august-2011

Inspiring i i bbusiness i and d ttravel l iin EEurope 

AUGUST2011 

57 

Tasting Tel Aviv 

Where Wh ffashion hi meets t ffalafel l f l 

in the Med’s most exotic city 

European network 

inflight magazine 

Please take me, 

I’m yours to keep 

PLUS 

Diary / Food+Drink / Eco / Culture 

Fashion+Beauty / Africa / City Guides

Belgian 

Royal 

Warrant 

Holders 

Spreading 

green wings 

L’aviation verte 

déploie ses ailes 

EENDRACHT 

MAAKT MACHT 

L'UNION FAIT 

LA FORCE 

Dernièrement, le Solar Impulse, premier avion fonctionnant uniquement à l’énergie 

solaire, a effectué son premier vol international. Après un voyage de 13 heures 

depuis la Suisse, l’avion a atterri sans encombre à Brussels Airport, où il fut accueilli 

au hangar de maintenance de Brussels Airlines. Cette performance extraordinaire 

donne de nouvelles perspectives à notre industrie, même s’il faudra certainement 

encore attendre un certain nombre d’années avant que l’aviation civile ne puisse de la 

même manière compter sur l’énergie solaire. 

Entre-temps, nous devons poursuivre nos efforts pour protéger l’environnement. Chez 

Brussels Airlines, nous avons pris une série de mesures visant à limiter notre empreinte 

carbone. Nous avons ainsi réduit le poids de nos Airbus en utilisant des sièges plus 

légers, et avons investi dans des ailettes aérodynamiques qui permettent une économie 

de fuel sur notre fl otte Boeing. De plus, nos pilotes reçoivent constamment des 

recommandations leur permettant de voler d’une manière encore plus respectueuse 

envers l’environnement. Ceci ne sont que quelques exemples de nos efforts écologiques. 

Vous pouvez vous aussi contribuer à ces efforts communs, en décidant par 

exemple de recevoir votre carte d’embarquement sur votre smartphone afi n de 

réduire la quantité de papier imprimé, ou encore en choisissant lors de votre 

réservation de compenser les émissions de dioxyde de carbone de votre vol. Quand 

nous travaillons main dans la main, c’est l’environnement qui est gagnant. 

Nous vous souhaitons un agréable vol sur Brussels Airlines! 

Bernard Gustin et Michel Meyfroidt Co-CEOs 

Best 

Short 

Haul 

Airline 

WELCOME \\\ 

Solar Impulse, the first aircraft powered solely by solar energy, recently undertook 

its maiden international flight. Following a 13-hour journey from Switzerland, the 

aircraft landed safely in Brussels, where it was welcomed at the Brussels Airlines 

Maintenance Hangar. A marvellous achievement, but it will probably be several 

more years before commercial flights can similarly rely on solar energy. 

In the meantime, we must continue to care for the environment. At Brussels Airlines, 

we’ve undertaken numerous measures to ensure greener flights. We’ve reduced the weight of our Airbus aircraft by using lighter seats, and have invested 

in aerodynamic winglets which allow our Boeing fleet to consume less fuel. Moreover, our pilots are constantly receiving tips on how to fly in an 

environmentally-friendly manner. These are just a few examples of our green efforts. 

You too can play your part. For example, by opting to receive your boarding pass on your smartphone so as to reduce the amount of paper printed, or by 

choosing to offset the carbon dioxide emissions related to your flights. When we work together, it’s the environment that’ll be the winner. 

We wish you a pleasant Brussels Airlines flight! 

Bernard Gustin and Michel Meyfroidt Co-CEOs 

The Solar Impulse aircraft at rest 

in the Brussels Airlines hangar 

Een groene vlucht 

Onlangs voerde het Solar Impulse vliegtuig, het allereerste 

toestel aangedreven door zonne-energie, zijn internationale 

doopvlucht uit. Het vliegtuig landde, na een vlucht van bijna 13 

uur, in Brussel waar het werd verwelkomd in de Brussels 

Airlines Maintenance Hangar. Een prachtig exploot maar het 

zal wellicht nog heel wat jaren duren vooraleer ook de 

burgerluchtvaart een beroep kan doen op ‘solar energy’. 

Intussen zitten we niet stil en nemen we onze 

verantwoordelijkheid voor het milieu op. Bij Brussels Airlines 

hebben we talrijke maatregelen genomen om groener te 

vliegen. Zo verlagen we het gewicht van onze toestellen 

dankzij lichtere zetels, en investeren we in aerodynamische 

vleugelwinglets zodat onze Boeing toestellen minder 

kerosine verbruiken. Bovendien krijgen onze piloten 

voortdurend tips om milieuvriendelijker te vliegen. Het 

zijn maar enkele voorbeelden. 

Ook u kan uw steentje bijdragen. Bijvoorbeeld door uw 

boarding pass te ontvangen op uw smartphone zodat er geen 

papier moet uitgeprint worden of door de CO2 uitstoot van uw 

vlucht te compenseren. Als we allemaal ons beste beentje 

voorzetten zal het milieu er wel bij varen. 

We wensen u alvast een aangename Brussels Airlines vlucht! 

Bernard Gustin en Michel Meyfroidt Co-CEOs 

Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine August 2011 3

IMAGE GETTY IMAGES 

FR Résumés des articles en français 

NL Samenvattingen in het Nederlands 

34 Head for the hills 

Discover 

your check-in 

options: see 

page 92 

If you’ve had your summer holiday and are already looking for an inspirational autumn break, 

look no further than the Belgian Ardennes: its rolling slopes feature beautiful trails for 

walkers and cyclists, with nary an international tourist in sight 

40 Making tracks 

East Berlin is a hotbed of contemporary art, architecture and adventure, and there’s no better 

way to explore it than by riding the historic Strassenbahn tram network. We hop aboard to get 

a local commuter’s perspective on this capital city 

ISSUE 57 AUGUST 2011 \\\ 

contents 

IMAGE BRIDGEMAN ART LIBRARY 

44 The Rousseau eff ect 

An 18th-century novel by Jean-Jacques 

Rousseau did amazing things for Swiss tourism, 

not to mention inspiring writers from all over 

Europe. We explore the literary landscape 

49 Business trends 

Prague is invaded by Russian entrepreneurs, 

Germany chases the UK as a centre for 

investment, Copenhagen’s motorists get 

angry and Sweden takes out the trash 

54 Room for 

improvement 

Prague’s hotels know they need to up their 

game to entice savvy travellers – we visit 

the establishments leading the way 

We like hearing from you! 

Follow @FlyingBrussels on 

Twitter, or join facebook.com/ 

brusselsairlines 


ISSUE 57 AUGUST 2011 

contents 

Regulars City guides 

9 

9 Diary 

Must-see events and exhibitions across 

the network during August and beyond 

12 Interview 

We take a spin with Formula One rookie and 

Etterbeek-native Jérôme d’Ambrosio, talking 

home comforts and driving ambition 

15 Fashion & Beauty 

Keep ahead of the fashion pack with our 

roundup of the latest trends, including the 

swimwear, footwear and beauty essentials 

to ensure sizzling-hot summer style 

18 Sleep 

Our hunt for the best hotels in Europe 

continues with stays in Brussels, 

Vienna and London 

20 Food 

& drink 

Keep your cool with 

refreshing juices 

and smoothies 

24 

6 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine August 2011 

23 Culture 

Smurf-mania looks set for a revival with 

a 3D movie, the Red Hot Chili Peppers 

make a rocking return and Bear Grylls 

recounts his Mount Everest adventure 

24 Tech 

Get snap happy with a digital camera and 

capture your travel experiences with ease 

thanks to tips from a pro 

27 Design 

Cycle your way to chic with a designer 

bicycle – the perfect accessory for a 

summer in the city 

28 Eco 

Stay safe in the sun with products that 

are kinder to your skin and the planet 

30 Africa 

We discover the rich beauty 

and cultural heritage of Dogon 

Country in Mali – Brussels 

Airlines’ newest destination 

///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. 

18 

IMAGE NITZAN HAFNER 

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 Tel Aviv 

Where do you go for the best falafel, 

fashion and fun in Tel Aviv? We asked 

a local, restaurant owner Orna Agmon, 

for the insider’s guide 

66 Brussels 

74 Athens 

75 Barcelona 

76 Budapest 

77 Catania 

78 Lisbon 

79 Lyon 

80 Oslo 

Plus 

Belgian city 

focus on 

Kortrijk p70 

Spa p72 

81 Palma de Mallorca 

82 Venice 

83 Warsaw 

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 b.foundation 89 b.green 

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 ©KOBI ISRAEL, KOBIISRAEL.COM

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Works the way you want

Seize the day and check out one of the fabulous events 

taking place on the Brussels Airlines network this month 

Je suis seul, avec vous HORNU 

Until 2 October 

The major summer exhibition at the Musée des Arts Contemporains (near Mons) turns artists 

into ethnographers, exploring the social groups that we create for ourselves. From the 

traditional family unit to communities of drag queens and online forums, these arresting 

pictures and videos will have you pondering which group you belong to, and why. mac-s.be 

Feria de Malaga 

MALAGA 

12-21 August 

August in Malaga sees a 

concentration of all things 

traditionally Spanish. Flamenco 

dancing, live music, vibrant 

costumes and fi reworks fi ll the 

city streets with colour by day, 

before moving to a fairground 

on the outskirts of town to 

continue the party into the night. 

feria-de-malaga.es 

Brussels, Malaga and Rome from €99; Newcastle from €139 return, taxes included 

diary 

NewcastleGateshead 

Bridges Festival NEWCASTLE 

13-14 August 

The NewcastleGateshead Bridges Festival 

will bring treasure hunting, pyrotechnic 

displays and a charity plastic duck race to 

the River Tyne to celebrate the area’s history 

and culture. Don’t miss the pop-up restaurant 

with a menu that changes every 30 minutes, 

depending on the tide level. 

newcastlegateshead.com 

Miracle Players ROME 

Until 5 August 

If you’re interested in learning more about 

the early Roman Empire but reluctant to bury 

your head in a book all evening, visit the 

Roman Forum on n a Friday evening (7.30pm) 

before 5 August. . You’ll 

fi nd Rome-based d 

theatre troupe the he 

Miracle Players 

performing a 

street-theatre 

comedy that 

compresses 1,000 00 

years of history into 

a 40-minute play y in 

English. The Seven en 

Kings of Rome is s 

a light-hearted 

romp through the e 

creation of the city. 

miracleplayers.org org 


diary 

Take One Picture LONDON 

Until 25 September 

Every year The National Gallery chooses a work from its collection for schoolchildren to study 

and create their own masterpieces. This year’s painting is Andrea del Verrocchio’s Tobias and 

the Angel, and this exhibition shows a remarkable range of responses. takeonepicture.org.uk 

/// COMING UP 


Stella Polaris 

COPENHAGEN 

7 August 

Join Copenhagen’s locals 

in celebrating the city’s 

wonderfully long summer 

evenings at Stella Polaris. 

This chill-out event sees 

picturesque Østre Anlæg 

taken over by picnickers, 

surrounded by the mellow 

sounds of slow-tempo 

electronic music. It’s free 

and suitable for all ages. 

stella-polaris.dk 

Zomer van Antwerpen 

ANTWERP 

Until 28 August 

There’s a touch of midsummer madness to 

this event, which includes performances in 

former hospitals, a library transformed 

into an open-air theatre and a dinner-club 

offering classes on table manners and 

fl irting. Come zonsondergang (sunset), take 

a seat on a platform by the Scheldt to refl ect 

on some extraordinary experiences. zva.be 

Jazz in’t Park GHENT 

26-28 August 

Pack your picnic rug for free concerts from 

established jazz names and rising young 

talent in Ghent, covering both easy listening 

and more complex works for dedicated 

jazzers. As the night draws on and midnight 

approaches there’ll be jazz documentaries 

and movies to enjoy. gent.be/jazzintpark 

Strongman Contest BILBAO 

1-31 August 

What better way to spend an afternoon in 

the Basque region than watching teams of 

men chipping away at a block of granite with 

a steel spike? This is just one of the many 

attractions of the Strongman Contest, which 

is part of the Aste Nagusia festival in Bilbao; 

fans of axe-wielding and log-chopping won’t 

be disappointed. astenagusia.com 

10 Sep – 11 Dec The Master As Architect, Palazzo Rubens, Antwerp (rubenshuis.be) 17 Sep – 9 Oct Festival of Flanders, Ghent 

(gentfestival.be) 4-9 Oct Horse Of The Year Show, Birmingham (hoys.co.uk) 12-23 Oct Festival of Lights, Berlin (festival-of-lights.de) 

IMAGE ©NATIONAL GALLERY 

Brussels from €99; Bilbao and Copenhagen from €119; London from €139 return, taxes included

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interview 

Hailing from Etterbeek terbeek in the 

Brussels-Capital al Region, Jérôme 

d'Ambrosio is currently urrently enjoying 

his rookie Formula mula One season. 

With the Belgian n Grand-Prix at 

the end of the month, Monica 

Devi Lim asks the 25-year-old 

driver about inspiration, spiration, ambition 

and the comforts rts of home 

Belgium is a country y that I love. It’s where 

I come from, and it’s a place where people 

are open. It’s nice and d international; you 

have lots of people coming from different 

countries. Brussels is s a big city, but not like 

Paris or London – you ou can find some privacy. 

It’s also easy to go somewhere omewhere and be sure 

you're going to meet t people you know. 

Driving a Formula One ne car is very special. 

It’s a combination of f things; I love the 

adrenaline you get when you get in the car at 

the start, the technical cal aspects, the speed. 

The competition is also lso distinctive in a highlevel 

sport – always trying to get better. 

My first time in a go-kart o-kart was on holiday 

in Tenerife. I was eight ght years old and I loved 

it. I was fortunate enough nough that my parents 

just helped me and let et me drive. Then I just 

carried on! 

I believe that most of us in F1 have natural 

talent. I think you need eed to be at ease behind 

the steering wheel. And then it's vital to 

have the will to succeed. eed. There are only 

24 professional F1 drivers rivers in the world, 

and we all have the dream of doing this. 


Jérôme d'Ambrosio

IMAGE REX FEATURES 

I've been through lots of big moments 

that have brought me to where I am now. 

Being picked to drive for Virgin in 2011, my 

F1 debut, was the biggest moment of my 

career, but to achieve that I’ve had other 

good moments as well. One of them was the 

first step, when Marussia Virgin Racing 

allowed me to do the Friday testing last 

year. This was where I could show everyone 

in F1 what I was capable of doing while 

driving the car. 

I feel awesome now that I'm an official 

F1 driver. It’s a dream come true. But on 

the other hand, this is hopefully only the 

beginning of a very long story. And it will 

be if I keep my feet on the ground and 

I keep on working. This is how I see it – as 

an opportunity – and it feels really good. 

The ambition to improve and succeed: 

I think this is something I share with 

Marussia Virgin Racing. We all know it will 

take time. It doesn’t come from one day to 

another, but we share the will to succeed 

and we are ready to work hard to get there. 

A race weekend is very intense. I think 

this is the thing that people don’t always 

understand. There is a huge amount of work 

you have to do to drive an F1 car, both 

physically, and technically with the 

engineers. This means the season is really 

hectic, because you have 20 weekends like 

that. It’s a sport where if you don’t dedicate 

100% of your time, you will never succeed. 

When you travel so much, it’s always good 

to be back home. I enjoy seeing friends in 

Brussels, as well as going to Genk. This 

is where I used to go karting, so I like to 

spend a day there. It’s funny to see the 

kids racing – not too long ago I was one 

of those kids. It’s good for me to go there 

and spend some time. 

I really enjoy Paris – but not only because 

of the city itself. I think you always enjoy 

a place if you're in good company. I’ve got 

some great friends in Paris, so going there 

is always fun. 

Clockwise: Jérôme will race on home soil in 

Spa on 28 August; "Intense" Tokyo has captured 

the driver's imagination; Schumacher 

and Alonso are big acts to follow 

Tokyo is so completely different to what 

I'm used to. Before the Suzuka race last 

year I was able to spend three days there, 

and I discovered another world. It’s so 

distinctive, and I always enjoy travelling 

and seeing things I’m not used to seeing. 

I could never live there, though – it’s too 

intense for me. 

I’m a sporty kind of guy, so I enjoy any sport. 

What I do depends on what time of year it is 

– in winter, for example, I love skiing, it’s my 

second passion. I also started surfing last 

year, so I’m looking forward to the summer 

and getting back ck on the board. When Im I’m back 

in Belgium, however, wever, I like reading 

books – it’s a good way for me to 

empty my mind d completely. 

I don’t really have ave a hero. 

I have a lot of people, 

especially racing ng 

drivers, who have ave 

inspired me in 

a way that I look ok 

up to them. 

Senna, 

Schumacher, 

Alonso… they are people that I look at, and 

I know that I can learn from them. And more 

recently, Timo [Glock, his VVirgin 

teammate]: 

he's much more experienc 

experienced than me in F1, 

so he is someone I look to. It’s not so much 

inspiration; it’s just watch watching people and 

trying to learn something 

something. 

My goal for th this season is to 

make this the 

start of a long 

career for me 

in Formula One. 

I want to gro grow as a driver, grow 

as a team, aand 

learn a lot from 

Timo. From 

all this I can 

hopefully gget 

good results 

that keep mme 

here next year. 

Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine August 2011 

13 

IMAGE GETTY IMAGES

Stéphanie Duval gives us the inside scoop 

on the latest trends from planet fashion 

Tommy Hilfi ger’s Prep world 

house; statement shoes from 

Christophe Coppens’ pop-up; 

and summer essentials in 

bright hues by Hilfi ger 

Power of the pop-up 

Temporary stores take over Belgian beach town this summer 

Preppy and tailored, Belgian avant-garde, quirky headwear or fl irty and feminine… Whatever 

tickles your fashion fancy, it will be present in Knokke this month. No less than four designer 

labels are setting up shop in Belgium’s chicest beach resort for a short period only. 

Feel the New England vibe at Tommy Hilfi ger’s Prep World House, where a 

limited-edition collection sits next to one-of-a-kind preppy objects and 

paraphernalia on Albertplein from 5-15 August. Or visit RED 

Valentino’s Greenhouse to shop its fairytale-like dresses and 

accessories (Van Bunnenplein, 4-7 August). At milliner Christophe 

Coppens’ Surprise Summer shop, you’ll fi nd not only his creative 

headwear but also covetable shoes by Manolo Blahnik and 

Christian Louboutin (Elizabethlaan, 17-19 August). 

And Villa II next to the casino hosts AF Vandevorst and 

Hoet Bekaert Gallery’s second project together, with 

exhibitions by upcoming talent as well as high fashion 

(134 Nellenslaan, until 28 August). 

fashion+beauty 

Liquid gold 

Nuxe’s multi-purpose 

oil is a beach essential 

It’s always 

gratifying to fi nd 

a product that 

you can trust to 

nourish your body 

and make it look 

glamorously 

beautiful at the 

same time. So 

don’t even think 

of hitting the 

beach this summer without Nuxe Huile 

Prodigieuse Or (€25 for 50ml): a potent 

blend of plant oils and vitamin E, it can be 

used on your face, body and hair for a 

velvety, silky smooth fi nish. Plus, thanks 

to small golden particles, it’ll enhance your 

tan and leave you shimmering like a golden 

goddess on the sands. nuxe.com 

Brights ideas: Eres 

nails the colourblocking 

trend 

Making a splash 

Stand out from the bikini-clad crowd 

in colourful swimwear from Eres 

Still searching for the perfect bathing suit 

to round off the summer in style? Look no 

further. Like nearly everyone in fashion town, 

Eres has been inspired by colour blocking for 

its current collection. Unlike everyone else, 

however, the label has taken a simple trend 

and made it interesting – the innovative cuts 

and playful designs, including eyelet details, 

make this statement swimwear to die for. 

eresparis.com 


fashion+beauty 

Snap happy 

Garance Doré turns her camera on Petit Bateau 


French Fren French ren e ch h fancy: f ancy ncy cy cy: : Pe PPetit 

tit t it itt 

Bateau Bate B au u as aas 

a s s sstyled st s st style 

yled y led 

by Garance G GGara 

aran a an ce e eDD 

D DDor 

Doré oré 

For years, Petit Bateau has been largely the preserve of Parisian women – the rest of us still 

most frequently associate the label with comfy kids’ clothes. So to let the world know about 

its fabulous jersey T-shirts for adults, the brand enlisted the help of French fashion blogger, 

photographer and illustrator Garance Doré. Something of a style staple herself, Doré has 

snapped women wearing Petit Bateau’s new V-neck tee in the season’s most sought after 

hues, in the style of her popular blog photos. We guess the secret’s out now! petit-bateau.com 

Think pink: Tiany 

Kiriloff wearing her 

Vero Moda designs 

Inside job 

Belgian style queen Tiany Kiriloff 

turns designer for Vero Moda 

In collaboration with Danish high-street 

brand Vero Moda, Tiany Kiriloff has turned 

away from the camera to focus on designing g 

clothes instead of talking about them. One 

of the most knowledgeable fashion gurus in 

Belgium, she’s clearly a perfect match for 

Vero Moda’s celebrity line. Tiany’s collection 

will debut this autumn featuring some of her r 

trademark items, such as a hot-pink fi tted 

blazer and a blouse in bold ethnic print. 

veromoda.com 

A place for everything 

Samsonite brings order to chaos 

We’ve long been able to depend on 

Samsonite to produce high quality, 

nice-looking luggage, and now the brand 

has further extended its organisational 

reach. With Simply My Samsonite, it has 

taken on quite a challenge: the woman’s 

handbag. Just put this bag (pictured above) 

inside your usual tote and use the little 

compartments wisely – you’ll never again 

miss a call because you couldn’t fi nd your 

phone in time. The handy gadget comes in 

two sizes: small (€29) and larger (€39). 

samsonite.com 

Paint the town mimosa 

Yellow fever over Chanel nail polish 

According to the blogosphere and its 

fashionable inhabitants, there’s only one 

nail polish worth mentioning this summer. 

