets
Lee Broom, the designer behind ‘Neo Neon’ and ‘Decanterlight’
PROFILE Lee Broom
The ‘Decanterlight’ is
typical of Lee Broom’s
fusion of old and new
The London designer draws on fashion,
tradition and innovation in his work
Established Lee Broom launched his fi rst
collection, the ‘Neo Neon’ range of furniture,
in 2007.
What? Broom designs furniture and lighting
that often reworks traditional manufacturing
techniques in a cool, contemporary way. He
also designs hospitality and retail interiors.
Where? His studio is in the heart of east
London’s creative ‘hood, Shoreditch.
He says “My work is traditional, modern,
well-crafted with a hint of fashion.”
Inspired by “London, particularly the
architecture and the street culture.”
He loves “Old-style pubs, The Coach &
Horses in Soho and the British Museum,
because it’s the e perfect
combination of old and new.
I also love places es with great
views, like Georges rges restaurant
at the top of the e Pompidou
Centre in Paris.” ”
What’s next?
The global
redevelopment
of womenswear r
store Coast
and my new
collection.
We love The disco co
cool of his neon-lit n-lit
furniture and the he
retro elegance of
his ‘Decanterlight’. ght’.
leebroom.com

Victoria Averill takes us on a tour of Nairobi’s top spots to eat
and drink, where stylish design meets innovative cuisine
26 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011

Chic décor sets the scene
for a refi ned dining
experience at Seven
Nairobi: the Kenyan food
scene has come a long
way from the ubiquitous
nyama choma and beer
joints dishing out roasted goat washed down
with the local Tusker brew. Now you can
stumble upon a hip sushi restaurant serving
fish flown up from the coast and struggle to
find a seat at a crowded cocktail bar. For a
beer-drinking nation, the transition to wine
has been a gradual one, but a quick glance at
the wine lists in some of the more stylish
establishments offers proof that decent,
and varied, wine is in demand. The nyama
choma joints may still be around, but the
new wave of understated yet stylish
restaurants springing up around the city
shows Nairobi’s city dwellers are looking for
a more deluxe eating and drinking experience.
There’s a new wave of
understated yet stylish
restaurants springing up
around the city
africa
Fish fresh from the coast paired
with a crisp white from Seven’s
sophisticated wine list
Seven
ABC Place, Waiyaki Way, Westlands, tel.
+254 737 776 677, experienceseven.com
Booking ahead used to be unheard of in
Nairobi, but to secure a table at Seven it’s
strongly recommended, whatever night of
the week it is. Tucked away in a discreet
corner of one of Nairobi’s lesser-known
shopping malls, ABC, Seven’s arrival on the
restaurant scene has dispelled the myth that
to eat decent seafood in Kenya you have to
be on the coast. A tall, glass fishmonger’s
counter displaying the fresh fish and shellfish
on offer greets you as you walk into the
restaurant – the red gills and translucent
eyes of the fish proof that the catch has
been flown up from the coastal town of
Mombasa that very morning. Start off with
fresh oysters, then choose your catch of the
day from the iced display – red mullet,
perhaps, cooked with a spicy paprika
marinade. The wine list is a welcome deviation
from the usual South African and Chilean
suspects – choose a French gewürztraminer
or Australian riesling to accompany your
fish. Or experiment with a dessert wine, the
perfect partner to the decadent “7’s
Chocolate Sensation” dessert.
Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011 27

africa
Zen Garden
Lower Kabete Road, tel. +254 733 786 909, zengarden.co.ke
Nairobi’s green spaces are rapidly
disappearing as apartment blocks and
shopping malls spring up across the city, so
finding an indulgent spot to eat out under
the African skies isn’t easy. The arrival of
Zen Garden onto the restaurant scene offers
a welcome respite from the march of
development. Set in a lush, mature garden,
Zen comprises a daytime café – the Jade
Coffee and Teahouse, where you can indulge
in a lazy brunch with delicious coffee and
Zen’s dining space fl ows
seamlessly out to a garden setting
eggs Florentine. At night, Zen’s Bamboo
restaurant opens its doors. The resident
sushi chef slices up fresh salmon and tuna,
the sashimi perfectly accompanied by a
lychee martini from an inspired cocktail list.
Or if you’re feeling Thai-inclined you can’t go
wrong with the restaurant’s signature Thai
prawn curry served with fragrant jasmine rice.
True to its name, Zen has been designed to
create a chilled yet sophisticated vibe. This
is pared down, delightfully minimalist luxe.
The rooftop bar at Sankara is a
great place to start your evening
Sankara
Westlands, tel. +254 20 420 8000
sankara.com
Nairobi’s newest and arguably most decadent
hotel, Sankara is the antithesis of a discreet,
boutique hotel. Standing eight floors high in
the heart of the frenetic Westland’s district,
Sankara has four restaurants, a luxury spa,
rooftop bar and swimming pool, and makes
quite a statement. This hotel is Nairobi’s
five-star answer to the Mandarin Oriental
scoring high in style and luxury but also
managing to maintain a commitment to
home-grown, organic produce. The hotel has
established close ties with the fishermen
and farmers who supply their restaurants.
Begin your gastronomic tour on the
rooftop bar and terrace where the seriously
stylish crowd head pre- and post-dinner. If
you’re hankering after Asian food, drop into
the Muhibbah restaurant and feast on the
roasted duck Singapore-style. Gourmet
afternoon tea is served up in The Gallery,
where the tea menu is as eclectic as the
cocktails. Try the apple pie tea blend, best
savoured with a dark-chocolate or passionfruit
tart from the patisserie counter. And
if you really want to splurge, Artisan
restaurant’s colour-coded menu will ensure
even the most challenged epicurean ends
up with perfectly matched food and wine.
28 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011 Brussels Airlines flies to 21 African destinations. For more information visit brusselsairlines.com

RESTORING THE BOLSHOI
Arias of
outstanding
beauty
The Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow reopens this month to much fanfare.
Rachel Morarjee ee charts its dramatic history and finely tuned restoration
30 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011

Mikhail Sidorov looks up
at the gilded angels
gazing down from the
roof of the Imperial
Foyer in Moscow’s iconic Bolshoi Theatre
and lets out a sigh. “It’s only now that the
theatre has been restored to its original
glory that we can say how close it came to
falling down. At one point, the Bolshoi was
literally hanging in mid-air,” says Sidorov,
spokesman for the general contractor
overseeing the loving restoration of the
iconic 19th-century building.
The Bolshoi Theatre, which has been
closed to audiences for the past six years,
will open its doors to the public at the
beginning of November with the Glinka
opera Ruslan and Ludmilla, followed by
Tchaikovsky’s crowd-pleaser Sleeping
Beauty. The RBL 24.5bn (€565m) renovation
project has been fraught with drama and
challenges, but ultimately triumph.
When the theatre closed its doors and the
reconstruction began in 2005, the building
was teetering on its foundations and
Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011 31
IMAGE CORBIS

IMAGE RIA NOVOSTI
///RESTORING THE BOLSHOI
Stunning chandeliers
feature 150,000 pieces
of hand-blown glass
7,000 stakes had to be individually
embedded in the basement. The foundations
were then rebuilt by hand, one metre at a
time, with workers gingerly adding material
around the stakes. The restoration took so
long and was so tricky that in 2009, when a
new construction group, Summa, took over
the project, it was still unclear whether it
would be possible to keep the theatre
standing. “It would have been much easier
and cheaper to tear it down and build it from
scratch, but then it wouldn’t have been the
Bolshoi we know and love,” says Sidorov. The
director of the theatre’s famous ballet
company, Sergei Fulin, agrees: “The Bolshoi
is the one and only. The most precious
recollections of operas and ballets are
connected with the original building.”
It would have been much easier to tear it down
and build it from scratch, but then it wouldn’t
have been the Bolshoi we know and love
32 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
In the mid-19th century, when Russian
novelists Tolstoy, Turgenev and
Dostoyevsky were turning out masterpieces
and composers such as Mussorgsky were
enthralling audiences with their music, the
Bolshoi was the finest theatre in the world.
Seen from above, the main hall of the
Bolshoi was designed in the shape of a violin,
creating an environment that was so perfect
for acoustics that each note could be heard
in even the furthest corners; its size and
splendour far outdid that of London’s Royal
Opera House.
“Alberto Kavos, the architect who rebuilt
the Bolshoi, was a master of acoustics.
Nothing was done by chance, the balconies
were made of papier-mâché to enhance the
sound and the walls were made from the
Spaces that sing: the
restored Bolshoi is the
epitome of grandeur
same resinous pine used to make violins and
guitars,” says Sidorov. “We have restored it
to its original glory.” And the experts concur.
The celebrated Spanish tenor Plácido
Domingo, who paid an informal visit to the
theatre before it opened its doors, sang on
the stage then, and more recently postrestoration.
He found the difference in
sound amazing. Says Sidorov: “He couldn’t
believe it.”
Today’s restoration follows decades of
upheaval for the theatre, which stands on
the foundations of successive theatres. The
first burnt down in 1805 and was rebuilt two
decades later. This then burned to the
ground less than 30 years later, rising again
like a phoenix from the ashes in 1856, its
reopening coinciding with the coronation of
Tsar Alexander II. Next came revolution and
communism, with Stalin building himself a
concrete shelter in the basement, which he
hid in during World-War-II bombing raids.
The main auditorium had many of its original
features ripped out or concreted over so
that it could be used for Soviet rallies.
IMAGE RIA NOVOSTI

BRUSSELS
BRUSSELS
DECEMBER 2011
ROMÉO & JULIETTE
01/12/2011 20:00
LE LAC DES CYGNES
02·03·05/12/2011 15:00 & 20:00
CASSE-NOISETTE
04/12/2011 15:00

IMAGE CORBIS
IMAGE RIA NOVOSTI
///RESTORING THE BOLSHOI
It has taken years of
painstaking work to
recreate the original
Statement piece: the
new Bolshoi is reliving
its imperial heyday
It’s only now that the theatre has been restored
to its original glory that we can say how close it
came to falling down
Now that the Soviet features have been
removed and the Tsarist ones reinstated,
such as the double-headed eagle
embroidered on silk-lined walls, visitors to
Russia wanting a taste of imperial glory can
have this with a trip to the Bolshoi. And they
can expect to get a truly dazzling impression
of this lost era, for when the Russians did
baroque, they out-blinged any other culture
in the world, using more gold, more crystal
and more voluptuous silks and satins than
their European counterparts.
To recreate the dazzling original effect,
956 specialist restorers toiled away
applying gold leaf by hand to the wooden
carved cherubs and angels that look down on
theatre-goers. Every glittering detail in the
theatre is made of real gold, applied using a
traditional, natural egg-based solution. More
34 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
than 150,000 pieces of hand-blown glass
sparkle from numerous chandeliers. One
room is decked out entirely in silk that took
three years to create; the silk hand-made by
Russian monks in a remote monastery – the
only craftsmen in the world who could
produce silk fine enough for the room’s
acoustics. Beneath all this splendour, a new
complex of underground stages has been
built so that the theatre can hold multiple
performances and rehearsals at once.
To get a taste of Russia’s lost imperial
glory, walk through the eight Corinthian
columns at the entrance to the Bolshoi and
take your seat.
Fly to Moscow with Brussels Airlines.
brusselsairlines.com
FR Des airs de toute beauté
Le théâtre du Bolchoï rouvre ses portes
ce mois-ci, en grande pompe. Rachel
Morarjee donne un aperçu de son histoire et
de sa minutieuse restauration
Mikhail Sidorov contemple les anges dorés,
installés au plafond du foyer impérial du mythique
théâtre du Bolchoï à Moscou. « Ce n’est que
maintenant qu’il a retrouvé sa gloire d’antan, que
l’on réalise à quel point le théâtre a été près de
s’effondrer », explique Sidorov, qui a supervisé
les travaux de restauration de ce joyau du 19e
siècle. Après 6 ans de travaux chaotiques, qui
auront coûté quelque 565 millions d’euros, le
Bolchoï rouvre ses portes au public ce mois-ci.
Le premier spectacle que l’on pourra y voir est
l’opéra Rouslan et Ludmila de Glinka, suivi de
La Belle au Bois dormant de Tchaïkovski.
Au milieu du 19e siècle, le Bolchoï, le meilleur
théâtre au monde était doté d’une acoustique
exceptionnelle. « Les balcons étaient en papier
mâché, afin d’amplifier le son, et les murs étaient
faits du même pin résineux qui servait à fabriquer
les violons et les guitares », explique Sidorov. Au
cours de ses 200 ans d’histoire, le Bolchoï a été
restauré sous le règne du Tsar Alexandre II et
rénové par Staline.
Le nouvel intérieur, fait d’or, de cristal, de
soie et de satin, redonne au théâtre son faste
impérial ; 956 restaurateurs spécialisés ont
minutieusement réappliqué des feuilles d’or sur
les décorations de bois sculpté, et 150.000
pièces de verre fait à la main font scintiller à
nouveau ses nombreux chandeliers. L’une des
salles est entièrement garnie de soie tissée par
des moines ; il a fallu trois ans pour l’achever.
Si vous voulez goûter à la gloire impériale
perdue de la Russie d’autrefois, mettez-vous
sur votre trente-et-un, faufilez-vous entre les
colonnes corinthiennes du hall d’entrée et
prenez place.
NL Pracht en praal
Het Bolshoi Theater opent deze
maand met veel ophef opnieuw zijn deuren.
Rachel Morarjee beschrijft de dramatische
geschiedenis en de weloverwogen restauratie
Mikhail Sidorov kijkt omhoog naar de vergulde
engelen die neerwaarts staren vanaf het dak van
de Imperial Foyer in het iconische Bolshoi Theater
van Moskou. “Het is enkel nu de restauratie is
voltooid en het theater in zijn oorspronkelijke
glorie werd hersteld dat we kunnen zeggen hoe
nipt het is geweest of het gebouw was volledig
ingestort,” zegt Sidorov, die de restauratie van dit
19de-eeuwse pareltje overzag. Het Bolshoi
Theater heropent deze maand na een renovatie
die 6 jaar heeft geduurd en met een kostenplaatje
van 24,5 miljard RBL (565 miljoen €).
In het midden van de 19de eeuw was het
Bolshoi Theater het prachtigste theater ter
wereld met een uitstekende akoestiek. “Niets
werd aan het toeval overgelaten, de balkons
waren van papier-maché om het geluid te
optimaliseren en de muren waren vervaardigd uit
hetzelfde harsachtige dennenhout waarvan violen
en gitaren worden gemaakt,” aldus Sidorov.
Het nieuwe interieur van goud, kristal, zijde en
satijn blaast het keizerlijke tijdperk van het
theater nieuw leven in; 956 vakkundige
restaurateurs brachten nauwgezet opnieuw
bladgoud aan op de uit hout gesneden decoraties
en 150.000 stukken handgeblazen glas schitteren
voortaan vanop talrijke kandelaars. Eén ruimte
werd volledig bekleed met handgemaakte zijde;
het duurde 3 jaar voor de kamer af was. Voor wie
een stukje van Ruslands verloren keizerlijke glorie
wil ervaren, trek je mooiste outfit aan, wandel
naar binnen en neem plaats.

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A stroke of
luxury
Luxury doesn’t mean what it
used to. Gone are the days of
logo mania, in-your-face bling
and ostentatious status
symbols. Enter a new understanding of
‘luxurious’ that goes back to the root of the
concept. Labelling this new ‘luxury’ isn’t easy.
Michael Burke, CEO of Italian label Fendi,
coined the term ‘Ur-luxury’: a return to the
36 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
type of luxury that existed in the ancient city
of Ur, based on taste and patience. Others
speak of ‘hyper-luxury’, which addresses the
ever-growing demand for rare, exclusive and
high-quality products and services, a
reaction to the democratisation of luxury,
according to designer Tom Ford. In the face
of this ever-changing concept, how does
luxury apply to Europe?
It’s a word that fuels economies,
discussions, innovation and status.
Stéphanie Duval asks creative movers
and shakers what luxury means to
them and their businesses today
London
David Collins, interior designer
“My definition is the same as that of all busy
people: more time; more sleep; more holidays!
But in my work, luxury is about being able to
say no to projects and clients that may not be
a good fit, and at the same time being able to
work hard and creatively to attract clients who
are a pleasure and inspiration to work with.”

Travelling in luxury? “A balance between
travelling light and not having to shop for
necessities. But it is fun to shop for luxuries.”
How is London luxurious to you? “The great
choice of things to do and places to go.”
London hot spots? “I like eating in cafés,
from The Wolseley (160 Piccadilly, W1) to
small local cafés, and shopping at boutiques
in east London on Shoreditch High Street and
Redchurch Street, such as Present and popup
shops like Cabinet (cabinet-london.com).
I also love spending time in London parks.”
When in London, luxury is... A night of
exclusive bar hopping and cocktail tasting
(Corinthia Hotel, corinthia.com, and
barnightjar.com).
Moscow
Irina Shaposhnikova, fashion designer
“Nowadays true luxury is hard to find. Massproduction
and globalisation mean you find
the same brands and products everywhere.
If you want to find real luxury, you have to go
to a place where the volume is small and the
work is done by hand. I believe that in the
future, there will be more small brands that
prefer to stay small and produce exclusive
high-quality products in a limited quantity.
Coco Chanel once said ‘luxury lies not in
richness and ornateness but in the absence
of vulgarity’, and I totally agree.”
Ultimate luxury? “The opportunity to do
things I really love.”
Travel advice? “Any journey needs
good company.”
In what way is Moscow luxurious to you?
“Moscow is one of the richest cities in the
world with a fast-growing luxury market –
this inspires me. It’s also my home town, and
being with my family is also a luxury.”
Moscow hot spots? “DoDo restaurant [21
Petrovka Street], Ragout café [69 Bolshaya
Gruzinskaya Street], Simachev Bar [12
Stoleshnikov Per], Tsvetnoy Central Market
[Tsvetnoy Boulevard].”
When in Moscow, luxury is... Gastronomic
souvenirs from luxury mall Gum (gum.ru/en)
Milan
Antoine le Galloudec, founder of
Apot.care skincare
“Luxury is an indulgence rather than a
necessity. When I say luxury I think of
quality, timelessness, savoir-faire and
innovation. Real luxury products should be
made of the best materials and should
withstand the hands of time thanks to their
A luxury product should be an
innovation, not just an object
Antoine le Galloudec
(top right), of Apot.care
skincare, believes
innovation, not just
beauty, is the key to
true luxury; design hotel
The Gray (above) is a
favourite of le Galloudec
David Collins believes
the ultimate luxury is
more time, Collins
designed the Bassoon
bar (left) in The
Corinthia hotel
THE LUXE LIST \\\
design. I also believe a new luxury product
should be a real innovation and not just a
beautiful object.”
Luxuries for the traveller? “To have the
time to stay somewhere long enough to
understand the habits – and discover the
way of life – of the local people.”
True luxury? “Having a relaxing hot bath.
Spending a day in a spa, getting a massage.
Doing something that is good for your
body and soul.”
Milan hot spots? “Go to La Scala to attend
an opera: it’s a souvenir for life. Design hotel
The Gray [6 Via San Raffaele] is a good place
to stay and 10 Corso Como is the highfashion
boutique and coffee shop.”
When in Milan, luxury is... Shopping at new
luxury department store Excelsior
(excelsiormilano.com).
Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011 37

IMAGE ALAMY
/// THE LUXE LIST
Luxury is bespoke products that are handmade with
exclusive materials and an elegant, discreet look
Brussels
Christian Salez, CEO of luxury
leather brand Delvaux
“Luxury is: limited-edition, bespoke products
that are handmade, with exclusive materials
and an elegant and discreet look. In the past
decade, luxury has been swallowed up by the
industrial and ‘would-be’ luxury. The financial
crisis sensitised clients to go back to values
of real luxury: an ethical approach with real
stories and a sense of legacy.”
Your luxury of choice? “Newspaper bag,
which Belgian designer Bruno Pieters
38 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
Chef Degeimbre (below)
likes to experiment, as
with his tribute to
moules frites: mussels
with a mayonnaise
that tastes like
French Fries
developed for Delvaux, is the ultimate
combination of elegancy and functionality.”
Travel advice? “Going to the roots and living
the cultural DNA of the region.“
Brussels hot spots? “The good, basic kitchen
of Les Filles [85 Rue Vanderschrick], where
you can also shop for groceries and take
cooking classes. In autumn, Le Café des
Spores [103 Chaussée d’Alsemberg] is
another must, as it has incredible wines and
an immense choice of mushrooms.”
When in Brussels, luxury is… Getting a
taste of Brazilian art, culture and lifestyle
through the Europalia.Brasil festival at
Bozar (bozar.be).
Christian Salez of
Delvaux believes our
cover star, the
Newspaper Bag
(left), is the perfect
combination of
elegance and function
Tatian Kourochkina
enjoys some down time
at Laberint d’Horta
Lyon
Silvio Iacovino, director of the Lyon
Bellecour hotel
“Luxury is attention to detail, consistency in
service, and making customers feel unique.”
Your luxury of choice? Health, optimism and
enjoyment of my job.
In what way is Lyon luxurious to you? “Lyon
is a city full of history, where culture is very
important. It is the second-largest city in
France, but you feel unique in it.”
Lyon hot spots? “Restaurant Les Trois Dômes
[20 Quai du Docteur Gailleton, Rue Édouard
Herriot for shopping and of course my hotel,
Sofitel Lyon Bellecour [20 Quai Gailleton].”
When in Lyon, luxury is... Quenching your
thirst for culture at the Biennale de Lyon
(biennale-de-lyon.com).
Barcelona
Tatiana Kourochkina, owner of
Tatiana Kourochkina Galeria d’Art
“For real art lovers, art is not a luxury but a
necessity: a source of pain and pleasure.
Many great collections were built not by
spending a lot, but with dedication and
knowledge. Of course, since art has no clear
use, it has become a luxury. When they have
bought everything else, they turn to art.
Lately the rhythm of life has sped up so
much, luxury has become simultaneously
simple and absurdly complicated. Having
time for ourselves and simply sleeping well
have become as precious as owning hi-tech
equipment and handmade watches.”
The ultimate luxury? “Over the years I have
achieved a position where I am free in most of
my choices and this I consider a true luxury.”
Favourite holiday destination? “It’s always a
place where I have not been yet.”
When in Barcelona, luxury is... Enjoying
some down time in the luscious green
surroundings of Laberint d’Horta (bcn.cat/
parcsijardins/fonts/laberint_horta.html).
Editor recommends...
A new type of fashion website offers a
cultural experience for a global audience
Luxury products without overt branding are
the new mark of exclusivity. For a gorgeous
selection of one-of-a-kind pieces for men
and women check out COUTURELAB. In
these harsh times of economic uncertainty,
it’s no longer about shouty logos. Subtle,
beautifully crafted, high-end brands whisper
their exclusivity instead; couturelab.com

Maria Von Euler believes
in long-lasting products
that stand the test of time
€99 *
FROM JUST
RETURN,
TAXES INCLUDED
Moules à la Duchesse,
as served at Hostellerie
le Fox by chef Buyens
(pictured below)
Stockholm
Maria Von Euler, industrial designer
and brand manager, Molami
“Luxury is over the top and unnecessary on
the one hand, and exclusive and refined on
the other. Time is the ultimate luxury, but a
luxury item is one that makes it easier for
you to be responsible for your environment
and that builds long-time value for future
generations. The awareness of what a truly
good product is much better today than 10
years ago. I’m happy we are moving toward
things that question the norm.”
Your luxury of choice? “Something that
enhances me, that lasts and is the best
quality. Something that stands for
something I am proud of. For me it’s a pair of
Molami headphones, which I have worked
hard to apply those values to.”
In what way is Stockholm luxurious to you?
“It has the buzz of city life as well as the
archipelago and deep forests just around the
corner. It’s a luxury to have easy access to
things that have great value in life.”
Stockholm hot spots? “Mathias Dahlgren´s
Matbaren [8 Södra Blasieholmshamnen] and
Oaxen restaurant [SE-153 93 Mörkö], Nitty
Gritty clothing store [26 Krukmakargatan]
and the food markets.”
When in Stockholm, luxury is... Sampling
the avant-garde haute cuisine Scandinavia
is lauded for. F12 (f12.se) and Mistral
(mistral.nu) are two excellent dining options.
Fly to Barcelona, Brussels,
Lyon, Milan and Stockholm
from just €99* and London
from just €139* return, taxes
included. Brussels Airlines
also fl ies to Moscow.
brusselsairlines.com
FR Une touche de luxe
Ce mot alimente l’économie et les conversations. Stephanie
Duval a demandé à quelques célébrités du monde de la création ce
que le luxe signifiait pour elles
Londres David Collins, architecte d’intérieur
« Le luxe, c’est pouvoir dire non à des clients et à des projets
inappropriés et pouvoir travailler de façon créative, pour attirer des
clients intéressants et inspirants. »
A Londres... Profitez d’une soirée exclusive bars et cocktails
(Corinthia Hotel, corinthia.com, and barnightjar.com).
Moscou Irina Shaposhnikova, créatrice de mode
« Le vrai luxe, c’est en petite quantité et fait main. Je pense qu’à l’avenir,
davantage de petites marques préfèreront rester petites. »
A Moscou... Faites des folies en délices gastronomiques chez Gum
(gum.ru/en).
Milan Antoine Le Galloudec, fondateur des soins Apot.care
« Le luxe, c’est la qualité, l’intemporel, le savoir-faire, l’innovation ; un plaisir. »
A Milan... Shoppez à l’Excelsior (excelsiormilano.com).
Bruxelles Christian Salez, CEO de la maroquinerie de luxe Delvaux
« Le vrai luxe comporte une approche éthique et durable avec une
histoire réelle et concrète et le respect du patrimoine. »
A Bruxelles… Goûtez à l’art et au style de vie brésiliens avec
Europalia.Brasil (bozar.be).
Lyon Silvio Iacovino, directeur de Lyon Bellecour
« Le luxe, c’est faire attention au détail et à la qualité du service, pour
que les clients se sentent uniques. »
A Lyon… Visitez la culturelle Biennale de Lyon (biennale-de-lyon.com).
BarceloneTatiana Kourochkina, Galerie d’art Tatiana Kourochkina
« Le luxe est devenu : avoir plus de temps pour soi-même, pas seulement
posséder les derniers équipements hi-tech ou des montres sophistiquées. »
A Barcelone… Relaxez-vous dans les délicieux jardins Laberint d’Horta
(bcn.cat/parcsijardins/fonts/laberint_horta.html).
Stockholm Maria Von Euler, designer industrielle et responsable
marketing, Molami
« Le luxe est extravagant et inutile mais également exclusif et raffiné,
avec une responsabilité pour votre environnement. »
A Stockholm… Laissez-vous tenter par la grande cuisine chez F12
(f12.se) et Mistral (mistral.nu).
NL Een vleugje luxe
Stephanie Duval vraagt creatieve zielen wat luxe voor
hen betekent
Londen David Collins, interieurontwerper
“Luxe betekent neen kunnen zeggen aan ongeschikte projecten en
klanten, en creatief werken om klanten aan te trekken waarvoor het een
plezier is om te werken.”
Ga in Londen een avond op ontdekking in exclusieve bars (Corinthia
Hotel, corinthia.com, en barnightjar.com).
Moskou Irina Shaposhnikova, modeontwerpster
“Echte luxe wordt op kleine schaal en met de hand vervaardigd. Ik geloof
dat in de toekomst steeds meer kleine merken klein zullen willen blijven.”
Koop in Moskou gastronomische souvenirs bij Gum (gum.ru/en).
Milaan Antoine Le Galloudec, stichter van Apot.care skincare
“Luxe staat voor kwaliteit, tijdloosheid, savoir-faire, innovatie;
pure verwennerij.”
Ga in Milaan shoppen bij Excelsior (excelsiormilano.com).
Brussel Christian Salez, CEO van het luxueuze lederwarenmerk Delvaux
“Echte luxe bestaat uit een ethische en duurzame aanpak met echte en
tastbare verhalen.”
Ontdek in Brussel de Braziliaanse kunst en levensstijl op
Europalia.Brasil (bozar.be).
Lyon Silvio Iacovino, Directeur van het Lyon Bellecour
“Luxe is aandacht hebben voor detail in de dienstverlening, maar ook
klanten het gevoel geven dat ze uniek zijn.”
Ga in Lyon een kijkje nemen in de culturele Biënnale van Lyon
(biennale-de-lyon.com).
Barcelona Tatiana Kourochkina, eigenares van Tatiana Kourochkina
Galeria d’Art. “Luxe betekent tijd hebben voor onszelf en niet gewoon de
laatste hightechsnufjes bezitten of ingewikkelde horloges.”
Relax in Barcelona in de prachtige omgeving van Laberint d’Horta
(bcn.cat/parcsijardins/fonts/laberint_horta.html).
Stockholm Maria Von Euler, industrieel ontwerper en brand manager, Molami
“Luxe is erover en overbodig, maar tevens exclusief en verfijnd, met
verantwoordelijkheid voor het milieu.”
Geniet in Stockholm van de haute cuisine bij F12 (f12.se) en
Mistral (mistral.nu).
Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011 39
*PRICES QUOTED ARE FOR A RETURN TICKET IN B.LIGHT ECONOMY FROM OR TO BRUSSELS, ALL TAXES AND FEES INCLUDED, IF BOOKED ON BRUSSELSAIRLINES.COM. TICKETS ARE NOT CHANGEABLE, NOR REFUNDABLE. PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE

INFLIGHT PROMOTION
LUXURY
BRUSSELS
UNCOVERED
For the height of luxury in the heart of Europe,
Brussels has the ultimate in indulgence
1 Royal Windsor
Grand Place hotel
Ideally located steps from the renowned
Grand Place, this magnifi cent hotel is
the perfect getaway for a luxurious
weekend in the capital of Europe.
Throughout the lobby, rooms, suites,
fi tness centre and saunas, dining and
banqueting areas, the Royal Windsor Hotel
Grand Place boasts an elegant luxury that
culminates in the Grand Place Terrace
Suite, offering sweeping views over one of
the most beautiful squares in the world.
5 Rue Duquesnoy, 1000 Brussels,
tel: +32 (0)2 505 5555,
royalwindsorbrussels.com
2 Bel Air & No Concept
fashion
Following openings in renowned
European department stores in Paris
and Geneva, Bel Air has launched
its new fl agship store in Brussels, with
a modern and chic collection that’s
1
perfectly suited to the famed Galerie
Louise shopping strip.
Bel Air’s collaboration with Bar
Rafaeli won global acclaim, and the
unmistakeable brand is now being worn
around the world. Covering your whole
wardrobe from day- to evening-wear, Bel
Air is Brussels’ top fashion offering.
Bel Air is also stocked in No Concept,
a gorgeous fashion boutique where you’ll
fi nd a lifestyle range of women’s clothes,
shoes and accessories. The must-have
collections from Paris, New York and London
are all on display here, and this beautiful
boutique stocks everything you need for the
complete luxury wardrobe. No Concept is
also a concept store featuring original gifts,
accessories and other engaging ideas.
Boutique Bel Air, 3 Galerie Louise, 1050
Brussels, tel: +32 (0)2 502 2700, 60 Rue
Leon Lepage, 1000 Brussels,
tel: +32 (0)2 512 8292,
Boutique No Concept Louise, 94c Avenue
Louise, 1050 Brussels, tel: +32 (0)2 511 8420
2
A world of luxury
shopping, high-end
hotels and decadent
bar-restaurant
experiences awaits
you in Brussels
3
3 Maison Martin Margiela
men’s & women’s fashion
The renovated Maison Martin Margiela
fl agship store now offers a separate men’s
department on the fi rst fl oor that’s styled as
a ‘gentleman’s private club’. Spacious yet
intimate, with even more choice from the
iconic brand’s surprising designs and
timeless classics. The ground fl oor has also
been refurbished, and the women’s
department now has twice the amount
of ‘private diamond shaped space’ plus
more temptations. Open Monday to
Saturday, 11am to 7pm.

4
Maison Martin Margiela, 114 Rue de
Flandre, Brussels 1000, +32 (0)2 223 7520,
mmmbxl@skynet.be
4 Val Saint Lambert
crystal glassware
Immerse yourself in the fascinating
world of Val Saint Lambert’s luxury
glassware and discover the glittering
beauty behind each unique, mouth-blown
and hand-cut piece. Enjoy the surprise
of pure clarity and intense colours.
Let the poetic structures and alluring
forms enthrall you. But above all, enjoy
6
5
the rich tradition and masterly magic
of Val Saint Lambert, master craftsmen
in crystal since 1826.
Flagship store, Galerie du Roi,
1000 Brussels,
tel: +32 (0)2 502 0262,
val-saint-lambert.com
5 Delvaux leather goods
Delvaux is the oldest fi ne leather luxury
goods company in the world. For over 180
years, the House of Delvaux has adapted
to the requirements of its customers and
innovated constantly in order to give a
contemporary and functional touch to the
elegance of its collections. Today, it
continues to promote the same values:
traditional craftsmanship, fi ne materials,
a desire to create unique products and a
close bond with customers. You can now
experience this craftsmanship fi rst hand
through a visit to the Delvaux atelier and
museum – simply book via email.
delvaux.com, info@delvaux.com
6 The Bar Amigo drinks
The Bar Amigo has a cutting-edge feel
that contrasts with the grand, historic
INFLIGHT PROMOTION \\\
Hotel Amigo and its red and green leather
chairs and sofas, offering a discreet and
relaxing environment. The Martini Bar
is the place to meet for an aperitif, or
to try out the impressive list of whiskies
and cognacs – and of course the expert
bartenders mix a spectacular martini.
The autographs of celebrities adorn the
walls, and relaxed music plays in the
background. Open until 1am daily.
1-3 Rue de l’Amigo,
1000 Bruxelles,
+32 (0)2 547 4747,
roccofortehotels.com,
enquiries.amigo@roccofortehotels.com
7 Belga Queen brasserie
The latest initiative by Antoine Pinto,
Belga Queen has already become a
reference point for Belgian gastronomy,
and won the Golden Palm award in
Paris for ‘best brasserie concept’. The
inspired setting in the opulent Hôtel de
la Poste speaks to Pinto’s trademark
aestheticism, and provides a lavish
home for the restaurant, oyster bar,
beer bar and lounge club. The emphasis
is on local fl avours, with top-quality
regional produce, wine from Belgian
vignerons around the world, and
a sophisticated list of premium
Belgian beers.
32 Rue Fossé aux Loups,
1000 Brussels,
tel: +32 (0)2 217 2187,
belgaqueen.be
7

Les Petits Oignons is one
of the smartest, new spots
to be seen in the Sablon

Sablon-faire
As the quaint Brussels neighbourhood prepares to host Nocturnes du Sablon, Jenny McNeely explores
its cobbled streets and discovers a strong sense of community and a wave of newcomers who just
might sweep away the remnants of its staid reputation
Photography Mariano Herrera Fashion director Nino Bauti
Flick to the Sablon section of a
Brussels guidebook and you’re
likely to read some of these
words – antiques, art, chocolate.
But just as cities don’t neatly divide into
guidebook sections, these words don’t do
justice to an area that is evolving into
something quite special.
Patrick Mestdagh, antiques dealer and
joint head of the Sablon Association, is
making an admirable attempt to provide a
potted history of the area and communicate
something of the spirit of the Sablon. But
this very spirit is what regularly interrupts
as Mestdagh responds to a stream of
greetings from acquaintances passing by our
table outside Au Vieux Saint Martin (38
Grand Place du Sablon). At this time of day,
the square is coming to life – delivery vans
are offloading fresh produce, tables are
wiped down for the morning coffee rush.
In a city known for its international
population and chilly bureaucracy, this
village-like atmosphere is a little surprising.
“This is a magical place and when you work
here you can feel it. Brussels is a village and
the Sablon is a really little village. A lot of
people know one another and that creates
a special atmosphere,” says Mestdagh.
It’s a particularly well-dressed village, but
despite its evident affluence, it was pennypinching
that first drew sharp-eyed antiques
dealers here. “In the early 20th century, the
rent was relatively cheap and antiques
dealers are always looking for cheap rent!
When I came here in 1991, there were a few
restaurants and chocolatiers but it was
mainly antiques and art dealers,” says
Mestdagh. “The landscape has begun to
change. The Sablon might be second to the
Grand Place in terms of renown, but it is first
in the heart of the Brussels people.”
BRUSSELS CHIC \\\
I had seen a glimpse of this fondness
the previous evening when I dined at the
excellent local brasserie Lola (33 Place du
Grand Sablon, tel. +32 (0)2 514 2460) where
there wasn’t a free table, or a guidebook,
to be seen.
The popular weekend antiques markets
are the backdrop to a vibrant weekend scene
to which both locals and visitors gravitate.
Rym Zoughlami, whose father Khaled
relocated his restaurant, Les Petits Oignons
(25 Rue de la Régence, tel. +32 (0)2 511
7615), to the Sablon this year, explains what
drew them to the area: “This is one of the
most beautiful, historic neighbourhoods in
Brussels, there’s a lot happening, so it’s a
great place to open a restaurant. It’s a good
mix of tourists and locals, lots of whom have
an established Sunday routine in the Sablon.”
So far, so guidebook. But alongside the
well-established Sablon dwellers such as
Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011 43

BRUSSELS CHIC
chocolatiers Wittamer and Pierre Marcolini,
and the wonderfully opulent Costermans
antique house, there is fresh blood.
Fashion designer Anna Heylen has
branched out from modish Antwerp to open
her first Brussels boutique in the Sablon.
Maison Heylen (37 Rue Lebeau, annaheylen.
be) opened in March in a Victor Horta building
– Hôtel Frison. Heylen explains why Horta’s
architecture provides the perfect backdrop
to her innovative designs: “Horta was a very
artistic man, a man of ambacht (craft). We
have the same way of thinking – I make as
much as I can myself; we produce our own
fabric for instance (there is a tiny atelier in
the basement). It’s a perfect synergy.”
Just a few doors along, exuberant
designer Elvis Pompilio has a boutique
devoted to his millinery. Rue Lebeau is
shaping up to be a fashionable address.
On the way up to the salon, I ask Heylen
about the responsibility of owning a Horta
house and she admits she isn’t interested
44 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
Costermans Antiques,
on Place du Grand
Sablon, have been in
the trade since 1839
Page 42: Nicolas wears wool
jumper by Sandro; Sousou
wears Jersey dress by Pringle
of Scotland
Above left: Nicolas wears
cashmere jumper and wool
trousers by Tommy Hilfiger
Above right: Nicolas wears
jacket and wool jumper by
Canali and trousers by Paul
Smith; Sousou wears dress by
Anna Heylen, tights by Fogal
and leather boots by Paul & Joe
Right: Sousou wears plissé
x-top and ‘throusers-D’ by Anna
Heylen and heels by Chie Mihara
Opposite page and page 46:
Nicolas wears wool jacket by
Sandro, cotton t-shirt and wool
jumper by ck by Calvin Klein,
wool trousers by Hugo Boss
and shoes by Lacoste; Sousou
wears wool jumper and
trousers by Eudon Choi and
leather boots by Paul & Joe
I love this area because the people are
very friendly, it’s like a village and is just
a little more chic than downtown
Victor Horta’s light-filled
building is the perfect
backdrop for Anna Heylen’s
modern designs
Maison Heylen can be
found on Rue Lebeau,
the Sablon’s newly
fashionable address

Sculpture of a “Four-Winds
Bike” by comic artist Joost
Swarte, at Galerie Champaka

BRUSSELS CHIC
in curating a museum. As with the Sablon,
her philosophy is about moving forward.
The Villa Sablon (26 Rue Sainte-Anne,
villasablon.com) is also enjoying reinvention.
After inheriting the 1650 building, Gaelle
Pirotton set about turning it into a B&B that
has fast become the Sablon’s coolest place
to stay: “I love this area because the people
are very friendly, it’s like a village and is just
a little more chic than downtown.”
After my whirlwind tour, Patrick steers
me firmly towards Café Leffe on Grand Place
Nocturnes du Sablon
The Sablon lights up with culture this month
This year’s Nocturnes du Sablon events
revolve around a splendid pop-up pavilion in
the Place du Grand Sablon.
This will host a food market and Dîner des
Chefs as part of the Art of Taste (24-27
November). The foodie event also includes a
Rallye des Artistes Gourmands when
Michelin chefs such as Viki Geunes and
Sang-Hoon Degeimbre create a food trail
through 13 of the Sablon’s galleries and
shops from the Taschen bookshop to
Costermans Antiques.
The Ars Longa antiques fair (1-4
December) then takes over with 25 top
antiques dealers showing off their wares.
46 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
du Sablon: “This is my office. In the morning
you have the antiques dealers having their
coffee and discussing their latest
discoveries. Later you can have a basic lunch
of stoemp [vegetable mash] for instance and
more chat. Some dealers will play dice, a
stupid game where you lose money and drink
a lot. Later in the evening you can come here
for a party and there is often dancing on the
bar until 4am. At the weekend at one table
you can have a brocanteur [vintage dealer]
from the Marolles and next to him an elegant
lady with a designer bag. A rare place where
you can find that – let’s go in…”
The Nocturnes is the time for the
backbone of the Sablon – the antiques
dealers who shaped this area – to show off
their patch. This year the pavilion that will
host events points to the bright future of an
area that is both revitalised and still very
sure of its many attractions.
Shoot art director Christos Hannides
Hair & make-up Orla McKeating
at C’est Chic Agency
Models Sousou at Dominique Models;
Nicolas Gilson at IMM Model Agency
Thanks to Les Petits Oignons, Maison Heylen,
Galerie Champaka and Costermans Antiques
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FR Mythique Sablon
Alors que ce quartier plein de charme de
Bruxelles se prépare à accueillir les Nocturnes
du Sablon, Jenny McNeely découvre son fort
esprit de communauté et comment les nouveaux
venus balaient les clichés de sa réputation un
peu guindée
L’antiquaire Patrick Mestdagh tente
admirablement de décrire l’esprit d’un quartier
qui évolue vers ce côté un peu spécial, alors
que nous sommes assis à l’extérieur du Vieux
Saint Martin, Place du Grand Sablon. « C’est un
endroit magique. Bruxelles est un village et le
Sablon est vraiment un tout petit village »,
explique Mestdagh.
Aujourd’hui, les fameux marchés d’antiquités
constituent la toile de fond d’un décor de weekend
détonnant. Rym Zoughlami, du restaurant
Les Petits Oignons, dit que c’est un des plus
beaux quartiers de Bruxelles. La créatrice de
mode Anna Heylen a récemment ouvert une
boutique dans un bâtiment Victor Horta,
soulignant la fibre créative du Sablon. Un de
ses voisins, tout aussi à la mode, n’est autre que
le modiste Elvis Pompilio.
L’endroit le plus branché pour séjourner est la
Villa Sablon, et le lieu de ralliement de cette
communauté enthousiaste est le Café Leffe,
explique Mestdagh. « Le matin, vous y trouvez
les antiquaires qui discutent de leurs dernières
découvertes. Le soir, vous pouvez y faire la fête
et c’est souvent dancing sur le bar jusqu’à 4
heures du matin ».
Découvrez les Nocturnes du Sablon
Le 24 novembre, les lumières de Noël s’allument
et l’événement Art of Taste (jusqu’au 27
novembre) investit la Place du Sablon avec un
Marché Gourmand et un Rallye Gourmand étoilé.
La foire d’antiquité Ars Longa se déroule du 1er
au 4 décembre.
NL De Zavel nodigt uit
Terwijl de schilderachtige Brusselse
wijk zich klaarmaakt om de Nocturnes van
de Zavel te verwelkomen, ontdekt Jenny
McNeely het sterke gemeenschapsgevoel en
de nieuwkomers die de buurt voorgoed willen
ontdoen van haar saaie reputatie
Dit is een magische plaats. Brussel is een dorp
en de Zavel is een nog kleiner dorpje,” aldus
antiquair Patrick Mestdagh. De huidige welvaart
verdoezelt het gierige verleden, toen gewiekste
antiekhandelaars tot de Zavel werden
aangetrokken door de goedkope huurprijzen.
Vandaag vormen de populaire antiekmarkten
het achtergronddecor tijdens de bruisende
weekends. Rym Zoughlami van het restaurant Les
Petits Oignons zegt dat het een van de mooiste
buurten van Brussel is. Modeontwerpster Anna
Heylen opende onlangs een boetiek in een
gebouw van Victor Horta. Een van haar buren is
hoedenmaker Elvis Pompilio.
De meest trendy plek om naartoe te gaan is
Villa Sablon en het centrum van deze inspirerende
gemeenschap is het Leffe Café, zegt Mestdagh.
“’s Morgens komen de antiquairs hier een
koffie drinken en praten over hun recentste
ontdekkingen. Tijdens de avond zijn er feestjes
en wordt er vaak tot in de vroege uurtjes op de
toog gedanst.”
Ontdek de Nocturnes van de Zavel
Op 24 november gaat de kerstverlichting aan
en start het evenement Art of Taste (tot 27
november) op het Grote Zavelplein met gerechten
bereid door sterrenchefs en een
fijnproeversmarkt.
De antiekbeurs Ars Longa vindt plaats van 1
tot 4 december.
*PRICES QUOTED ARE FOR A RETURN TICKET IN B.LIGHT ECONOMY FROM OR TO BRUSSELS, ALL TAXES AND FEES INCLUDED, IF BOOKED ON BRUSSELSAIRLINES.COM. TICKETS ARE NOT CHANGEABLE, NOR REFUNDABLE. PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE

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you‘ll earn 1 award mile for every euro spent.

INSIDE THE
CORRIDORS OF
DEMOCRACY
The new visitors’ centre Parlamentarium offers a unique
experience of EU democracy and how it touches us all
Parlamentarium, the biggest centre of its
kind after Washington’s Capitol Hill, opened
its doors on Friday 14 October. Hundreds
of visitors streamed into the European
Parliament’s new attraction over the weekend
to experience the latest in interactive
multimedia. Parlamentarium showcases
democracy in action at the heart of the EU,
with the world’s biggest 3D lighting display
and a virtual trip through Europe.
An unforgettable experience
Parlamentarium is open every day and provides
a range of attractions, free of charge. Innovative
and entertaining multimedia tools lead
children and adults on a journey of discovery.
How are the decisions that touch us all
actually made? How did Europe develop to
become a union? Who makes up the European
Parliament, and where do they stand in the
political spectrum?
Two huge 360° screens (each of them 150m2 )
immerse visitors in the Parlamentarium
experience. One plunges you into the plenary
chamber, while the other lets you travel across
the Union as you’re introduced to 54 EU citizens
who explain how decisions taken in the
European Parliament have touched their lives.
For a more hands-on experience, a
specially designed role-play game has been
created for school groups looking to step into
a Member of Parliament’s shoes and see if
they have got what it takes to be a decision
maker on the global stage.
Be a part of it
It’s your Parliament making decisions that
affect your Union, so come along and
experience what it means to be part of
the European story.
60 Rue Wiertz / Wiertzstraat, Brussels
europarl.europa.eu/parlamentarium
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IMAGE BB-BLUETENTRAEUME
Businesstrends
Boyd Farrow rounds up what’s happening in the business world across Europe
Break away
The perfect holiday for the newly single
What becomes of the brokenhearted? They travel, that’s what. A
Berlin-based company, Die Liebeskümmerer is catering for the suddenly
sad-and-single with getaways designed to aid recovery from break-ups,
with its team of therapists, nutritionists and fitness coaches. The
company believes it can build a community for “sharing, mutual
understanding and strengthening”, as well as forming a new network of
supportive friends for after the trip is over. The getaways, lasting
four-to-seven days, are aimed at everyone “in the same boat”, young and
BUSINESS \\\
elderly, women and men, of any sexual orientation, to help them back on
their feet. Supported by experienced psychologists, psychotherapists
and health and styling coaches, participants are given “space to breathe,
relax and think about what has happened”. Getaways range from remote
cottages by the sea to wellness resorts and mountain retreats, for those
needing an instant escape, custom trips can be arranged. Prices vary
depending on the trip, but they are in the ballpark of €1,450 for four
nights. Die Liebeskümmerer also welcomes people in relationships
suffering from heartache. Of course these trips also present a great
opportunity for the type of person who actively seeks a holiday romance
– all their travelling companions will be available and highly vulnerable.
Die Liebeskümmerer
holidays incorporate
pampering and relaxation
Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011 51

IMAGE GETTY IMAGES
///BUSINESS
Businesstrends
Despite more women in
employment, Germany’s
workforce is set to shrink
Ups and downs
Despite low unemployment figures, Germany’s economic recovery rate is slow
The Institute for Employment Research (IAB) has forecast an end to the good times in
Germany’s labour market, dampening the euphoria around the latest unemployment figures.
Germany has just posted its lowest unemployment figures for 20 years, registering below
2.8 million for the first time since 1991. But according to the IAB, affiliated with the Federal
Employment Agency, the development of the job market will depend a lot on how the current
debt crisis in the eurozone is dealt with.
Recent economic prognoses have put next year’s GDP growth rate at just 1%, meaning Germany’s
ongoing recovery and therefore the labour market will be much slower in 2012. The IAB also
warned of a general reduction in the size of the German workforce in 2012. Demographic
factors alone would mean that 250,000 fewer people would be working, the institute reported.
The majority of this decrease is expected to be balanced out by immigration and an
increasing number of women and older people joining the workforce, but this will still leave an
overall loss of 40,000 workers. Germany is expecting a large influx of workers next year from
the eight central and eastern European EU member states, thanks to its relaxation of
immigration restrictions that were put into force in May.
Food for thought
Nestlé uses new cash injection to talk directly to its four-legged market
There may be security in gold during these troubled times but the financial community could
have even more faith in Kit Kats. Nestlé, the world’s largest food company, has won the lowest
rate on a European company loan in four years, borrowing €4bn to further global expansion.
And what is the food giant based at Vevey, near Geneva, spending some of this money on?
Well, it’s extending its product technology centre in the UK, expanding its coffee operations in
Mexico, and it has created a television commercial directly targeted at dogs. Yup, that’s right.
The ad, which aired on Austrian television last month, uses three different sounds: a
high-frequency tone, a squeak that is similar to that of a dog g toy, and a high-pitched ‘ping’ to
attract the attention of both dogs and their owners. The 23-second second Beneful spot aired
earlier on German television and on the internet over the summer. mmer.
According to Anna Rabanus, brand manager of Beneful: “We We wanted to
create a TV commercial that our four-legged friends can enjoy oy and
listen to, but also allow the owner and dog to experience it
together.” It’s not the first time Nestlé has made a direct appeal eal
to canines. Last year, it put up posters scented with Beneful
dog food that dogs could sniff while out for a walk.
52 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
Face value
Prague’s affordable plastic surgery
One sector still doing well despite the
financial crisis in much of Europe is cosmetic
surgery, and in Prague, this business is
booming. The cost of plastic surgery in the
Czech Republic is two-to-three times less
than identical procedures in Germany, the UK
and Switzerland, even though the country
has high medical standards. Dr Roman Kufa
of the Perfect Clinic in Prague says: “Doctors
who want to practice cosmetic surgery in the
Czech Republic must graduate with a
specialisation in plastic surgery. In many
countries, it’s not necessary to specialise in
that in order to practice plastic surgery.”
Kufa told The Prague Post that when he
opened the Perfect Clinic 10 years ago, his
Patients with an eye for
saving on surgery are
fl ocking to Prague
patients were nearly exclusively Czech. “I
started advertising abroad, and very soon
I started to operate on patients from
Germany and Austria.” Now Kufa sees a
growing number of patients from Germany,
Austria, Switzerland, the United Kingdom,
Poland and Russia.
The foreigners tend to seek the same
procedures popular among Czechs: breast
augmentation, aug
liposuction, rhinoplasty and
tummy tum tucks. Since the economic crisis, the
industry indu in Prague has boomed, with foreign
patients pa even more cost-conscious about
procedures. Last year, 9,000 visited for
cosmetic c surgery, according to the Czech
Society Soc of Aesthetic Surgery. Currently,
foreign fore tourists make up 20% of plastic
surgery surg
clinics’ patients in Prague.