It’s a yellowish gold and was named after 

a fl ower that doubles as a delightful cocktail: 

mimosa. Chanel has always been a favourite 

when it comes to new nail hues that 

get fashionistas in a 

fever, and this season 

is no different. What’s 

more, for those who 

would rather opt for 

a less daring but 

equally on-trend polish, 

there’s another Chanel 

winner with a golden 

shine and a pretty 

name: morning rose. 

chanel.com

www.mabrun.it 

ITALIA

sleep 

25 Hours Hotel VIENNA 

1-3 Lerchenfelder Strasse, tel. +43 (0)1 521510, 25hours-hotels.com/wien 

If you harbour dreams of running away to 

join the circus, a stay in one of the 34 suites 

of this hip mini-chain will have you doing 

cartwheels. From bespoke wallpaper 

featuring bearded women to lion-cage 

partitions in reception, a circus motif runs 

across the two fl oors and rooftop level that 

make up the 25 Hours Hotel. And should you 

be struck with the urge to jump through 

hoops or practise your juggling, rooms come 

equipped with the necessary paraphernalia. 

This all makes for a jovial atmosphere, and 

weekend evenings see the couches in the 

rooftop lounge area fi ll up with the city’s 

Ray-Ban-wearing fashionistas. 

In the middle of Vienna’s youthful seventh 

district, a stroll away from the Museums 

Quarter, the rooftop terrace also affords 

a good view over the area’s baroque and 

modern architecture, while you enjoy coffee 

and a slice of cake served by enthusiastic 

and friendly young staff. A buffet breakfast 

of continental and American fare is served, 

but there’s no restaurant on site and thus 

no room service. This is something you’ll 

get over, however, when you discover 

///NEWS 

The show must go on 

at the circus-themed 

25 Hours Hotel 

the facilities available in your room – a 

well-equipped kitchenette with Nespresso 

machine, microwave and dishwasher. 

Bathrooms are also generously sized, 

and with lighting similar to that of a circus 

dressing room, you can make-believe that 

you’re getting ready for the big show. 

If you’d like to discover the grandeur of 

Vienna on two wheels, ask about bike hire 

at the reception on the top fl oor, where 

you’ll also fi nd free bottles of water. 

A second phase of the hotel – including 

187 guestrooms, a spa and gym, conference 

spaces and dining options – is expected to 

be ready late next year. Doubles from €130. 

Monica Devi Lim 

Park Inn BRUSSELS 

Opened in March, the Park Inn Brussels Midi 

offers a hassle-free stay for busy people 

on the move. Open cupboard space makes 

it virtually impossible to leave anything 

behind; the top-fl oor gym is a facility not 

normally associated with a three-star hotel; 

and a snack counter is open 24 hours a day. 

Plus early-departing guests can use an 

express checkout facility, and are able to 

collect a ‘breakfast in a bag’ from 4:30am. 

The bold colours that mark out the Park 

Inn brand are humorously refl ected in 

Manneken Pis statuettes decorating the 

lobby, while other Belgian touches include 

the croquettes and fi let américain in the 

RBG Bar & Grill, and art nouveau fl ourishes 

in the 142 rooms. Accented in either red 

or green, all rooms are the same size, but 

the 40 ‘Business Friendly’ rooms are priced 

to include the buffet breakfast and free 

wireless internet. For even more bang for 

your buck, ask for the one of the three 

mansard rooms on the fi fth fl oor, where 

the bathrooms include tubs. 

Despite being across a busy main road 

from Brussels’ Midi railway station (serving 

the airport four times an hour with a 

25-minute journey time), the hotel sits in 

the rear L-shape of a private courtyard and 

could not be quieter. Doubles from €89 

including breakfast. Guy Dittrich 

Looking for somewhere suitably splendid to sleep while enjoying the alluring Andalusian lifestyle? Make a beeline for the brand new Waldorf 

Astoria Sevilla at La Boticaria, a luxurious oasis in the lush countryside of Alcalá de Guadaira just outside Seville, Spain (waldorfastoria.com) 

Fittingly coloured 

Manneken Pis at Park 

Inn Brussels Midi 

3 Place Marcel Broodthaers, 

tel. +32 (0)2 535 1400, parkinn.com 


Vienna and Brussels from €99 return, taxes included

We scour the network for the most stylish places to 

stay. This month: Vienna, Brussels and London 

On the Water LONDON 

Cumberland Basin, Prince Albert Road, 

tel. +44 (0)20 7586 6666, canopyandstars.co.uk 

All white in the night: 

the dazzling interior 

of On The Water 

Part of the Canopy & Stars collection, which focuses on luxury camping, 

On the Water offers a unique way to commune with nature on a city break: 

aboard a boutique canal boat in the middle of London’s Regent’s Park. 

The crisp whiteness of the interior is stunningly beautiful, but even with 

all the shutters battened down it feels a bit like living in an igloo; bring an 

eye mask if you don’t want to be woken early. And despite being in Regent’s 

Park, the noise of the capital’s traffi c is still to be heard, not to mention 

the hourly chiming bell of the church opposite. These are small gripes, 

however, given the location. This beautiful spot on the canal makes for 

a bucolic setting, and the back-to-nature ‘roughing it’ element only adds 

to the fun. Waking up and having your morning cuppa on deck watching 

ducklings, coots and herons is a soothing way to start the day, before 

enjoying a fresh breakfast that’s dropped off from a nearby bakery. 

A skipper and chef are available for hire, but I stayed lazily moored, 

lapping up the serenity in my bathrobe. Should you want to explore, the 

zoo is on the doorstep, as well as the celebrity enclave of Primrose Hill. 

The boat is also available for meetings, team-building events, launches 

and any kind of gathering, if you’re looking for somewhere to wow a client. 

From €284/£250 a night for a minimum two-night stay. Richard Bence 

London from €139 return, taxes included 

The British School 

of Brussels 

1150 students from 70 nationalities 

National Curriculum for England up to the age 

of 16 years 

Post-16: A Levels, International Baccalaureate 

Diploma (French & Dutch options) 

Curriculum adapted to reflect multinational 

nature of the School 

Crèche for children from 1 - 3 years 

Excellent sports and extra-curricular facilities 

Outstanding academic results 

New in September 2011 a French/English bilingual 

programme in Primary to complement our current 

English-medium teaching 

The British School of Brussels vzw 

Leuvensesteenweg 19, 3080 Tervuren, Belgium 

Tel: +32 (0)2 766 04 30 - Fax: +32 (0)2 767 80 70 

Email: admissions@britishschool.be - www.britishschool.be

food+drink 

Zumo juice bars ACROSS EUROPE 

zumobars.com 


Zumo bars began springing up in Europe during the juice craze of the early 2000s, and this 

pioneering company now has stores in more than 10 countries, including the UK, France and 

Germany. What's all the fuss about? From the scrumptious Caribbean Sun Splash to the 

refreshing Mexican Cooler, you'll find the perfect drink to quench your summer thirst. If 

you're feeling a bit peckish, you can tuck into a wholesome yoghurt or fruit salad as 

a perfect accompaniment to your juice. All bars also offer warming vegetable soups, for 

when summer's but a distant memory. 

Pascucci Frullati ROME 

20 Via di Torre Argentina, tel. +39 06 686 4816, pascuccifrullati.it 

Berry good: Pascucci 

Frullati's smoothies are 

a Rome institution 


Luciano Di Gregorio fi nds nothing refreshes a hot and 

weary sightseer like a freshly made juice or smoothie 

Summer loving: Zumo's 

tropical treats are perfect 

for hot sunny days 

The juice revolution may have taken hold 

across the continent, but the Romans can 

still lay claim to doing what they do best: 

being first. While the rest of the world 

succumbed to the Great Depression of the 

1930s, Rome's inhabitants were stewing in 

juices of a different kind – drinking their 

troubles away against the backdrop of the 

enigmatic ruins of Largo di Torre Argentina 

at Pascucci Frullati, one of the oldest juice 

bars in the world. The bar's colourful interior 

is revealed upon entry through a small, 

understated door that's easy to miss. 

Once inside, you'll encounter all manner of 

fruity goodness, with refreshing tropical 

treats including the simply delicious coconut 

smoothie. The owners like to say that 

Pascucci is the only place in Rome where 

summer never ends… 

Get your 

fi ve-a-day 

the easy way 

Smoothie operator 

Craving a splash of summer at home? 

It's easy to create your own delicious 

juices and smoothies – try these 

avocado-based recipes for a cool 

twist on the classics 

Smashing Avocado (smoothie) 

½ ripe avocado 

1 banana 

6 strawberries 

½ cup cow's milk 

½ cup of almond milk 

pinch of ground cardamom 

Mash the avocado and banana on a plate 

and place the mixture into a blender with 

the strawberries. Add the milk and blend 

lightly, then add the almond milk and the 

cardamom. Blend until smooth and enjoy! 

The Green Eyed Monster (juice) 

1 green apple, chopped 

¼ cucumber, chopped 

1 cup apple juice 

1 medium avocado, mashed 

1 ripe pear, chopped 

2 sprigs mint leaves 

1½ tsp lime juice 

Blend the apple and the cucumber with 

the apple juice, then add the rest of the 

ingredients and blend until smooth. 

Rome from €99 return, taxes included 

IMAGE GETTY IMAGES

© Virginie Schreyen 

On stage in Europe 

Season 2011-2012 

Residency: Brussels (Flagey & BOZAR) - Paris (Cité de la Musique) 

Festivals: Flanders Festival (BE) - Festival de Besançon (FR) 

Filmfestival Ghent (BE) - Festival Théodore Dubois (IT) 

Queen Elisabeth Competition (BE) - Strumenti di Pace (IT) 

On tour: United Kingdom - Germany - Austria 

More info on dates, locations & programmes: www.brusselsphilharmonic.be 

Brussels Philharmonic – het Vlaams Radio Orkest is een instelling van de Vlaamse Gemeenschap. 

Vlaams Omroeporkest en Kamerkoor vzw | Eugène Flageyplein 18 B-1050 Brussel | T +32 2 627 11 60 | info@brusselsphilharmonic.be

Tom Seymour feels the power of the mountain with Bear Grylls, 

rocks out with the Chili Peppers and encounters the Smurfs in 3D 

From Smurfville 

to the Big Apple: 

3D extravaganza 

The Smurfs 

FILM The Smurfs MUSIC Red Hot 

Director Raja Gosnell Voices Katy Perry, Alan Cumming, Jonathan Winters 

Chili Peppers 

Everyone’s favourite small blue creatures 

made their fi rst appearance in 1958, created 

by Belgian cartoonist Pierre Culliford (pen 

name Peyo) after a raucous weekend with 

a friend took its toll and they ended up 

talking to each other in ‘Smurf’ language. 

Since then, Peyo’s Smurfs have become 

ubiquitous in modern culture. As well as 

a popular animated series in the 1980s, 

two types of cereal and a brand of pasta 

have been made by the Smurfs. In 2008 

a Belgian €5 coin commemorated their 

50th anniversary, and in 2009 it was no time 

at all before the blogosphere had nicknamed 

James Cameron’s Avatar ‘Dances with 

Smurfs’ and ‘Smurfahontas’. 

Now, the Smurfs are starring in their fi rst 

3D adventure. A blend of CGI and live action, 

with a script by the writers of the Shrek 

sequels, the fi lm sees the poor Smurfs 

chased out of their magical village by the evil 

Gargamel (played by Hank Azaria) and into 

real-life New York. It seems a ‘blue movie’ 

could be a box-offi ce winner this summer… 

BOOK Facing Up: A Remarkable Journey to the 

Summit of Mount Everest 

By Bear Grylls 

At A the age of 23, Bear Grylls became the youngest Briton to reach the summit 

of o Everest – two years after breaking his back in a parachuting accident. Now 

the t TV adventurer has written about his journey, overcoming severe weather, 

fatigue, f dehydration and illness to scale the world’s highest mountain. 

Given the fact that Grylls’ TV shows have modest names like Born Survivor, 

it’s i fair to approach this account of his journey with a hint of trepidation – but 

he recounts his experiences in a brisk, honest and often humorous style that doesn’t pause for 

ego-stroking. Grylls isn’t interested in writing about the power of man, but rather the power 

and presence of the mountain. In that sense, this book can only be regarded as a success. 

///COMING SOON 

culture 

Anthony Kiedis 

and the Chilis 

take a step in a 

new direction 

I’m With You 

TThe 

fi rst band to master 

ffusing 

the sex and 

mmachismo 

of punk-rock 

wwith 

the soul and sway of 

ffunk, 

The Red Hot Chili 

Peppers were one 

of the alt-rock bands of 

the 1980s and 90s, before their populist 

Californication (1999) period made them 

global superstars. 

Their 10th album comes after a fi ve-year 

break, and offers our fi rst chance to assess 

the sonic impact that a new lead guitarist will 

have on the group – after Josh Klinghoffer 

was drafted in to replace the beloved 

bohemian John Frusciante early last year. 

Following the 28-track prog blowout 

that was Stadium Arcadium, the Chilis have 

swung in the other direction with I’m With 

You, going for a style that sounds heavily 

infl uenced by The Rolling Stones’ Exile on 

Main St and Tattoo You. Klinghoffer’s 

involvement has brought a more collaborative 

approach, with Anthony Kiedis playing a 

more central role in composition. It may be 

another departure in a side-winding career, 

but Chilis fans are right to be excited. 

Cary Fukunaga’s modern reworking of Jane Eyre, with Mia Wasikowska in the lead role and the in-demand Michael Fassbender 

as Mr Rochester, looks set to get pulses racing in early September An eagerly awaited study of entrepreneurialism in the internet age, The Lean 

Startup by Eric Ries is out mid September No one has consistently remade modern pop like Björk; new album Biophilia is out at the end of September 

Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine August 2011 23 

IMAGE E REX FEATURES

tech 

Beginners and pros alike 

can look like they're 

technical experts with the 

NX11. For novices, the 

i-Function facility means 

this camera can recognise 

and automatically provide the best settings for any lens that is attached to it, while more 

seasoned snappers will be able to instantly adjust manual settings such as shutter speed 

and exposure to achieve the creative outcome they desire. Panorama Mode is ideal for doing 

justice to sweeping landscapes, and with Sound Picture you can even record background 

music and laughter, to bring memories back to life once you've returned home. 

Also well equipped to capture holiday action shots, the NX11 features a super-fast and 

accurate auto-focus and can record movies in HD. samsung.com 

Canon PowerShot 

SX230 HS 

Compact and capable 

Ideal for slipping into a pocket for a day's 

sightseeing, the SX230 features GPS 

technology, so you can tag your pictures 

and track your journey, and review your 

images on a map using the supplied software. 

Other handy features for the traveller include optical 

Image Stabilizer technology, to keep your snaps steady when you're on the move, and an HS 

system that excels in low light. It also records full HD movies with stereo sound. canon.com 

Olympus PEN Mini 

Quality without complexity 

Olympus claims that the PEN Mini is the world’s smallest and lightest system camera with 

interchangeable lenses. In other words, it's an SLR-quality camera hiding behind the looks 

and simplicity of a compact. Olympus’ Live Guide feature gives beginners intuitive control 

of key parameters like aperture and depth 

of field, without the need to know 

how they actually work. And if you 

don’t know what a setting does, 

a window pops up to tell you. With a 

super-fast autofocus system, great 

low-light performance and a range 

of high-grade Olympus lenses and 

accessories, the PEN Mini makes 

a top holiday camera. olympus.com 

Best 

for 

SLR for 

beginners 


Best 

for 

Looking 

like a pro 

Lisa Curtiss snaps up the top cameras for capturing your travel 

experiences, then gets a professional's tips for faultless photos 

Samsung NX11 

Perfect pics with ease 

Best 

for 

Travelling 

light 

Lieven Dirckx puts us 

in the picture about 

travel photography 

One for the album 

Photographer Lieven Dirckx shares 

his tips for the perfect holiday pic 

■ Snap away To ensure you’ve got a great 

shot and you've captured any differences 

in expression, light and composition, take 

plenty of photos – the joy of a digital camera. 

■ Change position Move around, shooting 

from various angles and heights for different 

creative perspectives. For example, when 

taking photos of children on the beach, try 

shooting them from sand level up. 

■ Experiment Make the most of your 

camera’s technology and features. Try out 

panoramas; modes such as sport, snow, 

landscape and black and white; long 

exposures for waterfalls; and city night 

shots using a tripod. 

■ Flash When taking pictures of people 

with sunlight behind them, try using the 

fl ash so their faces aren’t in shadow. 

■ Underexpose To avoid a washed-out 

looking sky, underexpose the shot a little to 

make the sky darker and use the fl ash to 

light up the foreground. Clouds are great 

– they add drama to the photo. 

■ Use colour Bright hues can really make 

photographs come to life, so look to include 

colourful features, clothing and items. 

■ Be creative Experiment with composition. 

Try shooting through objects, and look out 

for interesting and unusual backgrounds. 

■ Be save savvy Protect your memories 

by backing up your work as soon as you can 

to your computer, and maybe also a free 

database website. 

■ Be prepared Don’t forget to take extra 

batteries, memory cards, tripods, additional 

lenses and your charger – with an adaptor 

that's suitable for your destination.

Book yourself 

a quiet seat 

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Enjoy the peace, quiet and comfort they offer, enjoy your music with a 

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before. Book yourself a quiet seat – with the best-ever noise 

reducing headphones from Bose. 

©2011 Bose Corporation. Patent rights issued and/or pending. The distinctive design of the headphone oval ring is a trademark of Bose Corporation. Financing and free shipping offers not to be combined with other offers or applied to previous purchases, and subject to change without notice. Risk free refers to 30-day trial only and does 

not include return shipping. Delivery is subject to product availability Delivery is subject to product availability. Reddot design award, winner 2010. * Available for select Apple products; the remote and mic are supported only by iPod nano (4th generation and later), iPod classic (120GB, 160GB only), iPod touch (2nd generation and later), 

iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPad and 2009 models or later of MacBook and MacBook Pro. The remote is supported by iPod shuffl e (3rd generation and later). Audio is supported by all iPod models. Apple, iPhone, iPod, iPod touch, iPod nano, iPod shuffl e, iPod classic, MacBook and iPad are trademarks of Apple inc., registered in the U.S. and 

other countries. „Made for iPod/iPhone/iPad” means that an electronic accessory has been designed to connect specifi cally to iPod/iPhone/iPad and has been certifi ed by the developer to meet Apple performance standards. Apple is not responsible for the operation of this device or its compliance with safety and regulatory standards.

THE WATCH STORE 

TEL. +32-3-231.56.92 - FAX +32-3-232.75.50 

E-mail:info@ginotti.com 

WWW.GINOTTI.COM 

OFFICIAL AGENT FOR AUDEMARS PIGUET 

Audemars Piguet • Bell & Ross • Blancpain • Buben & Zorweg 

Ellicott 1738 • Franck Muller • F.P. Journe • Girard-Perregaux 

Greubel Forsey • Hautience • Ikepod • I W C • Jaeger - Lecoultre 

Richard Mille • Roger Dubuis • Ulysse Nardin • Urwerk • Vertu

Isabel Lane test-drives bicycles for the smart city dweller and 

gets the lowdown on a no-nonsense Brussels furniture designer 

TREND WATCH Pedal power 

Get on your bike to arrive in style this summer 

Long gone are the days when cycling meant a serious style swerve – there are now several 

must-have models designed specifi cally for the trendy urbanite. One of our favourite 

bike makers is Electra (electrabike.com), the brand behind those gorgeous Cruiser, 

Townie and Amsterdam cycles. We’re smitten with the Amsterdam Girard range, which 

features the work of 1950s textile designer Alexander Girard. 

Global sports giant Puma (puma-bikes.com), 

meanwhile, has teamed up with Danish bicycle 

manufacturer Biomega (biomega.dk/puma) to 

create a range of colourful city cycles, some of 

which are handily foldable. And closer to home, 

Sleepstreet (sleepstreetbicycles.com) is 

a new Belgian company that specialises 

in sleek, custom-made steel bikes 

characterised by clean lines and 

bright colours. Just remember to 

accessorise your ride with care… 

Clockwise from top: Get yourself 

a tailor-made ride from Sleepstreet; 

Puma by Biomega is designed with 

the urban commuter in mind; 

Sit pretty on a striking Amsterdam 

Girard cycle from Electra 

///LOG ON TO... 

design 

PROFILE Marina Bautier 

Bautier designs 

furniture that 

will “age well” 

Brussels-born, UK-trained furniture 

designer loves to work with wood 

Established Set up a studio in 2003 after 

studying furniture design at Buckinghamshire 

Chilterns University College in the UK. 

What? Bautier designs furniture for 

companies such as the UK’s Case, Belgium’s 

Feld, Japan’s Idée and Sweden’s Swedese. 

Where? Her studio is in Forest, near the arty, 

creative neighbourhood of Saint-Gilles. 

She says “My furniture is functional, simple, 

practical and wooden. It is made to be used.” 

Inspired by Bautier started making wooden 

objects at the age of 10 and fi nds inspiration 

in how things are made, the materials used, 

observing life in the home and considering 

new solutions. “I also really admire Elisabeth 

Johansson of Swedese,” she says. 

She loves “Wiels – a Brussels contemporary 

art museum in an old brewery. Henri (Rue de 

Flandre) for lunch, and the Place Van Meenen 

food market on Mondays in Saint-Gilles.” 

What’s next? The launch of her brand, called 

Ma, in September, with 

a day bed, lounge chair 

and her Portmanteau 

coat hook. 

We love The Cruiser 

chair (right), which 

was designed 

for Swedese. 

marinabautier.com 

When riding such stylish bikes, only the best headgear will do. Opt for a Danish-designed Yakkay helmet – our favourite, the ‘Tokyo 

new jazz’, masquerades as a cool trilby. Buy the basic helmet shell and then mix and match from the various cover options. yakkay.com 


eco 

Golden girl: use natural 

products to look after 

your skin this summer 

Glowing record 

You don't have to slap on the chemicals to stay safe in the sun 

Korres This Greek brand has produced a sunscreen that offers both UVA and UVB 

protection and smells good enough to eat. Yoghurt Suncreen Face & Body Emulsion (SPF 30, 

€29) is inspired by the Greek tradition of using yoghurt to soothe burnt skin. Free from 

parabens and all animal by-products, it reflects rather than absorbs the sun's rays. korres.com 

Dr Hauschka One of the most highly regarded organic skincare companies, Dr Hauschka's 

After Sun Lotion (€16) contains a host of natural soothers, including: carrot root extract, 

which acts as a natural emollient; calming ice plant; kidney vetch – also known as woundwort, 

to aid renewal and regeneration; and healing calendula. dr.hauschka.com 

Liz Earle Mineral Sun Cream (SPF 20, €20) from Liz Earle is minera mineral-based, with added 

plant-based antioxidants such as green tea and pomegranate. megranate. The sun sunscreen is enriched 

with shea butter and vitamin E and is unfragranced, so 

even the sensitive-skinned can slather it on without 

fear of an outbreak of prickly heat. lizearle.com 

Badger Kids will love the packaging and parents 

will be happy with the high-level protection that 

Badger products offer. As with Korres, the 

sunscreen uses zinc oxide to form a physical barrier 

to the sun’s rays. The waterproof Face Stick (SPF 

30+, €6) is great for active holidays olidays 

as it also protects against 

windburn and chapping, 

while After Sun Balm (€7) 

contains shea butter, 

olive and jojoba to soothe 

after overexposure. 

badgerbalm.com 

///NEWS 


Jenny McNeely chooses suncare products without the 

chemical nasties and cuts down on household food waste 

Bread bin: we've 

all been guilty of 

buying more than 

we can eat 

Waste not, want not 

Be a savvy shopper and a canny cook 

to avoid throwing food away 

A recent report from the Food & Agriculture 

Organisation of the United Nations (fao.org) 

estimates that one third of food produced in 

the world for human consumption — about 

1.3bn tonnes — gets lost or wasted each 

year. As consumers we're often encouraged 

to buy more than we need, with supermarket 

deals such as three for the price of two. 

Try adopting the tips below to drastically 

reduce your household waste: 

■ Shop for perishable items daily, rather 

than stockpiling fruit and vegetables. 

■ Write a shopping list and resist the lure 

of cunningly placed ‘bargains’. 

■ Bring your dinner leftovers to work for 

lunch, instead of leaving them to lurk 

in the back of the fridge. 

■ Freeze extra portions of food for 

quick dinner solutions. 

■ Turn overripe fruit and vegetables into 

delicious smoothies and juices. 

■ Some food waste is inevitable – become 

a home composter and your tea bags 

and banana skins won't end up as landfi ll. 

■ Store your apples in the fridge to keep 

them fresh for longer. 

If you're visiting this month's Brussels Summer Festival (12-21 August, bsf-brusselssummerfestival.be) get involved in the glass-recycling 

scheme. For a €1 deposit you can reuse your glass or exchange it for a new one at the bar, then return it when you leave – or keep it as a souvenir. 

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Glenna Gordon takes us trekking through Dogon Country 

in central Mali – Brussels Airlines’ newest African destination 


New 

route 

from 

Sept 2011

Dogon kids sitting in front of 

a cliff that forms part of the 

150km Bandiagara Escarpment 

Wherever you are in 

Dogon Country, the 

sandstone cliffs 

of the Bandiagara 

Escarpment define the geography. Rising 

500 metres above the sandy Gonodo plains, 

they’re dotted with ancient dwellings, which 

the Dogon people now use as burial grounds. 

Walking the well-worn paths below, the 

jagged brown and yellow rock faces are both 

imposing and alluring. Climb up through the 

winding paths to the top of the escarpment, 

and it feels as if you’re standing on the edge 

of the world. 

Less than a day’s drive from Mali’s capital 

of Bamako, Dogon Country sees more than 

50,000 visitors a year, and trekking from 

village to village with a local guide is one 

of the best ways to take in this fascinating 

Trekking with a local 

guide is one of the best 

ways to take in this 

fascinating landscape 

africa 

The masked dance is 

a cultural highlight 

of Dogon Country 

landscape and learn about its culture. While 

much has changed in recent years for the 

half a million Dogon people who live along 

the escarpment, many things remain the 

same. The masked dances that mark 

funerals and weddings are still performed. 

Granted, they’re now often done for tourists, 

but with the added benefit of preserving a 

cultural tradition. With the help of UNESCO, 

many travel agencies and tour groups ensure 

that part of the proceeds from tourism go 

towards development in the villages. 

As we meander along the paths with 

our guide, Jibril, our conversation takes a 

similarly winding path. “Would you rather 

never be able to go home or never be able 

to leave home?” one group member ponders. 

Another replies that she’d never go home 

– her family could come and visit her, 

wherever she was. As we all think about 

this and our own life paths, Jibril announces 

decisively that he would never leave. He 

is a true son of this place of awe-inspiring 

beauty and history. But his answer doesn’t 

stem from the fact that he simply can’t 

imagine any other way of life – he has 

travelled beyond the escarpment, both 

throughout Mali and to Nigeria. 


31 

IMAGES GLENNA GORDON

africa 

Ancient villages, no longer 

inhabited, are preserved on 

the escarpment and can be 

reached by hiking and climbing 

In Dogon Country, most people live in 

small, square mud-brick houses. They store 

grain – their source of wealth, food, and 

security – in structures with triangular roofs, 

made from bundles of wood tied tightly 

together to protect against the elements. 

Some nights we sleep inside the houses, 

while we spend others on mattresses on 

rooftops, overlooking the desert expanse. 

Patterns of life are simple and consistent 

here; with ‘simple’ meaning the beauty of 

repetition, of knowing that what comes next 

will resemble what has passed. The pattern 

of our days is refreshingly simple. We 

breakfast on bread and jam before packing 

up our bags and beginning the day’s walk. We 

stop along the way for photos and to eat 

dried baobab fruit – which has the texture of 

meringue and the flavour of sweet lemons – 

and we greet each other in the rhythmic, 

repetitive, beautiful Dogon way. Simple. 

We stop for lunch, satisfying the keen 

hunger of a walker. Afterwards, when the 

day is at its hottest and our stomachs are 

full, Jibril speaks with our hosts; they pull 

out thin cotton mattresses and, in the 

shade of simple structures, we rest our 

tired, dusty bodies. 

Refreshed after our nap we begin our 

journey again in the cooler late afternoon. 

We climb rocky cliffs and pass through 

narrow chasms. We walk at the bottom of 

the escarpment and stop to empty our shoes 

of sand and eat more baobab fruit. Then we 

embark on the trail again, until we reach the 

place where we are to sleep. We shower, 

eat, drink, watch the stars… and begin again 

the next day. Of course Jibril would never 

wish to leave. dogoncountry.com 

Fly to Bamako with Brussels Airlines 

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Need to know 

Plan your own trekking adventure 

■ Toguna Adventure Tours Tel. +223 20 

29 53 66, togunaadventure@afribonemali. 

net, togunaadventuretours.com 

■ Satimbe Travel Tel. +223 66 72 62 72 or 

76 12 30 33, satimbetravel@hotmail.com, 

satimbetravel.com 

Two young Dogon 

women hanging out 

in the early evening 


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IMAGES GLENNA GORDON

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A sharp contrast to the flatlands of Northern Belgium, the rolling slopes of the Ardennes are high 

on scenic beauty, low on tourists and a haven for walkers and cyclists. Matt Barr hits the trail


BELGIAN ARDENNES \\\ 

The words ‘peaceful’ and 

‘scenic’ may well have been 

coined with the Belgian 

Ardennes in mind. With 

snaking paths leading up through rolling hills, 

and beautiful vantage points from which to 

take in some of northern Europe’s most 

underrated views, it’s the kind of place that 

demands leisurely exploration – making it 

perfect for walking and cycling holidays. 

Even better, this southeastern Belgian nook 

is relatively undiscovered by tourists. 

Namur, the capital of Wallonia, makes a 

good base for newcomers to the region. It’s 

increasingly attracting attention away from 

Brussels due to its idyllic location at the 

confluence of the Sambre and Meuse rivers, 

fabulous cuisine and fascinating sights 

such as the Namur Citadel. Once you’ve 

got your bearings, you can saddle up or don 

your walking boots and head out into the 

countryside to admire the lush scenery of 

river valleys, dense forests, castles and 

stone-built houses. 

Heels and wheels 

For walkers, this region has the lot, from 

woodland paths for beginners to longer 

rambles through the valleys for seasoned 

hikers. Cycling fans will enjoy the winding 

back roads, long riverside stretches and 

cyclist-friendly inns along many of the 

routes, as well as the hills themselves. 

The Belgians are so keen on walking and 

cycling that the authorities have upgraded 

and converted 1,200km of track, byway 

and towpath into a network known as 

RAVeL, making the Ardennes even more 

accessible to visitors in the process. 

There are a number of ways to explore, 

with maps and itineraries available online 

and from local tourist offices throughout 

the region. Just be sure to pack a hat and 

a raincoat before you hit the trail, so you’re 

prepared for the unpredictable conditions: 

as the saying goes in Belgium, “If you don’t 

like the weather, wait 10 minutes…” 


BELGIAN ARDENNES 

Clockwise from left: The 

medieval village of Bouillon 

on the Semois; Reflecting 

on the beauty of the Meuse; 

Cycling is a rewarding way 

to get around the Ardennes; 

Meeting the local wildlife 

Best for: wildlife 

Heading deep into the Ardennes, towards 

Luxembourg, you’ll find the 7,000-hectare 

Anlier Forest. Between Martelange and 

Habay-la-Neuve, its northern slopes reach 

a respectable altitude of 517 metres, 

making this the place for experienced hikers 

keen on meeting the locals: such as deer, 

wild boar, badgers, foxes and wildcats. Along 

the banks of the Sûre and Géronne rivers, 

meanwhile, you can try to catch a glimpse 

of an otter – recently making a comeback 

to the region, along with beavers. 

Start in Volaiville and take in watermills 

on the Géronne, or walk along the banks 

of the Sûre towards the Le Château de 

Strainchamps (chateaudestrainchamps. 

The slopes of the Anlier Forest are the place 

to meet the Ardennes’ locals – such as deer, 

wild boar, badgers, foxes and wildcats 


IMAGE ALAMY 


com), a few kilometres down, for a Belgian 

feast. This old estate, dating from the 

18th century, sits on the outskirts of 

a charming Ardennes village and serves 

both experimental and traditional dishes. 

Best for: plant life 

Start from the overflow of the Étang (lake) 

de Virelles and stroll into the forest of 

Blaimont. Heading towards the village of 

Lompret, this walk will take you across a 

limestone plateau, sloping to the south and 

overlooking the river. The rich flora along 

this 7km trail makes for an aromatic journey, 

and offers a taste of the region’s vegetation. 

Stop at the Aquascope nature centre to 

learn more about the area’s plant life via 

Going wild in Wallonia 

More activities in the Ardennes 

■ Come summer, Belgians like to escape 

from the capital and head down to the 

Ardennes to enjoy a bit of canoeing. 

This is a great way to see more of the 

region, fl oating down either the River 

Lesse – at Anseremme near Dinant – 

or the Ourthe at La Roche. 

■ King Albert I was an avid mountaineer 

and loved spending time in the Ardennes. 

During his reign (until 1934) he increased 

the mountaineering routes in the region, 

making the Ardennes a top spot for rock 

climbing. Only members of mountaineering 

clubs are permitted to climb on Belgian 

cliffs, but it’s worth it for the sweeping 

views across the river valleys. 

■ Wildlife spotting is a treat here, with the 

large game population rising more than 50% 

in the past 20 years according to the Belgian 

Tourist Offi ce. Look out for wild boar, 

badgers, beavers and otters. Native birds 

also create a pleasant ambient bird song 

– keep an eye out for the black stork, the 

European honey buzzard, the Tengmalm’s 

owl and the middle-spotted woodpecker. 


IMAGE CORBIS

www.Ardennes-Etape.com

IMAGE 4CORNERS IMAGES 

///BELGIAN ARDENNES 

films, displays and educational games. Near 

the lake, the Hostellerie Le Virelles (28 Rue 

du Lac, tel, +32 (0)60 212803) is a beautiful 

old country inn offering simple, regional 

dishes of freshwater fish and game. 

Best for: cycling 

The tourist office in Dinant (37 Rue Grande) 

has cycling itineraries and maps for sale; 

one trail, taking in the serene landscape of 

the Haute-Meuse region, is signposted 

across 111km of winding roads and paths. 

The roads follow the tight meanders of 

the Meuse and Semois rivers as they 

carve through the landscape and the 

journey is peaceful and calm, with hillside 

forests swallowing up the noise of the 

world and the vast river valleys providing 

spectacular views. 

Heading back towards Dinant, there’s 

no shortage of dining options, with inns, 

restaurants and cafés. The Auberge de 

Bouvignes (aubergedebouvignes.be) is just 

a short cycle along the Meuse from town, 

serving delicious Belgian and French food 

at reasonable prices. 

Need to know 

Essential information for your trip 

■ Stay A B&B just outside the pretty town 

of Spa, La Vigie (129 Avenue Professeur 

Henrijean, tel. +32 (0)87 773497, la-vigie.be) 

offers rooms from around €100. Surrounded 

by forest, this is a good launch pad for a day 

in the great outdoors. 

■ Info Visit belgiumtheplaceto.be for 

more information on Wallonia and the 

south of Belgium. 


Dinant on the Meuse is 

the starting point for 

exhilarating bike trips 

Best for: history 

Starting from the centre of the picturesque 

town of Neufchâteau, you can follow 

a trail that takes you past the restored 

18th-century Klepper windmill before 

cutting through a heavily forested area. The 

7km walk offers the chance to explore the 

area’s historical and archeological heritage, 

passing the remains of a 12th-century 

castle, Neolithic tools, Celtic tombs and a 

military cemetery from the First World War. 

Continue your enjoyment of the area with 

lunch at Cap au Vert (capauvert.be), run by 

a Belgian couple and offering excellent local 

fare on a terrace overlooking the lake. 

Best for: varied landscapes 

Going southeast on the N67 from Eupen 

you’ll reach the Ternell Nature Centre, a 

forester’s house from 1770 that’s now 

a museum. From here you can leave the car 

and strike out northeast into the silent and 

almost mystical Hürtgenwald forest. You’ll 

cross over a river, hop over babbling brooks 

and stand amazed at the views of the 

moorland stretching to the horizon. The path 

is well marked and the walk is suitable for 

all abilities, making it popular for guided 

educational tours as well as seasoned 

ramblers. The traditional tavern near the 

nature centre serves seasonal specialities 

– just be sure to remember that you’re in 

the German-speaking part of Belgium! 

€99 * 

FROM JUST 

RETURN, 

TAXES INCLUDED 

Fly to Brussels from 50 

European destinations from 

€99* return, taxes included. 


FR Dans les hauteurs 

Entre les Ardennes belges et le plat pays, au 

nord de la Belgique, le contraste est saisissant. 

Moins touristique, la région ardennaise est surtout 

le paradis des marcheurs et des cyclistes. Une 

randonnée de Matt Barr 

Avec ses chemins sinueux, ses collines ondoyantes et 

les plus belles vues, bien souvent méconnues, d’Europe 

du Nord, les Ardennes belges se prêtent à la randonnée. 

Namur, la capitale de la Wallonie, est un bon point de 

départ pour vous aventurer dans le pays : 1 200 km 

de sentiers ont été aménagés par les autorités. 

Cartes et itinéraires sont disponibles en ligne et 

auprès des offices de tourisme. 

Faune et flore Au cœur des Ardennes, la Forêt 

d’Anlier, de 7 000 hectares, se distingue par ses hauts 

versants nord, pouvant atteindre 517 mètres : l’endroit 

par excellence pour rencontrer cerfs, sangliers, blaireaux, 

renards et chats sauvages. Descendez la Sûre ou la 

Géronne pour apercevoir des loutres et des castors. 

Vie végétale Du déversoir de l’Étang de Virelles, 

traversez la forêt de Blaimont en direction de 

Lompret : votre randonnée sera aromatique. Arrêtezvous 

au Centre de la nature Aquascope pour mieux 

connaître les plantes de l’endroit. 

Cyclisme L’Office du tourisme de Dinant propose des 

itinéraires cyclistes ; une piste tout-terrain balisée 

sur 111 km, traverse la paisible région de la Haute- 

Meuse. Vous êtes au calme, au milieu de forêts 

couvrant les collines et de larges vallées encaissées : 

simplement spectaculaire. 

Archéologie et histoire De Neufchâteau, suivez une 

piste de 7 km qui passe à proximité d’un moulin 

restauré du 18ème siècle, des ruines d’un château du 

12ème siècle, d’outils néolithiques, de tombes celtes et 

d’un cimetière de la première guerre. 

Paysages variés Du Centre de la nature Ternell, 

pénétrez dans la forêt de Hürtgenwald : vous traverserez 

une rivière, sauterez au-dessus de ruisseaux 

bruissant et admirerez les landes à perte de vue. 

NL De heuvels op 

De Belgische Ardennen, een scherp contrast 

met het vlakke noorden van België, is een paradijs 

voor wandelaars en fietsers. Matt Barr trekt eropuit 

Met zijn kronkelende paden, golvende heuvels en 

enkele van de mooiste, maar miskende landschappen 

van Noord-Europa zijn de Belgische Ardennen de 

ideale plek voor een wandel- of fietstocht. De Waalse 

hoofdstad Namen vormt een goed vertrekpunt voor 

een uitstap naar het platteland, waar de overheid 

1200 km wegen heeft aangepast en heraangelegd. 

Kaarten en routes vindt u bij de toeristische diensten. 

Fauna Midden in de Ardennen ligt het 7000 hectare 

grote woud van Anlier. Op de 517 meter hoge 

hellingen kunt u herten, everzwijnen, dassen, vossen 

en wilde katten tegenkomen. Langs de Sûre en 

Géronne ziet u misschien wel een otter of een bever. 

Flora Van aan de overloop van het Meer van Virelles, 

richting bos van Blaiment tot in Lompret zorgt de 

flora voor een geurrijke ervaring. Ga ook het 

natuurcentrum Aquascope binnen voor meer 

informatie over het plantenrijk. 

Fietsen Bij de toeristische dienst van Dinant vindt u 

fietsroutes, bijvoorbeeld door de serene Haute- 

Meuse (111 km bewegwijzerde paden). Geniet van de 

rust, de beboste heuvels en brede riviervalleien en 

van de adembenemende landschappen. 

Archeologie en geschiedenis Vanuit Neufchâteau 

loopt een 7 km lang pad langs een gerestaureerde 

18e-eeuwse windmolen, de ruïnes van een 12e-eeuws 

kasteel, neolithisch gereedschap, Keltische graven en 

een begraafplaats uit de Eerste Wereldoorlog. 

Gevarieerde landschappen Van het natuurcentrum 

Ternell kunt u zo het bos van Hürtgenwald in; u steekt 

een rivier over, springt over kabbelende beekjes en 

kijkt sprakeloos naar de eindeloze heide. 

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40 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine August 2011

BERLIN’S TRAMWAY \\\ 

Making tracks 

Sometimes it’s the journey that makes a 

destination truly memorable: Flora King 

jumps aboard Berlin’s trams to discover 

how a transport system can transform 

your experience of a city 

Once veiled from the West, 

former East Berlin has 

become the epitome of cool. 

It’s over two decades since 

the Wall came down, and austere GDR-era 

architecture is now attracting the interest of 

a new generation. As with the Socialist Unity 

Party headquarters – recently transformed into 

a chic members’ club by Soho House – stately 

Soviet premises are being reclaimed for sleek 

art spaces, bars and restaurants, resulting in 

a richly historical yet startlingly contemporary 

urban landscape. It’s not the sort of place where 

you’d want to waste any time underground – so 

as far as travelling around the city goes, Berlin’s 

Strassenbahn (‘tramway’) is the way to go. 

Confined to former East Berlin, where 

pre-unification residents once used the tram 

to travel to work, the Strassenbahn is both 

a window into the past and a fantastic way to 

experience the city sights. What’s more, while 

tram infrastructure has been neglected in many 

European cities, Berlin is upgrading its system, 

extending routes and replacing some of 

the older vehicles with futuristic, comfy, 

air-conditioned models that glide around 

the streets as if they’re floating on air. 


BERLIN’S TRAMWAY 

All aboard 

Three more cities in which to let the transport take the strain 

■ Stockholm Built across 14 islands, you’re 

never far from water in Stockholm, and there’s 

no better way to travel than by boat. Jump 

aboard a city ferry and glide through historic 

locks, beneath elegant bridges and past 

handsome rows of turn-of-the century houses, 

or venture out on to the sparkling open water 

of the Stockholm archipelago, where there 

are another 25,000 islands to explore. On 

a rainy day you can head underground for a 

ride on the city’s tunnelbana metro system, 

often described as the ‘longest art gallery in 

the world’ due to the rotating art exhibits at 

almost all of its 100 stations. 