Gucci’s time to enshrine
The brand can boast healthy revenues and its own museum
François-Henri Pinault, president of PPR, which owns the Gucci Group,
has said that while the eurozone crisis is a concern – especially in Italy,
because it remains an exceptional source of fabric and craftsmanship –
the drop in the euro’s value will ultimately help luxury brands by making the
slightly lower-priced offerings more attractive to consumers, particularly
in Asia. Gucci’s revenue in 2010 was €2.6bn, with 36% coming from the
Asia-Pacific region, excluding Japan; 30% from Western Europe; and
18% from the US.
To celebrate its 90th anniversary – and to enshrine the heritage
consumers are buying into – Gucci has just opened the Gucci Museo in its
home city, Florence, in the Palazzo della Mercanzia, which dates back to
1337. The museum offers 1,715 m2 over three floors detailing Gucci’s
history. The first floor is dedicated to the Flora World – the iconic motif
that has been interpreted many times on various products, from perfumes
to shoes. There are also some novelties including a Cadillac Seville designed
by Guccio Gucci’s son, Aldo, upholstered and decorated with the brand’s GG
monogram and green-red-green stripes, soon to be joined by a Fiat 500C.
Although the company’s archives will be kept in the private basement area,
the museum has a café, bookshop and other amenities, so the project can, in
designer Frida Giannini’s words, “give something back” to Florence.
YOU ARE HERE
Consumers can now
spend even more on
Gucci – in the new
Gucci Museo
souvenir shop
Rue Pierre Fatio 3
CH-1204 Genève, Suisse
t: +41 22 707 09 09 f: +41 22 707 09 10
Gerbergasse 1 (Am Marktplatz)
CH-4001 Basel, Schweiz
t: +41 61 260 31 31 f: +41 61 260 31 39
info@banquethaler.ch www.banquethaler.ch
IMAGE GETTY IMAGES

BUSINESS
Businesstrends
Aleksei Kudrin resigned
as Russian fi nance
minister after criticising
President Medvedev
Swiss roll
Switzerland is no longer a guaranteed
safe haven for Russian tax evaders
There is bad news for Russian tax evaders
who’ve counted on Swiss bank accounts, as
Switzerland agrees to turn over information
to Moscow about account holders,
particularly in relation to tax investigations.
Russia and Switzerland have signed an
agreement that will give the Russian Finance
Ministry access to information about
Russian citizens’ accounts in Switzerland.
Switzerland has long been a safe harbour for
investors. But in the wake of the financial
crisis, it has been forced to sign agreements
with a number of countries regarding the
disclosure of bank account information.
After the G20 summit in April 2009,
Switzerland was placed on a so-called ‘grey’
list of countries who have formally agreed to
share financial information if other
governments request it in relation to a tax
investigation, but have not actually fulfilled
their obligations under those agreements.
According to Swiss media, in order to get off
the list, the Swiss government will need to
sign at least 12 bilateral agreements
regarding information disclosure.
Switzerland has signed agreements with the
US, Denmark, Norway, France, Mexico and
Luxembourg, and some Swiss banks have
made additional agreements with
governments on their own. The latest
agreement allows the Russian Finance
Ministry to obtain information about
potential tax cheats if there is sufficient t
suspicion of tax evasion or fraud. The
agreement was signed just before the
resignation of Russian Finance Minister r
Aleksei Kudrin, following his criticism of f
President Dimitry Medvedev’s candidacy y
to become Prime Minister after the next t
presidential elections that are expected d
to return Vladimir Putin to the top job.
54 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
IMAGE CORBIS
Coffee cycle
The launderette is refreshed with a shot of caffeine
Visiting the
launderette is
becoming a social
event in Munich
These days it seems that every small retail enterprise is a something slash coffee shop. There
are magazine kiosk–coffee shops, hairdresser–coffee shops, bike repairer–coffee shop, etc
etc… Well those practical Germans, in uber-sensible Munich have come up with Wash &
Coffee, a slick, bright enterprise that fuses launderette and café to make the chore of
cleaning clothes a zippier and more social experience. Behind the venture is the laundry and
detergent conglomerate Henkel and the washing machine giant Bosch-Siemens. There are no
harsh lights at Wash & Coffee. Instead, in an almost cosy lounge atmosphere, a selection of
washing machines, dryers and detergents are on hand for self-service use. Professional
laundry services are also available — including ironing — as are experts to dispense clothescare
advice. While clothes are getting clean, meanwhile, visitors can enjoy Wash & Coffee’s
free wi-fi and entertainment events, as well as purchase a range of coffees, espresso drinks
and snacks, including cakes, soups, bagels and salads. Combination specials offer reduced
pricing for those who purchase both laundry service and refreshments. Henkel and Bosch-
Siemens plan to roll the concept out to several other European cities. Even cynics who point
out that the era of the launderette is long over should admire this genius way of showcasing
the products, now more people are buying white goods online.
Victoria’s Russian secret
Lingerie brand reaches Moscow ahead of flagship opening in London
US lingerie and cosmetics chain Victoria’s Secret has entered the Russian market by opening
three separate stores in Moscow under a deal with Alshaya Group, which operates several
Western brands including The Body Shop. However, sexy lingerie will be kept to a minimum in
all the Moscow outlets, which will focus on perfume, skincare and branded merchandise, such
as umbrellas and iPad cases. This has nothing to do with Muscovite prudishness. It is simply
because the stores are much smaller than in the US and there is no room to display stock.
Moreover, items cost up to 40% more in Russia because of high import taxes. If Muscovites
want a wider selection selecti of the brand’s lingerie, they are encouraged to find it online through
the
international online store. Currently the underwear market in Russia is
valued at $2.6bn and the cosmetics and perfume market was worth
$8.6bn in 2010 and is growing. In the first half of 2011, sales in the
cosmetics and perfume market grew 13%, reflecting Russians’
increasing purchasing power. Victoria’s Secret has two main rivals:
Dikaya Orkhideya (Wild Orchid) which has 82 stores in Moscow and the
more wholesome Women’s Secret, which has 48 stores in Russia. In
2012, Victoria’s Secret will open a (1,530 m2) flagship store on New
Bond Street, London as part of two or three stores opening across the
city. It plans to expand throughout Europe.
IMAGE ALAMY

IS YOUR COMPANY READY
FOR THE SILVER TSUNAMI?
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54
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caption in here

Ah
oftheir
Geneva’s independent watchmakers are pushing at the limits of
expectations as to what a watch can look like or how it might work.
Josh Sims meets the mechanical masters creating concept timepieces
As the makers of mechanical
watches know only too well,
in physics, for every action
there is an equal and
opposite reaction. So while watch trends in
general swing towards the classic, with
Switzerland’s watchmaking maisons taking
an increasing battering by the recession, the
demand among collectors – those not
restricted in the scope of their purchases –
moves towards the more avant-garde.
Some argue that the shift is a return to
the creativity once typically found in watch
design – before the advent of quartz
movements in the 1980s, which almost killed
off the mechanical watchmaking industry (it
responded by ramping up the refinement and
classicism, a strategy that worked in the
long run). Others say that the increasing use
of mobile phones to tell the time is freeing
the watch of its need for functionality, and
therefore allowing it to be more expressive.
“There’s a new spirit in watchmaking
because consumers are looking for a more
directional point of view, especially given
that collectors are much younger now –
particularly in the huge Chinese market,”
argues Geneva-based watch designer Eric
Giroud. “Of course, collectors remain a small
part of the watch market overall, but an
increasingly influential one – a key source of
inspiration for new ideas.”
BUSINESS GENEVA \\\
Pushing the envelope
Giroud estimates that some 70 independent
and progressive watch brands have launched
over the past decade; not all of which have
survived, largely due to the huge costs
involved in concept watch development.
“You’re often not just spending four years
making a watch that looks different, but
starting with a blank piece of paper to
create a new movement – all to end up with
a design that people will either love or hate,”
notes one of the survivors, Cabestan’s Jean-
François Ruchonnet.
Those brands that remain, however, are
creating some of the most outlandish,
fascinating and technically masterful
Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011 57

BUSINESS GENEVA
Profile: MB&F
We speak to Max Büsser,
founder of acclaimed Geneva
watch company MB&F
Maximilian Büsser is a watch designer/
maker whose work includes the Harry
Winston Opus series. Last month he
opened his MAD Gallery in Geneva (MAD
standing for Mechanical Art Devices),
celebrating the work of international
designer/makers in various fi elds as art
rather than engineering.
Does MB&F, and similar companies,
represent a new paradigm for the
industry? I certainly respect the craft of
mechanical watchmakers, but our pieces
aren’t about function or telling the time –
they’re sculptures, celebrations of the
machine as a work of art. Watches generally aren’t celebrated this way because of the levels
of marketing the industry is wrapped up in – the watch is sold as a sex symbol or status item,
or as a consumer good. There has been a devaluation of craft on a general level. For instance,
technology is now so advanced that you can’t repair a car yourself, because it’s effectively
a computer. Younger generations have no appreciation of the mechanical.
Does that make sales diffi cult? Not many people want what I do, but the few who do, love it.
These designs aren’t for people who want to show off, because that kind of person wants
everybody to recognise what watch they’re wearing. With a horological machine, you’re more
likely to get either, “What the hell is that on your wrist?” or, “You paid how much for that
horrible thing?” But it’s as much about an appreciation of why we do as what we do – there’s
a human element they connect with that they can’t fi nd in big brands.
Are big brands responding to what you do? Certainly the industry is changing. Ten years
ago, independent watchmakers were nobodies; now they’re the industry’s superstars. I think
their work has brought a tipping point of acceptance that a high-end watch doesn’t have to be
round, classic and boring. Up until 2000, the industry assumed every watch had to look as though
it was made a century before. There was no evolution in concept at all. Now you can see the big
brands trying bolder ideas, if not actually trying to buy the smaller companies for their insight.
Do you think boutique brands will break out of their niche? Will they radicalise the
broader industry? I don’t know. I sometimes imagine an auction decades away, at which an
MB&F or another small company’s watch is under consideration. I wonder whether they’ll see it
as exemplary of a turning point in watch design at the turn of the 21st century; as an example
of sheer craziness; or refl ective of a long-gone fad. I really don’t care which way it goes,
though. Most of us are doing what we do out of enthusiasm, and for those who get it. We’re not
out to change an industry.
watches available – some as much art pieces
as timepieces. Martin Frei’s Urwerk, for
example, has recently launched the UR-110,
in which three arrow-shaped pointers fly in
formation to indicate the time. Others
include Concord’s C1 QuantumGravity,
radically fitting the tourbillon cage outside
of the movement and case; and pieces from
Romain Jerome, made with materials
retrieved from the Apollo XI moon rocket
and even the Titanic, or out of untreated
steel designed to rust over time.
Tellingly, brand giants are also producing
more challenging pieces. Tag Heuer has its
58 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
The Opus Eleven
by Harry Winston
Tellingly, brand giants such as Tag Heuer are also
producing more challenging pieces
V4, designed by Ruchonnet (whose own
Winch Tourbillon Vertical is powered by a
tiny chain and winch of the kind used to wind
up ropes on yachts), while jeweller Harry
Winston has the Opus series. The latest of
these, co-designed by Giroud, has an hour
indicator comprising several parts that
mechanically assemble to show the numeral,
before being pulled apart and later
re-assembled for the next.
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FR En avance sur leur temps
A Genève, des créateurs de montres
poussent toujours plus loin les limites de
l’horlogerie. Josh Sims a rencontré ces as
de la mécanique
Comme le savent les fabricants de montres
mécaniques, quand les tendances penchent vers
des modèles classiques, la demande parmi les
collectionneurs balance plutôt vers l’avant-garde.
Selon certains, cette situation marque un retour
à la créativité, bien présente dans le design des
montres dans les années 1980. Pour d’autres, l’usage
croissant des téléphones portables, qui donnent
également l’heure, ont libéré les montres de leur
objectif fonctionnel, laissant du coup la part belle
à l’inventivité.
« Il y a un nouvel esprit dans fabrication des
montres : les consommateurs sont à la recherche de
tendances pionnières, avec des collectionneurs de
plus en plus jeunes – particulièrement sur le marché
chinois », explique le designer genevois Eric Giroud.
D’après ses estimations, quelque 70 marques de
montres d’ avant-garde, se sont lancées au cours
des dix dernières années – même si toutes n’ont
pas survécu.
Les marques qui subsistent, cependant, créent des
pièces à la fois baroques et fascinantes. La marque
Urwerk, par exemple, dessinée par Martin Frei, a
lancé récemment la montre UR-110, dans laquelle
trois aiguilles en forme de flèches volent en
formation pour indiquer l’heure. Parmi les autres
modèles marquants, on peut citer la montre C1
QuantumGravity de Concord ; les réalisations de
Richard Mille, Stepan Sarpaneva ou MB&F –
fabricants de « machines horologiques » ; ou encore
les pièces de Romain Jerome, faites de matériaux
récupérés de la fusée Apollo XI ou du Titanic. Enfin,
même les plus grandes marques s’y mettent avec des
montres étonnantes, comme la V4 de Tag Heuer ou la
série Opus de Harry Winston.
NL Hun tijd ver vooruit
De horlogemakers van Genève verleggen
de grenzen van hoe een horloge eruitziet en
functioneert. Josh Sims ontmoet de
mechanische meesters
Hoewel horlogetrends in het algemeen eerder naar
het klassieke neigen, is er onder verzamelaars
steeds meer vraag naar het avant-gardistische.
Sommigen beweren dat deze verschuiving een
terugkeer is naar de creativiteit die aanwezig was
in de jaren 1980. Anderen stellen dan weer dat het
toenemende gebruik van mobiele telefoons met
tijdsaanduiding ervoor zorgt dat het horloge zijn
functionaliteit verliest waardoor het een meer
expressief karakter krijgt.
“Het maken van horloges heeft een nieuwe
dynamiek gekregen aangezien consumenten en
steeds jongere verzamelaars meer op zoek zijn
naar een toonaangevende visie,” aldus Eric Giroud,
ontwerper van horloges in Genève. Hij schat dat er
tijdens het voorbije decennium 70 nieuwe
horlogemerken werden gelanceerd. Ze hebben het
echter niet allemaal overleefd.
De merken die overblijven, creëren de meest
excentrieke, fascinerende en technisch
hoogstaande horloges – het zijn bijna kunstwerken.
Martin Frei’s Urwerk introduceerde onlangs
bijvoorbeeld de UR-110, een horloge met drie
pijlvormige wijzers die als satellietjes boven de
uurplaat rondvliegen. Andere indrukwekkende
ontwerpen zijn de Concord’s C-1 QuantumGravity;
horloges van Richard Mille, Stepan Sarpaneva
en MB&F – ontwerpers van ‘horological machines’
– en horloges van Romain Jerome, vervaardigd
met materiaal afkomstig van de Apollo
XI-maanraket en zelfs de Titanic. Wat meer is,
grote merken produceren steeds gewaagdere
stukken zoals Tag Heuer’s V4 of de Opus-reeks
van juwelier Harry Winston.
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Vienna
My
Si Hawkins spoke to Hedwig
Rotter, a porcelain designer
and founder of Mano Design,
about her favourite spots in
the Austrian capital
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CITY FOCUS
Austria’s capital offers
a renowned array of
attractions for high-living
visitors: grand sights,
sumptuous shopping and a feast of fine
dining. Take a leisurely walk with a
knowledgeable resident and you’ll discover
a rich new cache of quality sights, tastes and
styles, often under the same elaborate roof.
Day One
■ 9:00 Prepare for a day of luxurious
shopping around the Danube with breakfast
at Motto am Fluss (Franz-Josefs-Kai/2
Schwedenplatz, tel. +43 (0)125 25511),
a new canal-based offshoot of the exclusive
Motto restaurant. The river is at the heart of
Viennese life, as are classy cafés, so try
a local melange coffee (similar to a
cappuccino), a semmel roll (bread bun) and
the traditional soft-boiled egg, while
watching boats depart for Bratislava.
■ 9:30 The northern riverbank consists of
many breathtaking new buildings and
Praterstrasse 1 is probably the most
62 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
Clockwise from
left: the architecture
museum, AZW;
Stilwerk style mall
at Praterstrasse 1;
Philipp Bruni’s
Pinocchio Billiard
vases at Augarten
porcelain shop;
The Black Camel
distinctive, with its striking top-floor ceiling,
a pyschedelic statement that can be seen
from street level. Designed by French
architect Jean Nouvel, inside is the first
overseas branch of the renowned German
design brand Stilwerk. This 30-store luxury
style mall includes the excellent Design
Gallery (stilwerk.de/designgallery), which
sells several of my own creations.
■ 12:00 You could easily spend a whole day
at Praterstrasse 1. It also features an
excellent wellness centre and spa and one
of the best new bar/restaurants in town, Le
Loft (tel. +43 (0)190 616 8000), where you
can enjoy a decadent post-spa cocktail and
a magnificent view of your afternoon route.
■ 13:00 After descending from Le Loft,
head up the Praterstrasse to the 2nd
District, an area I like so much, I almost
moved my shop there. It has a Parisian
atmosphere, lots of creative people, and one
of the city’s most architecturally interesting
fashion stores, SONG (11-13 Praterstrasse),
designed in a daringly sparse fashion by the
local architect Gregor Eichinger.

Finish your busy day at
my favourite cocktail
bar, First Floor, which
has entertaining bar
staff and serves the best
White Lady in town
■ 14:00 For lunch, head to Skopic & Lohn
(17 Leopoldsgasse, tel. +43 (0)219 8977),
where you can choose from traditional
Viennese dishes or more varied, modern
cuisine while admiring another eye-catching
ceiling, by the artist Otto Zitko.
■ 16:00 Work off that hearty meal by
strolling through the atmospheric
Karmelitermarkt with its vibrant mix of
small stores and stalls, and on to two
grander affairs, both now moving with the
times. Lobmeyr (26 Kärntnerstrasse) has
IMAGE ANNA BLAU
Wetter
Mano
BRUNNENGASSE
KREUZGASSE
NEUBAUGURTEL
An-Do
START
KAISERSTRAßE
MARIAHILFER GÜRTEL
MARTIN STRAßE
LAUDONGASSE
SCHOTTENFELDGASSE
LINKE WIENZEILE
GA GAU AU AAU UDE DENZDOR ENZ ENZDO E EN ENZDDO
DDO OR O RF RRF
WÄHRINGER GÜRTEL
LAZ ARETTGASSE
BRUN RU RUUN
NN NNNENVIER N NE NEN
NV NVVIE
V IE IEER
RT RTE T EL EEL
Stauds
Muskat
JOSEFSTÄDTER STRAßE
BURGGASSE
LINDENGASSE
WEBGASSE
ALSER STRAßE
LANGE GASSE
JJOOSE OOSEF OS O SE SSEFSTA
EF F FFS
ST
AD ADT DTT
LERCHENFELDER STRAßE
NEUSTIFTGASSE
NEU N UBAUU
MARIAHILFERSTRAßE
GUMPENDORFER STRAßE
MA MMAR MAR ARI AARI R RI RIAH IA AH AHILF HI HIL F
SCHÖNBRUNNER STRAßE
Vienna
Taxi
Göttin des
Glücks
MARGARETENGÜRTEL
ALSERBACHSTRAßE
LANDESGERICHTSSTRAßE
REINPRECHTSDORFER STRAßE
been producing delicate glassware since
1823, and has recently begun utilising
younger designers. So too has Augarten
(3 Spiegelgasse), maker of fine porcelain,
whose new flagship store is particularly
impressive. Opened only a few weeks ago, its
porcelain-laced interior was fashioned by
the gifted Austrian designer Philip Bruni.
■ 19:00 Rest your feet with a lengthy stop
at a legendary Viennese location: Zum
Schwarzen Kameel, or The Black Camel (5
Bognergasse, tel. +43 (0)153 38125). It’s a
Liechtensteinpark
LIECHTENSTEINSTRAßE
Rathauspark
TRIESTER
STRAßE
Volksgarten
HAHNGASSE
HERRENGASSE
HELDENPLATZ
MARGARETENSTRAßE
MITTE RSTEIG
Donaukanal
JOSEFSPLATZ
OBERE DONAUSTRAßE
Resselpark
LINKE WIENZEILE KARLSPLATZ
RECHTE WIENZILE
TÜRKENSTRAßE
OPERNRING
WIEDNER
HAUPTSTR AßE
FAVORITENSTRAßE
WIEDNER GÜRTEL
GUDRUNSTRAßE
OBERE AUGARTENSTRAßE
SPITALGASSE WÄHRINGER STRAßE RENNWEG
DR-KARL-LUEGER-RING
MUSEUMPLATZ
Museum
Quarter
GUMPENDORFER STRAßE
MAR MARG MA MAR MA MAR M MMARGARE AR ARG RG RGARE RG GA AR RET E ETE TE ENN
Taxi
SCHOTTENRING
WI WIEDE IEEDEN
DE DEN EN
FRANZ-JOSEFS-KAI
Praterstrasse 1
START
Motto am Fluss
Zum Schwarzen
Kameel
INNERE IINNE IINN NNNE
N NNER
E E
SST STA T AD A DT T
F FFAV FA FAV F A AVVOR
VO O OOR
R RRIT
RITEN TTE
TEN T N
Karmelitermarkt
First Floor
FINISH
Taxi/U-Bahn
Bahnorama
Skopic &
Lohn
WOLLZEILE
PRINZ-EUGEN-STRAßE
BELVEDEREGASSE
LAXENBURGER STRAßE
North
400 metres
SONNWENDGASSE
Wienfluss
Stadtpark
PARKRING
TABORSTRAßE
SONG
Le Loft
Holy-Moly!
FINISH
STUBENRING
AM HEUMARKT
Belvederegarten
21er
Haus
historic treasure, catering for the city’s
chicer inhabitants since 1618 and the
restaurant features excellent – if expensive
– cuisine and many fine wines, while the
wonderful art nouveau décor, well-stocked
delicatessen and gift shop keep visitors
occupied for hours.
■ 21:00 Finish a busy day with a mercifully
short stroll to my favourite cocktail bar,
First Floor (5 Seitenstettengasse), with its
eye-catching aquarium, entertaining bar
staff and the best White Lady in town.
Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011 63
MAP ILLUSTRATION DAVID MCCUTCHEON/DVDMAPS.CO.UK

IMAGE CITRONENROT
///CITY FOCUS
Clockwise: Holy-Moly!
restaurant; the museum
of modern art, MUMOK;
Museum Quarter
Day Two
■ 9:00 We begin further west with an
alfresco coffee at An-Do (11 Yppenplatz), in
the Brunnenviertel, currently the trendiest
district of Vienna. Many creative people live
here – artists, designers, writers and actors
– and the Yppenplatz is the main meeting
point, a piazza with many interesting bars
and speciality shops.
■ 10:00 A short stroll from An-Do is Staud’s
(93 Yppenplatz). Austria’s finest jam-maker,
the shop is filled with beautifully presented
jars, from speciality jams, marmalades and
chutneys to excellent wines, brandies and
schnapps – a useful array of novel gift ideas.
■ 10:30 Step next door to Muskat (92
Yppenplatz), a vegetarian café with a
bookshop. Then on to delicatessen La Salvia
(8 Yppenplatz), which sources products from
Italy and Slovenia, including my favourite,
the Tuscan delicacy lardo di Colonnata.
Made from pork fat, it’s much tastier than
it sounds.
The excellent Design Gallery at Praterstrasse 1
sells several of my own porcelain creations
64 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
■ 11:30 Artisans mingle with the more
standard traders in the Brunnenviertel. My
home and shop, Mano (36 Grundsteingasse),
is located near one of the longest street
markets in Europe, the Brunnenmarkt, with
its fresh, exotic fruits, vegetables and Turkish
specialities. Browsers are welcome at both.
■ 12:00 Also in this district is my favourite
restaurant, Wetter (13 Payergasse), very
chic, with delicious Italian food and some
notable design quirks. Raetus Wetter was
once a florist, then a designer and is now
a chef. His new workplace is a visual treat,
with a novel use of cutlery on the far wall.
■ 13:00 A visit to Vienna isn’t complete
without a trip to the Museum Quarter, which
is a short taxi ride from Yppenplatz. The
choice of museums is slightly overwhelming,
but I particularly recommend MUMOK
(1 Museumsplatz, mumok.at), the museum
of modern art, which has only recently
reopened. Make time too for contemporary
art at the Kunsthalle (kunsthallewien.at),
Klimt at the Leopoldmuseum
(leopoldmuseum.org) and architecture at the
AZW (azw.at). All four venues will be
participating in Vienna Art Week in November.
■ 16:00 From museums to a stroll down the
Mariahilferstrasse, which over the past few
years has evolved into a fine fashion district.
Dip into Göttin des Glücks (17 Kirchengasse),
which is run by three designers and features
modern, eco-friendly but fancy fashions.
■ 16:30 Into the emerging Central Station
district and the recently reopened 21er
Haus (1 Arsenalstrasse, belvedere.at), which
features Austrian artworks of the 20th and
21st century, with notable architecture from
Adolf Krischanitz.
■ 17:30 As the daylight dims you should just
have time to head up Bahnorama
(hauptbahnhof-wien.at/de/bahnorama), the
highest wooden tower in Europe, for a final
overview of the city.
■ 18:30 Then walk back to the Danube Canal
for dinner and drinks at the boat-based
Holy-Moly! (Schwedenplatz/Urania, tel. +43
(0)660 312 4703), run by Christian Petz, one
of Vienna’s most famous chefs. The menu is
expensive but unpretentious, and you’ll have
to book well ahead, but it’s worth it.

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IMAGE PHOTOLIBRARY.COM IMAGE MUMOK
FR Mon parcours de Vienne
Si Hawkins s’entretient avec Hedwig Rotter,
designer d’objets en porcelaine et fondatrice de Mano
Design, sur ses lieux favoris dans la capitale autrichienne
Jour 1 9.00 Démarrez la journée par un café viennois et
un semmel (petit pain) au Motto am Fluss (Franz-Josefs-
Kai/2 Schwedenplatz… 9.30 Le nouvel immeuble de Jean
Nouvel, Praterstrasse 1, se démarque par sa toiture
flottante et le centre de design Stilwerk, propose une
sélection de mes créations… 12.00 Détendez-vous à la
Praterstrasse 1, dans le centre de bien-être et le spa,
prenez ensuite un cocktail dans le restaurant/bar Le Loft,
dans le même bâtiment… 13.00 Promenez-vous jusqu’au
quartier créatif 2nd District et la boutique de mode
SONG (11-13 Praterstrasse), à l’architecture
intéressante… 14.00 Pour le lunch, choisissez un
plat traditionnel viennois ou de la cuisine plus
contemporaine chez Skopic & Lohn (17 Leopoldsgasse)…
19.00 Soulagez vos jambes au Zum Schwarzen Kameel (Le
Chameau Noir ; 5 Bognergasse), en profitant de son
excellente cuisine, ses vins raffinés et de son magasin de
cadeaux bien fourni… 21.00 La distance est fort
heureusement très courte jusqu’au First Floor (5
Seitenstettengasse), bar à cocktails.
Jour 2 9.00 Commencez par un café chez An-Do (11
Yppenplatz) dans le trendy Brunnenviertel... 10.00
Staud`s (93 Yppenplatz) recense les meilleures
confitures, marmelades et chutneys d’Autriche, sans
oublier les vins, brandies et schnapps... 10.30 A côté,
Muskat (92 Yppenplatz) est un café-librairie végétarien
confortable, tandis que l’épicerie fine La Salvia (8
Yppenplatz) vend des spécialités d’Italie et de Slovénie...
11.30 Faites un saut dans ma boutique, Mano (36
Grundsteingasse), près de l’une des plus longues rues
commerçantes d’Europe, Brunnenmarkt... 12.00 Le
restaurant chic Wetter (13 Payergasse) offre un décor
électrisant et une excellente cuisine du grand chef Raetus
Wetter... 13.00 Ne manquez pas les événements du
Quartier des Musées (1 Museumsplatz) : MUMOK,
Kunsthalle, Klimt au Leopoldmuseum et l’architecture au
AZW. 16.30 Dans le quartier de la Gare Centrale, allez voir
de l’art moderne au 21er Haus (1 Arsenalstrasse)... 17.30
Captez le dernier rayon du jour du sommet de la tour en
bois Bahnorama (hauptbahnhof-wien.at)... 18.30 Terminez
par un dîner et un verre au populaire Holy-Moly!
NL Mijn Wenen
Si Hawkins sprak met Hedwig Rotter, ontwerper
van porselein en stichter van Mano Design, over haar
favoriete plekjes in de Oostenrijkse hoofdstad
Dag 1 9.00 Start de dag met Weense koffie en een
semmel-broodje bij Motto am Fluss (Franz-Josefs-Kai/2
Schwedenplatz… 9.30 Het nieuwe gebouw van Jean
Nouvel in de Praterstrasse 1 huisvest het Stilwerk
designwinkelcentrum, dat verschillende van mijn werken
herbergt… 12.00 Relax in het wellnesscentrum in de
Praterstrasse 1 en geniet van een cocktail in Le Loft
restaurant/bar in hetzelfde gebouw… 13.00 Wandel naar
het creatieve 2nd District en de kledingwinkel SONG (11-
13 Praterstrasse)… 14.00 Lunch bij Skopic & Lohn (17
Leopoldsgasse)… 19.00 Schuif aan tafel bij Zum
Schwarzen Kameel (The Black Camel; 5 Bognergasse)…
21.00 Je bent amper een paar stappen verwijderd van de
cocktailbar First Floor (5 Seitenstettengasse).
Dag 2 9.00 Drink een koffie bij An-Do (11 Yppenplatz)
in het trendy Brunnenviertel... 10.00 Staud’s (93
Yppenplatz) biedt een waaier aan fijne confituur,
marmelade, chutney, wijn, sterke drank, ... 10.30 Er vlak
naast vind je Muskat (92 Yppenplatz), een gezellig
vegetarisch café en boekhandel, en wat verder de
delicatessenzaak a Salvia (8 Yppenplatz)... 11.30 Bezoek
mijn winkel, Mano (36 Grundsteingasse)... 12.00 Dineer
chic bij Wetter (13 Payergasse) van topchef Raetus
Wetter... 13.00 Vergeet de hoogtepunten op de
Museumsplatz 1 niet: MUMOK, Kunsthalle, Klimt in het
Leopoldmuseum en architectuur in het AZW... 16.30
Bewonder de moderne kunst in het 21er Haus (1
Arsenalstrasse)... 17.30 Geniet van het uitzicht op de
houten toren Bahnorama (hauptbahnhof-wien.at)... 18.30
Dineer bij Holy-Moly! (Schwedenplatz/Urania).
*PRICES QUOTED ARE FOR A RETURN TICKET IN B.LIGHT ECONOMY FROM OR TO BRUSSELS, ALL TAXES AND FEES INCLUDED, IF BOOKED ON BRUSSELSAIRLINES.COM. TICKETS ARE NOT CHANGEABLE, NOR REFUNDABLE. PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE
CHRISTA RENIERS
CONTEMPORARY JEWELLERY
BRUSSELS – QUARTIER SABLON
Rue Lebeau 61, 1000 Brussels
BRUSSELS – QUARTIER DANSAERT
Rue Dansaert 196, 1000 Brussels
ANTWERP – MODENATIE
Drukkerijstraat 22, 2000 Antwerp
WWW.CHRISTARENIERS.COM