One of Moscow’s 

‘people’s palaces’ 

Stockholm’s metro is a 

subterranean gallery 


IMAGE ALAMY 


IMAGE TIM E WHITE 

■ Moscow Besides being a cheap, quick 

network that carries up to nine million people 

a day, Moscow’s subway is a working museum 

of communist history and design. Venture 

underground to discover a world of cool, lofty 

atriums, marble columns, bronze sculptures 

and glittering chandeliers. These stations 

– or ‘people’s palaces’ – were conceived as 

magnifi cent examples of Soviet success. 

With some dedicated to the Revolution and 

others to victory over Nazism, each has its 

own elaborate, gold-trimmed story to tell. 

Shiny stations ready 

for London’s Olympics 

■ London With the 2012 Olympics looming, 

London’s transport system has undergone 

a makeover and the new London Overground 

features extended networks, spacious 

carriages and refurbished stations. Traverse 

the capital in a vast arc, from the boutiques of 

Kensington to the galleries of Whitechapel, 

or the bars of Shoreditch to the expanse of 

Hampstead Heath. Alternatively, pick up 

a ‘Boris’ rental bike – a £1 (€1.10) access fee 

gets you 30 minutes of pedal power. 

The famous TV tower 

in Alexanderplatz is just 

one landmark to be 

seen from the tramway 

Art trail 

Berlin’s contemporary art scene is buzzing, 

with artists flocking to the eastern districts 

for their cheap rents and crumbling, 

romantic industrial spaces. For a taste of 

this creativity, jump on the M1 tram to 

Brunnenstrasse in northern Mitte. Until 

recently this was a wasteland of empty 

storefronts and decrepit fast-food kiosks; 

now it’s one of Berlin’s newest gallery hubs. 

After Jan Winkelmann opened his 

eponymous art space in the area six years 

ago, others followed suit, including 

experimental, artist-led spaces such as 

Amerika and Diskus and internationals 

such as Manhattan’s Goff + Rosenthal. The 

minimalist Koch Oberhuber Wolff gallery – 

designed by Arno Brandlhuber – serves as 

an architecturally striking centrepiece. 

Despite such developments, however, and 

the inevitable bars and restaurants, there’s 

still an evocative GDR-esque brutality to 

this area. Visit now before it changes. 

If you’re interested in grand, Communistera 

architecture, take a trip on the M10 tram 

along Karl-Marx-Allee, from Mitte and into 

the depths of Friedrichshain. A staggering 

90 metres wide, running between Hermann 

Henselmann’s dual towers at Strausberger 

Platz and Frankfurter Tor, this street is lined

At the end of the M10 

tram, Labels 2 Berlin is 

a new showpiece for 

the city’s fashion industry 

The Strassenbahn is both a window into the past 

and a fantastic way to experience the city sights 

with monumental eight-storey buildings 

designed in the Soviet neoclassical 

‘wedding-cake’ style. Many have now been 

repurposed into chic bars and restaurants. 

At the end of the line, jump off the M10 

at Warschauer Strasse and wander into 

the side streets of Friedrichshain, where 

you’ll find cafés, galleries and retro furniture 

shops (particularly around Simon-Dach- 

Strasse). Stroll south from here to see some 

of the new architectural gems lining the 

River Spree, including Labels 2 Berlin; a 

wave-patterned complex of event spaces, 

cafés and fashion showrooms designed by 

Swiss architects HHF, cleverly cooled by 

water from the Spree and with an energy 

consumption that’s reduced by 40%. 

Eastern promise 

For a final journey in the city, the M2 tram is 

the one to get for a quick view of the huge 

square and bustling transport hub that is 

Alexanderplatz, before a ride out to stylish 

Prenzlauer Berg. Once the downtrodden 

hangout of punks and factory workers, it’s 

now one of the most desirable addresses 

in East Berlin, with boutiques, beer gardens 

and attractive cobbled streets. In the south 

of the district, where Torstrasse adjoins the 

trendier sections of Mitte, you can enjoy a 

cappuccino on the rooftop terrace of Soho 

House. Further north, sip an evening martini 

at Klub der Republik on Pappelallee, a 

favourite with locals and decorated with 

original Formica furniture and light fittings 

from the demolished Palast der Republik. 

For a bite to eat in this area there’s a 

fantastic organic market on Kollwitzplatz 

on Thursdays, or you can sink your teeth 

into a bratwurst from Konnopke’s Imbiss 

near Schönhauser Allee. Grilling sausages 

since the 1930s, this snack bar is a 

neighbourhood institution and makes a 

fitting journey’s end. 

€99 * 

FROM JUST 

RETURN, 


Fly to Berlin from just 



FR Suivez la voie 

À bord des tramways de Berlin, Flora King 

découvre à quel point un système de transport 

peut transformer votre regard sur une ville 

Avec son paysage urbain riche d’histoire et 

surprenant de modernité, l’ancienne Berlin-Est est 

devenue en quelques années le repaire de tous 

les branchés. Ce n’est en tout cas pas l’endroit où 

perdre du temps sous terre et le Strassenbahn 

(« tramway ») y représente autant une fenêtre sur le 

passé qu’une fantastique façon d’explorer les lieux. 

Envie de visiter la scène contemporaine estberlinoise 

? Sautez dans un tram M1 direction 

Brunnenstrasse. Autrefois délabré, ce quartier 

s’est transformé en hub des galeries de Berlin, où 

foisonnent ateliers d’artistes, espaces 

expérimentaux et autres grands noms de la scène 

artistique. Il garde malgré tout un côté brut, qui 

n’est pas sans rappeler l’ex-RDA. 

Si vous appréciez la grandeur architecturale 

communiste, prenez le M10 le long de la Karl- 

Marx-Allee. Cet impressionnant boulevard (90 m 

de large) est bordé de bâtiments de style ‘gâteau 

de mariage’ néoclassique, témoins du passé 

soviétique, qui ont été relookés en bars et 

restaurants chics. 

Au terminus, descendez à la Warschauer Strasse 

et flânez dans le quartier de Friedrichshain, 

rempli de cafés, galeries et boutiques de mobilier 

rétro. En descendant vers le sud, vous apercevrez 

quelques nouveaux joyaux d’architecture aux 

abords de la Spree. 

Enfin, montez dans le M2 jusque Prenzlauer Berg. 

Ce quartier autrefois à l’abandon est aujourd’hui 

une des adresses les plus tendances de Berlin- 

Est, avec ses boutiques, ses « beer gardens » et 

ses rues pavées. Savourez un cappuccino sur le 

toit de la Soho House, ou sirotez un Martini au 

Klub der Republik. Et ne manquez pas les 

savoureuses wurst du Konnopke’s Imbiss ; cette 

institution dédiée aux saucisses grillées depuis 

les années ’30 sera parfaite pour la fin du parcours. 

NL Op de rails 

Flora King ervaart op de Berlijnse tram 

dat een vervoerssysteem bepaalt hoe je een 

stad beleeft 

Met zijn rijk historisch en tegelijkertijd verrassend 

hedendaags stadslandschap is het vroegere 

Oost-Berlijn nu dé hotspot – geen plek dus om je 

tijd ondergronds door te brengen. De Strassenbahn 

(tram) biedt een kijk op verleden en heden. 

Tram M1 brengt u naar de Brunnenstrasse, 

de hedendaagse kunstscène in Oost-Berlijn: ooit 

een woestenij met lege winkeletalages, nu een 

concentratie van galerijen met ruimte voor 

experiment, beheerd door kunstenaars en 

internationale figuren. Toch heeft de wijk nog niet 

aan suggestieve en DDR-achtige bruutheid ingeboet. 

Voor sporen van de roemrijke architectuur uit 

het communistisch tijdperk moet u met tram M10 

door de 90 meter brede Karl-Marx-Allee rijden, 

met zijn acht verdiepingen hoge gebouwen – nu 

vaak een chique bar of restaurant – in sovjetneoklassieke 

“huwelijkstaart”-stijl. 

Aan de Warschauer Strasse stapt u uit en kuiert 

u door de zijstraten van Friedrichshain, met cafés, 

galerijen en retromeubelwinkels, en verder 

zuidwaarts, om enkele nieuwe architectuurparels 

langs de rivier de Spree te bewonderen. 

Neem tot slot tram M2 naar Prenzlauer Berg. 

Ooit werd er minachtend over gesproken, maar nu 

is het in Oost-Berlijn een van de meest geliefde 

adressen, met boetieks, biertuinen en 

keienstraten. Savoureer op het dak van het Soho 

House een heerlijke cappuccino of nip in de Klub 

der Republik van een Martini. Voor de lekkerste 

“bratwurst” moet u bij Konnopke’s Imbiss zijn, een 

oude vertrouwde in de wijk die al sinds 1930 

worst bakt: ideaal om de dag mee te eindigen. 


43

The 

Rousseau 

effect 

The publication of Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s Julie in 1761 struck a chord 

with 18th-century romanticism, transforming Lake Geneva into a site of pilgrimage 

for literary tourists and talent alike. Adrian Mourby visits the landscape 

that has captivated writers ranging from Byron to Dan Brown 

44 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine August 2011

MAIN IMAGE PHOTOLIBRARY.COM; IMAGE BRIDGEMAN ART LIBRARY 

This year marks the 250th 

anniversary of Julie, ou 

la nouvelle Héloïse, an 

800-page epistolary 

romance by philosopher, author and 

all-round Genevese genius Jean-Jacques 

Rousseau. These days Rousseau is more 

commonly thought of as the author of The 

Social Contract and Confessions – which 

pretty much invented modern autobiography 

– but before these, he wrote the story of 

a young noblewoman who has an affair with 

her tutor. All but forgotten today, at the 

time it was an unexpected runaway success, 

and its impact on Swiss tourism was huge. 

The book’s subtitle was ‘letters from 

two lovers living in a small town at the 

foot of the Alps’. It gave voice to the 

burgeoning phenomenon of romantic 

sensibility – celebrating imagination and 

feelings over reason – and the emotional 

floodgates of Europe opened. Publishers 

were so overwhelmed that some resorted 

to renting the book out by the day, or even 

LITERARY LAKE GENEVA\\\ 

by the hour, as they couldn’t print enough 

copies to satisfy demand. At the age of 49, 

Rousseau became a literary superstar – 

and so did the area around Lake Geneva, 

where the novel was set. Tourists flocked 

to Switzerland in order to see the vistas 

described in Julie; books in hand, they 

travelled from England, France, the Low 

Countries and what is now Germany in 

search of sublime literary landscapes. 

Old romantics 

Among the major literary figures who 

made this sentimental journey were Johann 

Wolfgang von Goethe, who visited in 1779; 

William Wordsworth (1790); Lord Byron 

(1816); and Sir Walter Scott (1826). In 1846 

Charles Dickens began Dombey and Son 

while on the shores of Lake Geneva, while 

George Eliot spent nine months on the lake’s 

shore (where the United Nations Building 

now stands) between 1849 and 1850. 

Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine July 2011 45

LITERARY LAKE GENEVA 

By the book 

Explore the literary associations 

of Europe’s most famous cities 

The English abroad 

and adrift in A 

Room With A View 

■ Florence In 1908 EM Forster set one of 

the most enduringly popular accounts of the 

English abroad, A Room With A View, in the 

city of Dante and the Medicis. In 1985 the 

Merchant Ivory fi lm adaptation made a star 

out of 19-year-old Helena Bonham-Carter. 

■ Berlin Set in 1920s Berlin, Alfred Döblin’s 

Berlin Alexanderplatz is one of the great 

expressionist novels, made into a 15.5-hour 

fi lm by Rainer Werner Fassbinder in 1980. 

English-speaking audiences may be more 

familiar with Christopher Isherwood’s Goodbye 

to Berlin, which was adapted into a musical 

and famously fi lmed as Cabaret (1972). 

Intrigue in Rome 

in The Talented 

Mr Ripley 

■ Rome The American writers Nathaniel 

Hawthorne, Henry James and Edith Wharton 

all used Rome as a backdrop for stories, as 

did Patricia Highsmith in her 1955 crime 

novel The Talented Mr Ripley. In Anthony 

Minghella’s 1999 fi lm, Ripley’s most daring 

con is carried out on the Spanish Steps. 

■ Moscow Tolstoy set much of War and 

Peace in Moscow, while Boris Pasternak’s 

Dr Zhivago predominately takes place in 

his hometown. The city’s amusement park, 

meanwhile, gives Martin Cruz Smith’s 

1981 crime thriller Gorky Park its title. 




IMAGE CORBIS 

In the 1890s, Mark Twain visited the city so 

often that an American literary magazine 

accused him of taking up residence. Some 

artists were also drawn to the French side of 

the lake: Voltaire lived in Ferney until 1778 

and the English critic John Ruskin lived and 

painted at Salève, in view of the water, after 

completing his Modern Painters. 

Travelling tales 

At the time of Julie’s publication, however, 

Rousseau had long since left Switzerland, 

despite a love of the country. At the age of 

13 he had been apprenticed to a notary in 

Geneva, and subsequently to an engraver 

whom, he claimed in Confessions, used to 

beat him. On 14 March 1728, aged 15, he 

tried running away. When he returned he 

found the city gates locked for the night, so 

he headed down the lake towards Savoy, 

stopping in the town of Vevey – a setting 

he later used in Julie. If you visit today you 

can still see the table at which he once ate 

in Restaurant la Clef. In Confessions he said 

of the area: “I took for this city a love, which 

followed me in all my voyages, and which 

made me there finally establish the heroes 

of my novel. I would say to those who have 

taste and are sensitive: go to Vevey, visit the 

country, examine the sites, walk on the lake, 

and ask if nature did not make this beautiful 

country for a Julie, a Claire, a Saint-Preux?” 

Eventually, Rousseau ended up settling 

in France, where he became a major figure 

in pre-revolutionary Paris. By this time he 

had converted to Catholicism and given up 

his Genevese citizenship (although he later 

reverted to Calvinism to regain citizenship). 

Today, he’s remembered in Geneva by two 

landmarks: a statue on the lake’s tiny Île 

Rousseau (erected in 1834), and Espace 

Rousseau, which opened at his birthplace 

at 40 Grand-Rue in 2002 and offers an 

audiovisual tour of his life and works. 

Literary legends 

Rousseau’s influence can be seen in the 

number of major writers who subsequently 

set their works along the shores of Lake 

Geneva. Perhaps the most famous is the 

English writer Mary Shelley, wife of poet 

Percy Bysshe Shelley. In 1816 she and her 

husband were staying with Byron at Villa 

Diodati, just outside the city. One night 

a summer storm kept them all awake, and 

Byron challenged the party to make up ghost 

stories. Soon after, Shelley began work on 

the story of Victor Frankenstein, which 

begins, “I am by birth a Genevese; and my 

family is one of the most distinguished of 

that republic.” Soon after, Byron wrote a 

dramatic poem about a monk imprisoned 

in the castle on the lake, and The Prisoner 

of Chillon was published in the same year 

as that inspirational thunderstorm. 

Later, Henry James travelled down Lake 

Geneva and set a novel overlooking the 

Mary Shelley began work on Frankenstein after 

a stay on the shores of Lake Geneva in 1816 

water. His tragedy Daisy Miller (1878) 

begins in Vevey, where Daisy, an American 

innocent with a neglectful mother, decides 

to visit Chillon Castle without a chaperone. 

The novel is set in the old hotel known as 

Les Trois Couronnes. 

A few streets away from Les Trois 

Couronnes stands the Hotel du Lac, which 

gave its name to Anita Brookner’s prizewinning 

1984 Genevese novel. The story 

of a middle-aged woman recovering from 

scandal on the shores of Lake Geneva, 

Hotel du Lac was dramatised by the BBC 

in 1986. More recently still, Dan Brown set 

the opening chapters of his Da Vinci Code 

sequel Angels and Demons in the city. 

With all this literary history, it’s 

perhaps surprising that the area hasn’t 

produced further Swiss novels of note. 

There’s still time, however, with the 

Rousseau effect still resonating like 

ripples on the lake.

Above, from left: 

Lord Byron was one 

of the many writers to 

take inspiration from 

Lake Geneva in the wake 

of Julie’s publication; 

The picturesque town 

of Vevey features in 

Rousseau’s romantic tale 

Previous page: 

Jean-Jacques Rousseau 

(inset) and his literary 

landscape, Lake Geneva 

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IMAGE PHOTOLIBRARY.COM 

FR L’effet Rousseau 

Julie, le roman de Jean-Jacques 

Rousseau publié en 1761, a fortement touché 

la sensibilité romantique du 18ème siècle, 

attirant les écrivains et les touristes vers le 

lac de Genève. Adrian Mourby découvre ce 

paysage littéraire 

Cette année marque le 250ème anniversaire 

de Julie ou la nouvelle Héloïse, le roman 

épistolaire (800 pages) du génie genevois 

Jean-Jacques Rousseau. On l’a sans doute 

oublié, mais à l’époque, le succès de cette histoire 

– une jeune fille noble qui a une liaison avec 

son tuteur - dépassa toutes les attentes. En 

devenant le porte-voix de la nouvelle sensibilité 

romantique, Rousseau fut consacré superstar 

de la littérature – tout comme les alentours du 

lac de Genève, le décor du roman. Livre en main, 

les touristes affluèrent vers la Suisse, à la 

recherche des sublimes paysages de Julie. Parmi 

ces voyageurs, se trouvent de grandes figures 

littéraires : Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1779), 

William Wordsworth (1790), Lord Byron (1816) 

et Sir Walter Scott (1826). 

En parlant de Vevey, lieu de son histoire, 

Rousseau expliqua : « Je suis tombé amoureux 

de cette ville (…), et j’ai voulu y établir les héros 

de mon roman. » Le nombre de grands écrivains 

qui choisirent à leur tour ces rivages comme 

cadre témoigne de l’influence de Rousseau. 

Mary Shelley est sans doute une des plus 

célèbres. Son Frankenstein est inspiré d’un 

séjour à la lisière de la ville, en 1816 avec Byron. 

Byron lui même écrit un poème sur un moine 

emprisonné dans le château du lac. Plus tard, 

Henry James fait débuter sa tragédie 

Daisy Miller (1878) à Vevey. À quelques 

rues de là, l’Hôtel du Lac, a donné son nom 

au roman genevois d’Anita Brookner (1984). 

Plus récemment encore, Dan Brown a planté 

l’action des premiers chapitres d’Anges et 

Démons dans la ville. 

NL Het Rousseau-effect 

De publicatie van Julie van Jean- 

Jacques Rousseau in 1761 luidde de 

18e-eeuwse romantiek in en bracht 

schrijvers en toeristen naar het meer van 

Genève. Adrian Mourby bezoekt dit 

literatuurlandschap 

250 jaar geleden werd de briefroman Julie ou la 

nouvelle Héloïse van het Geneefse genie Jean- 

Jacques Rousseau uitgegeven. Het verhaal van 

een edelvrouw die een verhouding heeft met 

haar leraar, was onmiddellijk een bestseller. 

Rousseau gaf de ontluikende romantische 

gevoeligheid een stem en zette meteen ook 

het decor van de roman – het meer van Genève – 

op de kaart. De toeristen kwamen er, met 

het boek in de hand, de sublieme literaire 

landschappen uit Julie zoeken. Zelfs prominenten 

uit de literatuur maakten de reis: Johann 

Wolfgang von Goethe (1779), William Wordsworth 

(1790), Lord Byron (1816) en Sir Walter 

Scott (1826). 

Rousseau zei later over Vevey: “Ik voelde voor 

deze stad zo’n grote liefde, dat ik er de helden van 

mijn roman wilde laten wonen.” Veel grote 

schrijvers volgden zijn voorbeeld en lieten zich 

ook door de oevers van het meer bezielen: Mary 

Shelley verbleef er in 1816 met Byron en haalde 

hier haar inspiratie voor Frankenstein; Byron 

schreef een gedicht over een monnik die in het 

kasteel aan het meer gevangen werd gezet; de 

tragedie Daisy Miller (1878) van Henry James 

begint in Vevey; enkele straten verder ligt het 

Hôtel du Lac, de naam van de roman van Anita 

Brookner (1984), en ook de eerste hoofdstukken 

van Het Bernini Mysterie van Dan Brown spelen 

zich in Genève af. 

*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 

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 and Museum of Modern Art, Warsaw, 

in collaboration with The Museum of Modern Art, New York 

and Hammer Museum, Los Angeles. 

Major exhibition support at WIELS provided by 

Image: Alina Szapocznikow, Petit Dessert I, 1970–71, Collection Kravis 

© The Estate of Alina Szapocznikow – Piotr Stanisławski

we know warehouses+ 

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Businesstrends 

Boyd Farrow rounds up what’s happening in the business world across Europe 

The lure of the rings 

UK tops Europe for foreign direct investment ahead of Olympics – but Germany is in hot pursuit 

BUSINESS \\\ 

Next year’s Olympics has helped put the UK in the top spot in Ernst & Young’s 2011 ‘European Attractiveness’ rankings, with 728 foreign direct 

investment (FDI) projects. The study also noted, however, a significant loss of market share “to countries such as Germany”, which came in third with 

560 projects (just behind France at 562). The number of FDI projects in Germany has tripled in five years, increasing Germany’s market share from 

6% to 15% of all European investments. The survey noted the country’s outstanding growth potential, disciplined fiscal policy and business culture. 

Investors named four key areas to ensure future competitiveness: IT and cleantech, tax-centric competitiveness, city projects, and talent. Germany 

has the world’s most extensive renewable energies industry, 80% of new innovations are driven by the IT industry, labour costs have been stable or 

decreased for a number of years, and three cities – Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich – made Ernst & Young’s top 10 cities in Europe for new investments. 