BELGIUM Population 10,431,477 Currency Euro GDP
BRUSSELS
† €27,235 Dialling code +32
Airport code BRU Average temp (Nov) 6°C
Short days don’t mean
dull nights. Explore
Museums Nocturnes’
late-night openings held
every Thursday (until 15
December). The Christmas
markets start on the 25th
and the month ends with
Sablon by Night (26-28
November), a district
party with cocktails,
exhibitions and street
illuminations. Emma
Thomson is our city guide
PORT DE NAMUR
This bustling area straddles the
‘petit ring’ motorway and forms the
boundary between the Upper Town
and the African Matongé district to
the south.
SLEEP Try the slick and contemporary
Aqua Hotel (43 Rue de Stassart, tel. (0)2
213 0101, aqua-hotel-brussels.com,
rooms from €75); its pièce de résistance
is the Blue Wave, an enormous sculpture
by conceptual artist Arne Quinze.
EAT As an alternative to butter-rich
Belgian dishes, eat at Kabu (48 Rue du
Pépin, tel. (0)2 514 2800), a quirky
Japanese restaurant with an inventive
selection of sushi and sashimi.
CULTURE Hidden behind high buildings,
the Parc d’Egmont (access via Boulevard
de Waterloo or Rue du Grand Cerf) is
Brussels’ ‘forgotten’ park. Escape the
bustle of the city and enjoy the calm.
SHOP A world away from the designer
shops lining Avenue Louise are Galerie
d’Ixelles and Galerie de la Porte de
Namur – lively arcades filled with
Congolese jewellers, craft shops,
hairdressers and clothes.
INFO
Brussels Airport is
17km northeast of
the city in Zaventem.
Train Trains depart
every 15 minutes
at peak times for
Brussels’ three
main stations.
The journey takes
25 minutes and
costs €5.20.
Bus The bus
station is a level
below the arrivals
hall. The No 12
(weekdays) and No
21 (weekends) to
the city centre
departs every 30
minutes; one-way
tickets cost €3.
Taxi The journey
to the city centre
costs €45 and takes
about 25 minutes.
Tourist offi ce
The main offi ce
is at 2 Rue Royale
(tel. (0)2 513 8940,
visitbrussels.be
Plan a romantic meal
in Chez Odette en
Ville’s plush restaurant
LATER Drink cocktails in the bathtub, or
even in bed, at trendy The Flat (12 Rue
de la Reinette); DJs play most nights.
GRAND SABLON
This regal square in the Upper
Town is known for its pricey
antique shops, restaurants and
market (see feature on page 42).
SLEEP In a quiet street in the heart of
the Sablon district, Hotel Eurostars
Sablon (2 Rue de la Paille, tel. (0)2 513
6040, eurostarssablon.com, rooms from
€70) is a four-star boutique hotel with
spacious rooms, a spa and gym.
EAT Everyone is talking about Les Petits
Oignons (25 Rue de la Régence, tel. (0)2
511 7615), an elegant brasserie serving
fine French food, while Lola (33 Place du
Grand Sablon, tel. (0)2 514 2460) is
hugely popular with fashionable locals.
CULTURE Brussels and Antwerp are
home to large Jewish communities. The
Business cards, Compliments slips, Wedding & Birth cards, Christmas cards
all printing is of the highest quality in respect of traditions since 1877.
You can book
your train tickets
from the airport to
Brussels city centre
on our website. See
brusselsairlines.com
for details.
Musée Juif de Belgique (21 Rue des
Minimes) traces the history of their
faith and their life in Belgium and boasts
a huge collection of items, including
roughly 20,000 photographs.
SHOP Belgium is famous for chocolate,
and those produced by Pierre Marcolini
(1 Rue des Minimes) – one of the world’s
foremost chocolatiers – are the best.
TIP Take to two wheels with the cheap
bike-rental scheme, Villo! You can pick
up a bike at 180 spots around town, such
as behind Eglise Notre-Dame du Sablon.
ANDERLECHT
West of the city centre, this gritty
neighbourhood is on the up thanks
to its quaint museums and good,
tourist-free restaurants.
SLEEP Live like a local at the Aviation 19
(19 Square de l’ Aviation, tel. (0)494 82
35 20, aviation19.be, rooms from €220
for two nights minimum stay) penthouse
apartment, which has its own stunning
rooftop terrace, kitchen and living room.
EAT Brimming with yesteryear charm
and a favourite with the locals, Le
Chapeau Blanc (200 Rue Wayezstraat,
tel. (0)2 520 0202) serves excellent
mussels and meat dishes.
CULTURE Step back in time and explore
the 18th-century Béguinage
d’Anderlecht (8 Rue du Chapelain).
Unique to the Low Countries, these
cottage ‘communities’ were run by a
sisterhood of pious widowed women.
Also on site is gem-of-a-museum Maison
d’Erasme (31 Rue du Chapitre) dedicated
to the life and works of Desiderius
Erasmus, who lived here for five months
in 1521. Cantillon Brewery (56 Rue
Gheude) is one of the last in the city.
Admission includes a glass of its famous
Gueuze-Lambic beer.
†PER COUNTRY PER CAPITA
*PRICES QUOTED ARE FOR A RETURN TICKET IN B.LIGHT ECONOMY FROM OR TO BRUSSELS, ALL TAXES AND FEES INCLUDED, IF BOOKED ON BRUSSELSAIRLINES.COM. TICKETS ARE NOT CHANGEABLE, NOR REFUNDABLE. PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE

La Baie d’Ha-Long Is based in the
European district of Brussels, 100m from the
Berlaymont building. We offer two clearly
distinct formulae: fast and furious service at
lunch time and cool and easy in the evenings.
LUNCH IS AVAILABLE FROM 9.50 EUROS.
In the evenings why not choose from our
à la carte menu. Amongst our Vietnamese
specialities we also serve Chinese and
Thai dishes. (Easy parking is available).
Tel: 02 734.54.38 | Email: info@labaiedhalong.be
www.labaiedhalong.be
Fermé samedi midi et dimanche,
sauf réservation d’au moins 30 personnes
Boulevard de La Cambre 12
1000 Bruxelles
Tel : 02 640 44 22
www.truffenoire.com
« Amoureux de la truffe en toutes saisons, je suis très heureux de voir revenir octobre et
son diamant par excellence : La truffe blanche. Pour les connaisseurs, elle représente
surtout un moment de dégustation rare, d’autant plus exquis qu’il est limité dans le
temps, nous laissant à peine trois mois pour en profiter ! Sa magie embaume toute notre
Maison de ses effluves rares, fatal est le destin de ceux qui y goûtent. Délectation. »
Luigi Ciciriello - Owner Of La Truffe Noire

BELGIUM Population 10,431,477 Currency Euro GDP
BRUSSELS
† €27,235 Dialling code +32
Coastline 66.5km Border Countries France, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands
PLACE SAINTE-CATHERINE
Until 1853, the Willebroek Canal
flowed through this quarter, busy
with barges delivering wares from
Antwerp. After several floods, it
was filled in. Today, it’s the site of
the city’s fish market and the best
seafood restaurants.
SLEEP The modern Pacific Café Hotel
(57 Rue Antoine Dansaert, tel. (0)2 213
0080, hotelcafepacific.com, rooms from
€129), has small but sophisticated rooms
and a lovely art nouveau bar.
EAT Le Crachin (12 Rue de Flandre, tel.
(0)2 502 1300) specialises in homemade
crêpes washed down with mugs of cider.
For food on the go, prop yourself up at
Mer du Nord (45 Rue Sainte-Catherine,
tel. (0)2 511 6671) with a cup of steaming
escargot (snail) soup and oysters.
CULTURE The Eglise Sainte-Catherine
(Place Sainte-Catherine) houses the
legendary 15th-century ‘black’ Virgin
Mary, the limestone turning black after
the statue was thrown in a river in 1744.
SHOP Don’t miss the organic food
market on Wednesdays (7.30am–3pm)
and seafood stalls from Thursday to
Saturday (7am–5pm).
TIP For a free panoramic view of
Brussels, take the lift to the top floor of
Parking 58 (corner of Rue de l’Evêque
and Rue de la Vierge Noire).
SAINT-GILLES
An up-and-coming multicultural
commune with elegant art nouveau
mansions and great bistros.
SLEEP Family run B&B Les Bluets (124
Rue Berckmans, tel. (0)2 534 3983,
bluets.be, rooms from €60) has en-suite
rooms in an ivy-adorned townhouse.
Luxurious Odette en Ville (25 Rue du
Châtelain, tel. (0)2 640 2626, chezodette.com,
rooms from €250) features
all the mod-cons plus a plush restaurant.
EAT Toucan sur Mer (17-19 Avenue
Louis Lepoutre, tel. (0)2 340 0740), is
a classy seafood joint praised for its
oysters and shellfish.
68
Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
MAP ILLUSTRATION IAN DUTNALL
marche aux
poissons/vismet
ste-catherine
st-katelijne
dansaert
RUE A. DANSAERT / A. DANSAERTSTRAAT
halles st-gery
st-gorikshallen
R. VAN ARTEVELDE / ARTEVELDESTRAAT
E
BLVD ANSPACH / ANSPACHLAAN
RUE DU MIDI / ZUIDSTRAAT
marolles
marollen
p. du jeu de balle
vossenplein
de brouckère
place ste-catherine
st-katelijneplein
RUE HAUTE / HOOGSTRAAT
place du beguinage
begijnhof
RUE BLAES / BLAESSTRAAT
RUE DE LAEKEN / LAKENSESTRAAT
place de
la bourse
beursplein
RUE DU LOMBARD / LOMBARDSTRAAT
manneken
pis
place de la chapelle
kapellemarkt
BLVD É.JACQMAIN / É.JACQMAINLAAN
RUE GRÉTRY / GRÉTRYSTRAAT
BLVD A.MAX / A.MAXLAAN
RUE NEUVE / NIEUWSTRAAT
R. DE L'ÉCUYER SCHILDKNAAPS / BISS CHOPSSTRAAT
grand-place
grote markt
place st-jean
st-jansplein
B. DE L'EMPEREREUR / KEIZERSLAAN
RUE DES MINIMES / MINIENENSTRAAT
mont des arts
kunstberg
grand sablon
grote zavel
RUE E.ALLARD / E.ALLARDSTRAAT
palais de justice
justitiepaleis
BLVD DE L'IMPÉRATRICE / KEIZERINLAAN
RUE AUX LAINES / WOLSTRAAT
rue neuve
nieuwstraat
place des martyrs
martelaarsplein
opera
louise
louiza
INFO CULTURE This year marks the 150th
For more
birthday of art nouveau master Victor
information about
places to stay,
Horta, so a visit to Musée Horta (25 Rue
things to do and
much more, go to
visitbelgium.com
Américaine) is a must. His former home
and studio is full of sumptuous features,
See pages 70 & 72 from wrought ironwork and stained glass
for a special double
Belgian city focus.
This issue: Bruges
to an arresting central staircase.
LATER With a 1,000-strong beer list,
and Namur
Chez Moeder Lambic (68 Rue de Savoie)
B
square
m. magritte
sablon
zavel
RUE DU MARAIS / BROEKSTRAAT
B. DE BERLAIMONT / BERLAIMONTLAAN
gare centrale
centraal station
museés des beaux-arts
m. voor schone kunsten
B. DU JARDIN BOTANIQUE / KRUIDTUINLAAN B. BISCHOFFSHEIM / BISCHOFFSHEIMLAAN
cathédrale
kathedraal
bozar
parc
park
BLVD PACHÉCO / PACHECOLAAN
BOULEVARD DE WATERLOO / WATERLOOLAAN
is an unpretentious corner ‘brown’ cafe
where locals come for a good vintage
bottled beer and game or two of cards.
€99 *
FROM JUST
RETURN,
TAXES INCLUDED
RUE DE LA LOI / WETSTRAAT
RUE ROYALE / KONINGSTRAAT
congres
place du congres
congresplein
parc de
bruxelles
m. des instruments de musique
muziekinstrumenten museum
place royale
koningsplein
palais royal
koninklijk paleis
porte de namur
naamsepoort
jardin botanique
kruidtuin
RUE DUCALE / HERTOGSTRAAT
botanique
kruidtuin
palais de la nation
paleis der natie
arts-loi
kunst-wet
BLVD DU RÉGENT / REGENTLAAN
Fly to Brussels from
50 European destinations
with fares from just €99*
return, taxes included.
brusselsairlines.com
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*PRICES QUOTED ARE FOR A RETURN TICKET IN B.LIGHT ECONOMY FROM OR TO BRUSSELS, ALL TAXES AND FEES INCLUDED, IF BOOKED ON BRUSSELSAIRLINES.COM. TICKETS ARE NOT CHANGEABLE, NOR REFUNDABLE. PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE

Nea Genia
Bienvenue au Nea Genia, bienvenue sous le soleil grec,
bienvenue dans la nouvelle génération des restos grecs!
Déco résolument soignée, ambiance lumineuse, des tons équilibrés
entre rouge, gris et noir donnent à Nea Genia l’atmosphère
intimiste qui vous donnera envie d’y aller et d’y retourner.
Rapidement votre table vient s’égayer des délices concoctés
par Georgy Galanis. Au menu, goûts et couleurs des 4 coins
de la Grèce... Caviar d’aubergine, feuilles de vigne, saganaki,
souvlaki... Et en suggestion, goûts et couleurs d’ici ramenés
du marché et accommodés comme là-bas de main de maitre
par le chef...le tout sous formule de TAPAS!!!
Dans vos verres, on sublime uniquement les vins de terroir grec.
Mais pas de n’impote quel terroir!!! Vous l’aurez deviné, la Grèce
est une fois de plus à l’honneur... Et va vous surprendre avec
des cépages allant du traditionnel Chardonnay à l’indémodable
Gerwurztraminer en passant par les variétés couleurs locales:
Assyrtiko, Aidani, Athiri et autres Xinomavro.
Néa Genia va vous faire aimer la cuisine grecque,
Nea Genia va casser vos aprioris sur les mezze et le retsina,
Nea Genia n’attend plus que votre réservation, que vous
pouvez même effectuer par SMS au 0477/52 89 81
Chaussée de Waterloo 437 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)
T: +32 (0) 2344 5876
Tous les soirs partir de 19 23 W 19h00
www.neagenia.be
BOUTIQUE
RESTAURANT
Fermé dimanche et lundi soir
Avenue Louise 300
1050 Bruxelles
Tél.: 02 640 54 55
www.atelier.truffenoire.com
« Diamant parmi les diamants, la Truffe Blanche est de retour dans notre restaurant.
Pour les connaisseurs, elle représente surtout un moment de dégustation rare, d’autant
plus exquis qu’il est limité dans le temps, nous laissant à peine trois mois pour en
profiter ! Notre restaurant concept-store est aussi un des seuls endroits où vous offrir
quelques grammes de truffe blanche, pour des dégustations puissantes et raffinées à
domicile. »
Gil Van Haut - Gérant de L’Atelier La Truffe Noire

BELGIUM Population 10,431,477 Currency Euro GDP
BRUGES
† €27,235 Dialling code +32
Average temp (Nov) 7°C
Bruges is famous for its
canals and guild houses,
its romantic old hotels
and medieval churches,
but this November there’s
a new reason to visit the
Venice of the North.
Bruges is hosting Choc’in
Brugge (from 6 November,
chocinbrugge.com), a
series of workshops and
tours with the city’s 14
top restaurants off ering
chocolate menus. Adrian
Mourby is our city guide
SIMON STEVINPLEIN
This leafy square off consumerconscious
Steenstraat takes its
name from Simon Stevin, the great
Bruges mathematician (1549-1620).
SLEEP Kempinski Hotel Dukes’ Palace
(8 Prinsenhof, tel. (0)50 447888,
kempinski.com/en/bruges, rooms from
€239) has been cleverly constructed out
of the remains of a 15th-century palace.
Hotel Notre Dame (3 Mariastraat, tel.
(0)50 333193, hotelnotredame.be,
rooms from €62) is a cheap and cheerful
alternative close to the main square.
EAT Gauthierz (6 Goezeputstraat, tel.
(0)50 331307) first opened five years
ago in Gauthier van Hecke’s parents’
home. He’d previously run a tourist
restaurant in ‘t Zand but wanted to serve
the food he liked at a more relaxed pace.
Popular with locals, so it pays to book.
CULTURE St Saviour’s (Sint-
Salvatorskathedraal; Steenstraat) was
built on the site of Bruges’ original
cathedral – St Donatian’s, which was
pulled down in 1799 by the French
revolutionary army. There is still a big
INFO
Brussels Airport is
100km southeast
of Bruges.
Train From
Brussels Airport,
take the train to
Brussels Midi/Zuid,
where you can
then change on to
any train in the
direction of Bruges,
De Panne, Knokke
or Ostend. The fi rst
stop is Ghent, then
Bruges (Brugge).
There are usually
two trains per hour
to Bruges, with
a journey time of
around 55 minutes.
A single ticket
costs €8.20. The
last direct weekday
train departs at
23.26 (b-rail.be).
Taxi A taxi from
Brussels Airport
will cost €170.
Tourist offi ce
In&Uit Brugge,
34 ’t Zand (tel.
(0)50 444646,
brugge.be).
Take an atmospheric night walk
from the oldest bridge in Bruges
to the gothic tower of St Saviour’s
hole on one side of Burg Square. St
Saviour’s was upgraded in the 19th
century when a huge – and not very
pretty – tower was added. Inside there
are plenty of treasures rescued from St
Donatian’s, including some 18th-century
wall carpets.
SHOP The Chocolate Line (19 Simon
Stevinplein) is Dominique Persoone’s
flagship store offering a remarkable
range of pralines and ganaches – from
tequila to Green Tokyo with wasabi; don’t
miss the Hot Shock (instant hot
chocolate on a stick, just plunge into hot
milk). Nearby you’ll find a branch of Dille
& Kamille (18 Simon Stevinplein), the
‘natural’ household store and Stephan
Dumon (11 Simon Stevinplein), yet
another master chocolatier.
TIP Simon Stevinplein is home to one of
the few Indian restaurants in Bruges,
Bhavani (5 Simon Stevinplein, tel. (0)50
339025). Try the set meal for €16.95.
Belgian
city
focus
#1
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BURG
Traditionally more upmarket, this
area contains the gothic Stadhuis
(town hall) and Heilig Bloedbasiliek
(Basilica of the Holy Blood). Blinde-
Ezelstraat (Blind Donkey Lane)
leads off to the 18th-century
Vismarkt (fish market).
SLEEP Hotel De Tuilerieën (7 Dijver, tel.
(0)50 343691; hoteltuilerieen.com,
rooms from €135) was built as a private
home in the 15th century and overlooks
one of the prettiest canals in the city.
During the filming of In Bruges, Colin
Farrell and Ralph Fiennes stayed there.
CULTURE The Folklore Museum
(43 Balstraat) is a series of restored
almshouses reproducing a 17th-century
classroom, millinery, pharmacy, grocery
and bedroom.
EAT Bij Lieven (45 Philipstockstraat, tel.
(0)50 680975) opened earlier this year
and is a pet project of chef Lieven Vynck.
SHOP 2be In Brugge (53 Wollestraat), in
a former mayor’s house, has a wall
displaying all 780 Belgian beers. The
shop meanders through various15thcentury
rooms on the ground floor where
you’ll find Magritte biscuits, Tintin
T-shirts and even Belgian wine.
LATER Café De Vlissinghe (2
Blekersstraat) is a 15-minute walk from
Burg. The oldest pub in Bruges, it was
popular with artists visiting the city in
search of a patron.
TIP Pick up a Brugge City Card
(bruggecitycard.be ) for a great range
of discounts on your sightseeing.
€99 *
FROM JUST
RETURN,
TAXES INCLUDED
Fly to Brussels from
50 European destinations
with fares from just €99*
return, taxes included.
brusselsairlines.com
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*PRICES QUOTED ARE FOR A RETURN TICKET IN B.LIGHT ECONOMY FROM OR TO BRUSSELS, ALL TAXES AND FEES INCLUDED, IF BOOKED ON BRUSSELSAIRLINES.COM. TICKETS ARE NOT CHANGEABLE, NOR REFUNDABLE. PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE

Golden Tulip Hotel De’ Medici
Bruges, Belgium
In the middle of this romantic city lies the 4-star GOLDEN TULIP HOTEL DE’ MEDICI****.
The hotel is located along one of the most beautiful and major canals of Bruges,
within 5 minutes walking distance from the main Market Square of the city centre.
The hotel also has it’s own private underground car park with a capacity of 35 spaces.
Hotel de’ Medici has 101 tastefully decorated, fully air-conditioned rooms, of which 4
are junior suites, and offers facilities for a very enjoyable and relaxing stay in the heart
of medieval Bruges. The hotel also includes a gym, solarium, sauna, Turkish steam
bath and Jacuzzi.
Meetings, formal dinners and events are also easily catered for with our 8 multifunctional
rooms with a total capacity of up to 150 people. Guests will also enjoy
dining in our Japanese restaurant “KOTO”, where the chef prepares your meal at the
Teppan Yaki table. At our fine dining Restaurant The Orchid, guests will be treated to
delicious and innovative Italian cooking prepared by our chef.
T: +32 (0)50 339833 | F: +32 (0)50 330764
E: reservation@hoteldemedici.com
www.hoteldemedici.com
10 September 2011 – 8 January 2012
Alina Szapocznikow
Sculpture Undone, 1955–1972
apple
Contemporary Art Centre
Brussels
www.wiels.org
Curated by Elena Filipovic and Joanna Mytkowska.
Organized by WIELS Contemporary Art Centre and the Museum
of Modern Art, Warsaw, in collaboration with The Museum of
Modern Art, New York and the Hammer Museum, Los Angeles.
Traveling to the Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus, Ohio.
Major exhibition support at WIELS provided by

BELGIUM Population 10,431,477 Currency Euro GDP
NAMUR
† €27,235 Dialling code +32
Average temp (Nov) 3°C
This month Wallonia’s
quaint capital hosts the
exclusive antiques fair
Antica Namur (antica.be,
11-20 November) and fi lm
festival Média 10/10
(media10-10.be, 15-19
November). Be quick and
you’ll also catch the tail
end of the Halloween
celebrations taking place
at the town’s 19th-century
citadel. Emma Thomson
is our city guide
PLACE MARCHÉ
AUX LÉGUMES
This café-lined square sits in the
centre of the Old Town – a
beguiling maze of winding alleys
filled with snug restaurants,
townhouse museums and bars
that are kept lively by Namur’s
university students.
SLEEP La Valse Lente (Quai des
Chasseurs Ardennais, tel. (0)479
569116, lavalselente.be, rooms from
€70) is a converted barge offering four
clean and cosy en-suite rooms – two with
water-level views. Nearby is Les
Tanneurs (13b Rue des Tanneries, tel.
(0)81 240024, tanneurs.com, rooms from
€40), a characterful four-star hotel
within a series of 17th-century houses
full of original features.
EAT Le Temps des Cerises (22 Rue des
Brasseurs, tel. (0)81 225326) is a lighthearted
restaurant with pink chequered
tablecloths and doodles on the walls; an
ideal place to try Namurois-speciality
petits gris (grey snails). A Table! (21 Rue
des Brasseurs, tel. (0)81 261626), a
cheerful café serving organic light bites.
Tables at the back have views of the
Sambre River and the citadel. For a
romantic candle-lit dinner, head to La
Mère Gourmandin (13 Rue du Président,
tel. (0)81 227208) famous for its
delicious savoury crêpes and tumblers of
72 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
INFO
Brussels Airport
is 67km northwest
of Namur.
Train There are
trains every 30
minutes to Namur
from the airport,
taking 80 minutes
with a change at
Brussels Nord
station. Tickets
cost €12.10.
Taxi A taxi from
Brussels Airport
will cost around
€150, taking about
an hour.
Tourist offi ce
The main offi ce
is the Maison
du Tourisme on
Square Léopold
(tel. (0)81 246449,
namurtourisme.be).
Spend a few hours
exploring the fascinating
history of the citadel
home-made cider. There’s a small
outdoor terrace at the back.
CULTURE Don’t miss Musée Félicien
Rops (12 Rue Fumal). Rops was sexually
liberated for his generation and pushed
the boundaries in his erotic sketches and
paintings – look for his most famous
work, Pornokratés, on the second floor.
Just around the corner is the Musée de
Groesbeeck-de Croix (3 Rue Joseph
Saintraint), an 18th-century aristocratic
family home with a perfectly preserved
interior showcasing Namurois-designed
furniture, sculpture and glass. Further on,
and unique to Belgium, is the Italian-style
Saint-Aubain Cathedral (Place du
Chapitre), which has a spectacular
baroque ceiling and paintings by Jacob
Jordaens and Anthony van Dyck. The
majestic 16th-century Halle Al’Chair
(Old Butchers Hall) is also worth a look.
It houses the Musée Archéologique
(21 Rue du Pont).
SHOP Meet the locals and find everything
from clothes to cauliflowers at the
weekly Saturday market held along the
length of Rue de Fer from 8am to 1pm.
LATER Very popular with the town’s
university students is the Piano Bar
Belgian
city
focus
#2
(Place Marché-aux-Légumes), which
hosts live jazz sessions on Fridays and
Saturdays from 10pm.
TIP Don’t miss the flea market at Quai
de la Meuse every Sunday 8am-1pm.
CITADELLE
Namur’s rambling citadel was once
Europe’s largest and has been
rebuilt twice since the Middle Ages.
Spend an afternoon exploring its
ramparts and enjoying the views
over the Meuse and Sambre rivers.
SLEEP The four-star Château de Namur
(1 Avenue de l’Ermitage, tel. (0)81
729900, chateaudenamur.com, rooms
from €100) occupies a grand mansion
overlooking the river. Down below, on the
riverside, is Namur Youth Hostel (8
Avenue Félicien Rops, tel. (0)81 223688,
laj.be, rooms from €31). In an old Meuse
valley-style house, the hostel is newly
renovated and offers clean rooms and
a terrace bar overlooking the river.
CULTURE Five different walking circuits
allow you to explore the citadel
independently, but better to book a tour
at the Terra Nova information centre
(64 Route Merveilleuse) and let the
guides bring the underground ramparts,
castle and medieval gardens to life with
their stories. Better still, coincide your
visit with the Halloween-themed Balade
aux Flambeaux (until 4 November) and
explore the citadel grounds by torchlight.
SHOP Stock up on gifts at Parfums Guy
Delforge (60 Route Merveilleuse), whose
award-winning handmade scents are
crafted in the cellars of the citadel and
competitively priced.
LATER Most Saturdays Le Belvédère
(1 Avenue Marie d’Artois) hosts concerts
or discos with two or three DJs playing
sets throughout the night.
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SPAIN Population 46,754,784 Currency Euro GDP
BARCELONA
† €21,185 Dialling code +34
Airport code BCN Flight frequency Three times daily Average temp (Nov) 12°C
The nights drawing in are
a good excuse to check
out the picturesque hot
chocolate bars in the Old
Town or catch one of the
many gigs in the
International Jazz
Festival. By day the
Catalan capital’s climate
is still mild enough for
the open-air Boat Show,
celebrating its 50th
anniversary this year. Judy
Thomson is our city guide
GOTHIC QUARTER
This hub of the Old Town is full of
narrow lanes, medieval palaces,
churches and Roman remains, plus
a high concentration of trendy
fashion stores.
SLEEP Boutique designer Hotel Neri (5
St Sever, tel. 933 040655, hotelneri.com,
rooms from €280), located in a
17th-century building, is a world apart
within the chimes of the cathedral.
Hostal Quartier Gothic (42 Avinyó, tel.
933 187945, hostalquartiergothic.com,
rooms from €32) is also in a listed
building but is firmly at the other end of
the price spectrum. Located in the heart
of the city’s buzz, this is a great find for
budget travellers.
EAT The diminutive Café Babel (14
Correu Vell, tel. 933 152309), in the
shadow of the Roman wall, serves snacks
all day with a humming atmosphere and
occasional live music. At MariscCo (8
Plaça Reial, tel. 934 124536), in the
majestic surroundings of Plaça Reial,
you can take your pick from a pile of
fresh seafood and have it cooked right
before your eyes.
CULTURE Watch out for the
Castanyada, the fiesta held in public
squares around Tot Sants (All Saints
Day) on 1 November. Enjoy roasted
chestnuts and panellets (almondy cakes)
washed down with litres of muscatel.
74 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
INFO
El Prat Airport is
14km from the city.
Bus There are
Aerobuses, one
from each terminal,
stopping in Plaça
Espanya, Plaça
Universitat and
Plaça Catalunya.
Tickets cost from
€5 and the journey
takes between 30
and 40 minutes.
Train Trains run
from the airport
to Sants and
Passeig de Gràcia
from 6.08am until
11.38pm and take
about 30 minutes.
Tickets from €2.80.
Taxi A taxi to the
city centre will
cost around €25,
depending on
traffi c and the
amount of luggage.
Tourist offi ce
The main branch is
at Plaça Catalunya
(tel. 932 853832,
barcelonaturisme.
com).
Enjoy Barcelona’s mild
November days at the
open-air Boat Show
SHOP The street that gave its name to
Picasso’s painting Demoiselles d’Avignon
is full of colourful shops. Try stylish Le
Fortune (42 Avinyó) for one-off women’s
fashion and pretty knick-knacks, or Lluch
(14 Avinyó) for top Spanish shoe brands,
while timeless La Manual Alpargatera (7
Avinyó) makes and sells traditional ropesoled
canvas shoes.
LATER An alternative to the high-profile
venues at the International Jazz Festival
is the Harlem Jazz Club (8 Comtessa de
Sobradiel) with jazz, Brazilian and blues
gigs from Tuesday to Sunday.
TIP Head to the shops along Calle
Petritxol for thick hot chocolate with
irresistible churros (fried sweet dough).
PORT VELL
Blow away the cobwebs walking
around the old port, revitalised as
a marina and particularly lively as
it hosts the 50th Salon Nautico, the
International Boat Show.
CULTURE Housed in handsome
19th-century wharf buildings is the
Museu d’Història de Catalunya (3 Plaça
de Pau Vila), focusing on Catalan history
with attractions to excite all ages.
SHOP In the middle of the port is
Maremàgnum (Moll d’Espanya), a
commercial centre with fashion stores
such as Mango, H&M, Oysho, Ikks and
Desigual. The only place you’ll find shops
open on Sundays.
WALK During the Salon Nautico (5-13
November, salonnautico.com) the
harbour bristles with super yachts and
there are plenty of water-based
activities on offer.
PLAÇA DE LES GLÒRIES/
DIAGONAL
This overlooked area houses some
key cultural venues, is the gateway
to the 22@Barcelona high-tech
business district and includes some
inspiring architecture.
SLEEP Smart high-rise hotel Diagonal
(205 Avenida Diagonal, tel. 934 895300,
hoteldiagonalbarcelona.com, rooms from
€80) rubs shoulders with the city’s
landmark colourful gherkin, the Torre
Agbar. New-generation Urbany Hostel
(97 Avenida Meridiana, tel. 932 458414,
barcelonaurbany.com, rooms from €50)
is a cut above traditional hostels,
complete with gym and pool.
EAT Top chefs the Torres twins work
culinary wonders at Dos Cielos, located
on the 24th floor of ME Hotel (272 Pere
IV, tel. 933 672070) plus their more
casual option DOS, recently opened on
the ground floor, with a DJ in the evening.
CULTURE Apart from a full programme
of classical music, L’Auditori (150
Lepant, auditori.org) is one of the venues
for the Jazz Festival, notably Pat
Metheny on 24 November
(barcelonajazzfestival.com). It also
houses the Museu de la Música.
LATER With a reputation for being the
best venue in town, Sala Razzmatazz
(88 Pamplona) has various clubs plus
top-quality concerts.
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HUNGARY Population 9,976,062 Currency Forint (HUF) GDP
BUDAPEST
† €13,550 Dialling code +36
Airport code BUD Flight frequency Twice daily Average temp (Nov) 3°C
As Budapest gets colder,
November is the perfect
time to duck into a café for
an espresso or a mug of
mulled wine. Dine out on
goose this month for St
Martin’s Day, washing it
down with the newly
released wines. One of
Europe’s fi nest Christmas
markets, on Vörösmárty
Tér, opens on the 18th.
Carolyn Bánfalvi is our
city guide
CITY CENTRE
Pest’s Belváros (city centre) district
contains many drawcards, from the
antique shops on Falk Miksa Utca
to the peaceful Szabadság Square
park in the banking district.
SLEEP The Four Seasons Gresham
Palace (5-6 Roosevelt Tér, tel. (0)1 268
6000, fourseasons.com, rooms from
€310/HUF 92,000) is the ultimate in
luxury. Gerloczy Rooms de Lux (1
Gerlóczy Utca, tel. (0)1 501 4000,
gerloczy.hu, rooms from €90/HUF
26,000) is more down-to-earth.
EAT Belvárosi Disznótoros (17 Károlyi
Mihály Utca) is a butcher shop with
stand-up tables where you can sample
meaty Hungarian specialities and pickles.
Centrál Kávéház’s (9 Károlyi Mihály Utca,
tel. (0)1 2662110) lunch special is one of
the best deals in town.
CULTURE The neo-gothic Parliament
(1-3 Kossuth Lajos Tér) building
dominates the Danube panorama. It is
only possible to visit the parliament on
a guided tour. Across the street, the
grand Museum of Ethnography (12
Kossuth Tér) contains a wealth of
IMAGE TIM HULSEN/OURTRAVELPICS.COM
INFO
Liszt Ferenc
International
Airport is 16km
southeast of the
city centre.
Bus The 200E to
Kobánya-Kispest
metro leaves every
10 to 30 minutes
until 11.46pm,
taking 25 minutes.
Tickets cost just
over €1/HUF 400.
Train A railway
connects Terminal
1 to Nyugati. The
journey takes 25
minutes and costs
from €1/HUF 400.
Taxi A taxi to the
centre takes about
30 minutes; the
price is €15-17/
HUF 4,800-5,400.
Or take the airport
minibus, from
€10/HUF 2,990.
Tourist offi ce
Tourinform is
at 2 Süto Utca
(tel. 1 438 8080,
budapestinfo.hu).
From markets to street
decorations, Budapest is full of
festive sights this month
information on Hungarian folk traditions
and more than 20,000 cultural items.
LATER DiVino (3 Szent István Tér) wine
bar specialises in up-and-coming wineries.
ELIZABETH TOWN
This neighbourhood is at the heart
of the revival of Jewish culture in
Budapest. Home to many ‘ruin
pubs’, it is also at the centre of the
city’s lively drinking culture.
EAT Kádár Étkezde (9 Klauzál Tér, tel.
(0)1 321 3622) is about as close as it
gets to home cooking. If you come on a
Sunday, when sólet (a Jewish bean dish)
is served, prepare to queue.
CULTURE The Great Synagogue (2
Dohány Utca) is the largest in Europe.
SHOP Massolit (30-32 Nagy Diófa Utca),
a secondhand bookshop, focuses on
showcasing the city’s Jewish culture. It
also serves a mean espresso and homebaked
desserts in its café.
code +36
LATER Ellátó (48 Kazinczy Utca), one
of the many ruin pubs on Kazinczy Utca,
offers the usual drinks, and (uniquely) a
taco stand in the courtyard. Garzon (24
Wesselényi Utca) is a pub modelled after
a typical retro-style Budapest apartment
(garzon is the Hungarian word for studio
apartment), complete with second-hand
furniture and lots of kitsch.
JOSEPH TOWN
The inner eighth district has left its
reputation as a slum behind and is
now one of Pest’s liveliest areas.
SLEEP Palazzo Zichy Hotel (2 Lörinc Pap
Tér, tel. (0)1 235 4000, hotel-palazzozichy.hu,
rooms from €90/HUF 26,000)
combines modern design with historic
features. Brody House (10 Bródy Sándor
Utca, tel. 0(1) 266 1211, brodyhouse.
com, rooms from €60/HUF 18,000)
offers a few spacious rooms for rent.
All are finished uniquely, with some
furnishings handmade or recycled.
EAT Get a taste of traditional Hungarian
cuisine with a Jewish twist at Fülemüle
(5 Köfaragó Utca, tel. (0)1 266 7947).
CULTURE The National Museum (14-16
Múzeum Körút) starts at the beginning
and continues through the fall of
Communism. Szabó Ervin Library
(1 Szabó Ervin Tér) is located in
a beautifully restored palace.
LATER Mixart, a funky bar inside a
dilapidated building (3 Mikszáth Kálmán
Tér) is a popular neighbourhood spot.
Corvintetö (1-2 Blaha Lujza Tér) is a
rooftop bar that keeps late hours and
offers fantastic views, particularly as the
sun is rising.
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PORTUGAL Population 10,760,305 Currency Euro GDP
LISBON
† €16,575 Dialling code +351
Airport code LIS Flight frequency Daily Average temp (Nov) 13°C
Arts and design take
centre stage at two major
events this month:
Experimentadesign, a
design biennale at various
venues throughout the
city (until 27 November,
experimentadesign.pt)
and Arte Lisboa (23-27
November, artelisboa.fi l.
pt) a contemporary art
fair at Parque das Nações.
Matthew Hancock is our
city guide
BAIXA
This is the historic hub of the city,
facing the Tagus River.
SLEEP Hotel do Chiado (114 Rua Nova
do Almada, tel. 213 256100,
hoteldochiado.pt, rooms from €150) sits
on the edge of the Baixa, with soaring
views from its stylish rooms and rooftop
bar terrace.
EAT Casa do Alentejo (Rua das Portas
de Santo Antão, tel. 213 469231) is a
Moorish-style mansion dedicated to the
food and culture of the Alentejo district
– one of the city’s most atmospheric
dining rooms.
CULTURE Delve underground with
a tour of the Núcleo Arqueológico
(Thursday and Saturdays only, 9 Rua dos
Correiros), a fascinating excavation of
Roman, Christian and Moorish relics.
SHOP A Outra Face da Lua (22 Rua da
Assunção) has an array of retro toys,
clothes and recycled items.
LATER Sip a glass of potent sour-cherry
liqueur, ginjinha, from the tiny bar of the
same name, A Ginjinha (8 Largo de São
Domingos) – it has been serving just this
one tipple since 1840.
INFO
Lisbon (Portela)
Airport is located
within the city.
Bus The 91
Aerobus leaves
every 20-30
minutes from 7am
to 11pm for the city
centre terminating
at Cais do Sodré.
Tickets start at
€1.35 and can be
bought onboard.
Taxi The
20-minute journey
into the city centre
costs about €15,
with an extra
charge for luggage
in the boot. Prices
increase by 20% at
night, on weekends
and bank holidays.
Tourist offi ce The
Lisboa Welcome
Centre is located at
Praça do Comércio
(tel. 210 312810,
visitlisboa.com).
Love vintage fashion?
Then you’ll really love
A Outra Face da Lua
PARQUE DAS NAÇÕES
The modern ‘Park of Nations’ was
built as part of Lisbon’s Expo 98
and has become a desirable
riverside suburb.
SLEEP Tryp Oriente, (Avenida Dom João
II, tel. 218 930000, tryporiente.com,
rooms from €90) has bright modern
rooms in a contemporary high-rise
building, with amenities including a
restaurant and gym, plus stunning views
of the Tagus and Parque das Nações.
EAT Senhor Peixe (35-37 Rua da
Pimenta) is rated one of Lisbon’s best
fish restaurants, which is saying
something in a city that loves seafood.
CULTURE Lisbon’s Oceanarium (1
Esplanada Dom Carlos), one of the
largest in Europe, is housed in a futuristic
building in the Olivais Docks. It features
habitats based on all four main oceans,
from the Antarctic to the Atlantic, plus
100 species in the huge Global Ocean.
READ OUR CITY GUIDES ONLINE
at btheremag.com
ALFAMA
This is Lisbon’s oldest quarter,
a warren of atmospheric alleys
and streets curling round the
hilltop castle.
SLEEP Solar do Castelo (2 Rua das
Cozinhas, tel. 218 806050, heritage.pt,
rooms from €150) is nestled against the
castle and offers boutique comforts.
CULTURE Museu Nacional do Azulejo
(4 Rua da Madre de Deus) showcases the
country’s famous, intricate glazed tiles.
SHOP Santos Ofícios (87 Rua da
Madalena) specialises in traditional
handicrafts from across Portugal.
LATER Onda Jazz (7 Arco de Jesus) is
one of the city’s top jazz venues with
live music most nights from 11pm.
SINTRA
The former summer residence of
Portugal’s kings and queens, this
UNESCO World Heritage Site is
a magical hilltop retreat.
SLEEP Close to the train station,
Hotel Nova Sintra (25 Largo Afonso
d’Albuquerque, tel. 219 230220,
novasintra.com, rooms from €50) is
a sound choice for spotless rooms.
EAT Páteo do Garrett (7 Rua Maria
Eugénia Ferreira Navarro, tel. 219
243380) serves delish dishes such as
monkfish rice and pork with apple sauce.
CULTURE The medieval Palácio
Nacional (Largo da Rainha Dona Amélia)
features lavish friezes and furnishings.
LATER Sintra isn’t famed for its
nightlife, but you can while away a few
hours at the cosy Bar Fonte da Pipa
(11-13 Rua Fonte da Pipa).
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UNITED KINGDOM Population 61,284,806 Currency British Pound (GBP) GDP
MANCHESTER
† €25,075 Dialling code +44
Airport code MAN Flight frequency Four times daily Average temp (Nov) 6°C
Music lovers should head
north this month as
Manchester hosts Bajan
bombshell Rihanna at the
M.E.N Arena (21 & 28
November, men-arena.
com). If you like your
singers a little more
mature, ageing rocker
Bryan Adams takes his
turn on 30 November.
Tabitha Lasley is our
city guide
CHORLTON GREEN
A patch of bourgeois bohemia just
south of the centre, this leafy
enclave is popular with young
professionals, post-grad students
and the majority of the city’s
gay community.
EAT The Lead Station (99 Beech Road,
tel. (0)161 881 5559) serves light
lunches made with regionally sourced
ingredients (go for the Cheshire lamb
kebabs or chicken-liver paté with Lead
Station chutney). You can pick up local
art here too as all the paintings on the
wall are for sale.
SHOP Try Nood (36 Beech Road) for
clothes and jewellery by independent
designers, and an in-house tailoring
service. Or mingle with Guardian-reading
locals at Creative Recycling (40 Beech
Road), which sells art made from ‘found’
objects and Unicorn Grocery (89 Albany
Road), which stocks artisan bread.
DRINK The Horse & Jockey (9 The Green)
brews its own beer on the premises and
does classic pub food to go with it. It also
scores points for being totally dog
friendly – you can even buy dog treats
and canine beer (alcohol-free, laced with
beef extract) at the bar.
TIP Get out into the smoky autumn air
and take a walk through Chorlton
Meadows down to the River Mersey. The
meadows are well-supported by the local
community – have a look at the blog
The Mark Addy serves up
hearty British fare in
contemporary surroundings
INFO
Manchester Airport
is 10km from the
city centre.
Train During
the day there
are seven direct
trains an hour
to Manchester
Piccadilly, which
take around
20 minutes.
The service runs
less frequently
at night. Many
trains also stop
at Deansgate
and Oxford Road.
Tickets cost
about €4/£3.
Taxi A taxi to the
city centre costs
about €25/£20
and the journey
takes between
20 and 30 minutes.
Tourist offi ce
45-50 Piccadilly
Plaza, Portland
Street (tel. (0)871
222 8223,
visitmanchester.
com).
friendsofchorltonmeadows.blogspot.com
to find out about the local fauna and
flora and see if there are any nature
walks taking place.
SALFORD
Once a grimy peripheral suburb,
Salford has been revitalised by the
arrival of MediaCity and its new
city status. November sees the final
influx of media types transposed
from London to the BBC’s new
headquarters here.
SLEEP Rooms at The Lowry (50
Dearmans Place, Chapel Wharf, tel.
(0)161 827 4000, thelowryhotel.com,
rooms from £122/€140) come with huge
beds, REN cosmetics in the bathroom
and floor-to-ceiling windows that look
out across the River Irwell.
EAT Don’t be put off by The Mark Addy’s
(Stanley Street, tel. (0)161 832 4080)
smoked glass windows and gloomy
aspect – the restaurant has been wowing
critics with its brawny, unpretentious
food and excellent wine list. Bag a table
by the kitchen and watch chef Robert
Owen Brown bash out robust British
dishes such as steak and cow heel pie
and Eccles cake with Lancashire cheese.
CULTURE See Opera North’s production
of Madama Butterfly at The Lowry (Pier
8, thelowry.com) from 16-19 November.
Or cross the footbridge to the dramatic,
Daniel Libeskind-designed Imperial War
Museum North (The Quays, Trafford
Wharf Road, north.iwm.org.uk), which
will unveil Gerry Judah’s specially
commissioned sculpture The Crusader
this month.
TIP Football fans can take the slow boat
from the Mark Addy to Old Trafford for
Man United home games. Tickets cost
£11 (€12.50), which includes post-match
drinks at the restaurant.
PICCADILLY
A mix of stark 70s architecture and
red-brick Victoriana dominated by
the titular train station, what
Piccadilly lacks in looks, it more
than makes up for in energy.
SLEEP Two minutes’ walk from Piccadilly
Station, ABode (107 Piccadilly, tel.
(0)161 247 7744, abodehotels.co.uk,
rooms from £79/€90) is stylish and
modern, with parquet floors, original tile
work and free, fast Wi-Fi in every room.
EAT Head downstairs to Michael Caines
at ABode (tel. (0)161 200 5678), in the
hotel’s subterranean dining room. This is
the perfect date-night restaurant – low
lighting, delicate food (try the crab
ravioli followed by wild brill with sauce
viérge) and beds just a lift ride away.
LATER Each autumn, The Warehouse
Project (thewarehouseproject.com)
takes ownership of an old air-raid shelter
beneath Piccadilly Station and throws
open its doors to 2,000 clubbers. On 1
January, it’ll be shutting up shop for good,
so catch it while you can. Eric Prydz and
John Digweed are here on 5 November,
Simian Mobile Disco on the 12th and
Andrew Weatherall on the 26th.
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NORWAY Population 4,691,849 Currency Norwegian Krone (NOK) GDP
OSLO
† €39,345 Dialling code +47
Airport code OSL Flight frequency Two times daily Average temp (Nov) 1°C
With mørketiden [the dark
time] on the horizon, Oslo
experiences a last burst of
pre-winter activity in the
late autumn. Be sure to
take advantage of the
great tube, bus and tram
system to avoid getting
caught in unpredictable
weather. Ian MacDougall
is our city guide
CENTRE
Bundle up and take a stroll down
Karl Johans Gate. If the chilly
weather gets to you, warm up in
the many shops and cafés along
the avenue.
SLEEP The Best Western Karl Johan
(33 Karl Johans Gate, tel. 2316 1700,
karljohan.no, rooms from €152/NOK
1,195) puts you in the heart of Oslo
without breaking the bank.
CULTURE As winter approaches, learn
about lives led in the frozen north at the
Ice Archaeology: Finds from the
Mountain Drifts exhibit in Norway’s
Historical Museum (2 Frederiksgate,
khm.uio.no; until 4 December).
SHOP If you’re looking for something to
brighten up a rainy November day, stop
by Norway Designs (28 Stortingsgate)
for chic jewellery and clothing from
Scandinavian designers.
LATER Summit Bar (30 Holbergs Gate)
on the 21st floor of the SAS Radisson
Blu hotel offers spectacular views of the
city and fjord. Open to non-guests.
TIP Pop in to the National Library (42
Drammensveien), but don’t head for the
stacks – instead, check out the wonderful
murals chronicling Norwegian history on
the second-storey landing.
The sunsets get more and more
breathtaking the closer it gets
to ‘the dark time’
INFO
Gardermoen
Airport is 47km
from the centre.
Train The Flytoget
express costs €21/
NOK 170, or the
slower NSB is €14/
NOK 110. A day
pass from the
central tourist
offi ce (see below)
gives you access to
public transport.
Taxi A cab ride
to the city centre
costs about €88/
NOK 690 before
5pm and €113/
NOK 890 after 5pm.
Tourist Offi ce
The tourist offi ce
is on the plaza
at the main
train station
(1 Jernbanetorget,
tel. 8153 0555,
visitoslo.com)
The Munch Museum
IMAGE VISITOSLO/NANCY BUNDT
GRØNLAND
This old mill district is Oslo’s
up-and-coming neighbourhood,
overflowing with fashionable bars
and cheap eats.
EAT Housed in what was a jail, Vann &
Brød (5 Tøyenbekken) offers tapas-style
dishes in an ultra-hip setting.
CULTURE Delve into Oslo’s 1,000-year
history at the Medieval Park (13 Oslo
Gate), where the ruins of an ancient
church and monastery evoke its Viking
heritage. Guided group tours are
available year-round.
LATER Catch some live music at Ruinen
Bar & Café (2 St Halvards Plass). If you
miss the show, there’s billiards, chess,
backgammon and wine to fall back on.
MAJORSTUA
On Oslo’s elegant west side,
Majorstua is a great place to shop
or dine. If the weather cooperates,
Don’t forget the Munch Museum
the next time you visit Oslo!
Visit the Munch Museum on your next trip Oslo
be sure to tour Bogstadveien,
the neighbourhood’s shop-lined
main artery.
SLEEP As the days shorten, Norwegians
turn to hygge [cosiness] to offset the
gloom. Nothing says hygge like Villa
Frogner (26 Nordraaksgate, tel. 2256
1960, bedandbreakfast.no, rooms from
€115/NOK 895), nestled in one of Oslo’s
cosiest neighbourhoods.
EAT Bølgen & Moi (26 Løvenskiolds
Gate, tel. 2411 5353) is contemporary
Norwegian cuisine at its finest. Try chef
Trond Moi’s signature seafood hot pot.
SHOP Check out the coming winter
fashions at Tatler (2 Bogstadveien).
GRÜNNERLØKKA
The throbbing heart of hip in Oslo,
Grünnerløkka is the place to eat,
drink or shop, for everyone from art
students to stylish young parents.
EAT Between shopping expeditions, stop
in at Fru Hagen (40 Thorvald Meyers
Gate, tel. 4549 1904) for sandwiches,
salads, and burgers.
SHOP A retro-chic paradise, at Los
Lobos (30 Thorvald Meyers Gate) you
can find that old Miles Davis LP, vintage
Hawaiian shirt or dashboard hula dancer
doll you’ve been looking for.
LATER Parkteatret (11 Olaf Ryes Plass)
is one of Grünnerløkka’s most happening
bars, with live music most nights.
TIP Check out Oslo’s Saturday farmers’
market, but beware, the market moves
weekend to weekend: 5 November,
Birkelunden Park in Grünnerløkka; 12
and 26 November, Valkyrie Plass in
Majorstua; 19 November, Vika Terrassen.
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ITALY Population 61,016,804 Currency Euro GDP
ROME
† €21,980 Dialling code +39
Airport code FCO Flight frequency Four times daily Average temp (Nov) 12°C
The scent of roasted
chestnuts pervades the
autumn air as Rome
prepares for the Christmas
festivities. November is
the perfect month to hide
away in one of the city’s
museums – don’t miss
the Botticelli exhibition
at Scuderie del Quirinale.
Solveig Steinhardt is our
city guide
TRASTEVERE
The winding streets of Trastevere
are quiet during the day and busy
at night. Full of character, this
neighbourhood has an authentic
atmosphere and a welcome
absence of tourist traps.
SLEEP Arco del Lauro (29 Via Arco
dei Tolomei, tel. (0)6 978 40350,
arcodellauro.it, double rooms from €85)
is a modern and welcoming B&B with a
timeless atmosphere and beautiful rooms.
DRINK Friends (34 Piazza Trilussa), a
popular bar on a busy piazza, serves
sumptuous aperitivo buffets and offers
a great selection of cocktails.
LATER Big Mama (18 Vicolo San
Francesco a Ripa) is one of the oldest
jazz bars in town. Grab a table and settle
in for a night of entertainment by local
and international jazz bands and soloists.
AROUND THE TREVI
The alleys surrounding Rome’s
most famous fountain are mainly
pedestrianised and, despite the
crowds, are great for repeatedly
losing and finding your bearings.
EAT Vineria Il Chianti (81 Via del
Lavatore, tel. (0)6 678 7550), with its
1,000-plus wine bottles on the walls,
wooden counters and rustic feel, is the
perfect setting for Tuscan dinners made
with the best ingredients.
SHOP DCube (42 Via de’ Crociferi)
carries fun and funny objects for the
IMAGE TIM HULSEN/OURTRAVELPICS.COM
INFO
Leonardo Da
Vinci airport in
Fiumicino is 40km
from the centre
of Rome.
Taxi According to
a new agreement
between the taxi
companies and the
city of Rome, the
rate for four
passengers from
the airport to
inside the city
walls costs €40.
The journey is
about 45 minutes.
Take offi cial white
taxis only.
Train The
Leonardo Express
to Termini takes 30
minutes and leaves
every 30 minutes
between 6am and
11pm. A single
ticket costs €11.
Tourist offi ce
Call the number
060608 for all
tourist information
in six languages.
Tourist information
PIT kiosks are
scattered around
the city (there is
one on track 24
inside Termini
station) and
provide free maps.
Trastevere Square is at the
heart of a charming
neighbourhood
home, including colourful boxes, kitchen
tools and quirky lamps. If you are looking
for elegant fashion, Massimo Dutti
(Galleria Alberto Sordi, Piazza Colonna)
offers high-quality classic clothes.
CULTURE The Scuderie del Quirinale
(16 Via XXIV Maggio, scuderiequirinale.
it) is one of the Eternal City’s most
important exhibition spaces. Until
15 January, get a glimpse of the
Renaissance through the works of
Filippino Lippi and Sandro Botticelli.
GHETTO
Rome’s Jews were confined in the
ghetto until 1870. Today, these
streets are packed with restaurants
and delis and still embody the
spirit of the Jewish population.
SLEEP Kame Hall (9 Via Paganica, tel.
(0)6 681 35568, kamehall.com, double
rooms from €130) is a luxurious and
ultra-modern hotel in the heart of the
Ghetto, with just four very comfortable
rooms in a 17th-century building.
EAT Kosher Bistrot (68 Via Santa Maria
del Pianto, tel. (0)6 686 4398) prepares
the best dishes from the Jewish Roman
tradition, including the famous fried
artichokes. Stop by for a warm meal or
buy a sandwich to eat on the go. The
panino with fish roe is fantastic.
SHOP Saray (15 Via del Portico
d’Ottavia) sells imported jewellery and
silver objects from Israel and France,
plus it carries a few Italian lines.
TIP Il Mondo di Laura (263 Via Tiburtina)
is a fairytale shop for those with a sweet
tooth as it sells only cookies. Laura
Raccah, the owner and creator of many
of the recipes, is often behind the
counter telling customers the story
behind each of her sweet creations,
which include a special kind of brownie
and crunchy sesame treats. Dairy-free
and 100 per cent delicious.
MONTI
This picturesque neighbourhood
was once Rome’s red-light district.
Today, its narrow streets are lined
with trendy little boutiques and
cosy restaurants.
EAT Award-winning La Carbonara (214
Via Panisperna, tel. (0)6 482 5176)
serves the dishes that define Roman
cuisine: fried vegetable platters, offal,
Roman artichokes and, naturally, the
famous pasta alla carbonara. The setting
is traditional with a trendy touch, and the
service is impeccable.
DRINK Caffè Bohemien (36 Via degli
Zingari) is a teahouse, a mini library, an
exhibition space, and the best place to
rest your weary feet after a day walking
on Rome’s cobblestone streets. Excellent
selection of hot drinks and wines.
CULTURE This month, Palazzo delle
Esposizioni (194 Via Nazionale,
palazzoesposizioni.it) explores the
diverse trends in Russian 20th-century
art with two joint exhibitions on Soviet
realism and on the Russian avant-garde
as seen through the eyes of Aleksandr
Rodchenko. Until 8 January.
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SWEDEN Population 9,059,651 Currency Swedisk Krona (SEK) GDP
STOCKHOLM
† €28,175 Dialling code +46
Airport code BMA Flight frequency Three times daily Average temp (Nov) 1°C
At this time of year, crisp,
chilly days are standard,
but as long as you’re
dressed right, you can still
explore the city. Inside
you can indulge in retail
therapy and fi ne dining,
then cosy up in one of
Stockholm’s many cafés
for a fi ka (coff ee break).
Victoria Larsson is our
city guide
GAMLA STAN
Of course it’s touristy, but for a
reason – the narrow cobblestone
streets are enchanting, and often
car-free. Among tourist traps
serving bad food at steep prices
and shops hawking Viking helmets
there are some gems.
SLEEP Victory Hotel (5 Lilla Nygatan, tel.
(0)8 506 40000, thecollectorshotels.se,
rooms from €218/SEK 1990) has an
antique feel, dark wood furniture and
an amazing (organic) breakfast buffet.
EAT Pubologi (20 Stora Nygatan, tel.
(0)8 506 40086) is a new gastro pub
serving quality burgers, steaks and
sausages in an orange and turquoise
space, dominated by a long communal
table. If meat isn’t your thing, check out
vegetarian café Hermitage (11 Stora
Nygatan, tel. (0)8 411 9500). The menu
changes regularly, but it’s always tasty,
inexpensive and healthy.
SHOP Happy Color (44 Stora Nygatan)
sells bold jewellery, often made from
recycled materials.
LATER Debaser Slussen (1 Karl Johans
Torg) is a rock club floating on the water
between Gamla Stan and Södermalm.
The entertainment is a mix of touring
acts, local bands and club nights.
KUNGSHOLMEN
Mostly quiet and residential, this is
where young(ish) professionals go
to breed. The area around
80 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
INFO
Arlanda airport is
40km north of the
city centre.
Train Arlanda
Express departs
every 15 minutes
to the city’s main
bus/train station. It
takes 22 minutes
and return tickets
cost €54/SEK 490.
Bus Flygbussarna
buses stop at S:t
Eriksplan and the
main bus station,
Cityterminalen. A
return ticket costs
€22/SEK 198. The
journey takes
about 50 minutes,
with departures
every 10 minutes
at peak times.
Taxi Licensed taxis
off er a fi xed price
for the 40-minute
journey into town
for about €57/SEK
520.
Tourist offi ce
The tourism
information offi ce
is at 14 Vasagatan,
across from the
Central Station.
Tel. (0)8 508 28500,
stockholmtown.
com
Grandpa is the place to
shop for stylish men’s and
women’s designer fashion
Fridhemsplan is good for shopping,
and around pretty Kungsholmstorg
there are many nice restaurants,
cafés and bars.
SLEEP First Hotel Amaranten (31
Kungsholmsgatan, tel. (0)8 692 5200,
firsthotels.com, rooms from €83/
SEK757) is close to Kungsholmen’s best
restaurants and nicest areas. The hotel
is sleek and bright.
EAT AG (37 Kronobergsgatan, tel. (0)8
410 68100) is a meat restaurant. If you
don’t already know this, you’ll be set
straight upon entering, as the first thing
you’ll see is a glass case filled with cuts
of meat. The Porterhouse for two, served
with creamed spinach and hash brown is
one of the most popular menu items,
despite its price tag of SEK 875 (€96).
CULTURE Galerie Nordenhake (8
Hudiksvallsgatan, nordenhake.com) is
considered by many to be Stockholm’s
most influential contemporary art
gallery. You can see Swedish artist Ann
Edholm’s monumental paintings here
until 13 November.
SHOP Grandpa (43 Fridhemsgatan) is
a cool, multi-level shop selling Swedish
designer clothes for both men and
women. There’s also a fun selection of
retro knick-knacks such as Ballograf
pens, vintage furniture and unusual
coffee-table books.
LATER Mäster Anders (1 Pipersgatan)
is a charmingly worn and very popular
neighbourhood bistro where instead of
background music, there is only chatter
and the clinking of cutlery.
SÖDERMALM
Connected to Kungsholmen via the
elevated Västerbron bridge, which
provides stunning views, the area
is still young and hip, even if some
of the bohemian charm has gone
with the recent real-estate boom.
SLEEP Rival (3 Mariatorget, tel. (0)8 545
78900, rival.se, rooms from €164/SEK
1495) is in an art deco building that was
a cinema and has been lovingly converted
into a unique hotel by Benny Andersson
of Abba fame.
EAT Bar Central (83 Skånegatan, tel.
(0)8 644 2420) serves central European
classics such as schnitzel and spätzle
(noodles). Moderate prices, filling food
and tasty beer are likely to make this
newcomer an instant hit. Urban Deli
(4 Nytorget, tel. (0)8 599 09180) is a
grocery store, café, seafood bar and
restaurant. Come for dinner or get a
late-night snack or hangover-banishing
beverage to go.
LATER Brooklyn Bar (4 Hornstulls
Strand) is the latest addition to the
restaurant row down by the waterfront in
Hornstull. This hipster hangout has an
American diner feel, and Stockholm’s
latest favourite beer, Brooklyn Lager,
flows freely from the tap.
SHOP Rockefella (153 Hornsgatan) sells
rockabilly inspired clothing.
TIP The above-mentioned Urban Deli
often lets you sample its goods, so swing
by for some free snacking.
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†PER COUNTRY PER CAPITA
*PRICES QUOTED ARE FOR A RETURN TICKET IN B.LIGHT ECONOMY FROM OR TO BRUSSELS, ALL TAXES AND FEES INCLUDED, IF BOOKED ON BRUSSELSAIRLINES.COM. TICKETS ARE NOT CHANGEABLE, NOR REFUNDABLE. PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE
FRANCE Population 62,814,233 Currency Euro GDP
STRASBOURG
† €23,850 Dialling code +33
Airport code SXB Flight frequency Twice daily Average temp (Nov) 5°C
Strasbourg switches on its
world-famous Christmas
lights this month. But
there’s still space to roam
the streets where you will
discover the cultural and
gastronomic delights of a
city that looks its best in
the glittering light. Anthea
Gerrie is our city guide
GRAND’ÎLE
This large central area, entirely
surrounded by water, is a treasuretrove
of historical monuments.
SLEEP Cour du Corbeau (6-8 Rue des
Couples, tel. (0)3 9041 7535, rooms from
€135) is both the newest and oldest
hotel in town. Built in 1580, the beautiful
lodgings once hosted Mozart but have
recently been refurbished to a high
standard that retains historic features.
EAT Le Clou (3 Rue du Chaudron, tel. (0)3
8832 1167) is a typical winstub (wine
bar/restaurant), highly-decorated, cosy
and serving traditional Alsatian fare.
CULTURE Baccarat crystal chandeliers
light up Rue des Hallebardes from 25
November. Christmas markets open the
next day on Place de la Cathédrale, Place
d’Austerlitz and Place du Chateau, as well
as themed markets across the city.
However, don’t let the seasonal show
keep you away from the Cathedrale
Notre Dame (Place de la Cathédrale) and
its Astronomical Clock.
SHOP Rue des Juifs in the old Jewish
quarter and Rue de la Mésange are two
of Strasbourg’s most fashionable streets
for shopping.
TIP Book restaurants well ahead;
November is high season in Strasbourg
and tables tend to be in demand.
Strasbourg is home to
France’s oldest and prettiest
Christmas markets
INFO
Strasbourg
International
Airport is about
15km southwest
of the city centre.
Train A shuttle
train operates
between the
airport and
Strasbourg-Ville
station. It costs
€3.60 and takes
only nine minutes
– see the airport
website for train
times (strasbourg.
aeroport.fr).
Taxi A taxi from
the airport to the
city centre costs
around €30-€35
during the day,
€40-€45 at night.
Tourist offi ce
The main offi ce is
at 17 Place de la
Cathédrale (tel.
(0)3 8852 2828,
otstrasbourg.fr)
and there is
another at the
train station.
QUARTIER EUROPÉEN
There couldn’t be a greater
contrast to the medieval city
centre than this area of futuristic
European Union buildings –
Strasbourg is the official seat of
the European Parliament.
SLEEP Villa Novarina (11 Rue
Westercamp, tel.(0)3 9041 1828,
villanovarina.com, rooms from €105) is
an elegant choice and an easy stroll from
the EU buildings.
CULTURE Enjoy great views of Richard
Rogers’ European Court of Human Rights
and the equally striking European
Parliament Building on a riverbank stroll;
book ahead if you want to tour inside.
EAT Le Buerehiesel (4 Parc de
l’Orangerie, tel. (0)3 8845 5665) serves
some of the best food in town in a
beautiful beamed farmhouse.
TIP Take the E tram from the parliament
for a speedy ride into the city centre.
TO ADVERTISE HERE contact
Anna Szpunar anna.szpunar@ink-.com
tel. +44 (0)207 613 8784, +32 (0)2 808 1576
RIGHT BANK
The far side of the river, easy to
reach on foot from the centre, has
the best museum in town and
some great floating bars.
EAT Renard Prêchant (34 Rue Zurich)
serves bountiful portions of Alsace
specialities in a converted chapel.
CULTURE The Musée Alsacien (Quai
Saint-Nicolas) offers a great introduction
to the region’s turbulent history.
LATER Vino Strada (Quai des Pêcheurs)
is a stylish bar in a barge conversion.
SHOP The eclectic boutiques of the
Centre Commercial Rivetoile (3 Place
Dauphine) and Rue Sainte Madeleine are
great for discovering local designers.
TIP For the most unusual of pub crawls,
hop from barge to barge along the Quai
des Pecheurs.
PETITE FRANCE
This island of ancient water mills
and slope-roofed tanneries can be
reached on foot from both the
Right Bank and shopping district.
EAT Maison des Tanneurs (42 Rue du
Bain-aux-Plantes, tel. (0)3 9932 7970) is
a ravishingly pretty restaurant furnished
with flowers and antiques.
CULTURE Musee d’art Moderne et
Contemporaine (1 Place Hans Jean Arp)
explores 200 years of the occult in
Europe and its Spirits, until 12 February.
SHOP Pick up Christmas decorations at
A Noel d’Alsace (10 Rue des Dentelles)
then pop down the road to Mireille Oster
(No 14) for pain d’epices.
TIP Don’t miss the Ponts Couverts – the
city’s famous covered bridges.
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ISRAEL Population 7,473,052 Currency New Israeli Shekel GDP
TEL AVIV
† €21,475 Dialling code +972
Airport code TLV Flight frequency Daily Average temp (Nov) 18°C
Tel Aviv’s Year of Art 2012
kicks off in November
with the opening of a
new museum building
showcasing 100 years of
creativity. Its striking
architecture is fi tting for
a city full of sculptures,
locally designed fashion
and jewellery, not to
mention food and craft
markets, all of which
make for a non-stop
visual feast. Anthea
Gerrie is our city guide
CITY CENTRE
A 15-minute drive from the beach,
the business hub of Tel Aviv is
home to cultural riches, dramatic
architecture and one of the city’s
best hotels.
SLEEP The Crowne Plaza City Center
(136 Menachem Road, tel. (0)3 777
4000, crowneplaza.com, rooms from
€190) is a high-tech delight with
panoramic views, a buzzy bar and the
best hotel gym in town.
CULTURE The Tel Aviv Museum of Art
(27 Shaul Hamelech Boulevard) is
augmented this month with a dazzling
new building. Altogether it’s a brilliant
showcase of national and international
modern and contemporary art.
SHOP Azrieli Center (Menachem Road)
houses 180 boutiques and restaurants.
TIP Avoid taxi fares if staying in the
centre by alighting at Azrieli, one stop
before the main station at Arlozoroff.
JAFFA/NEVE TZEDEK
Gentrification has made the city’s
oldest neighbourhood the place to
be. It was built to accommodate
overspill from ancient Jaffa, a
15-minute stroll away.
SLEEP The Dan Panorama (Charles Clore
Park, tel. (0)3 520 2552, rooms from
€220) offers sea views from practically
82 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
IMAGE GOISRAEL.COM
INFO
Ben Gurion
International
Airport is 15km
from Tel Aviv
Train Trains depart
from the airport up
to three times an
hour during the
day. A single to Tel
Aviv is €3/NIS 14.5
and takes about 20
minutes (rail.co.il).
However, the
stations are far
from the beach
hotels, about an €8
taxi ride away.
Taxi A taxi to the
city should cost
about €24/NIS 120;
look out for other
travellers to share
the ride.
Tourist offi ce
The main tourist
offi ce is at 46
Herbert Samuel
Street (tel. (0)3 516
6188, visit-tlv.com).
Jaff a is a great neighbourhood to
explore, packed with trendy new
hangouts alongside historic sites
every room and the best breakfast
buffet in town. Opposite the beach, it’s
an easy stroll from Jaffa.
EAT Manta Ray (Alma Beach, tel. (0)3
517 4773) is the best beachfront
restaurant in Tel Aviv, serving breakfast
and lunch, seafood dinners and a
spectacular array of mezze. Poyke (14
Tircha Street, tel. (0)3 681 4622) is a
new addition to the culinary melting pot,
adding spices to steak and seafood in a
beautifully renovated building.
SHOP Shabazi Street is full of enticing
boutiques, including Agas & Tamar
(No 43) for jewellery. Shuk Hapishpeshim
market (next to the clock tower), is good
for all things vintage – Friday is best.
ROTHSCHILD
A cultural attraction in itself, this
gracious boulevard is also
becoming a nightlife hub.
EAT Orna v’Ella (33 Sheinkin, tel. (0)3
620 4753) is Natalie Portman’s favourite
local restaurant. It’s worth queuing for the
signature dish of yam pancakes with sour
cream. Great for people-watching too.
CULTURE Seek out the Bauhaus
buildings along Rothschild, which have
made the area a World Heritage Site.
DRINK Despite the tasteless name,
Betty Ford (48 Nachalat Binyamin
Street) is a good place to hang out on
Tuesday or Friday, when the craft market
fills the street – or at night when DJs hit
the decks.
LATER Breakfast Club (6 Rothschild
Boulevard) is one of the hottest places
on the city’s dance scene, attracting top
DJ’s who play mainly electronica.
TIP Check out the street sculptures
dotted along Rothschild Boulevard.
PORT/NORTH END
A lively new dining and nightlife
area has grown up at the northern
end of Tel Aviv’s beaches, and the
best designer shopping is a few
blocks inland.
SLEEP The Tel Aviv Hilton
(Independence Park, tel. (0)3 520 2222,
hilton.co.uk, rooms from €265) has smart
rooms with sea views, a huge salt-water
pool, a sushi bar and lots of buzz.
EAT No ordinary burger bar, Agadir (3
Hata’arucha Street, tel. (0)3 510 4442)
is a local favourite, offering innovative
toppings such as spiced goose breast
and chilli butter. Boya (inside port, tel.
(0)3 544 6166) is a great waterside
restaurant featuring Mediterranean
snacks, steaks and seafood, packed with
locals on Friday and Saturday afternoons.
SHOP Katomenta (173 Dizengoff) is
a high-concept fashion store that has
become a cult gathering place for locals.
Across the street, check out FabLab
Fablani at No 280 for cutting-edge
clothes and cool shoes. Kikkar Hamedina,
is an entire circle of top-end shops
attracting the city’s affluent residents.
LATER Whisky A Go’Go (3 Hata’arucha
Street) is a multi-storey lounge bar
where Israel’s footballers, models and
actors gather to be seen.
Fly to Tel Aviv with Brussels Airlines.
brusselsairlines.com
†PER COUNTRY PER CAPITA