Nevertheless, it’s Poland that’s making a noise in terms of the number of new jobs created as a result of FDI in 2010. Foreign investors in Germany’s 

neighbour created a total of 12,400 jobs last year – the only countries to do better were Britain and France. According to the Association of Business 

Service Leaders in Poland, over the next few years Poland may become the largest centre for advanced services for global business across Europe. 

London 2012 should keep 

the UK in contention as 

an investment centre 



///BUSINESS 


White elephant? 

Bugatti’s porcelain motor smashes records for extravagance 

Deep-pocketed visitors to next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show might be interested in the 

latest headline-hogger from Bugatti – a €1.65m special edition of the Veyron Grand Sport, 

partly made out of porcelain. The L’Or Blanc is a joint effort between Bugatti’s parent 

Volkswagen and KPM, a 250-year-old Berlin-based porcelain maker. “It may sound like a 

pretty odd idea for the world’s fastest convertible car,” said Stefan Brungs, the brand’s sales 

chief, with typical Germanic understatement, at the recent unveiling of the car in Berlin. “But 

Bugatti has made a name for itself by not shying away from extravagant ideas.” Painted white 

with royal blue lines, the L’Or Blanc was, inevitably, developed for an unidentified businessman 

from the UAE, who has a collection of about 800 cars. The vehicle features 12 porcelain 

elements, including wheel badges and fuel and oil caps. 

VW acquired Bugatti in 1998, along with Lamborghini and Bentley, to compete with BMW’s 

Rolls-Royce. Having built up publicity over the last few years, Bugatti – which makes around 

50 sports cars a year in France – is believed to have got the green light from VW to build a 

four-door model, the Galibier. With a 1,000-horsepower engine, this may cost a mere €1m. 

Friendly invasion 

Russian entrepreneurs flock to Czech capital 

Twenty years after Soviet troops slunk out the city, Russian businesses are booming in 

Prague. But while the Czech capital seems to be taking this in n its stride, Russia is concerned 

at the economic impact of middle-class emigration to Eastern n Europe. In the 

first five months of 2011, net capital outflow from Russia nudged dged €25bn, 

which, according to opposition leader Mikhail Kasyanov (right), t), the 

government admits is due to dire domestic investment. A recent ent 

conference in Prague on the fall of communism heard that while hile Russian 

billionaires head for London and New York, a large chunk of money is 

staying in the Czech Republic as Russian entrepreneurs launch ch start-ups. 

As a result, Russian schools and communities are flourishing ng in and 

around Prague; officially, more than 30,000 Russians have residency sidency 

permits, while true figures are thought to be much higher. Although though most 

Czech citizens seem at ease with this, they’re not turning their ir backs 

on their buddies in the West. Last month president Václav Klaus aus 

confirmed that the Prague street of the US ambassador’s 

residence will be renamed after US president Ronald Reagan, n, 

to recognise his contribution to the fall of communism. 


Handle with care: the 

porcelain L’Or Blanc 

Power to the pedal 

Dominance of Copenhagen’s cyclists 

angers pedestrians and motorists 

With 37% of the population riding their 

bicycles to work/school every day – and 

50% expected by 2015 – Copenhagen is on 

course to be a CO2-neutral capital. Recently, 

however, there have been murmurings that 

the city’s cyclists have become too powerful, 

and the plan for a bike (and pedestrian) bridge 

to connect Nyhavn harbour to Christianshavn 

island by 2013 has brought things to a head. 

Pedestrians complain that bikes are faster 

than they were a few years ago, and that 

a generation of cyclists now believes it has 

right of way throughout the Danish capital. 

Motorists, meanwhile, are fuming that 

the number of parking permits exceeds the 

Are bikes becoming 

a menace in the 

Danish capital? 

number of legal parking spaces in many parts 

of Copenhagen, as the city pressures people 

to use a bike or public transport instead of 

a car. Moreover, in 2010 the price of parking 

permits rocketed from DKK 195 (€26) to 

DKK 690 (€92). Things have become so 

serious that mayor Frank Jensen issued a 

press release stating that while Copenhagen 

heavily promotes public transport and cycling, 

there is also a need to improve conditions 

for the city’s drivers. This is being kicked off 

with the creation of 1,726 subsidised parking 

spaces, mostly earmarked for residents, at 

a cost of DKK 161m (€21.6m). 

IMAGE GETTY IMAGES

Cruising ahead 

Hamburg’s harbour city a popular destination for eco tourists 

Hamburg is on course for another record-breaking year of tourism, with 

more than 10 million overnight stays expected by December. Figures show 

the number of international visitors to Europe’s Green Capital for 2011 

increased considerably between January and April, with tourists from 

the UK, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria and the US leading the pack. 

Tourism chief Dietrich von Albedyll says that, “More people are coming 

to explore Hamburg’s green side,” and cites Hafencity (harbour city) as 

“an excellent example for sustainable waterfront development.” A mix 

of sandblasted residential, office and retail space, as well as the new 

university campus, is taking over much of the old docklands. The new 

Philharmonic Hall, built to resemble a ship, overlooks the Elbe River, with 

developers hoping the tribute to the city’s maritime history will become 

to Hamburg what the opera house is to Sydney. Hafencity is also designed 

to build on the port’s seafaring heritage, and there has been massive 

investment to encourage passenger ships. 

The city got a further boost last month when UNESCO declared the 

Hamburg Wadden Sea National Park, which supports some 10,000 species, 

a World Natural Heritage Site. Hamburg didn’t actually apply for the 

heritage status, however, as the authorities fear it could hinder plans 

to deepen the Elbe to accommodate bigger cruise ships. 

The striking Philharmonic 

Hall is part of Hamburg’s 

revamped harbour city 

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

BUSINESS 


EU Commissioner Neelie 

Kroes has said roaming 

charges are “outrageous” 

Free to roam? 

European Commission to address lack 

of competition in mobile markets 

Under a new ruling, business travellers who 

opt for the EU-regulated ‘Eurotariff’ should 

pay no more than 35 cents per minute for 

mobile phone calls made and 11 cents per 

minute for calls received while abroad in 

the EU until at least next June. The European 

Commission, however, warns that this is 

still too high, and wants “a long lasting 

structural approach” to reduce roaming 

costs. “The Commission will be coming 

forward very shortly with comprehensive 

new proposals for long-term solutions to 

address the underlying problem of lack 

of competition in roaming markets,” said 

Neelie Kroes, the EU commissioner for 

telecoms, in a statement. 

Following the last round of regulation, 

a data roaming limit has been introduced to 

prevent massive charges for internet access 

via a mobile phone, and consumers receive 

a text once they’ve reached a ceiling of data 

roaming to prevent nasty surprises. A recent 

Eurobarometer survey found that almost 

three quarters of Europeans were worried 

about their mobile phone bills while abroad. 

And 72% of travellers still limit roaming 

calls, even if a majority is aware that prices 

have fallen since 2006. The Organisation for 

Economic Cooperation and Development 

(OECD) recently warned that without better 

levels of competition in the sector, roaming 

prices would never fall to acceptable levels. 



On-the-spot fi nes 

for littering will only 

apply to certain 

items in Sweden 

Talking trash 

New Swedish litter law could fail to clean up streets 

A new litter law has come into effect in Sweden, under which throwing a beer can or 

newspaper anywhere other than the rubbish bin could cost you SEK 800 (€88) on the spot. 

This being liberal Sweden, however, there are several exceptions. For example, cigarette 

butts, gum and bus tickets are not legally considered to be trash, a situation that is 

“absolutely idiotic”, according to Joakim Brodahl of the Keep Sweden Clean movement. 

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency points out that cigarette butts are the most 

common form of litter by a wide margin, with 750 million tossed on the ground in 2005. Odder 

still, Sweden’s environment minister Andreas Carlgren is bothered by the butts, but doesn’t 

want to comment further. “I understand people who are angry about this, but we first have to 

wait and see what happens when the law comes into effect,” Carlgren told Dagens Nyheter. 

At least there’s encouraging environmental news from Rome. The Italian environment 

minister reports that Italy’s ban on plastic bags, brought in at the beginning of the year, has 

proved far more popular than expected. Until this year, shopping-crazed Italians filled up 

more than 20% of all plastic bags used in Europe – more than 330 per person. Now, it seems, 

they are enjoying the excuse to go shopping… for bags. 

Mobile ticket to ride 

Florence bus network accepting text-message fares 

Getting around Florence has just got a whole lot easier, thanks to a new service by Italian 

transport company Azienda Trasporti Area Fiorentina (ATAF) that allows passengers on 

the city’s bus service to receive their tickets by text message. 

Through a partnership with mobile payments firm Bemoov, ATAF lets users link a credit 

card with their phone then send a text message with the text ‘ATAF’ to a designated number 

when they’re ready to travel. Within seconds, they receive an alphanumeric code to be 

submitted to the controller for verification. There’s no additional 

fee for using the service, but currently only one-way tickets are 

sold, at €1.20 for a 90-minute trip. Stockholm and Helsinki have 

already embraced similar capabilities, according to Bemoov, and 

more European cities will undoubtedly follow. 

Consumers worldwide will spend about €35bn on mobile 

payments by 2014, according to a report by Juniper Research. 

North America and Western Europe will account for 50% of the 

total spending, surpassing the Asian market. Several European 

companies are investing in this ‘near-field communications’ 

technology, which also allows people to pay for cinemas and 

museums by waving a mobile device across a reader. 

ATAF 

IMAGE ALAMY

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Room 

for 

Prague’s hotels may have been hit by 

Europe’s economic woes, but they’re 

fighting back, offering diversity and 

flexibility to a new type of traveller. 

Julie O’Shea checks in 

54 

Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine August 2011

It’s been a rough couple of years 

for the Prague hotel sector, during 

which a number of luxury chains 

have excitedly entered the market, 

only to struggle to keep their occupancy 

rates up. Privately, a few nervously admitted 

that there were some weeks – even months 

– where only a handful of guests checked in. 

The situation now seems to be improving, 

however, with many establishments 

reporting an upswing in bookings for the 

summer season – a trend that they’re 

hoping is here to stay. 

Peter Knoll, general manager of the 

Kempinski Hybernská (kempinski.com), 

which opened during the height of the 

financial crisis, goes as far as predicting 

that the coming months will have city 

Although the economy 

is improving, many 

guests still book hotels 

very last-minute 

Opposite page and 

bottom right: The Icon 

Hotel knows that its 

bedrooms and bar need 

to offer something 

different to guests 

Below and right: The 

Kempinski Hybernská’s 

Presidential Suite with 

terrace, and its laid-back 

Lobby Lounge 

hotels filling up fast. “With this in mind,” 

he says, “we recommend booking early 

to avoid missing out.” 

Good advice, no doubt, except for the 

fact that early bookings are looking like 

a thing of the past. Although the Czech 

economy is improving, “many guests still 

book very last-minute,” notes Katerina 

Dvorakova, sales and marketing manager 

for the Buddha-Bar Hotel (buddha-barhotel.cz), 

a new high-end boutique in the 

city’s old town. 

Spoilt for choice? 

Renata Žižkovská, resident manager at 

The Icon Hotel (iconhotel.eu) – a cosy 

little venue off Wenceslas Square – has 

also noticed changes. There are now nearly 

700 hotels to choose from in Prague, and 

tourists have suddenly found themselves 

with the upper hand. Not only are they not 

booking in advance, but they’re also being 

more choosy, Žižkovská says – which gives 

smaller hotels an edge. “I think guests of 

boutique hotels tend to have the same 

standards,” she adds. “They are cool and 

different, and they want to stay in places 

PRAGUE HOTEL SECTOR \\\ 


PRAGUE HOTEL SECTOR 

Profile: Bohemian Hostels 

Business is looking good for 

this Prague success story 

What? A small chain of boutique properties, 

half-hostel, half-hotel and wholly original. The 

idea was hatched by German brothers Mathias 

and Tobias Schwender, who scoured Prague in 

the late 1990s looking for the perfect spot to 

launch their venture. Today, Mathias is at the 

helm of the fast-growing empire, joined by 

business partner Chris Syvertsen. 

Established Sir Toby’s, a true backpacker’s 

hostel, was the fi rst establishment to open, in 

1999, followed by the chic Miss Sophie’s and 

the equally sleek Czech Inn. Rounding out the 

group, Mosaic House opened its doors last year 

to much fanfare from the international press, 

which praised its eco-friendly features 

(something of a rarity for the Czech Republic). 

Where? With two properties in the city centre 

and two nestled in up-and-coming boroughs on 

either side of the Vltava River, Bohemian 

Hostels has Prague covered. 

How’s business? The last two years have 

been hard, but business looks to be steadily 

on the rebound in 2011 – management is 

expecting a great summer season. 

Key to success Each property in the group has 

a distinct vibe, setting them fi rmly apart from 

other high-end hotels in the city. These days, 

the details can make all the difference. 

Prices Dorm beds go for as little as €11/ 

CZK 285 at the Czech Inn, while private 

rooms start at €38/CZK 990. You can book 

apartments for €55/CZK 1,390 at Miss 

Sophie’s, or a petite ensuite for the same 

price at Mosaic House. For those looking 

for the traditional backpacker experience, 

dorms at Sir Toby’s start at €15.75/CZK 379. 

What’s next? There are currently no plans for a fi fth Prague location, but as Schwender 

puts it, never say never. Still, his four venues are keeping him plenty busy at the moment. 

The Czech Inn is set to unveil a cool new space in its brick-panelled cellar this autumn, perfect 

for staging live concerts, while a new French chef is already drawing rave reviews at Miss 

Sophie’s. What’s more, Schwender also has an eye on Africa, where he’s working on what 

may eventually be called the Hallelujah Hostel in Ghana. 

Today’s guests want 

more than just a place 

to sleep – they want 

an experience 

that are cool and different.” What this 

basically translates to is a higher demand 

for apartments with kitchens, modern 

amenities, designer looks and – of course 

– reasonable, competitive rates. 

“We definitely had to soften our prices,” 

says Mathias Schwender of the Bohemian 

Hostels group (bohemianhostels.com, see 


box, above), which has four properties in 

the city. “People don’t show up at the door 

anymore.” Hotels need to find new ways to 

attract a different generation of travellers. 

Having an online presence helps, but today’s 

guests want more than just a place to sleep, 

Schwender says – they want an experience. 

And he feels that Bohemian Hostels offers 

that experience. “The concept we have 

chosen to do isn’t a concept recycled by 

someone else,” he says. “We really invested 

ourselves in this and have developed it.” 

€119 * 

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FR Marge d’expansion 

Touchés par les difficultés économiques, 

les hôtels de Prague réagissent en offrant diversité 

et flexibilité à un type de voyageur différent. 

Un « check-in » de Julie O’Shea 

Le secteur hôtelier pragois a traversé quelques 

années houleuses : certaines chaînes de luxe récemment 

implantées ont dû se disputer le marché pour garder 

leur taux d’occupation à un niveau élevé. Aujourd’hui, 

la situation semble toutefois en voie d’amélioration, 

et de nombreux établissements enregistrent une 

hausse de leurs réservations pour l’été. 

Peter Knoll du Kempinski Hybernská (kempinski. 

com) va jusqu’à prédire un remplissage rapide des 

hôtels au cours des prochains mois. « Nous 

recommandons de réserver tôt, » confirme-t-il. 

Les réservations anticipées n’ont cependant plus 

vraiment la cote. « De nombreux clients réservent 

en super last-minute, » note Katerina Dvorakova 

de l’Hôtel Buddha-Bar (buddha-bar-hotel.cz), un 

nouveau boutique-hôtel chic du centre-ville. 

Renata Žižkovská de The Icon Hotel (iconhotel.eu) 

a également constaté des changements. Non 

seulement, les touristes ne réservent plus à l’avance 

mais ils sont plus exigeants, ce qui donne un avantage 

aux petits hôtels, confie Žižkovská. « La clientèle des 

boutique-hôtels est cool et différente, et elle veut 

séjourner dans des endroits cools et différents. » 

Cela se traduit par une demande d’appartements avec 

cuisine, d’infrastructures modernes, de look de 

designer et – cela va de soi – de prix raisonnables. 

« Nous avons dû réellement arrondir nos tarifs, » 

explique Mathias Schwender du groupe Bohemian 

Hostels (bohemianhostels.com, voir l’encadré), qui 

possède quatre auberges de jeunesse dans la ville. 

« Les gens ne viennent plus frapper à la porte. » 

Aujourd’hui, les voyageurs recherchent plus qu’une 

simple chambre pour dormir : ils veulent une 

expérience. « Le concept que nous avons choisi n’est 

pas recyclé d’une autre enseigne, » poursuit Schwender. 

« Nous nous sommes vraiment investis dans notre 

projet et l’avons développé à notre manière. » 

NOTICE 

PRIOR WITHOUT CHANGE TO SUBJECT ARE PRICES REFUNDABLE. NOR CHANGEABLE, NOT ARE 

NL In hogere sferen 

TICKETS 

De Praagse hotels hadden te lijden onder 

de Europese economische crisis, maar ze zijn 

strijdlustig en mikken op diversiteit en flexibiliteit 

en een ander type van reiziger. Julie O’Shea 

checkt (in) 

BRUSSELSAIRLINES.COM. ON 

De Praagse hotels hebben enkele zware jaren achter 

de rug: door de nieuwe luxeketens op de markt was BOOKED IF 

het moeilijk om de bezettingsgraad hoog te houden. 

De situatie verbetert stilaan, want in veel hotels 

stijgt het aantal reservaties voor deze zomer. 

INCLUDED, 

Peter Knoll van het Kempinski Hybernská 

FEES 

(kempinski.com) voorspelt zelfs dat de hotels de 

AND 

komende maanden snel volgeboekt zullen zijn. “Vroeg 

boeken is de boodschap,” zegt hij. Maar blijkbaar is 

TAXES 

vroeg boeken niet meer van deze tijd. “Gasten boeken ALL 

last minute,” merkt Katerina Dvorakova van het 

Buddha-Bar Hotel op (buddha-bar-hotel.cz), een 

BRUSSELS, 

nieuwe kwaliteitsboetiek in de oude stad. 

TO 

Renata Žižkovská van het Icon Hotel (iconhotel.eu) OR 

ziet ook veranderingen: “Toeristen boeken niet langer FROM 

van tevoren en zijn bovendien kieskeuriger, en dat komt 

de kleinere hotels ten goede. Gasten van boetiekhotels 

zijn cool en anders en willen overnachten op plekken ECONOMY 

die ook cool en anders zijn.” En dus is er meer vraag naar 

appartementen met keuken, moderne voorzieningen, 

B.LIGHT IN 

design, liefst voor een schappelijke prijs. 

“We moesten onze prijzen wel aanpassen,” verklaart TICKET 

Mathias Schwender van de Bohemian Hostels-Groep 

(bohemianhostels.com, zie tekst), met vier 

RETURN A 

vestigingen in Praag. “Mensen verschijnen niet langer FOR 

aan de deur.” Gasten van nu willen meer dan alleen een ARE 

plek om te slapen – ze willen een ervaring. “Ons 

concept is geen herkauwde versie van dat van iemand QUOTED 

anders,” zegt Schwender. “We hebben het beste van 

onszelf gegeven en het idee ontwikkeld.” *PRICES

Bezoek onze website: 

Visite notre site: 

www.immo-centrale.be 

TE KOOP: NIEUWBOUW · A VENDRE: NOUVEAUX PROJETS 

Res. Minerva II - Piers De Raveschootlaan te Knokke 

Nieuwbouw met open zicht ! Apptn type 2 slpk, duplexen type 

2 slpk. Garages in het gebouw. 

Vanaf €345.000!!!! 

Res. Minerva II – Piers de Raveschootlaan à Knokke. 

Nouveau projet avec une belle vue dégagée. Appartements et 

duplex avec 2 chambres à coucher.Garages dans l’immeuble. 

A partir de €345.000. 

Res. Breakwater – Zandstraat te Knokke – ‘t Zoute. 

Nieuwbouw met zijdelings zeezicht, gelegen nabij het 

Driehoeksplein. Apptn type 2 slpk, duplex type 3 slpk. 

ruime terrassen ! Ideaal voor investeerders. Bezoek ons 

modelappartement! 

Rés. Breakwater : Zandstraat à Knokke le Zoute 

Nouveau projet à avec vue latérale sur mer, situé à quelques 

pas de la place du Triangle. Appartements avec 2 chambres à 

coucher. Duplex avec 3 chambres à coucher. Un placement sûr ! 

Visitez notre appartement témoin. 

Res. Times Square – hoek Elizabethlaan/Leopoldlaan te Knokke 

Nieuwbouw met ruime zuidgerichte terrassen. Loftappartementen 

met 2/3 slpk en duplexen met 2 slpk. Garages in het gebouw 

(ook apart te koop). Bezoek ons modelappartement! 

Rés. Times Square : coin Av. Elizabet – Av. Leopold à Knokke. 

Nouveau projet avec des terrasses plein sud. Appartements 

avec mezzanine avec 2/3 chambres à coucher et duplex 

avec 2 chambres à coucher. Garages dans l’immeuble. Visitez 

l’appartement témoin ! 

Res. Hemingway - hoek Lippenslaan/Elizabethlaan te Knokke. 

Nieuwbouw met prachtig zicht op de golf van het Zoute!!! 

Apptn type 2/3 slpk. Prachtige duplex type 3 slpk. Bezoek 

ons modelappartement! 

Rés. Hemingway : coin Av. Lippens – Av. Elizabet à Knokke. 

Nouveau projet avec une superbe vue sur le Golf du Zoute. 

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chambres à coucher. Visitez notre appartement témoin ! 

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herverkopen : 

Aussi une grande 

offre de revente 

Res. Chadwick – hoek Lippenslaan/N. de Tièrestraat te Knokke. 

Nieuwbouw op een exclusieve ligging. Apptn 2/3 slpk, laatste 

hoekappt 3 slpk, hoekduplex 3 slpk. Garages in het gebouw. 

Vanaf €370.000!!!! 

Rés. Chadwick : coin Av. Lippens – N. de Tièrestraat à Knokke. 

Nouveau projet sur une localisation exceptionelle. Appartements 

avec 2/3 chambres à coucher, Dernier appartement de coin avec 3 

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A partir de €370.000. 

Res. Mainstreet – Lippenslaan te Knokke. 

Nieuwbouw met open zicht! Laatste apptn en duplexen 

type 2 & 3 slpk. Garages in het gebouw. Ideaal 

voor investeerders! 

Rés. Mainstreet : Av. Lippens à Knokke 

Nouveau projet avec une vue dégagée. Derniers appartements 

et duplex avec 2 et 3 chambres à coucher. Garages dans 

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CITY GUIDES 

* NEWCASTLE 

* 

BIRMINGHAM* 

MANCHESTER * 

BRISTOL * 

BILBAO * 

HAMBURG 

* WARSAW 

* PRAGUE 

VIENNA * 

* BUDAPEST 

* 

ATHENS * 

BERLIN 

* GOTHENBURG 

* NICE 

* BOLOGNA * VENICE 

* 

PORTO * 

LISBON * 

FARO * MALAGA* 

LONDON 

* 

HEATHROW 

COPENHAGEN 

* KRAKOW 

* MADRID 

* TURIN 

TOULOUSE * 

* 

SEVILLE * 

PALMA DE MALLORCA 

MARSEILLE * 

* BARCELONA 

STRASBOURG * 

GENEVA 

LYON * 

* 

* CATANIA 

* NAPLES 

* 

FLORENCE * 

VILNIUS 

* BRUSSELS 

* HANNOVER 

* LAMEZIA TERME 

* MILAN-MALPENSA/MILAN-LINATE 

* ROME 

Explore destinations across the Brussels Airlines network with the help of 

our essential guides. Our local writers uncover the best each city has to 

offer every month – so don’t forget to take your copy of b.there! with you 

My 

Tel Aviv 

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OSLO * 

STOCKHOLM/BROMMA * 

Locals will tell you 

that this vibrant city 

boasts the best cuisine, 

art and nightlife in the 

world – so Jamie Hakim 

asked Orna Agmon, of local 

restaurant Orna & Ella, for 

the inside track on Tel Aviv’s 

hottest spots this summer 

Photography 

Nitzan Hafner 

City 

focus 

special 

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PALMA DE MALLORCA SPAIN P81 

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View our city guides online at btheremag.com. 

Book your fl ights now at brusselsairlines.com 


MOSCOW/ 

DOMODEDOVO * 

TEL T AVIV *

CITY FOCUS 

Over the last decade 

Tel Aviv has experienced 

something of a revolution 

as a travel destination, 

combining its unique history with an 

insatiable appetite for forward thinking 

to stunning effect. Whether it’s vintage 

cool in ancient Jaffa or New York-style 

restaurants in the recently renovated north 

port, the city imbues the charm of the old 

with the spirit of the new at every turn. 

Day One 

■ 9:00 In Israel we take breakfast seriously. 

Not only do we have great coffee, but we’re 

also one of the few countries to have salads 

for breakfast. Try one at Café Noah (93 Ahad 

Ha’Am Street, tel. +972 (0)3 629 3799). 

■ 10:00 Café Noah is just round the corner 

from the Habima complex (19 Leonardo 

Da Vinci Street, habima.co.il), Israel’s 

national theatre. Recently renovated, the 

building is stunning – it’s worth taking a look 

even if you’re not going to see a play. At the 

back of Habima is the Helena Rubinstein 


Clockwise from left: 

Go nuts amid the sights 

and smells of the lively 

Levinsky Market; Try 

local flavours with a 

twist at bar-restaurant 

Tzfon Abraxas, owned 

by a local celeb chef; 

Stay ahead of the 

fashion pack at chic 

boutique Maya Bash; 

Rediscover your inner 

child at designer 

Sarit Shani Hay 

Pavilion for Contemporary Art (6 Tarsat 

Boulevard, tamuseum.com), which has 

a fascinating permanent display. 

■ 12:30 While you’re in this area you must 

pop in to Sarit Shani Hay (36 Nachmani 

Street, shanihay.com), an Israeli designer 

who specialises in interiors, furniture and 

toys. I love the way she works, and this 

shop is both beautiful to look at and 

packed with irresistible products. 

■ 13:00 An authentic Middle Eastern 

market on Levinsky Street, Levinsky Market 

is a wonderful place for lunch. It’s full of 

street vendors selling spices, bread, smoked 

fish, olives, cheese and bourekas (savoury 

pastries), so you can get a proper Israeli 

meal. It’s one of my favourite places – you 

really feel the texture of the city here. 

■ 14:30 After soaking up the sights of the 

market take a stroll over to Gan Hahashmal, 

an up-and-coming neighbourhood with a 

fabulous atmosphere. It’s full of young 

artists and designers, who sell their wares 

in many of the area’s independent boutiques. 

One of my favourites is Maya Bash (13

Levinsky Market is a 

wonderful place for 

lunch, with vendors 

selling bread, smoked 

fi sh, olives, cheese 

and boureka pastries 

Barzilai Street, mayabash.com) – an Israeli 

designer who creates very directional 

womenswear and a bit of menswear too. 

■ 16:00 If Gan Hahashmal is up and coming, 

Neve Tzedek up and came. This is one of Tel 

Aviv’s oldest neighbourhoods – many of its 

buildings are from the Ottoman era, and 

they house little apartments, fantastic 

restaurants and lovely boutiques. My top 

haunt here is a raw-food store called Neroli 

(23 Shabazi Street) – it serves the most 

delicious smoothies and shakes. At the end 

North 

400 metres 

Mediterranean Sea 

Jerusalem 

Beach 

Aviv 

Jaffa 

Beach 

(2 km) 

Tel Aviv Port 

Independence 

Park 

Hilton Beach 

Gordon Beach 

Frishman Beach 

Bograshov 

Beach 

Promenade 

Charles 

Clore 

Park 

Alma 

Beach 

RAZIEL 

Sheraton Beach 

Marina 

Promenade 

KAUFMAN STREET 

Boardwalk 

(Tayelet) 

HAYARKON 

HERBERT SAMUEL STHAYARKON 

Neve 

Tzedek 

Manta Ray 

beach café 

HAYARKON 

BEN YEHUDA 

Hakovshim 

Park 

SHABAZI 

START 

Shuk 

HaNamal 

HAYARKON 

ELIEZER PERRY 

BEN YEHUDA 

FRISCHMANN 

ALLENBY 

Dizengoff 

Square 

YE YEM YYEM Y YYEMENIT EM M MME 

E EENI EN N NNITE 

NII 

ITE T TE 

VIN VINE IINE 

NE NEYY AR ARD AR A RD 

Rothschild 

12 

JAFFA ROAD 

SCHLOMO ROAD 

DIZENGOFF STREET 

SDEROT NORDAU 

Gertrud 

DAVID BEN GURION BD 

Tzfon 

Abraxas 

Levinsky 

Market 

Rabin 

Sq 

Hamidrasha 

Gallery 

Dizengoff 

Centre 

Habima 

complex 

Meir 

Park 

START 

Café Noah 

Orna & Ella 

FINISH 

FINISH 

LILENBLUM 

DIZENGOFF STREET 

BOGRASHOV 

of Neve Tzedek is the Tachana complex 

(hatachana.co.il), an old train station that’s 

been turned into an open-air shopping mall. 

I’m ambivalent about this place, but they 

have a organic food market every Friday, 

which I heartily recommend. 

■ 18:30 At sunset, the only place to be in Tel 

Aviv is the beach. The coast is west facing, 

so the sun sets into the sea – beautiful. 

My favourite place to watch it is the Manta 

Ray beach café on Alma Beach (tel. +972 

(0)3 517 4773); to the left there’s the 

ALLENBY 

HERZL 

SHENKIN 

HA’ALIYA 

IBN GVIROL 

ROTHSCHILD BOULEVARD 

HEN BD 

HARAKEVET 

LEVINSKY 

Hayarkon 

JABOTINSKY JABOTINSKY 

ARLOSOROV 

YEHUDA HALEVI 

Gan 

Hahashmal 

HAR TZION BD 

LINCOLN 

Hayarkon Park 

HATA’ARUCHA YISRAE’L ROKACH BD 

USSISHKINBNEI DAN 

BASEL 

SHLOMO HA MELECH 

FRISCHMANN 

CCI IT TY TTY 

T Y 

CE CENTRE CENNTT TRE RE R 

FL F LO LOR 

OORRE 

REN 

NNT 

T TTIN N 

AHAD HA’AM 

YITSAKH RABIN BD 

IBN GVIROL 

IBN GVIROL 

CARLEBACH 

Sarit Shani Hay 

HASHOMRON 

SCHLOMO ROAD 

CHAIM WEIZMANN 

PINKAS PINKAS 

HEH BE’IYAR 

Hamedina 

Square 

HEH BE’IYAR 

HAHASHMONA’IM 

ARLOSOROV 

SHAUL HAMELECH BD 

ELIEZER KAPLAN 

HEIL HASHIRON RD 

CHAIM WEIZMANN 

HAMASGER 

MENACHEM BEGIN ROAD 

AYALON SOUTH 

AYALON NORTH 

MORDECHAI NAMIR ROAD 

JABOTINSKY 

Gina 

YITZAKH SADEH 

Tel Aviv 

AYALON SOUTH 

AYALON NORTH 

ancient city of Jaffa and to the right there’s 

the whole sweep of the modern city. 

Seafood and meze are menu specialities. 

■ 20:00 Lilenblum Street is a centre for 

nightlife and local celebrity chef Eyal Shani 

has a restaurant here, Tzfon Abraxas (40 

Lilenblum Street, tel. +972 (0)3 510 4435). 

A little eccentric, Shani does interesting 

things with good Israeli ingredients – his 

food is simple but very surprising. You can 

then move on to the adjacent lively bar, 

Abraxas, for an after-dinner drink. 


BD 

HAMA’APILIM 

YIGAL ALLON 

MAP ILLUSTRATION DAVID MCCUTCHEON/DVDMAPS.CO.UK

CITY FOCUS 

Day Two 

■ 9:00 Start your second day at the Namal 

– the north port. A functioning port until a 

few years ago, it was recently redeveloped 

with cafés and restaurants. While these 

eateries are good for breakfast, my top 

place to pick up food is the Shuk Hanamal 

(Hanger 12, the port), a covered market 

where you can buy fresh bread, cakes, tapas 

and coffee: ideal for taking to the beach. 

■ 10:30 From here you can go one of two 

ways: either spend the day on the beach 

(August is very hot, and the beach will help 

you survive), or if you want to see more of 

the city, walk from the port to the top of 

Dizengoff Street and head south. Dizengoff 

is the city’s main shopping street – I 

particularly recommend Gertrud (225 

Dizengoff Street), a chic womenswear 

boutique that used to be opposite our 

restaurant but recently moved. We were 


Be choosy about where 

you buy your falafel 

– Gina’s on Menachem 

Begin is the real deal 

traumatised when it went, and I make sure 

I visit the new location as much as I can! 

■ 12:30 You can’t come to Israel and not 

have a falafel – but you should be choosy 

about where you buy them from. Gina 

(126 Menachem Begin Road) is great; 

everything is so fresh, it’s the real deal. 

■ 14:00 We have a small but interesting 

contemporary art scene in the city – two 

of my favourite galleries are Hamidrasha 

Gallery (34 Dizengoff Street) and Shay 

Arie (61 Shlomo Ha Melech). They’re both

attached to art schools, but display much 

more than their students’ (always very good) 

work. They’re hubs for the whole local scene, 

and the curators at both galleries always put 

on fascinating shows. 

■ 16:00 Next, hop in a taxi and go to Jaffa, 

which is at the most southern point of the 

city. It’s as old as Jerusalem, and recently 

its ancient walls have been filling up with 

restaurants, bars and vintage shops. Take 

a stroll around and make sure you visit 

Shuk Hapishpeshim – the flea market at 

the heart of the area, which is full of life. 

■ 18:00 Rothschild 12 (12 Rothschild 

Boulevard) is a great bar for a pre-dinner 

drink – it’s beautifully designed and always 

has a lively atmosphere. It’s also good for 

an after-dinner drink, when you can enjoy 

DJs and occasional live music. 

■ 20:00 Naturally I have to recommend my 

own restaurant, Orna & Ella (33 Shenkin 

Clockwise from above: 

Ella at Orna & Ella where 

homemade food is a 

staple; Yaacov Agam’s 

striking Fire and Water 

fountain in Dizengoff 

Square is soon to benefit 

from a restoration 

project; Shopping at the 

Gertrud boutique comes 

highly recommended 

by Orna; The Shuk 

Hanamal is the perfect 

place to grab a picnic 

for the beach 

August in Tel Aviv is 

very hot, and time spent 

on one of its beaches 

will help you survive 

Street, tel. +972 (0)3 620 4753) for dinner. 

It’s difficult for me to suggest one dish to 

try – I think all the food is good – but I’ll go 

for the sweet-potato pancakes. It’s what 

we’re famous for… I will be known for them 

for the rest of my life! Our emphasis here 

is very much on offering healthy food and 

everything we do is homemade, including 

the bread and pasta. 

Fly to Tel Aviv with Brussels Airlines. 


FR Mon parcours de Tel Aviv 

Les habitants vous le diront : cette cité 

est le paradis de la cuisine, des arts et de la vie 

nocturne. Jamie Hakim a demandé au patron du 

restaurant Orna Agmon ses meilleures adresses 

Jour 1 9:00 Nous commençons la journée par un 

bon café et une salade – essayez le Café Noah (93 

rue Ahad Ha’Am)... 10:00 Juste derrière le coin, 

Habima (19 rue Leonardo Da Vinci), le théâtre 

national d’Israël, est surprenant... 12:30 Sarit Shani 

Hay (36 rue Nachmani) est un designer spécialisé 

en mobilier et en jouets... 13:00 Le Marché de la 

rue Levinsky est un endroit fantastique pour le 

lunch, avec pain, poisson, olives, fromage et 

bourekas (pâtisseries)... 14:30 Gan Hahashmal 

est le quartier qui monte avec une super 

atmosphère, rendez-vous des artistes... 16:00 

Neve Tzedek est un des plus anciens centres de 

Tel Aviv – de nombreuses constructions remontent 

à l’ère ottomane... 18:30 Mon endroit favori pour le 

coucher de soleil, Manta Ray sur la plage d’Alma... 

20:00 Dînez dans le restaurant/bar du célèbre 

chef Eyal Shani, Tzfon Abraxas (40 rue Lilenblum). 

Jour 2 9:00 Démarrez par Namal – au nord du 

port – et prenez un petit-déjeuner à emporter au 

marché Shuk Hanamal... 10:30 Dizengoff est la 

mecque du shopping. Pour la mode, je recommande 

Gertrud au 225... 12:30 Appréciez une falafel chez 

Gina (126 rue Menachem Begin)... 14:00 Deux de 

mes galeries préférées sont Hamidrasha (34 rue 

Dizengoff) et Shay Arie (61 Shlomo Ha Melech), 

véritables hubs de la scène locale... 16:00 Sautez 

dans un taxi direction Jaffa. Aussi ancienne que 

Jérusalem, derrière ses murs abondent restaurants, 

bars et magasins vintage... 18:00 Arrêtez-vous au 

bar Rothschild 12 (12 Boulevard Rothschild) pour 

l’apéro... 20:00 Je vous conseille Orna & Ella (33 

rue Shenkin) pour le dîner, surtout leurs 

emblématiques pancakes de pommes de terre. 

NL Mijn Tel Aviv 

De inwoners beschouwen hun stad als 

een eldorado voor keuken, kunst en nachtleven 

en dus liet Jamie Hakim zich rondleiden door 

restauranteigenaar Orna Agmon 

Dag 1 9:00 We beginnen de dag met heerlijke 

koffie en sla in Café Noah (Ahad Ha’Am Street 

93)... 10:00 Net om de hoek: Habima (Leonardo 

Da Vinci Street 19), de verbluffend mooie 

nationale schouwburg van Israël... 12:30 Sarit 

Shani Hay (Nachmani Street 36): designer, 

gespecialiseerd in interieur, meubelen en 

speelgoed... 13:00 Levinsky Street Market: een 

aanrader voor een middagmaal met brood, vis, 

olijven, kaas en bourekas (gebak)... 14:30 Gan 

Hahashmal: een veelbelovende wijk met een 

fantastische sfeer en veel kunstenaars... 16:00 

Neve Tzedek: een van de oudste wijken van Tel 

Aviv – veel gebouwen uit het Ottomaans tijdperk, 

nu met appartementen, restaurants en boetieks... 

18:30 Mijn favoriete plek om naar de 

zonsondergang te kijken: Manta Ray op het Almastrand... 

20:00 Diner in het restaurant van 

“celebrity chef” Eyal Shani: Tzfon Abraxas 

(Lilenblum Street 40). 

Dag 2 9:00 Eerst naar Namal – noordelijke haven 

– voor een picknickontbijt op de Shuk Hanamalmarkt... 

10:30 Dizengoff Street: dé winkelstraat – 

voor mode: Gertrud (op nr. 225)... 12:30 Naar Gina 

voor een verse falafel (Menachem Begin Road 

126)... 14:00 Twee van mijn favoriete galerijen: 

Hamidrasha (Dizengoff Street 34) en Shay Arie 

(Shlomo Ha Melech 61)... 16:00 Met de taxi naar 

Jaffa: even oud als Jeruzalem, met oude muren en 

restaurants, bars en klassewinkels... 18:00 

Rothschild 12 (Rothschild Boulevard 12): de 

ideale bar voor het aperitief... 20:00 Voor het 

avondeten naar Orna & Ella (Shenkin Street 33); 

zin in de vermaarde aardappelpannenkoeken? 


BELGIUM Population 10,431,477 Currency Euro GDP 

BRUSSELS 

† €26,700 Dialling code +32 

Airport code BRU Average temp (Aug) 17°C 

There’s music in the air 

this month as the Brussels 

Summer Festival (12-21 

August, bsf-brussels 

summerfestival.be) brings 

more than 30 concerts to 

bars, clubs and open-air 

stages in the Mont des 

Arts. Nick Haslam is 

our city guide 

PLACE ROYALE 

Flanked by graceful 18th-century 

buildings, Place Royale sits at the 

cultural core of the city centre. 

SLEEP Best Western Hotel Royal Centre 

(160 Rue Royale, bestwestern.com, 

tel. (0)2 219 0065, rooms from €79) is 

a smart, modern hotel within minutes of 

both the Royal Palace and Grand’Place. 

EAT Kwint (1 Mont des Arts, tel. (0)2 

505 9595) is an eclectic blend of 

restaurant, delicatessen and art gallery, 

with a series of rippling sculptures which 

seem to flow from the bar. Foie gras, 

truffles and wild salmon are all on offer. 

The Bozar Brasserie (Palais des Beaux- 

Arts, 3 Rue Baron Horta, tel. (0)2 503 

0000) in the centre for fine arts is 

slightly lighter on the pocket, with an 

excellent menu of European cuisine. 

CULTURE The Royal Palace (16 Rue 

Brederode, monarchie.be) is open for 

two months every summer, showing 

priceless art and furniture from all over 

the world. Don’t miss the new ceiling in 

the hall of mirrors, made up of more 

than a million shells from scarab beetles. 

In an art deco former department store, 

the Musical Instruments Museum (2 Rue 

Montagne de la Cour, mim.be) features 

four floors of instruments, with an audio 

system that enables you to listen to them. 

INFO 

Brussels Airport is 

15km 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. 

Bus The bus 

station is a level 

below the arrivals 

hall. The 12 to the 

city centre departs 

every 30 minutes; 

one-way tickets 

cost €3. 

Taxi The journey 

to the city centre 

costs €25-€35 and 

takes 25 minutes. 

Tourist offi ce 

The main offi ce is 

on the Grand’Place 

(tel. (0)2 513 8940, 

visitbrussels.be). 

Leafy luxury in the 

pretty garden of 

hotel Le Châtelain 

LATER The Marquee (20-22 Rue Sainte- 

Anne) is a club that’s popular with the 

well-heeled young set of Brussels’ 

classiest quarter. International live 

bands play hip-hop, funk and pop. 

TIP The restaurant and café on top of 

the Music Instrument Museum offers 

wonderful views of the city. 

CHÂTELAIN 

This smart quarter of prosperous 

terraced houses set around leafy 

squares features many small shops 

and friendly bars, which overflow 

on to the pavement during hot 

summer days. 

SLEEP Le Châtelain (17 Rue du Châtelain, 

tel. (0)2 646 0055, le-chatelain.com, 

rooms from €99), just off the fashionable 

Avenue Louise in the heart of this 

quarter, is a stylish, comfortable hotel 

with a private garden. There’s also a 

fitness centre on the top floor. 

You can book 

your train tickets 

from the airport to 

Brussels city centre 

on our website. See 


for details. 

PIERRE CHARPIN AU GRAND-HORNU 

> 11.09.2011 

VINGT ANNÉES DE TRAVAIL 

EAT La Piola (2 Rue du Page, tel. (0)2 

538 9129) serves the best Italian food 

in the quarter, with an excellent-value 

lunch menu and a lovely leafy courtyard 

for an aperitif after 6pm. Quincaillerie 

(45 Rue du Page, tel. (0)2 533 9833), 

in a restored ironmonger’s shop, serves 

top brasserie food. 