*PRICES QUOTED ARE FOR A RETURN TICKET IN B.LIGHT ECONOMY FROM OR TO BRUSSELS, ALL TAXES AND FEES INCLUDED, IF BOOKED ON BRUSSELSAIRLINES.COM. TICKETS ARE NOT CHANGEABLE, NOR REFUNDABLE. PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE †PER COUNTRY PER CAPITA
POLAND Population 38,441,588 Currency Złoty (PLN) GDP
WARSAW
† €13,550 Dialling code +48
Airport code WAW Flight frequency Twice daily Average temp (Nov) 2°C
Known as the ‘Phoenix
city’, Warsaw has risen
from the ashes of World
War II and is now bursting
with style and diversity.
This month get better
acquainted with Japanese
culture in the historic
Wilanów area. Martin
Klipp is our city guide
PRAGA
This is the oldest of Warsaw’s 18
districts. Now undergoing a rapid
regeneration this is one of the
most vibrant and youthful areas.
CULTURE The centrepiece of culture in
Praga is Fabryka Trzciny (14 Ulica
Otwocka, fabrykatrzciny.pl) which you
will find in a renovated factory. The
creative hub now hosts fashion shows,
art exhibitions and film shoots.
SHOP Design store Magazyn Praga
(Soho Factory, 25 Ulica Minska,
magazynpraga.pl) sources its collections
from new Eastern European designers.
LATER W Operach Absurdu (6 Ulica
Zabkowska, oparyabsurdu.pl). You will
know you have found this joint when you
see a giant black spider climbing the
outside wall. Inside you can expect to
hear Gypsy folk songs blended with
Gaelic chants and Bob Dylan.
ŚRÓDMIEŚCIE
Warsaw’s city centre contains the
vast majority of tourist attractions
– including the Old Town, New
Town and the main railway station.
SLEEP Castle Inn Warsaw, (2
Swietojanska Street, castleinn.pl, tel.
(0)22 425 0100, rooms from €63/PLN
275) is a romantic boutique hotel across
from the Castle and close to the Old
Town Square. Comfortable, modern and
reasonably priced. Rialto Hotel (73 Ulica
Wilcza, rialto.pl, rooms from €70/PLN
300) is a five-star hotel in a turn-of-thecentury
townhouse just 700m from the
Warsaw’s many cultural
events help make the city
vibrant and diverse
INFO
Frederic Chopin
Airport is 10km
from the centre.
Bus The 175 and
188 go into the city
centre every 10
minutes, or at
night take the N32
to Warsaw Central
Station (Dworzec
Centralny). Tickets
for the bus cost
€0.65/PLN 2.8 and
can be bought at
any kiosk or from
the driver for an
additional PLN
0.50. The journey
takes about 25
minutes.
Taxi A taxi to the
centre will cost
about €13/PLN 50.
Beware of the
so-called ‘mafi a
taxis’, which do
not have a sticker
of the Warsaw
mermaid on
their doors.
Tourist offi ce
There are offi ces
at the airport, the
main hall of the
Central Train
Station (54 Aleje
Jerozolimskie
(tel. (0) 22 19431,
warsawtour.pl)
and 39 Ulica
Krakowskie
Przedmieście
(warsawtour.pl)
Palace of Culture and Zlote Tarasy
shopping mall. Sleek and luxurious, the
hotel also has a reasonably priced finedining
restaurant (€15/PLN 65 for three
courses) and its own cigar room.
SHOP Czuly Barbarzynca (The
Gentle Barbarian; 31 Ulica Dobra,
czulybarbarzynca.pl) is a wonderfully
artsy bookshop. It hosts regular poetry
readings, mini concerts and has guest
authors discussing their latest works.
Perhaps most importantly in this chilly
month, it serves the most amazingly
thick hot chocolate.
CULTURE Kino Kultura (21-23 Ulica
Krakowskie Przedmiescie, kinokultura.pl)
is the oldest cinema in town, showing cult
and indie movies.
TIP Secret Gardens (56-66 Ulica Dobra
buw.uw.edu.pl) The huge roof gardens
above the main University Library offer
tranquillity in the heart of the city.
CULTURE The Centre for Contemporary
Art (2 Ulica Jadów, csw.art.pl)
in Ujazdowski Castle showcases Polish
designers and has a beautiful restaurant.
EAT The Mielzylnski wine warehouse
and bar (5-7 Ulica Burakowska, tel. (0)22
636 8709, mielzynski.pl) is always full of
IMAGE HUBERT CZARNOCKI
beautiful people, which is largely due to
its proximity to Warsaw’s biggest
modelling agency, D’Vision. U Kucharzy
(The Chefs; 7 Ulica Ossolinskich, tel.
(0)22 826 7936, gessler.pl) is built
around a pre-war industrial hotel kitchen
near the Old Town. The steak tartare is
the best you’ll ever eat, and its
preparation is pure theatre as a huge
slab of meat is sliced and diced at your
table. Its sister bar Bistro à la
Fourchette serves everything from
borscht to apple cake and Krupnik Honey
Vodka shots. Even better the entire
menu costs €2/PLN 8.
LATER Plan B (18 Aleja Wyzwolenia,
planbe.pl) is pure hedonistic fun. The
party gets going about 2am in this
dilapidated old embassy where you’ll
never see a velvet rope. Public Enemy
and Led Zeppelin blare from giant
speakers placed around the venue, where
beaten-up sofas and graffiti dominate.
It’s a mess but at €7/PLN 30 for 4 shots
of vodka it’s a glorious mess!
WILANÓW
Wilanów is a small district about
six miles south of the city centre,
which contains the botanical
gardens and the astonishing
Wilanów Palace.
CULTURE The Palace Museum is the
final point on the historic Royal Road,
which led from the Old Town with its
Royal Palace to what was King Jan III
Sobieski’s country residence in Wilanów.
This month the palace looks east with a
range of Japanese cultural events (until
13 November, wilanow-palac.pl),
including calligraphy and bonsai
exhibitions, haiku workshops and
performances of traditional Japanese
theatre. To make a reservation call (0) 22
842 07 95 or email rezerwacja@
wilanow-palac.pl.
€119 *
FROM JUST
RETURN,
TAXES INCLUDED
Fly to Warsaw from just
€119* return, taxes included.
brusselsairlines.com
Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011 83

airline news
Shorter waiting time
New automated system at Brussels Airport Pier A allows passengers faster access to gates
Brussels Airport has placed 5 new AAC (Automated Access
Control) gate scanners at the security entrance to Pier A in
order to speed up the entry process. In order to use one of
the gates, passengers will need a boarding pass with a 2D
barcode. This 2D barcode can be found on boarding passes received
at the airport, as well as self-printed passes at home and on mobile
boarding passes. Please note that each 2D barcode is unique and can
only be scanned once.
Hold the barcode found on the boarding pass up to the screen of
one of the five gate scanners available at the security entrance to
Pier A. Once the 2D barcode has been read, the gates will open to
allow you entry into Pier A.
Wheelchair users and families travelling with young children in
strollers have the option of visiting the counter to the right of the
automated access points, where a security officer will check the
boarding passes manually to allow entry.
Keep up to date with all the latest news and information from Brussels Airlines
AIRLINE \\\
85 Airline news 87 In partnership 88 Profi le 89 b.foundation 90 Choose how you fl y 92 Check-in
93 Safety 94 Comfort 95 Relax 96 Fleet 98 Miles & More 100 Maps 103 Airport info 104 Menu
We like hearing from you! Follow @FlyingBrussels on Twitter, or join facebook.com/brusselsairlines
Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011 85

airline news
Temps d’attente réduit
Grâce aux nouveaux systèmes automatisés au Terminal
A de Brussels Airport, les passagers accèdent plus
rapidement aux portes d’embarquement
Brussels Airport vient de placer 5 nouveaux contrôle d’accès
automatique scanners au contrôle de sécurité du Terminal A, afin
de rendre l’accès plus rapide aux voyageurs. Pour pouvoir utiliser
l’un de ces scanners, les passagers doivent être munis d’une carte
d’embarquement avec un code barre 2D. Ce code se trouve sur les cartes
d’embarquement reçues à l’aéroport lors de l’enregistrement, sur celles
imprimées de chez soi ou enregistrées via un téléphone mobile. Notez toutefois
que le code 2D est unique et ne peut donc n’être scanné qu’une seule fois.
Placez simplement le code barre repris sur la carte d’embarquement
devant l’un des 5 scanners au contrôle de sécurité du Terminal A. Dès que le
scanner lit le code 2D, les barrières de sécurité s’ouvrent, vous autorisant
l’accès au Terminal.
Les usagers en fauteuil roulant et les familles qui se déplacent avec de
jeunes enfants en poussette ont la possibilité de s’adresser au comptoir situé
à droite des points d’accès automatiques. Là, un officier de sécurité contrôle
les cartes d’embarquement manuellement afin d’autoriser l’accès.
86 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
Kortere wachttijd
Getting to your gates in Pier
A will be faster when you
use the new gate scanners
Geautomatiseerd toegangssysteem voor Pier A
in Brussels Airport laat passagiers sneller door naar
de gates
Brussels Airport heeft vijf nieuwe automatische
toegangscontrole scanners geplaatst aan de ingang van
Pier A, met het oog op een snellere securitycontrole. Om
een van die scanners te kunnen gebruiken, moeten
passagiers over een instapkaart met 2D-barcode beschikken. Die
barcode staat op instapkaarten die op de luchthaven worden
uitgereikt, op thuis afgedrukte kaarten en op mobiele instapkaarten.
Elke 2D-barcode is uniek en kan slechts eenmaal worden gescand.
Hou de barcode op de instapkaart voor het scherm van een van de
vijf scanners aan de ingang van Pier A. Zodra de 2D-barcode is
afgelezen, opent de toegang zich en kunt u Pier A betreden.
Rolstoelgebruikers en gezinnen met kinderwagens kunnen terecht
aan de balie die zich rechts van de geautomatiseerde
toegangspunten bevindt. Daar zal een securitymedewerker de
instapkaarten manueel controleren en de passagiers vervolgens
toegang verlenen.

in partnership
New
partnership
with Microsoft
Innovative cloud services
introduced to optimise business
Here at Brussels Airlines, we have
chosen to keep our flight crews
connected wherever they are around
the world. Our personnel are now
able to communicate with each other, access
and exchange critical information via Microsoft’s
cloud services for one fixed fee per user.
This revolutionary cloud service helps
countless businesses optimise their ICT
infrastructure, boost productivity, as well as
save time and money, and Brussels Airlines now
has round-the-clock, round-the-world access
to data that we need, whenever we want it.
We’d like to welcome Microsoft on board as
a new partner, and look forward to a fruitful
working relationship.
To find out more about Microsoft’s cloud
services, please visit microsoft.be
Nouveau partenariat
avec Microsoft
L’innovation des services cloud pour optimiser
notre business
Chez Brussels Airlines, nous avons choisi Microsoft pour nous
aider à maintenir nos équipages connectés partout dans le
monde. Grâce aux services cloud de Microsoft, les employés
de Brussels Airlines peuvent désormais communiquer entre
eux, accéder à des informations critiques et les échanger où qu’ils
soient, et ce pour un montant fixe par utilisateur.
Ce système révolutionnaire permet à un nombre incalculable
d’entreprises d’optimiser leur infrastructure TIC et booster leur
productivité, tout en économisant du temps et de l’argent. Notre
compagnie Brussels Airlines peut à son tour accéder 24 heures sur 24 à
toutes les données qui lui sont nécessaires, et ce à tout moment.
Nous sommes heureux d’accueillir notre nouveau partenaire
Microsoft à bord, et nous espérons faire de notre collaboration une
réussite partagée.
Pour en savoir plus sur les services cloud de Microsoft,
rendez-vous sur microsoft.be
Nieuwe
samenwerking met
Microsoft
Gebruik van innoverende clouddiensten om
activiteiten te optimaliseren
AIRLINE \\\
Brussels Airlines heeft voor Microsoft gekozen om de constante
verbinding van onze vliegtuigbemanningen te verzekeren, waar
ter wereld ze zich ook bevinden. Alle personeelsleden van
Brussels Airlines kunnen nu met elkaar communiceren, ze hebben
toegang tot cruciale informatie en kunnen die ook uitwisselen via
clouddiensten van Microsoft, tegen een vaste vergoeding per gebruiker.
Deze revolutionaire clouddiensten helpen talloze bedrijven om hun ICTinfrastructuur
te optimaliseren, productiviteit te boosten en tevens tijd en
geld te besparen. Brussels Airlines heeft nu ook, de klok én de wereld rond,
toegang tot alle nodige gegevens.
We heten Microsoft van harte welkom aan boord als nieuwe partner en
kijken uit naar een vruchtbare samenwerking.
Wil u meer vernemen over de clouddiensten van Microsoft?
Surf naar microsoft.be
Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011 87

profile
Sylvie Provyn Lounge host
H
aving always had an interest in
travelling and airports, a job in aviation
was a natural choice, and I’ve been
working in the industry for 14 years.
A warm welcome to every passenger arriving in
the lounge – that is the key element of my job. Good
communication skills and a positive spirit are
important. As we are the faces of the company –
working here in the lounge – it’s important that we
reflect the company’s values.
We are here to provide passengers with any
information or assistance they might need in case of
delays, cancellations or airport closures. We have to
be creative and take the initiative to offer the best
possible service to each passenger.
Remaining calm and trying to find the root of a
passenger’s displeasure is of utmost importance.
Empathy and cultural sensitivity play a large role
Travailler dans le secteur de l’aviation était pour moi un choix évident,
car j’ai toujours aimé le monde du voyage et des aéroports. Et cela va
faire 14 ans maintenant que je suis employée dans ce domaine !
Mon job consiste essentiellement à accueillir chaque passager
dans le lounge, en y mettant tout mes talents de communication et un esprit
positif. Ici, nous sommes « les ambassadeurs » de la compagnie et il nous revient
d’en refléter les valeurs.
Dans le lounge, nous devons pouvoir fournir de nombreuses informations aux
passagers ainsi qu’une assistance, si nécessaire, en cas de retard, d’annulation de
vols ou de fermeture d’aéroports. A nous de faire preuve de créativité et de
prendre l’initiative, pour offrir le meilleur service à chaque voyageur.
Nous devons également avoir la capacité de garder notre calme et d’identifier
les causes du mécontentement éventuel de l’un ou l’autre passager. L’empathie et
la sensibilité jouent un rôle non négligeable lorsqu’il faut trouver une solution.
J’apprécie particulièrement le fantastique esprit d’équipe qui règne dans mon
travail, ainsi que la flexibilité des horaires. Et avoir un super boss est bien entendu
un plus ! Tout comme voir les passagers heureux lorsqu’ils quittent le lounge.
Je vis à Gand dans l’ouest de la Belgique, une ville pleine de charme, dotée
d’une architecture médiévale impressionnante. Je vous recommande une promenade
le long du canal, vous y profiterez d’une des plus belles vues du vieux centre.
Durant mes loisirs, j’aime créer, qu’il s’agisse d’aménager mon intérieur ou de
préparer un bon repas. J’adore cuisiner de nouvelles recettes (et les savourer !).
J’emporte toujours mon mini
agenda Ulysse d’Hermès en
vacances – un outil parfait pour
prendre des notes et pour coucher r
mes idées sur le papier.
Et comme je préfère le soleil à
la neige, j’imagine mon séjour
idéal sur une superbe plage
durant une semaine, en
compagnie de mon partenaire.
88 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November ber b 2011
when looking for a solution.
The best thing about my job is the great team
spirit and the flexible work schedule we have. Having
a fantastic boss is also a plus! And of course, seeing
passengers happy when they leave the lounge.
I live in Ghent, a charming city with stunning
medieval architecture in the west of Belgium. I’d
recommend a stroll along the canal which is one of
the most scenic places in the old city centre.
In my free time, I like creating things, from decorating
the interior of a house to preparing a lovely meal. I
enjoy discovering new recipes, cooking (and eating!).
I always bring my mini Hermès Ulysse journal
along on holidays – it’s perfect for taking down
notes, as well as for recording my thoughts.
As I prefer the sun to the snow, my ideal oneweek
break in winter would be on a lovely beach
with my partner.
Sylvie off ers a warm
welcome at the Brussels
Airlines lounge in
Brussels Airport
Ik heb reizen en luchthavens altijd interessant gevonden, dus
was een job in de luchtvaart een logische keuze.
Ondertussen werk ik al veertien jaar in de sector.
Elke passagier die in de lounge komt een warm onthaal
bezorgen, dat is het belangrijkste aspect van mijn functie.
Essentieel daarbij is helder communiceren en positief ingesteld
zijn. Als loungemedewerkers vormen wij het gezicht van het
bedrijf, en dus moeten wij de bedrijfswaarden uitstralen.
Het is onze taak om passagiers met raad en daad bij te staan in
geval van vertragingen, annulaties en sluitingen van luchthavens.
Wij moeten creatief én proactief zijn om elke passagier de best
mogelijke service te bieden.
Daarbij is het cruciaal om kalm te blijven en te achterhalen
waarom precies een passagier ontevreden is. Een oplossing vinden
vereist dan ook de nodige empathie en culturele fijngevoeligheid.
Het beste aan mijn job vind ik onze geweldige teamspirit en
flexibele werkuren. Een fantastische baas hebben is ook een
pluspunt! En natuurlijk het feit dat passagiers blij en tevreden de
lounge weer buitenstappen.
Ik woon in het Oost-Vlaamse Gent, een gezellige stad (de op twee
na grootste van België) met prachtige middeleeuwse gebouwen.
Maak beslist een wandeling langs de Leie in het historische
centrum, een van de meest pittoreske plekken in de stad.
In mijn vrije tijd ben ik graag creatief bezig. Dat gaat van
binnenhuisinrichting tot lekker kokkerellen. Zo ben ik dol op nieuwe
recepten, die ik dan uitprobeer en waarvan ik met plezier geniet!
Op vakantie neem ik steevast mijn Hermès Ulysse
notitieboekje mee. Dat is perfect om praktische aantekeningen
te maken, maar ook om mijn gedachten op papier te zetten.
Ik verkies de zon boven de sneeuw. Voor mij is de ideale
winterbreak dan ook een weekje op een zalig strand samen
met mijn partner.

.foundation
Together
we can!
A special spotlight on
a Brussels Airlines
b.foundation partner,
MEMISA
In July, MEMISA facilitated
the visit of 6 Belgian
youths to a hospital that
receives the support of the
organisation. At the Kiganda
hospital, located in the hills of
Burundi, the youths lent a
helping hand to the community
and worked alongside the
Burundian locals to assist in
projects that ranged from safe
childbirth and family planning to
improving sanitation and water
installations, among others.
The visit to Kiganda Hospital
highlighted the importance of
sustainable medical care and it
was an intense experience for the
youth involved. A documentary of
their trip is being aired on the
Belgian youth television channel,
TMF, over several episodes in
Ensemble nous le
pouvons !
Coup de projecteur sur MEMISA, partenaire de la
b.foundation de Brussels Airlines
En juillet dernier, MEMISA a encadré la venue de 6 jeunes Belges
dans un des hôpitaux soutenus par l’organisation. C’est dans
l’hôpital de Kiganda, situé dans les collines du Burundi, que ces
jeunes ont eu l’occasion d’apporter leur concours à la
communauté. Ils ont travaillé aux côtés du personnel local burundais, les
assistant dans des projets allant entre autres de l’accouchement sans
risque et du planning familial à l’amélioration des installations sanitaires
et de fourniture d’eau.
Cette visite à l’hôpital de Kiganda, qui fut sans conteste une
expérience intense pour les jeunes concernés, a permis de souligner
l’importance à accorder aux soins de santé durables. Un documentaire
en plusieurs épisodes sur leur voyage est en cours de diffusion sur la
chaîne de télévision musicale favorite des jeunes, TMF (programmé en
octobre et novembre).
A côté du Burundi, MEMISA travaille également à l’amélioration des
soins médicaux à destination des communautés rurales dans d’autres
pays d’Afrique. En République démocratique du Congo, par exemple, les
efforts de l’organisation ont permis d’atteindre 3 millions de personnes.
Surfez sur memisa.be pour de plus amples informations sur MEMISA
Scan this code with your smartphone to
find out more about b.foundation, or
visit brusselsairlines.com/CSR
October and November.
Apart from Burundi, MEMISA
is also working to improve the
medical care made available to
rural communities in other African
countries. For example, in the
Democratic Republic of Congo,
MEMISA’s efforts have touched
the lives of 3 million people.
Visit memisa.be to find out
more about MEMISA
Eendracht maakt
gezond!
AIRLINE \\\
In de kijker: MEMISA, een van de b.foundation-partners
van Brussels Airlines
Dankzij MEMISA, een ngo voor medische
ontwikkelingssamenwerking, konden zes Belgische jongeren
afgelopen juli een Burundees ziekenhuis bezoeken dat de
steun van de organisatie geniet. In het in de heuvels gelegen
ziekenhuis van Kiganda staken de jongeren de gemeenschap een handje
toe. Ze werkten samen met de plaatselijke bevolking aan allerlei projecten
omtrent veilig bevallen, gezinsplanning en ook betere sanitaire
voorzieningen en waterinstallaties, om maar enkele te noemen.
Tijdens het bezoek aan het Burundese ziekenhuis werd het belang van
duurzame gezondheidszorg in de verf gezet. Natuurlijk was het ook een
indrukwekkende ervaring voor de jongeren in kwestie. Er is een
documentaire gemaakt over hun reis, die in oktober en november in
verschillende afleveringen wordt uitgezonden op de Belgische
jongerenzender TMF.
Behalve in Burundi is MEMISA ook actief in andere Afrikaanse landen
om er de basisgezondheidszorg in rurale gemeenschappen te verbeteren.
Zo bereikten de inspanningen van MEMISA in de Democratische Republiek
Congo al drie miljoen mensen.
Surf naar memisa.be om meer te vernemen over MEMISA
Pour en savoir plus sur b.foundation,
scannez ce code avec votre smartphone ou
surfez sur brusselsairlines.com/CSR
Scan deze code met uw smartphone om
meer te vernemen over b.foundation, of
surf naar brusselsairlines.com/CSR
Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011 89

†PRICES QUOTED ARE FOR A RETURN TICKET IN B.LIGHT ECONOMY FROM OR TO BRUSSELS, ALL TAXES AND FEES INCLUDED, IF BOOKED ON BRUSSELSAIRLINES.COM. TICKETS ARE NOT CHANGEABLE, NOR REFUNDABLE. PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE
Fares
choose how you fly
Cancellation possibility
Pre-flight seat selection
Latest check-in
Luggage allowance
Extra fast through
security via fast lane 4
Priority check-in
Premium seating
Newspapers
Meal and drink service
Access to Lounge
Miles & More
Change to an earlier
flight at the airport on
the day of departure
Change of booking
90 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
Three great products in Business and
Economy for flying around Europe
Whether you want premium Business Class service, time-saving and total fl exibility,
or the lowest fare guarantee † to 50 European destinations, Brussels Airlines has just
the ticket for you. Check out which option suits you best...
ECONOMY CLASS
■ From €99 return, taxes included
■ No refund possible
■ Yes, for check-in online
■ 70 minutes before departure 1
The low
fare you
can trust
■ 1 piece of 23kgs checked + 6kgs hand
luggage (1 piece), ski equipment for free 2/3
■ No
■ No
■ No
■ No
■ For sale on board (see menu card)
■ No lounge access 5
■ 125 or 750 status miles per flight depending
on fare level
■ No
Footnotes (1) Check-in times can vary depending on destination
(2) Miles & More FTL passengers are entitled to one extra piece of
23kgs checked luggage in Economy Class (3) Miles & More HON and
■ Subject to availability, €50 change fee +
difference between old and new fare
■ Flexible premium economy fares
■ Fully refundable if cancelled prior to departure
■ Yes
■ 50 minutes before departure 1
■ 1 piece of 23kgs checked + 12kgs hand
luggage (1 piece), ski equipment for free 2/3
■ Athens, Birmingham, Bristol, Brussels, Budapest,
Frankfurt, Geneva, Hamburg, Krakow, Lisbon,
Manchester, Milan Linate/Malpensa, Moscow,
Newcastle, Porto, Prague, Rome, Venice
■ Yes
■ Middle seat free if possible
■ Free
■ Free
Sen, as well as Star Alliance Gold, passengers are entitled to one extra
piece of 23kgs checked luggage and 1 golf bag (4) For Business Class
passengers (incl. b.business), Hon Circle/Senator members
■ €15 (access only available at Brussels) 5
■ Up to 1,250 status miles per flight
The best
economy
class in
Europe
■ Free if seats available upon departure
■ Free subject to availability within the same
fare category 6
(irrespective of class flown), Frequent traveller when flying Business,
b.business or b.flex economy+, b.flex economy+ passengers and
Star Alliance Gold members (5) Free for Miles & More Frequent Traveller

BUSINESS CLASS
■ Business Class return fares
■ Fully refundable if cancelled prior to departure
■ Yes
■ 50 minutes before departure 1
■ 2 pieces of 32kgs each checked + total 16kgs
hand luggage (max 2 pieces), ski equipment
for free 3
■ Athens, Birmingham, Bristol, Brussels, Budapest,
Frankfurt, Geneva, Hamburg, Krakow, Lisbon,
Manchester, Milan Linate/Malpensa, Moscow,
Newcastle, Porto, Prague, Rome, Venice, Warsaw
■ Dedicated b.business check-in at Brussels
■ Guaranteed middle seat free
■ Free
■ Gourmet dining service, champagne
■ Free
■ 2,000 status miles per flight
■ Free
■ Free subject to availability
The class
that puts
you first
travelling to Geneva, Warsaw, Vienna, Hannover, Hamburg and Berlin, as well as
Star Alliance Gold (6) If same fare category or lower is no longer available, then a
fare differential is charged. Fully flexible fare category available
AIRLINE \\\
Scan this code with your smartphone
to visit brusselsairlines.com
Visitez brusselsairlines.com en scannant ce
code avec votre smartphone
Scan deze code met uw smartphone om
brusselsairlines.com te bezoeken
Discover
your check-in
options on
page 92
Premium Business Class service for
top segment business travellers
Dedicated product for corporate
travellers, offering best value for
money (flexibility, time saving &
onboard service)
Our low fare leisure product.
Fares starting from €99 return,
taxes included
Keep up to date with our
exclusive offers and d
product updates. Join oin
Mybrusselsairlines on
brusselsairlines.com m
Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011 91

AIRLINE
check-in
S’enregistrer sur son vol Brussels Airlines n’a
jamais été aussi simple, sûr et efficace
Enregistrement en ligne Gagnez du temps à l’aéroport
■ Enregistrez-vous depuis Internet sur checkin.brusselsairlines.com.
N’oubliez pas d’imprimer votre carte d’embarquement au format pdf.
■ Une fois à l’aéroport, rendez-vous à l’un des points Bagages Drop Off de
Brussels Airlines pour y déposer vos bagages. Dirigez-vous ensuite
directement vers la porte d’embarquement.
■ Disponible entre 24 heures et 1 heure avant le départ de votre vol.
Enregistrement Mobile
Idéal pour les personnes toujours en mouvement
■ En surfant sur m.brusselsairlines.com depuis votre appareil mobile, vous
pouvez recevoir directement votre carte d’embarquement sous forme d’un
code barre 2D qui sera scanné à l’aéroport.
■ Rendez-vous alors à l’aéroport à l’un des points Bagages Drop Off de
Brussels Airlines pour y déposer vos bagages. Dirigez-vous ensuite
directement vers la porte d’embarquement.
■ Disponible entre 24 heures et 1 heure avant le départ de votre vol.
Check-in Express
Simple et rapide
■ Evitez les files d’attente et enregistrez-vous via nos bornes Express.
■ Ce service est exclusivement disponible à Brussels Airport pour tous les
vols européens opérés par Brussels Airlines.
Enregistrement de votre vol retour Un service pratique
■ Si votre vol retour est prévu dans les prochaines 24 heures et que votre
réservation est confirmée, alors vous pouvez vous enregistrer en même
temps sur les vols aller et retour.
92
Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
Checking in for your Brussels Airlines flight is
simple and hassle-free
Online check-in
Saves time at the airport
■ Visit checkin.brusselsairlines.com to
check-in. Remember to print the pdf
version of your boarding card.
■ Once at the airport, drop baggage off at
Brussels Airlines Baggage Drop Off
points, and proceed to the gate.
■ Available from 24 hours – one hour
before your flight.
Mobile check-in
Ideal for busy people on the move
■ Visit m.brusselsairlines.com from your
web-enabled mobile device. The boarding
pass will be sent to your mobile device
as a 2D barcode, which can then be
scanned at many locations in airports.
■ Once at the airport, drop baggage off at
Brussels Airlines Baggage Drop Off
points, and proceed to the gate.
■ Available from 24 hours – one hour
before your flight.
Express check-in
Fast and simple
■ Speed through check-in with our
Express check-in machines.
■ This service is only available at Brussels
Airport for all European flights
operated by Brussels Airlines.
Return check-in
Added convenience
■ If you’re returning within 24 hours and
have a confirmed booking, you can
check in for your outbound and return
flights at the same time.
Inchecken voor uw vlucht met Brussels
Airlines kan eenvoudig en zonder zorgen
Online check-in
Bespaart tijd op de luchthaven
■ Check in via checkin.brusselsairlines.com. Denk erom de pdf-versie
van uw instapkaart af te printen.
■ Op de luchthaven zet u uw bagage af aan één van de drop-off points
van Brussels Airlines en loopt u meteen door naar de gate.
■ Beschikbaar vanaf 24 uur tot 1 uur voor het vertrek van uw vlucht.
Mobile check-in
Ideaal voor druk bezette mensen die steeds onderweg zijn
■ Ga naar m.brusselsairlines.com via uw mobiele toestel met
internetverbinding. De instapkaart zal als een streepjescode in 2D
naar uw mobiele toestel verzonden worden. Deze code kan
vervolgens gescand worden op vele plaatsen in luchthavens.
■ Op de luchthaven zet u uw bagage af aan één van de drop-off points
van Brussels Airlines en loopt u meteen door naar de gate.
■ Beschikbaar vanaf 24 uur tot 1 uur voor het vertrek van uw vlucht.
Express Check-in
Snel en eenvoudig
■ Snel door de check-in met onze machines voor Express Check-in.
■ Deze dienst is enkel beschikbaar op Brussels Airport voor alle
Europese vluchten van Brussels Airlines.
Return Check-in
Extra comfort
■ Indien u binnen de 24 uur terugkeert en uw boeking reeds bevestigd
is, kunt u tegelijkertijd inchecken voor uw heen- en terugvlucht.

safety
For your safety
and comfort
Welcome on board our fl ight
today and thank you for choosing
Brussels Airlines. Please read the
information below regarding smoking
and safety regulations on board.
Should you have any questions,
please ask your cabin attendant.
Electronic devices
No personal communications or radio
emitting devices, such as portable
telephones, radios, GPS locators, games
or remote-control toys, may be used on
board*. Please ensure that your
telephone is switched off before and
during the flight. Items such as personal
computers and electronic games may be
used during the flight, but must be
switched off during take-off and landing.
Smoking
In accordance with government
regulations, smoking is not permitted
on any Brussels Airlines flight.
Passengers should be aware that there
are smoke detectors in the aircraft’s
toilets and that any breach of this rule
may incur penalties.
Safety procedures
You will find an information sheet on
safety procedures in your seat pocket.
Please read it carefully and please listen
attentively to all safety announcements
and instructions from the crew.
Alcohol
Passengers are not allowed to consume
alcohol they have brought with them or
bought on board. Alcohol may be served
on board, but our cabin crew will not
serve any passenger who they feel has
already had too much to drink.
*For the complete list of items whose use is
restricted, please see your safety card
located in the seat pocket in front of you.
Pour votre sécurité et
votre confort
Nous vous souhaitons la bienvenue à
bord de notre vol, et vous remercions
d’avoir choisi Brussels Airlines. Veuillez
lire les informations suivantes
concernant les consignes de sécurité
et l’interdiction de fumer à bord. Pour
toute question, n’hésitez pas à vous
adresser à notre personnel navigant.
Appareils électroniques
Aucun appareil de communication ou
émetteur radio personnel, tel que
téléphone portable, radio, système GPS,
jeu ou jouet télécommandé ne peut être
utilisé à bord*. Veuillez vous assurer que
votre téléphone est bien éteint avant et
pendant le vol. L’utilisation des
ordinateurs et jeux électroniques est
autorisée pendant le vol, mais ces
appareils doivent être éteints lors du
décollage et de l’atterrissage.
Interdiction de fumer
Conformément aux réglementations
gouvernementales, tous les vols Brussels
Airlines sont entièrement non-fumeurs.
Nous rappelons aux passagers que les
toilettes de l’avion sont équipées de
détecteurs de fumée, et que toute
infraction à ce règlement peut entraîner
une amende.
Procédures de sécurité
Vous trouverez dans la poche de votre
siège une fiche d’information concernant
les procédures de sécurité. Veuillez lire
cette fiche et écouter attentivement
toutes les annonces et instructions de
l’équipage en matière de sécurité.
Alcool
Les passagers ne sont pas autorisés à
consommer l’alcool qu’ils ont emporté ou
acheté à bord. De l’alcool peut être servi
dans l’avion, mais notre équipage
refusera de servir tout passager qu’il
soupçonne d’avoir déjà trop bu.
*Pour la liste complète des appareils dont
l’utilisation à bord est interdite, veuillez
consulter la fiche de sécurité rangée dans la
poche du siège devant vous.
AIRLINE \\\
Voor uw veiligheid
en comfort
We verwelkomen u graag aan boord
van deze vlucht en danken u om te
vliegen met Brussels Airlines. Lees
aandachtig onderstaande informatie
over roken en veiligheid aan boord.
Als u vragen heeft, kunt u die stellen
aan het cabinepersoneel.
Elektronische apparaten
U mag aan boord geen (communicatie)
apparaten gebruiken die radiogolven
uitzenden, zoals draagbare telefoons,
radio’s, GPS-apparaten, spelletjes of
speelgoed met een afstandsbediening*.
Zorg ervoor dat uw telefoon is
uitgeschakeld voor en tijdens de vlucht.
Elektronische toestellen zoals personal
computers en spelletjes mag u tijdens de
vlucht gebruiken, maar moet u
uitschakelen bij het opstijgen en landen.
Roken
In overeenstemming met de Belgische
wetgeving is roken verboden op alle
vluchten van Brussels Airlines. Wij
wijzen u erop dat de toiletten aan boord
zijn uitgerust met rookdetectoren.
Een inbreuk op het rookverbod kan
bestraft worden.
Veiligheidsprocedures
U vindt een informatieblad over
de veiligheidsprocedures in het
opbergzakje voor u. Lees het zorgvuldig
en luister aandachtig naar alle
veiligheidsmededelingen en instructies
van het cabinepersoneel.
Alcohol
Passagiers mogen geen alcohol
gebruiken die ze hebben meegebracht of
aan boord hebben gekocht. Alcohol kan
aan boord worden geserveerd, maar ons
cabinepersoneel zal geen alcohol
schenken aan passagiers die volgens hen
al voldoende hebben gedronken.
*In het opbergzakje voor u vindt u uw
veiligheidskaart met daarop de volledige
lijst van apparaten met gebruiksbeperkingen.
Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011 93