SHOP Les Petits Riens (101 Rue 

Américaine) is an extraordinary charity 

shop that sprawls over three floors, 

selling everything from retro clothing to 

bicycles – you may well pick up a bargain. 

Eden (27 Rue du Page) sells tea from 

all over the world – sample a few before 

choosing the brew for you. 

BOURSE 

This bustling downtown area 

minutes from the Grand’Place has 

leading fashion shops, the city’s 

best cafés and the lovely opera 

house within easy walking distance. 

SLEEP Brussels Marriott (3-7 Rue 

Auguste Orts, tel. (0)2 516 9090, 

marriott.com, rooms from €129) offers 

elegant rooms just five minutes from 

Grand’Place. Plaza Hotel, (118-126 

Boulevard Adolphe Maxlaan, tel. (0)2 278 

0100, leplaza-brussels.be, rooms from 

€200) is owned by Baron Jean van Gysel 

de Meise, so expect well-bred luxury. 

The hotel has a fascinating history, with 

famous faces from Winston Churchill 

to Brigitte Bardot passing through its 

doors since it opened in the 1930s. 

EAT Comme Chez Soi (23 Place Rouppe, 

tel. (0)2 512 2921) specialises in French 

cuisine, with menus ranging from a 

simple lunch to a seven-course dinner 

served in an elegant art deco salon. 

Le Kokob (10 Rue des Grands Carmes, 

tel. (0)2 511 1950) serves up Ethiopian 

food and live music. 

www.grand-hornu-images.be 

†PER COUNTRY PER CAPITA 


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For individuals: www.wavekarting.com 

For B2B incentives & team building: www.nuquestevents.com 

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 

L’été prend ses quartiers à La Truffe Noire 

« Dans le nouveau décor de notre terrasse, je vous invite à découvrir les étonnantes surprises que 

nous réserve encore la truffe d’été. Sous le soleil de midi ou au clair de lune, son parfum se marie 

 

subtilités du diamant noir. » 

Luigi Ciciriello Owner Of La Truffe Noire 

Notre accueillante terrasse et son mur végétal


BRUSSELS 


Coastline 66.5km Border Countries France, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands 

CULTURE The Église St-Nicolas (1 Rue 

au Beurre) is a delightful little church 

that’s nearly 1,000 years old and 

holds a small painting by Rubens, 

Virgin and Child. Look carefully in this 

apparently peaceful spot for a French 

cannon ball, fired during the siege of 

1695, that’s still lodged in the stonework 

of the arched ceiling. 

SHOP Privejoke (76-78 Rue Marché au 

Charbon) is where to shop for the latest 

fashions for men and women. Whazup 

(14 Rue des Chartreux) sells quirky 

presents, from a radio-controlled 

helicopter to personalised balloons. 

LATER Cartagena (70 Rue du Marché au 

Charbon) plays the best salsa music 

in town, with live bands and dancing. 

WATERMAEL-BOITSFORT 

This lovely quarter has the 

atmosphere of a country village, 

with its own square, cafés and 

markets. A popular residential 

area for artistic city dwellers, 

the centre of Brussels is only 

15 minutes away by tram. 

SLEEP Au Repos des Chasseurs (11 

Avenue Charle-Albert, tel. (0)2 660 4672, 

repos-des-chasseurs.com, rooms from 

€90) has gardens that border the vast 

Forêt de Soignes, while its restaurant is 

known for excellent Bruxellois cuisine. 

Noël’s Bed & Breakfast (305 Chaussée 

de la Hulpe, tel. (0)495 282016, bbnoel. 

weebly.com, rooms from €80) is a 

terraced house close to the lovely 

Tournay-Solvay Park. 

EAT Miladiou (2 Place Andrée Payfa- 

Fosseprez, tel. (0)2 660 4230) serves 

hearty dishes in a friendly, bohemian 

atmosphere; its bar is a popular meeting 

place for the inhabitants of Boitsfort. 

The quirky Crabe Fantôme (17C Avenue 

Du Bois de la Cambre, tel. (0)2 660 

8145) offers a varied menu of French 

and Thai dishes, served in a restored 

colonial passenger ship complete with 

captain’s lounge, navigation area and 

promenade deck. 

68 


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 Abbaye du Rouge Cloître 

For more 

(4 Rue de Rouge-Cloître) is a beautiful 

information about 

places to stay, 

priory in a rolling park that dates from 

things to do and 

much more, go to 

visitbelgium.com 

the 14th century; it’s now an exhibition 

space with a café, fish ponds and gardens 

See pages 70-71 – popular with families and walkers. 

for a special double 

Belgian city focus. 

This issue: Kortrijk 

SHOP At the Sunday Market (Place 

Antoine Gilson, 8am-1pm) you can join 

and Spa 

locals browsing stalls selling everything 

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 

from organic vegetables to handmade 

clothes, or just sip white wine with fresh 

oysters under the trees in the square. 

€99 * 

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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 

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RESTAURANT | TEA-ROOM 

SANDWICHES | ICE-BAR 

COFFEE-SHOP | FRITES 

BOUTIQUE 

RESTAURANT 

Fermé dimanche et lundi soir 

Avenue Louise 300 

1050 Bruxelles 

Tél.: 02 640 54 55 

www.atelier.truffenoire.com 

Rue Marché aux Herbes, 113 - 1000 Bruxelles 

Tel: +32 (0) 2 514 01 71 

(Near Grand-Place and Galerie Agora) 

www.belgiumwaffl e.com 

BRUSSELS AND ITS DELIGHTS... 

For anyone who comes to Brussels, the local 

cuisine is obvious. Here you can find real 

culinary delights, such as the Waterzooi with 

chicken or seafood, stew simmered in beer and 

vol-au-vent. Of course, we should not forget the 

famous Belgian fries the reputation of which is 

second to none. Accompanied by sauces, they 

are undoubtedly part of the culture of Brussels. 

There is also the delicious light and airy waffle 

of Brussels, to be enjoyed plain or covered with 

fruit and whipped cream. In addition to this 

delight, there is the well-known Liège waffle 

Rue de la Madeleine, 1 - 1000 Bruxelles 

Tel: +32 (0) 2 514 01 71 

(Near Grand-Place and Galerie Agora) 

www.belgianfrites.be 

Un moment de détente à L’Atelier de La Truffe Noire 

filled with caramelized sugar. Who could resist 

these local delicacies? 

So do not hesitate! You cannot stroll along 

the Grand Place and in the historical center of 

the city without visiting one of our welcoming 

establishments, offering visitors authentic dishes. 

Have a good visit 

and enjoy your meal! 

Breakfast Sandwichs Lunch & Dinner Pancake & Waffles Frites Hamburgers Sanwiches +Frites Paninis 

« La truffe est aussi un délice d’été. Pour preuve, les étonnantes préparations que nous vous 

invitons à découvrir dans notre Atelier, au cœur de Bruxelles. Mariages de fraicheur et de couleurs, 

dans lesquels la truffe se décline à la façon « de tous les jours », à savourer dans notre cadre 

trendy et branché. » 

Gil Van Haut Gérant de L’Atelier La Truffe Noire


KORTRIJK 


Average temp (Aug) 18°C 

A charming city in West 

Flanders with Gallo- 

Roman roots, Kortrijk’s 

medieval architecture 

remains remarkably 

intact. Head to town 

on the weekend of 20 

August to join the allnight 

fun of the annual 

Summer Carnival (zomer 

carnaval.be). Aurélie 

Maes is our city guide 

GROTE MARKT 

This is the centre of the city, where 

you’ll find restaurants, cafés, 

historic buildings, shops and 

a place for complete seclusion. 

SLEEP Hotel Messeyne (17 

Groeningestraat, tel. (0)56 212166, 

hotelmesseyne.be, rooms from €135) 

is stylish and intimate, with fantastic 

personalised service. Best Western 

Hotel Belfort (53 Grote Markt, tel. (0)56 

222220, belforthotel.be, rooms from 

€93) is a cosy hotel with great views 

of the main square. 

EAT Brasserie César (2 Grote Markt, 

tel. (0)56 222260) is typically French – 

try the steak tartare, prepared at your 

table. Beau-M (22 Grote Markt, tel. (0)56 

224220) offers an extensive menu and a 

wonderful atmosphere – good value too. 

CULTURE The Begijnhof is an oasis of 

peace in the city centre, a collection of 

around 40 small baroque houses from 

the 17th century. The Broelmuseum 

(6 Broelkaai) offers a fine selection of 

works by artists who lived or worked in 

Kortrijk. An exhibition of the Dutch 

Golden Age painter Roelandt Savery 

runs until the end of September. 

SHOP Bytt ebier (7a Jozef Vandaleplein) 

is a trendy shop with funky designs in 

cooking utensils, jewellery and porcelain. 

At Ad hoc (3 Lekkerbeetstraat) you’re 

bound to find the ideal gift as it stocks 

a huge range, from the smallest object 

to the quirkiest gadget. If you’re a 

70 


IMAGE VZW TOERISME KORTRIJK 

INFO 

Brussels Airport 

is around 85km 

east of Kortrijk. 

Train Take a train 

to Brussels Nord 

from the airport, 

from where 

you can get a 

connecting train 

to Kortrijk. The 

whole journey 

will take about an 

hour and a half, 

and cost about 

€15. There are also 

occasional direct 

trains from the 

airport to Kortrijk. 

Taxi A journey to 

Kortrijk city centre 

from the airport 

will cost from 

€125 and take 

a good hour. 


The offi ce is at 

the Begijnhofpark 

(tel. (0)56 277840, 

kortrijk.be) 

The 17th-century houses of the 

Begijnhof number among 

Kortrijk’s historical gems 

caffeine lover, head to Kortrijks 

Koffiehuis (20 Leiestraat), where the 

barista owner offers expert advice. 

LATER Dell’Anno’s Lounge (8 Sint- 

Maartenkerkhof) is above an exquisite 

restaurant and offers a cosy atmosphere. 

The rooftop terrace is great for drinks 

in the summer sun. 

TIP Every Monday morning an open-air 

market stretches from the Grote Markt 

to Doorniksestraat and Schouwburgplein. 

There’s also a food market on Friday 

afternoons in the Sint-Amandsplein. 

DOOR NIKSEWIJK 

With the best variety of shopping 

in the city, this long street is 

perfect for combining a nice walk 

with some serious retail therapy. 

SLEEP Full House Hotel (35b 

Burgemeester Pyckestraat, tel. (0)56 

210059, full-house.be, rooms from €90) 

has a classic façade, behind which lies 

cosiness, hospitality and a garden. 

EAT Table d’Amis (184 Walle, tel. (0)56 

328270) has been named ‘Discovery of 

the Year’ in the 2011 Gault Millau guide. 

Book to discover why this intimate 

restaurant is a rising culinary star. 

Belgian 

city 

focus 

#1 

CULTURE Visit the Vlasmuseum (4 

Etienne Sabbelaan) to learn all about flax 

– once the main driver of Kortrijk’s 

economy. It explains the process from 

cultivation to harvesting, and how the 

plant was interwoven with everyday life. 

Or visit the Rozentuin (218 Kasteel 

t’Hooghe Doorniksesteenweg), where you 

can view more than 300 varieties of rose 

species, as well as new hybrids. 

STATION 

This previously neglected area 

is making a comeback with 

renovated premises offering 

culture and entertainment. 

SLEEP D-hotel (1 Abdijmolenweg, tel. 

(0)56 212100, d-hotel.be, rooms from 

€119) offers both sleek, modern rooms 

and a historic windmill on the side. Look 

out for special touches, such as access to 

an iPod touch during your stay to give 

you all the information you’ll need for 

exploring the area. 

EAT La dolce vita (10 Stationsstraat, 

tel. (0)56 203630) offers great Italian 

dishes at reasonable prices and a 

welcoming, Tuscan-style interior. 

CULTURE De Cellaar (13 

Hoveniersstraat) is an art gallery with 

paintings and modern art. It’s a great 

place to pick up some ideas and pieces. 

De Kortrijkse Schouwburg (14 

Schouwburgplein) stages all kinds of 

performing arts. The building dates 

from 1920 and is a théâtre à l’italienne 

(horseshoe-shaped theatre). 

LATER At Falstaff (1 Stationsstraat) 

you can enjoy a relaxing aperitif or 

cocktail, or choose from a wide range 

of local beers. For a taste of island life 

head to La Bodeguita del Medio (9 

Stationsstraat) and its Cuban food, 

cigars, music and mojitos. 

€99 * 

FROM JUST 

RETURN, 









.there! MAGAZINE PROMOTION 

hard talk Drieu Godefridi, COGITO (soutien aux étudiants) 

« Un étudiant en blocus 

assisté multiplie par 

quatre ses chances de 

réussite » 

Drieu Godefridi, vous êtes administrateur 

de Cogito, une entreprise que vous 

avez créée il y a dix ans. On parle beaucoup 

de Cogito actuellement, en raison 

de vos taux de réussite importants. 

Vous connaissez le principe de cette 

interview : Hard Talk, sur le modèle de 

la BBC, c’est-à-dire sans concession. 

Avant d’entrer dans la vif du sujet, 

présentez-nous brièvement Cogito. 

Cogito accompagne les étudiants du 

supérieur et du secondaire vers la réussite 

de leurs examens, à l’aide de différentes 

formules dont, cet été, le blocus 

assisté pour les étudiants du supérieur 

et le stage d’étude pour les étudiants du 

secondaire. Ouvrez le feu ! 

Cogito soutient que ses taux 

de réussite sont importants. 

Pourquoi le seraient-ils davantage 

que vos concurrents ? 

Il existe différents modèles de soutien 

scolaire : ceux qui travaillent en « noir », 

le modèle français et le nôtre. Le modèle 

français consiste à faire donner cours 

à des étudiants par d’autres étudiants, 

rémunérés 13 euros de l’heure. Nous 

avons fait le choix de ne travailler qu’avec 

des universitaires diplômés rémunérés 

entre 20 et 25 euros de l’heure. Économiquement, 

c’était un défi. Mais nous 

étions gagnants sur le plan de la qualité 

et le pari s’est avéré réussi. Ainsi, nous 

constatons qu’un étudiant en blocus 

assisté multiplie par quatre ses chances 

de réussite, ce qui est appréciable. 

Vous accueillez des étudiants de Solvay, 

en médecine, en droit à l’UCL, etc. 

Comment peut-on être compétent en 

tout ? 

Eh bien pour la simple raison qu’en 

blocus assisté, nous composons le 

cadre de nos formateurs en fonction 

des besoins de nos étudiants et qu’il 

y a toujours, parmi nos 400 collaborateurs, 

l’interlocuteur qu’il faut à chaque 

étudiant ! 

J’ai une seconde session, on est en 

août. Il est trop tard pour m’aider ? 

Jusqu’à la veille du dernier examen, 

on pourra toujours faire quelque chose 

pour vous, y compris si vous êtes dans le 

secondaire ! 

Drieu Godefridi, merci ! 

Cogito SA FS 

fr.cogitobelgium.com 

078 056 056


SPA 


Average temp (Aug) 16°C 

A picturesque valley town 

in eastern Belgium, Spa is 

famous for its healing 

waters and the Formula 

One Belgian Grand-Prix 

(26-28 August) – making 

this month the perfect 

time to dip into the ‘Pearl 

of the Ardennes’. Renée 

Cordes is our city guide 

THERMES AND CENTRE 

Soothe away your cares in the 

thermal waters before exploring 

this compact, historic town. 

SLEEP The Radisson Blu Palace Hotel 

(39 Place Royale, tel. (0)87 279700, 

radissonblu.com/palacehotel-spa, rooms 

from €174) is linked to Les Thermes du 

Spa by a funicular. It offers various 

packages, including the one-night Spa 

Getaway for two (from €148 per person), 

which includes a three-course dinner, 

breakfast and one-day unlimited access 

to the Thermes. The hotel also has its own 

sauna, Turkish bath and fitness centre. 

EAT Le Grand Maur (41 Rue Xhrouet, 

tel. (0)87 773616), in an 18th-century 

house, serves elegant Belgian classics 

and is popular for Sunday brunch. 

CULTURE Thermes du Spa (Colline 

d’Annette et Lubin) offers 800 square 

metres of natural-spring pools and a rich 

variety of therapeutic baths, massages 

and other treatments for every ailment. 

Alternatively, book a factory tour of 

Belgian mineral-water producer Spa 

Monopole (103 Rue Colonel Bourg). 

SHOP The Parc de Sept-Heures hosts 

a flea market every Sunday morning, 

peddling everything from antique 

watches to vintage Tintin comics under 

the metal-roofed Galerie Léopold II. 

radissonblu.com 

Water wonderland: experience 

the natural healing powers 

of the Thermes du Spa 

INFO 

Brussels Airport 

is around 135km 

northwest of Spa. 

Train From 

Brussels airport, 

take a train to 

Brussels Nord, 

from where there 

are hourly trains to 

Spa, changing at 

Verviers and taking 

just under 2.5 

hours. A return 

tickets costs about 

€36, and Spa’s 

station is in the 

centre of town. 

Car Driving is 

a great way to 

explore Spa and 

the surrounding 

countryside. If 

hiring a car from 

Brussels, the 

journey will take 

around 90 minutes. 



at 41 Place Royale 

(tel. (0)87 795353, 

spa-info.be). 

This month you can also enjoy free 

concerts here on Sundays. 

LATER Try your luck in the opulent game 

rooms of the Casino (4 Rue Royale). 

This was once the world’s oldest, built 

in 1763 – the current building went 

up in the early 20th century. 

TIP The Spa tourist office (41 Place 

Royale) organises guided hikes of 

the area’s flora and fauna, as well as 

tailor-made tours for groups. 

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS 

RACING CIRCUIT 

This 7km circuit, a fast and hilly 

track that winds through the lovely 

Ardennes forest, is considered 

one of the world’s finest and 

most challenging. 

SLEEP Hôtel de la Source (22 Route du 

Circuit, tel. (0)87 795800, hotel-de-lasource.com, 

rooms from €160) is right on 

the racing circuit, with clear views of the 

Rejuvenate. 

Pamper mind and body at our two hotels in Spa. 

Belgian 

city 

focus 

#2 

track from its suite terraces. The room 

décor is minimalist but comfortable, and 

the wellness centre has a Finnish sauna. 

EAT Le Val d’Amblève (7 Route de 

Malmedy, tel. (0)80 281440) specialises 

in fine French cuisine. For something 

more informal, try the Pit Brasserie 

(26B Place du Marché, Battice, tel. 

(0)87 306460). 

CULTURE In the town of Stavelot, 

the renovated abbey houses the Spa- 

Francorchamps Racetrack Museum. The 

archaeological remains of the 11thcentury 

building are also worth seeing. 

TIP Petrolheads can sign up to do a 

couple of laps of the racetrack in their 

own car or a rental vehicle. 

CHAUDFONTAINE 

A 25-minute drive from town, 

Chaudfontaine hosts Belgium’s 

only natural hot-water springs. 

SLEEP The Château des Thermes 

(9 Rue Hauster, tel. (0)4 367 8067, 

chateaudesthermes.com, rooms from 

€99) is a luxury spa hotel with naturally 

heated indoor and outdoor pools and 

a modern wellness centre complete 

with ‘zen garden’. 

EAT Le Clos Fontaine (52 Avenue des 

Thermes, tel. (0)4 366 0363) is a ‘slow 

food’ restaurant that serves innovative, 

palate-tickling dishes. 

CULTURE The Source O Rama (78 

Avenue des Thermes) museum tells the 

story of Chaudfontaine’s hot springs 

with interactive exhibits, including 

a four-dimensional film. 

€99 * 

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GREECE Population 10,760,136 Currency Euro GDP 

ATHENS 


Airport code ATH Flight frequency Twice daily Average temp (Aug) 27°C 

Athens continues to 

host its Greek Festival 

2011 in August, with art 

exhibitions and theatrical 

performances among the 

many cultural events on 

off er. There’s an extra 

leisurely vibe to the city 

this month as many 

Athenians take their 

holidays, making it an 

ideal time to visit. Carole 

French is our city guide 

MONÁSTIRAKI 

Revolving around the picturesque 

Plateía Monastirakíou, this buzzy 

city centre district is full of ancient 

treasures to explore. 

SLEEP Pella Inn (104 Ermou, tel. 210 

321 2229, pellainn.gr, rooms from €60) 

is a modern, welcoming and convenient 

place to stay, right in the heart of ancient 

Athens. The hotel’s roof terrace provides 

great views of the city and Acropolis 

and is a welcome shady refuge during 

the hottest hours of the day. 

EAT To Kouti (23 Adrianou, tel. 210 321 

3229), meaning ‘the box’, is a fashionable 

restaurant in a period building that’s 

decorated in vibrant colours. A good 

place to dine on Greek dishes in the 

lively company of locals. 

CULTURE Look out for the little 

honey-stone Kapnikarea church (off 

Ermou Street), which stands confidently 

as the crowds go about their business. 

It’s one of the finest examples of 

Byzantine architecture in the city. 

SHOP Off Plateía Monastirakíou are 

the lanes Areos and Pandrósou, which 

are full of tiny shops selling local 

pottery, hand-threaded jewellery 

and embroidered tablecloths. 

TIP You’ll find all your basic needs – 

internet access, ATMs, pharmacies, 

cafés and fashion shops – along Ermou 

Street, the main thoroughfare that runs 

through the district. 


INFO 

Athens International 

Airport, Elfthérios 

Venizélos, is 

located about 

33km from the city 

centre, at Spáta. 

Bus Airport 

buses to Plateía 

Syntágmatos 

(Syntagma Square) 

leave at 10-minute 

intervals. The 

journey time is 

around 50 minutes, 

costing €3.20. 