AIRLINE
comfort
Your personal
wellbeing on board
Nowadays, for many passengers, fl ying
regularly is part of life. However, the body is
sensitive to change and fl ying still isn’t part
of a normal daily rhythm. Brussels Airlines
cares about your comfort, so here are a
couple of hints on how to keep your body
happy and healthy in the air.
Before
■ Drink plenty of water and avoid excessive
intake of alcohol, coffee and tea
■ Take time to have a stroll around the terminal
after check-in
■ A light snack is fine, but avoid heavy meals
before flying
■ Dress in loose, comfortable clothing
■ Apply moisturiser to keep your skin
feeling fresh
During
■ Drink plenty of water and avoid excessive
intake of alcohol, coffee and tea
■ Exercise helps you avoid cramps and is
good for circulation, even on short flights
(see below)
■ Don’t eat too much
Exercises
Stretch and flex your leg muscles, as well as
your arms, shoulders and neck, from time to
time. This will improve your general level of
comfort and stimulate your circulation. Stretch
and rotate your ankles and legs while sitting in
your seat.
Votre bien-être à bord
De nos jours, il est de plus en plus
courant de prendre l’avion régulièrement.
Cependant, le corps est sensible aux
changements, et voler implique toujours
une modifi cation du rythme normal.
Pour Brussels Airlines, la question de
votre confort est une priorité. Voici donc
quelques conseils pour garder un corps
léger et équilibré jusque dans les airs.
Avant
■ Buvez beaucoup d’eau, évitez une consommation
excessive d’alcool, de café et de thé
■ Prenez le temps de vous balader un peu dans
l’aérogare après l’enregistrement
■ N’hésitez pas à prendre un en-cas léger, mais
évitez les repas trop lourds avant d’embarquer
■ Portez des vêtements amples et confortables
■ Appliquez une crème hydratante pour garder
une peau fraîche
Pendant
■ Buvez beaucoup d’eau, évitez une consommation
excessive d’alcool, de café et de thé
■ Faire de l’exercice permet d’éviter les crampes
et est excellent pour la circulation. Essayez les
exercices décrits ci-dessous
■ Ne mangez pas trop
Exercises
Etirez et fléchissez de temps à autre les
muscles de vos jambes, vos bras, vos épaules et
votre nuque. Cela améliorera votre confort
général tout en stimulant votre circulation.
Etirez et dessinez de petits cercles avec vos
chevilles et vos jambes lorsque vous êtes assis.
Uw persoonlijk
comfort aan board
Vandaag maakt vliegen voor heel wat
passagiers deel uit van het dagelijkse
leven. Ons lichaam is echter gevoelig voor
verandering en vliegen kan ons dagritme
danig in de war brengen. Uw welzijn ligt
Brussels Airlines nauw aan het hart. Daarom
geven we u enkele tips om ook in de lucht
uw lichaam fi t en gezond te houden.
Vooraf
■ Drink veel water en vermijd overmatig gebruik
van alcohol, koffie en thee
■ Neem de tijd om na het inchecken even door
de terminal te wandelen
■ Een lichte snack mag, maar eet niet te zwaar
vóór u het vliegtuig neemt
■ Draag losse, comfortabele kleding
■ Gebruik een vochtinbrengende crème zodat
uw huid fris aanvoelt
Tijdens
■ Drink veel water en vermijd overmatig gebruik
van alcohol, koffie en thee
■ Oefeningen voorkomen krampen en zijn
goed voor de bloedsomloop. Probeer
onderstaande oefeningen
■ Eet niet te veel
Oefeningen
Strek en buig nu en dan uw benen, armen,
schouders en nek. U zult er zich beter door
voelen en het stimuleert de bloedsomloop.
Strek en draai uw enkels en benen terwijl u in
uw stoel zit.
1 2 3 4
Stretch and rotate your ankles and legs while seated 1 . Flex and stretch your calf muscles 2 , as well as your arms 3 , shoulders and neck 4 periodically.
This will improve your general level of comfort and stimulate your circulation.
94
Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
ILLUSTRATIONS ROB COWAN/ILLUSTRATIONROOM.COM

elax
■ A signal can be heard in the cabin and coloured
lights are visible in the ceiling.
Stay calm: This is how the crew communicate
with one another.
■ During the climb, the engine sound changes and
it feels as if the aircraft has stopped climbing.
Stay calm: After the initial full throttle for takeoff,
the engines go to a lower power output and the
angle of climb will be decreased to allow the
aircraft to accelerate, which may feel like it has
stopped climbing.
■ The wing tips move up and down
during turbulence.
Stay calm: The wings are flexible and built to cope
with heavy turbulence, as is the whole aircraft.
C’est quoi ce bruit?
Comme tous les moyens de transport motorisés, un avion émet
toutes sortes de bruits et eff ectue des mouvements, qui peuvent
inquiéter si vous n’y êtes pas habitué. Voici un petit guide qui vous
aidera à voyager l’esprit tranquille
■ Un signal sonore se produit dans la cabine et des témoins lumineux
s’allument au plafond.
Gardez votre calme : c’est la façon de communiquer de l’équipage.
■ Durant l’ascension, le bruit des moteurs varie et vous avez l’impression
que l’appareil a cessé sa progression.
Gardez votre calme : les moteurs diminuent de puissance après avoir
fonctionné à pleins gaz lors du décollage. L’angle d’ascension diminue
également afin de permettre à l’appareil d’accélérer, une manœuvre qui
peut donner l’impression que l’avion arrête sa progression.
■ Quand l’avion traverse une zone de turbulences, les extrémités des ailes
bougent de haut en bas.
Gardez votre calme : les ailes sont flexibles et conçues, tout comme
l’appareil, pour résister à de très fortes turbulences.
■ Lorsque l’appareil amorce sa descente, le bruit des moteurs passe par
plusieurs niveaux de variations.
Gardez votre calme : à l’atterrissage, l’avion doit régulièrement moduler
sa puissance pour maintenir constamment une vitesse adaptée.
■ Avant l’atterrissage, la puissance des moteurs est poussée au maximum
et l’appareil reprend de l’altitude.
Gardez votre calme : si pour une raison ou une autre, l’atterrissage
n’était pas possible (par exemple, en cas de non-disponibilité de la piste
ou de mauvaise visibilité), une manœuvre standard appelée “go-around”
(remise des gaz) sera exécutée. Soit l’avion tentera une nouvelle approche
soit il sera redirigé vers un autre aéroport. Chaque vol dispose d’une
réserve suffisante de fuel à bord pour couvrir ces procédures.
Si des interrogations subsistent, n’hésitez pas à vous adresser au personnel
de cabine. Consultez volersanspeur.org
■ At the start of the descent, the sound emitted
from the engine goes through several changes.
Stay calm: When an aircraft is landing, it needs
to vary its power output to maintain the right
speed at all times.
■ Before landing, the engines go to maximum
power and the aircraft climbs again.
Stay calm: Should the landing not be possible
for some reason (e.g. the runway is not free
or bad visibility), a standard manoeuvre
known as a “go-around” will be performed,
whereby the aircraft will make a new approach
or will be diverted to another airport. Every
flight has extra fuel on board to cover
these procedures.
AIRLINE\\\
What’s that noise?
Aircraft, like any other form of motorised transport, are full of odd noises and movements that can be disconcerting when you’re not
used to them. Here’s a short guide to set your mind at ease
If you have more questions, please ask your
flight attendant or visit nofeartofly.org
Wat is dat geluid?
Net als andere gemotoriseerde transportmiddelen maken
vliegtuigen soms vreemde geluiden en bewegingen die
zorgwekkend kunnen zijn als je er niet mee vertrouwd bent. Met
de volgende korte handleiding willen we u alvast geruststellen
■ U hoort een beltoon in de cabine en in het plafond gaan gekleurde
lichtjes branden.
Blijf kalm: Dat zijn gewoon signalen die bij de communicatie tussen de
bemanningsleden horen.
■ Tijdens het klimmen verandert het geluid van de motoren en krijg je de
indruk dat het vliegtuig niet meer stijgt.
Blijf kalm: De motoren draaien op volle toeren tijdens het opstijgen.
Het vliegtuig neemt nadien gas terug en gaat minder stijl klimmen zodat
de vliegsnelheid kan opgedreven worden. Hierdoor voelt het alsof het
vliegtuig stopt met klimmen.
■ De uiteinden van de vleugels bewegen op en neer bij turbulentie.
Blijf kalm: De vleugels zijn flexibel en zijn bestand tegen hevige
turbulentie, net als de rest van het vliegtuig trouwens.
■ Bij het begin van de daling verandert het geluid van de motoren
verschillende keren.
Blijf kalm: Tijdens de landing moet het motorvermogen af en toe
bijgestuurd worden om de juiste aanvliegsnelheid te behouden.
■ Net vóór de landing gaan de motoren plots op volle toeren draaien en
begint het vliegtuig terug te klimmen.
Blijf kalm: Als het niet mogelijk is om te landen, bijvoorbeeld omdat de
landingsbaan niet vrij is of door slechte zichtbaarheid, zal het vliegtuig
een “go-around” uitvoeren, een standaardmanoeuvre waarbij het toestel
een nieuwe nadering inzet of uitwijkt naar een andere luchthaven. Elk
vliegtuig heeft voldoende brandstof aan boord om een dergelijke
procedure uit te voeren.
Hebt u nog vragen, aarzel dan niet om iemand van het cabinepersoneel aan
te spreken. Meer info op vliegangst.org
Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011 95

AIRLINE
in the air
Brussels Airlines aircraft are a regular sight taking off and landing at Brussels Airport as well as at the 70 destinations
we serve across Europe and Africa. Check our fl eet line-up to fi nd out more about the aircraft you’re fl ying on
Airbus A330-200
Flights to Africa
Number 1
Seats 230
Wingspan 60.30 m
Airbus A319
Flights to Europe
Number 10
Seats 132
Wingspan 34.09 m
Boeing 737-300
Flights to Europe
Number 3
Seats 142
Wingspan 29.90 m
AVRO RJ100
Flights to Europe
Number 12
Seats 97
Wingspan 26.30 m
96 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
brusselsairlines.com
Length 58.40 m
Height 17.80 m
Cruising speed 870 km/h
Length 33.84 m
Height 11.76 m
Cruising speed 850 km/h
Length 33.40 m
Height 11.13 m
Cruising speed 795 km/h
Length 31.00 m
Height 08.50 m
Cruising speed 755 km/h
Airbus A330-300
Flights to Africa
Number 5
Seats 284
Wingspan 60.30 m
Airbus A320
Flights to Europe
Number 2
Seats 168
Wingspan 34.10 m
Boeing 737-400
Flights to Europe
Number 4
Seats 164
Wingspan 29.90 m
AVRO RJ85
Flights to Europe
Number 9
Seats 82
Wingspan 26.30 m
Length 63.66 m
Height 16.91 m
Cruising speed 870 km/h
Length 37.57 m
Height 11 m
Cruising speed 850 km/h
Length 36.45 m
Height 11.13 m
Cruising speed 795 km/h
Length 28.30 m
Height 08.50 m
Cruising speed 755 km/h

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T: +32 (0)476 520 266
info@barpartners.com
www.barpartners.com
STATE OF THE ART TECHNIQUES & QUALITY
Tel: 0032 23 44 71 78
WWW.BHRCLINIC.COM
Email: medical@bhrclinic.com
12a Avenue Brugmann, Brussels 1060 Belgium

loyalty programme
Mileage bargains on Barcelona, Madrid,
Malaga, Nice and Faro flights
Book your Brussels Airlines fl ight award to/from Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga, Nice and Faro from
01.11.2011 until 21.01.2012 for only 14,000 miles in Economy Class, and 24,000 miles in Business Class,
and fl y between 01.12.2011 and 29.02.2012. Visit miles-and-more.be
Bonnes affaires sur Barcelone, Madrid, Malaga, Nice et Faro
Réservez votre billet Prime avec Brussels Airlines vers/de Barcelone, Madrid, Malaga, Nice et
Faro du 01.11.2011 jusqu’au 21.01.2012 pour seulement 14 000 miles en Economy Class et
24 000 miles en Business Class, et voyagez entre le 01.12.2011 et le 29.02.2012.
Visitez miles-and-more.be/echangerdesmiles
Mijlenkoopjes op Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga, Nice en Faro
Boek uw Brussels Airlines award ticket naar/van Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga, Nice en Faro
van 01.11.2011 tot 21.01.2012 voor slechts 14.000 mijlen in Economy Class, en 24.000
mijlen in Business Class, en vlieg tussen 01.12.2011 en
29.02.2012. Bezoek miles-and-more.be/gebruikmijlen
Double miles promo on Berlin, Budapest,
Moscow and Prague
Earn double award miles on all booking classes by fl ying Brussels Airlines between Brussels and Berlin,
Budapest, Moscow or Prague from 01.11.2011 to 15.12.2011. Sign up at miles-and-more.be
Double Miles sur Berlin, Budapest,
Moscou et Prague
Cumulez le double de Miles de prime sur toutes les classes tarifaires en
voyageant avec Brussels Airlines vers/de Berlin, Budapest, Moscou et Prague
du 01.11.2011 au 15.12.2011. Enregistrez-vous sur miles-and-more.be
Scan this code with your smartphone to visit miles-and-more.be
Visitez miles-and-more.be en scannant ce code avec votre smartphone
Scan deze code met uw smartphone om miles-and-more.be te bezoeken
i Become a Miles & More member now
Sign up online at miles-and-more.be or ask our cabin crew for an application form
98 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
Dubbele mijlenpromotie op Berlijn,
Boedapest, Moskou en Praag
NEW PROMO
PROMOTION
UNTIL 15.12.11
Verdien dubbele awardmijlen op alle reserveringsklassen op Brussels
Airlines vluchten naar/van Berlijn, Boedapest, Moskou en Praag van
01.11.2011 tot 15.12.2011. Schrijf nu in via miles-and-more.be

Europ Assistance: Take out a
yearly cancellation insurance
NoGo, get a €30 reduction and
earn 500 miles!*
Europ Assistance: Souscrivez maintenant une
assurance annulation annuelle NoGo, bénéficiez
d’une réduction de 30 € et cumulez 500 Miles !*
Protégez vos rêves de vacances avec l’assurance annulation NoGo d’Europ Assistance, le
spécialiste de l’assurance voyage. NoGo, c’est une seule assurance annuelle pour protéger le
budget de tous vos séjours privés de l’année, qu’ils soient prévus ou imprévus. NoGo vous
permet aussi de reporter votre voyage. Pour profi ter de cette offre, rendez-vous sur
miles-and-more.be/europassistance-fr
*Offre valable pour une première nouvelle souscription d’un contrat NoGo annuel du
9 novembre 2011 au 15 avril 2012 inclus.
Europ Assistance: Onderschrijf nu een jaarlijkse
annulatieverzekering NoGo met 30 € korting en
verzamel 500 mijlen!*
PARTNER
OFFER
Protect your holiday dreams with the cancellation insurance
NoGo by Europ Assistance, the travel insurance specialist. The
yearly insurance NoGo protects your travel budget during all
your planned or unforeseen private trips. With NoGo, you can also
postpone your trip. For more information, surf to miles-andmore.be/europassistance-en
*Offer valid when taking out a new yearly NoGo subscription
between 9 November and 15 April 2012 included.
Bescherm uw vakantiedromen met de reisannuleringsverzekering NoGo van Europ
Assistance, de specialist in reisverzekeringen. NoGo is een enkele jaarlijkse verzekering die
uw budget beschermt tijdens al uw privéreizen, voorzien of onvoorzien. Met NoGo kunt u
ook uw reis uitstellen. Meer informatie vindt u op miles-and-more.be/europassistance-nl
*Aanbod geldig voor een eerste nieuwe onderschrijving van een jaarlijks NoGo contract van
9 november 2011 tem 15 april 2012.
Connect more smoothly
The Star Alliance network ensures you
a convenient, smooth and effi cient
worldwide travel experience
AIRLINE \\\
■ The Star Alliance network is a group of 27
airlines working together to operate more than
21,000 daily departures to 1,160 destinations in
181 countries, with over 970 airport lounges
■ Flight connections between member airlines
are smoother and faster thanks to coordinated
arrivals and departures, as well as closer
airport facilities
■ Earn frequent flyer mileage on any Star
Alliance scheduled flight, making it easier to
reach, maintain and build your status
For more information, visit staralliance.com
Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011 99

network
80 premium
European
destinations
Perfect for
one-day,
weekend and
leisure trips
Vancouver
Seattle
Portland
San Francisco
Los Angeles
San Diego
Calgary
Las Vegas
Phoenix
Denver
Belfast
Minneapolis
UNITED
STATES
Austin
7destinations in Canada
Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary,
Ottawa, Québec City and Moncton
in codeshare with Jet Airways and Air Canada
Direct flights to Chicago,
Philadelphia, Washington and
New York with connections to nearly
US destinations in codeshare with Star Alliance partners
100 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
Edinburgh
Newcastle
Manchester
Leeds Bradford
Hamburg
Gdansk
MADEIRA
Birmingham
Bristol
East Midlands
London
Heathrow
Hannover
BRUSSELS
Frankfurt
Poznan
Berlin
Warsaw
Wroclaw
Krakow
Prague
Kiev
Funchal
CANARY ISLANDS
Tenerife
Paris
Strasbourg Stuttgart
Munich
Basel
Vienna
Zurich
Geneva
Ljubljana
Budapest
La Coruna
Bilbao
Santiago de
Lyon
Toulouse
Marseille
Milan
Venice
Turin
Bologna
Nice Florence
Zagreb
Bucharest
Porto
Compostela
Gerona
Rome
Madrid Barcelona
Valencia
Ibiza
Naples
Thessaloniki
Lisbon
Alicante
Palma de
Mallorca
Catania
Athens
Faro
Malaga
Malta
Rhodes
Chicago
Bergen
Stavanger
Cincinnati
St. Louis
CANADA
Québec City
Ottawa
Moncton
Toronto Montreal
Boston
New York
Philadelphia
Washington
Charlotte
Dallas Atlanta
New Orleans
Houston
Orlando
Tampa
Fort Lauderdale
Miami
BAHAMAS
CUBA
JAMAICA
Oslo
HAITI
60
Stockholm
Gothenburg
Copenhagen
DOMINICAN REP.
San Juan
SAINT KITTS
AND NEVIS
Helsinki
Tallinn
Vilnius
Riga
Heraklion
Umea
Tel Aviv
4 destinations
in the Middle East
including Dubai, Abu
Dhabi and Al Ain
in codeshare with
Etihad Airways
Beijing
CHINA
Shanghai
Moscow
Dubai
Abu
Dhabi
Al-Ain
2
destinations
in China
Beijing and
Shanghai
in codeshare with
Hainan Airlines

21 destinations
in Africa
Abidjan, Accra, Agadir,
Bamako, Banjul,
Bujumbura,
Conakry, Cotonou,
Dakar, Douala,
Entebbe, Freetown,
Kigali, Kinshasa,
Lomé, Luanda,
Marrakech, Dakar
Monrovia,
Banjul
Nairobi,
Ouagadougou
and Yaoundé
Monrovia
LIBERIA
16 codeshare destinations
Casablanca (with Royal Air Maroc); Addis Ababa
(with Ethiopian Airlines); Abuja, Accra, Cape Town,
Johannesburg, Khartoum, Lagos, Libreville, Luanda, Malabo
and Port Harcourt (with Lufthansa); Cairo (with Egyptair);
Douala, Nairobi and Yaoundé (with Swiss)
Delhi 3 destinations
in India
Delhi, Mumbai
and Chennai
in codeshare with Jet Airways
Bangkok
THAILAND
Mumbai 2 destinations
in Southeast Asia
Bangkok
MALAYSIA
INDIA
in codeshare with Jet Airways
SINGAPORE
Chennai
Codeshare partners
Casablanca
MOROCCO
Marrakech
Agadir
Singapore
in codeshare with Lufthansa
ALGERIA
TUNISIA
Luanda
LIBYA EGYPT
AIRLINE \\\
MAURITANIA
MALI
NIGER
SUDAN
SENEGAL
GAMBIA
BURKINA
FASO
CHAD
Khartoum
ERITREA
GUINEA
DJIBOUTI
BISSAU GUINEA
Conakry
SIERRA
Freetown LEONE
NIGERIA
Addis Ababa
IVORY GHANA
Abuja
COAST
CENTRAL
ETHIOPIA
Abidjan Lomé Lagos
AFRICAN REPUBLIC
Port Harcourt
Accra
Douala
Malabo Yaoundé
EQUAT. CAMEROON
UGANDA SOMALIA
DEMOCRATIC
GUINEA
KENYA
REPUBLIC OF
Libreville CONGO THE CONGO Entebbe Nairobi
GABON
RWANDA Kigali
Bujumbura
Kinshasa
BURUNDI
TANZANIA
Cotonou
Bamako
Ouagadougou
SOUTH
SUDAN
TOGO
BENIN
ANGOLA
NAMIBIA
ZAMBIA
BOTSWANA
SOUTH AFRICA
Cape Town
Cairo
ZIMBABWE
Johannesburg
MALAWI
MOZAMBIQUE
Legend
Brussels Airlines operated
Codeshare operated
Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011 101

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at the airport
NEW !
Discover the new Desigual
store, a top fashion brand
famous for its colourful
prints and designs, now
open in pier A and B.
Transport to/from Brussels Airport
Car rental
The car rental companies are located in
the arrivals hall level 2. To return your
car, follow the signage at Brussels Airport for Front
Park 1. Returning your car is simple and should
take no longer than 10 minutes. Avis is the preferred
partner of Brussels Airlines, for preferential
rates, see the Avis link on brusselsairlines.com
Fast
Lane
Taxis
Taxis are continuously available
outside the arrivals hall, level 2.
We advise you to use official taxis carrying a
yellow/blue licence emblem. Wheelchair users
can reserve a taxi with Taxi Hendricks via
tel. +32 (0)2 752 9800 or hendriks.be
DEPARTURES
Buses
The bus station is located at level 0
and provides bus services to many
cities around Brussels Airport. For more
information you can contact:
■ De Lijn: tel. +32 (0)70 220 200 or delijn.be
■ MIVB/STIB: tel. +32 (0)7 023 2000 or stib.be
■ Airport Express: Antwerp–Brussels Airport–
Antwerp: tel. +32 (0)52 334 000 or
airportexpress.be
The Netherlands–Brussels Airport–
The Netherlands: airportxpress.nl
(stops at Amsterdam and Rotterdam)
Fast
Lane
Trains
The train station is located at
Brussels Airport at level -1.
Transfers
All flights from non-Schengen countries arrive at B-Gates.
All flights from Schengen countries depart from A-Gates
PREMIUM
Brussels Airlines
Services
Brussels Airlines
Restaurants Services & Bars
Shops Restaurants & Bars
Tickets Shops and airline services
Airline Tickets lounges and airline services
Relaxation Airline lounges Zone
Wi-Fi
Relaxation
is available
Zone
in all areas of the
passenger
Wi-Fi is available
terminal
in all
and
areas
the
of
piers
the
passenger terminal and the piers
Automated external defi brillator (AED)
Automated external defi brillator (AED)
Check-in
Check-in
Baggage reclaim area
Baggage reclaim area
Brussels Airport, the home base of Brussels Airlines, is tailored to suit the needs of all passengers whether
they require a full-service product or are low-fare seekers. International surveys and ratings have shown that
Brussels Airport is one of the most welcoming and effi cient in the world
AIRLINE\\\
The Brussels Airport Express takes you up to
four times an hour to the centre of Brussels in
15 minutes. From there you can connect to the
Belgian and international rail networks. For more
information please contact NMBS/SNCB via
tel. +32 (0)2 753 2440 or b-rail.be
Lost, found and
refused objects
■ In the terminal: go to the
information desk in the arrivals hall – level 2
(opening hours 6am-9pm). For more information,
tel. 0900-70 000 daily 7am-10pm
■ Left on board: go to the Brussels Airlines desk
in the baggage reclaim area; Lost baggage: go to
the Brussels Airlines desk in the baggage
reclaim area, tel. +32 (0)2 723 3052).
Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011 103

AIRLINE
CREDIT
CARD MIN
€5.00
delicious
Food
MENU DEALS
SWEET MENU €4.00
(2 items) Muffin (vanilla /chocolate) or
Waffle with hot* or soft drink
*Hot drinks not available on our shortest flights after 10am
LUNCH MENU ** ¤6.00
(2 items) Sandwich or Aiki snack with
soft or hot drink or soup
**Not available on our shortest flights
SANDWICHES **
Cheese ¤4.00
Tasty sandwich with cheese
Tuna ¤4.00
Delicious sandwich with tuna flakes
**Not available on our shortest flights
HOT SNACKS
Aïki Pasta
Spirelli with creamy cheese
¤4.00
Aïki Noodles chicken ¤4.00
Royco Minute Soup ¤2.50
SWEET SNACKS
M&M’s 250g ¤4.00
Celebrations Chocolate assortment 240g ¤4.00
Muffin (vanilla /chocolate) ¤2.00
Lotus waffle XL ¤2.00
Twix XL ¤2.00
SAVOURY SNACKS
Pringles (hot & spicy) ¤2.00
Pringles (salt) ¤2.00
Pringles (paprika) ¤2.00
Bifi XXL 40g ¤2.00
CREDIT
CARD MAX
€200
CASH IN
€ ONLY
All products are sold onboard at stated sizes and subject
to availability. Actual items may vary slightly from what
is shown. Prices are subject to change without notice.
Passengers may not consume alcoholic beverages which
they have supplied themselves, have purchased as duty
free goods, or have been supplied by third parties. Customs regulations require passengers to declare all
items purchased. Returned goods and enquiries should be made to: LSG Sky Chefs, Luchthavengebouw 53,
1930 B-Zaventem. PRICES INCLUDE ALL RELEVANT VAT.
104 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
b.light economy menu available on European network
(except Moscow, Tel Aviv, Bristol, Hannover and Newcastle)
SOFT
Drinks
Spa still water 50cl ¤2.50
Spa sparkling water 50cl ¤2.50
Coca-cola 33cl ¤2.50
Coca-cola zero 33cl ¤2.50
Fanta 33cl ¤2.50
Schweppes tonic 33cl ¤2.50
Lipton ice tea 33cl ¤2.50
Minute Maid orange juice 25cl ¤2.50
SPECIAL
Red Bull 25cl
Energy drink
¤3.00
mySmoothie 25cl
100% fruit inside No preservatives No additives
¤3.50
HOT *
Nescafé coffee ¤2.50
Nescafé decaf ¤2.50
Nescafé cappucino ¤2.50
Lipton tea (yellow label) ¤2.50
Hotcémel hot chocolate ¤2.50
*Not available on our shortest flights after 10am
BEERS
Maes beer 33cl ¤3.50
Carlsberg (New can) 33cl ¤3.50
Grimbergen blonde 33cl ¤3.50
Gordon’s gin 5cl * ¤4.00
Johnnie Walker red label whisky 5cl * ALCOHOL
¤4.00
* + soft drink ¤6.00
WINE
White – Domaine BLOMAC 18,7cl ¤4.00
Red – Domaine BLOMAC 18,7cl ¤4.00
SPARKLING WINE
Martini – Vino spumante brut 20cl ¤6.00
Gifts
Fun Plane Keyring With sound and lights ¤4.00
Finest Belgian chocolates Duc d’O 115g ¤4.00

Distributed by
Quality Products with Quality Services
www.mesoestetic.be - info@mesoestetic.be - +32 (0)475 576 586
COUPON

LOOKING AHEAD
Making a list... IMAGE
Christmas shopping, despite our very best intentions, often descends into a last minute stampede through chain shops on the
high street. We come to the rescue next month with a concise guide to the best niche shopping in a selection of European cities. That
disappointed look on the faces of your friends and family will be a thing of Christmas past. We also get predicting, with the benefit of
advice from our travel experts, on the best restaurants, hotels & happenings in 2012. All you have to do is fetch your new diary and start
planning a wonderful new year of travel.
b.house, Brussels Airport,
Airport bld 26 box 4.7,
Ringbaan B-1831 Diegem,
Belgium
brusselsairlines.com
Publications Director
Monica Devi Lim
MonicaDevi.Lim@brusselsairlines.com
106 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2011
Editor/Co-publisher Richard Bence richard.bence@ink-global.com
Deputy Editor Jenny McNeely jenny.mcneely@ink-global.com
Art Director Marten Sealby Designer Stephen Powell
Picture Director Alex Ortiz Picture Editor Julia Holmes
Production Manager Antonia Ferraro Production Controller Adam Jones
Chief Sub Steve Handley Sub Editors Sussanah Parker, Marie Cleland Knowles (English),
Brigitte Ledune/edito3 (French and Dutch), Telelingua (Dutch) Online Director Sal Lababidi
Digital Development Edward Chamberlin Reprographics Jon Smith/KFR Pre-Press Ltd
Publisher Anna Szpunar anna.szpunar@ink-global.com, tel. +32 (0)2 808 1576
Display Advertising Jonathan Carrillo Saez, Maciej Hille, David Serra
Sales recruitment joinus@ink-global.com
Executive Creative Director Michael Keating Deputy Editorial Director Andrew Humphreys
Design Director Julia Murray Publishing Director Simon Leslie
Chief Executive Jeffrey O’Rourke Chief Operating Officer Hugh Godsal
Commercial Director Kevin Rolfe Account Manager Geraldine Moor
b.there! is published on behalf of Brussels Airlines by Ink.
All correspondence and advertising enquiries should be
addressed to:
b.there!, Ink, 141-143 Shoreditch High St, London E1 6JE
Tel +44 (0)20 7613 8777 Fax +44 (0)20 7613 8776
Email info@btheremag.com
btheremag.com ink-global.com
All paper used in the printing of this magazine is obtained from
sustained forestry.
All material is strictly copyright and all rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of the copyright holder. While every effort is made to ensure all prices and
data are correct at the time of publication, Brussels Airlines can not be responsible for editorial errors. Opinions expressed in b.there! are not necessarily those of Brussels Airlines and Brussels Airlines does not accept
responsibility for advertising content. Any pictures or transparencies supplied are at the owner’s risk.
PLAIN PICTURE

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