Metro You can 

catch metro and 

light railway 

trains to Plateía 

Syntágmatos, 

which take about 


cost €6. 

Taxi A taxi for the 

same journey costs 

around €25, taking 

30 minutes. 


An offi ce can be 

found at 26 

Amalias (tel. 210 

331 0392, gnto.gr). 

The Archaeological Museum 

has been preserving ancient 

Greek art for over 100 years 

KYPSELI 

This leafy district to the north of 

Athens is known for its art deco 

architecture, the city’s largest park 

(Pedion tou Areos) and fabulous 

shopping along Fokionos Negri. 

SLEEP Hotel Exis (1 Spartis, tel. 210 

866 2111, exishotel.gr, rooms from €50) 

is a beautifully renovated Athenian 

mansion that exudes a feeling of 

elegance. Request a room with a Jacuzzi 

to relax in after a hard day’s sightseeing. 

EAT Arhontospito (14 Spartis, tel. 210 

867 6122) offers an entire evening of 

entertainment. Sample the mezédhes 

– dozens of little dishes featuring 

everything from dips to kleftiko (lamb) 

– then enjoy some live Greek music. 

CULTURE The National Archaeological 

Museum (44 Patissíon, tel. 210 821 

7724, namuseum.gr) is the country’s 

largest museum and one of the most 

important in the world; amongst its 

treasures is an amazing collection 

of Greek antiquities dating from 

prehistoric times. 

SHOP Head for Fokionos Negri on a 

Tuesday morning for Kypseli’s famous 

farmer’s market, stretching all the way 

down to Patissíon, or on a Saturday, 

when the theme is organic produce. 

LATER The Karabani Club (corner of 

Zakynthou) is reached by a short stroll 

along the pedestrianised Fokionos Negri 

until you reach the Ancient Agora. It 

hosts great live rembetíka music, the 

Greek equivalent of blues . 

TIP The Archaeological Museum has 

two cafés, inside and out, serving an 

imaginative selection of salads and 

light lunches. 

THÍSSIO 

Lying in the shadow of the 

Acropolis and yet away from the 

touristy bustle of Pláka, Thíssio has 

an upmarket feel with jazz clubs, 

art galleries and a café society. 

SLEEP Jason Inn (12 Asomaton, tel. 210 

325 1106, douros-hotels.com, rooms 

from €75) is centrally located, with 

pleasant rooms and a roof terrace that 

looks out over the city and the Acropolis. 

EAT Kuzina (9 Adrianou, tel. 210 324 

0133) is where to dine on fine Greek 

dishes and wine – its cellar is legendary. 

Chill on the Tarazza roof terrace bar 

before stepping inside to admire the 

works on display in its art gallery. 

CULTURE A stay in Thíssio gives you 

the opportunity to take a leisurely stroll 

along Dionysíou Areopagitou and visit 

the ancient Odeon of Herodes Atticus, 

one of the venues hosting performances 

as part of the annual Greek Festival 

(greekfestival.gr). 

LATER The Loop (3 Plateía Asomaton) 

is a ‘freestyle’ bar, dance and live-music 

venue that attracts the trendy set. 

If you love hip-hop, electro or jazz, be 

sure to seek it out. 

TIP The Temple of Hephaestus can 

be found in Thíssio – it’s one of the 

best-preserved ancient temples in 

Greece, and well worth visiting. 

€139 * 

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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 †PER COUNTRY PER CAPITA 

SPAIN Population 46,754,784 Currency Euro GDP 

BARCELONA 


Airport code BCN Flight frequency Four times daily Average temp (Aug) 24°C 

This city may be at its 

steamiest in August, 

but with rooftop pools, 

shady courtyards and 

kilometres of sand, there 

are plenty of ways to 

stay cool. Barcelona also 

reinforces its reputation 

as a party town this 

month with the weeklong 

Gràcia fi estas. Judy 

Thomson is our city guide 

LA RAMBLA 

One of the world’s most famous 

boulevards sees a constant flow 

of colourful characters. 

SLEEP Hotel 1898 (109 La Rambla, tel. 

93 552 9552, hotel1898.com, rooms 

from €215) has a grand colonial 

atmosphere and a rooftop pool (open 

all year). Bagués (105 La Rambla, tel. 

93 343 5000, derbyhotels.com, rooms 

from €190) is the latest opening on the 

city’s boutique hotel scene. A former 

jewellery studio, it’s adorned with gold 

leaf, ebony and an elegant roof with 

a slimline swimming pool. 

EAT La Xina (3 Pintor Fortuny, tel 93 

342 9628) serves tasty dim sum in 

suitably lacquered surroundings. 

La Boqueria (89 La Rambla) is a bustling 

market where you can pull up a stool at 

any of the bars – enjoy poached eggs 

and a glass of cava for breakfast, or 

grilled fresh fish for lunch. 

CULTURE Look out for outdoor concerts 

at information centre La Virreina (99 La 

Rambla), an 18th-century palace and 

visual arts exhibition space. 

LATER La Isabela (109 La Rambla) is 

the Hotel 1898’s cocktail bar, with an 

amazing 360° view. The more down-to- 

IMAGE PAU FABREGAT 

INFO 

El Prat Airport is 

12km 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 


to Sants and 

Passeig de Gràcia 

from 6.08am until 

11.38pm and take 

about half an hour. 

Tickets from €2.80. 

Taxi To the centre 

will cost around 

€25, depending 

on the traffi c and 

amount of luggage. 


The main branch is 

at Plaça Catalunya 

(tel. 93 285 3832, 

barcelonaturisme. 

com). 

Summer sounds: enjoy 

live jazz on the rooftop of 

Gaudí’s Pedrera this month 

earth terraces of Plaça Reial, a majestic 

square lined with bars and restaurants, 

are good for people watching. 

TIP As you stroll La Rambla, keep an eye 

out for a Miró mosaic underfoot. 

EIXAMPLE 

In contrast to the winding, narrow 

streets of the old town, this 

19th-century area is laid out on a 

grid system and holds the city’s 

best moderniste architecture. 

EAT Tragaluz (5 Passatge de la 

Concepció, tel. 93 487 0621) was one 

of Barcelona’s original ‘designer 

restaurants’. Recently renovated, it still 

serves excellent Mediterranean fare 

under its enormous tragaluz (skylight). 

CULTURE On August weekends a visit to 

Gaudí’s spectacular apartment block La 

Pedrera (261-265 Carrer de Provença, 

telentrada.com) winds up with live jazz 

and a glass of cava on its amazing roof. 

READ OUR CITY GUIDES ONLINE 

at btheremag.com 

BARCELONETA 

This former fishermen’s quarter is 

now the gateway to the city’s 

golden beaches and a mecca for 

seafood lovers. 

SLEEP Marina Folch (16 Carrer Mar, tel. 

93 310 3709, hotelmarinafolchbcn.com, 

rooms from €65) is a family-run gem in 

the heart of Barceloneta. 

EAT Jai-ca (13 Carrer de Ginebra, 

tel. 93 319 5002) serves excellent 

seafood tapas at tables on a street 

corner. The cool beers from the long 

narrow bar of El Vaso de Oro (6 Carrer 

de Balboa, tel. 93 319 3098) are like 

nectar on a summer’s day, washing down 

tasty tapas like patatas bravas (fried 

potatoes) or pimientos de padrón (small 

green peppers, often picante/hot). 

LATER Eclipse (1 Plaça de la Rosa dels 

Vents) on the 26th floor of the W Hotel 

has amazing views – though the cocktail 

prices are also sky high. 

TIP Club Natació Atlètic (Plaça del Mar) 

has two public outdoor pools (one for 

kids) overlooking the sea. 

GRÀCIA 

Annexed to the city at the end of 

the 19th century, this district 

retains a village atmosphere. 

CULTURE For a week around 15 August 

Gràcia’s festa major is celebrated – one 

of the city’s best festivals. 

TIP The T10 metro and bus travelcard 

(about €8) is also valid on the train from 

Plaça Catalunya, either up the coast to 

Montgat Nord or south to Castelldefels. 

Perfect for a day out of town, it can be 

shared between two or more people. 

€99 * 

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brusselsairlines.com

HUNGARY Population 9,976,062 Currency Forint (HUF) GDP 

BUDAPEST 


Airport code BUD Flight frequency Twice daily Average temp (Aug) 21°C 

Budapest is at its liveliest 

in summer, especially 

when the crowds arrive 

for one of Europe’s largest 

music festivals, Sziget 

(10-15 August, sziget.hu). 

If you’re in town on 20 

August you’ll be rewarded 

with fi reworks over the 

Danube for St Stephen’s 

Day. On a more sombre 

note, the saint’s hand will 

also be paraded in the 

Basilica. Carolyn Banfalvi 

is our city guide 

WATERTOWN 

This charming neighbourhood 

underneath Buda Castle has 

winding cobblestone streets and 

some of the city’s oldest buildings. 

SLEEP Lánchíd 19 (19 Lánchíd Utca, 

tel. 1 419 1900, lanchid19hotel.hu, 

rooms from €75/HUF 20,00) is the city’s 

premier design hotel, with a fabulous 

location on the banks of the Danube. 

The rooms with spacious balconies are 

the most desirable. 

EAT Baldaszti’s (5-9 Lánchíd Utca, 

tel. 30 422 5981) is a café combined with 

a deli, serving simple, tasty dishes. The 

place has a modern vibe, with tables 

on the pavement in view of the river. 

Though Budapest is not known for its 

breakfast options, both Baldaszti’s and 

Coyote Café (4 Markovits Ignác Utca) 

offer a decent spread. Coyote also 

serves excellent coffee and cakes. 

CULTURE Head up to Buda Castle, 

where you’ll find the city’s National 

Gallery, History Museum, Military 

History Museum and National Library. 

SHOP Bortársasag (5 Lánchíd Utca) 

stocks an excellent selection of Hungarian 

wine and the potent local spirit pálinka 

(fruit brandy). MesterPorta (7 Corvin tér) 

specialises in beautiful, handmade 

Hungarian folk art, particularly linen 

and ceramics. 


IMAGE GEORGIJ MERJAS 

INFO 

Liszt Ferenc 

International 

Airport (formerly 

Ferihegy 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 €1.50/HUF 400. 

Train A railway 

connects Terminal 

1 to Nyugati. The 

journey takes 25 

minutes, trains are 

frequent, and cost 

€1.50/HUF 400. 

Taxi A taxi to the 

centre takes about 

30 minutes; the 

price is €21-24/ 

HUF 5,100-5,700. 

Or take the airport 

minibus, from 

€11/HUF 2,990. 


The Tourinform 

offi ce is at 2 Süto 

utca (tel. 1 438 

8080, budapestinfo. 

hu). 

You’ll want to linger over 

the tempting treats at 

deli-cum-bistro Baldaszti’s 

LATER Belgian Brasserie (12 Bem 

Rakpart, tel. 1 201 5082) has an 

extensive beer list and a kitchen that 

serves Belgian fare. 

CITY CENTRE 

With the highest concentration of 

great restaurants, fun bars and 

quirky boutiques, the belváros is 

worth exploring in as much detail 

as you have time for. 

SLEEP Boutique Hotel Zara (6 Só Utca, 

tel. 1 577 0700, zarahotels.com, rooms 

from €99/HUF 26,500) is a stylish haven 

just off the main shopping street. Feel 

like a local at Gerlóczy Rooms de Lux 

(1 Gerlóczy Utca, tel. 1 5014000, 

gerloczy.hu, rooms from €90/HUF 

24,000), where individually decorated 

rooms sit above a Parisian-style café. 

EAT Try Tigris Étterem (10 Mérleg 

Utca, tel. 1 317 3715) for high-end 

traditional Hungarian cuisine and 

impeccable service. Borkonyha (3 Sas 

Utca, tel. 1 266 0835) puts a modern 

twist on Hungarian cooking. Its wine 

list is one of the best in town. 

CULTURE St Stephen’s Basilica (Szent 

István Tér) houses one of Hungary’s 

code +36 

sacred treasures: the mummified right 

hand of St Stephen, the country’s founder. 

Climb to the top for panoramic city views. 

SHOP Mono Fashion (20 Kossuth Lajos 

Utca) carries clothing and accessories by 

young Hungarian designers. Retrock 

(28 Ferenczy István Utca) takes pieces 

of old clothing and gives them new life. 

LATER Drop Shop (27 Balassi Bálint 

Utca) is Budapest’s finest wine bar. 

TIP Need to rest your feet? Take a bench 

in Károlyi Garden, one of the loveliest 

squares in the city. 

ANDRÁSSY ÚT 

Budapest’s grandest boulevard 

begins near Erzsebet Tér and ends 

at Heroes’ Square, at the foot of 

City Park. The journey along the 

length of Andrássy út is one of 

Budapest’s great walking routes, 

and there are plenty of cafés along 

the way to stop for a rest. 

EAT Bookcafé (39 Andrássy út), one of 

the city’s most beautiful cafés, is on the 

first floor of a bookshop in a renovated 

art nouveau department store. EcoCafé 

(68 Andrássy út) serves coffee, fresh 

juices, sandwiches and pastries. Klassz 

(41 Andrássy út) mixes Hungarian and 

international cuisine and a short but 

sweet wine list. 

CULTURE The Ferenc Hopp Museum of 

East Asian Art (103 Andrássy út) and the 

György Ráth Museum (12 Városligeti 

Fasor) are old villas holding the Asian art 

collections of a Hungarian traveller. 

SHOP Omorovicza (2 Andrássy út) has 

created a line of high-end beauty 

products containing healing Hungarian 

mineral water. 

TIP It’s well worth walking the length 

of Andrássy út, but if you’re feeling 

weary on the way back you can hop on 

the underground metro that runs the 

length of the street. 

€99 * 

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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 †PER COUNTRY PER CAPITA



ITALY Population 61,016,804 Currency Euro GDP 

CATANIA 


Airport code CTA Flight frequency Five times weekly Average temp (Aug) 25°C 

Sicily’s second-largest 

city is full of summer 

attractions – the Playa 

beach for daytime 

sizzling, street-side cafés 

for music, then ice cream 

and people watching in 

the cool of the evening. 

You’re also close to 

sophisticated Taormina, 

the beach at Mazzarò and 

breezy Castelmola. Ellen 

Grady is our city guide 

THE CENTRE 

Streets in Catania all lead to the 

dramatically baroque Piazza Duomo 

and its cathedral to St Agatha, 

the patron saint of the city. The 

bustling fish market is also nearby. 

SLEEP Romano Palace (28 Viale Kennedy, 

tel. 095 596 7111, romanopalace.it, 

rooms from €145) is right on the Playa, 

Catania’s 8km sandy beach close to the 

airport. This luxurious hotel has colourful 

rooms, is surrounded by a large garden 

with a pool, and has a superb restaurant. 

You can also work off a little of the 

holiday excess on a jogging path through 

the Playa beach forest. Romano House 

(20 Via Giovanni Di Prima, tel. 095 352 

0611, romanohouse.com, rooms from 

€120) offers more of an elegant, citycentre 

atmosphere, and has a fitness 

centre on its rooftop terrace. For extra 

glamour, ask for a ‘nobile’ room, with 

frescoes and huge windows. 

EAT The rooftop restaurant at the Una 

Hotel Palace (218 Via Etnea, tel. 095 

250 5111) has views of Mount Etna, 

which guarantees cool dining on those 

hot August evenings. 

DRINK Etoile d’Or (7 Via Dusmet) is an 

old-fashioned café near the fish market 

that’s great at all times of the day. At 

dawn join the locals for coffee and fresh 

croissants; in the afternoon cool off with 

an ice cream brioche; then later you can 

mingle with the night owls of the city. 

INFO 

Fontanarossa 

Airport is 5km from 


Bus The Alibus 

shuttle service 

runs between the 

airport and the 

central station. 

It’s a 15-minute 

journey, with buses 

running every 20 

minutes from 

5am to midnight. 

The journey to 

Catania costs €2. 

Other services are 

available to all 

major Sicilian 

destinations, 

including Taormina 

and Palermo. 

Taxi The journey 


to the city centre 

for up to four 

passengers costs 

€30, and takes 

20-30 minutes 

(tel. 095 330966, 

24-hour service). 

All major car-hire 

companies are 

represented at 

the airport. 



at 172 Via Vittorio 

Emanuele II (tel. 

095 742 5573, apt. 

catania.it). 

Enjoy a private dip in 

one the kitsch suites at 

the Atlantis Bay hotel 

TAORMINA 

This enchanting hilltop town is 

just a short bus ride away from 

Catania. You can window shop 

for summer bargains along Corso 

Umberto, hop on the cable car 

to whizz down to the beach at 

Mazzarò or watch an opera at 

the Greek Theatre. 

EAT Gelatomania (7 Corso Umberto) 

has won many awards for its delectable 

ice cream. Try the mango flavour, made 

with home-grown fruit, or the crunchy 

Ferrero Rocher. 

CULTURE The Greek Theatre (Via del 

Teatro Greco), from its dizzying clifftop 

position, offers a stunning panorama 

over the Straits of Messina and Mount 

Etna. This ancient structure makes the 

perfect setting for evening performances 

presented by Taormina Arte (taorminaarte.com); 

August’s programme features 

two operas by Verdi – Nabucco (5, 9 

and 13) and Aida (7, 10 and 12) – with 

world-class performers. 

LATER Septimo (50 Via San Pancrazio) 

is the coolest hot spot in town for 

after-midnight hip-jiggling. Tasty food 

is available and the view is incredible. 

MAZZARÒ 

A corner of paradise at the foot of 

the mountain of Taormina, with 

sandy bays, clear blue sea and 

incredible views. 

SLEEP Atlantis Bay (161 Via Nazionale, 

tel. 094 261 8011, atlantisbay.it, rooms 

from €296) is a kitsch hotel that was 

built in the 1950s for the Hollywood 

stars who flocked to local film festivals – 

the likes of Hayworth, Grant, Dietrich, 

Taylor and Burton. It’s a series of 

terraces down to the Baia delle Sirene 

(Bay of Sirens). The Suite Atlantide has 

his-and-her bathrooms with Jacuzzi, a 

round bed with silk sheets, private pool, 

and comes with the services of a butler. 

EAT Barcaiolo (43 Via Castelluccio, 

tel. 094 262 5633) appears rustic, with 

a few tables on the beach among the 

fishing boats, but the food is sublime. 

Feast on local red shrimp, grilled 

swordfish or fried fresh anchovies, 

accompanied by local wine. 

CULTURE Castelluccio is right next to 

Atlantis Bay – if you can drag yourself 

away from the pool, the ruins of this old 

Roman castle are worth exploring. 

CASTELMOLA 

On a mountaintop soaring above 

Taormina is ancient Castelmola, one 

of Italy’s most beautiful villages. 

LATER Head to Caffé San Giorgio 

(Piazza San Antonino) for a glass of vino 

alla mandorla (chilled almond wine) 

– the drink was invented here. While 

you’re there, take a flick through the 

visitors’ book: Winston Churchill, Lord 

Mountbatten, Somerset Maugham, 

Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams 

have all stopped by. 

TIP Admire the view from the terrace in 

front of Castelmola’s cathedral, which 

takes in Mount Etna, Taormina and the 

east coast of Sicily. 

€139 * 

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PORTUGAL Population 10,760,305 Currency Euro GDP 

LISBON 


Airport code LIS Flight frequency Twice daily Average temp (Aug) 22°C 

Many Lisboetas depart for 

the beach during August, 

but there are plenty of 

reasons to stay urban. 

The city is hosting the 

Festival dos Oceanos 

(festivaldosoceanos.com), 

culminating in riverside 

fi reworks. Matthew 

Hancock is our city guide 

PRAÇA DO COMÉRCIO 

AND CAIS DO SODRÉ 

Praça do Comércio forms the hub 

of the Festival dos Oceanos events, 

while Cais do Sodré offers downto-earth 

shops and restaurants. 

SLEEP Travellers House (89 Rua 

Augusta, tel. 210 115922, travellers 

house.com, dorm beds from €24) has won 

awards for its pristine and stylish dorms. 

EAT Porto do Abrigo (16–18 Rua de 

Remolares tel. 213 460873) is nicely 

unpretentious in an area of the riverfront 

that’s increasingly upmarket. Expect 

good-value Portuguese dishes such as 

grilled salmon, octopus and shrimps. 

CULTURE Pátio da Galé (Praça do 

Comércio) is the city’s newest cultural 

space, on a corner of the historic square. 

It has restaurants and hosts free fado 

concerts on 1, 3, 8 and 10 August. 

SHOP Mercado da Ribeira (Rua Dom 

Luís I) is Lisbon’s vibrant main market. 

SALDANHA AND 

SÃO SEBASTIÃO 

Just north of Lisbon’s main park, 

these business districts also 

contain cultural attractions. 

SLEEP Fontana Park (2 Rua Eng Vieira 

da Silva, tel. 213 576212, fontanaparkhotel.com, 

rooms from €92) is designer 

INFO 

STAY 3 AND PAY 2* 

Lisbon (Portela) 

Airport is 7km 

north of the 

city centre. 

Bus The Aerobus 

leaves every 20-30 

minutes from 7am 

to 11pm for the city 

centre, terminating 

at Cais do Sodré. 

Tickets, which are 

valid all day, cost 

€3.95 and can be 

bought onboard. 

Taxi A 20-minute 

journey into the 

centre costs about 

€15, with an extra 

charge for luggage. 

Prices increase 

by 20% at night, 

weekends and 

on bank holidays. 


The Lisboa 

Welcome Centre, 

15 Rua do Arsenal 

(tel. 210 312700, 

visitlisboa.com). 

Valid for stays between the 01.08.2011-10.09.2011. *Based on the Best Available Rate. 

Send your request by email to reservations@fontanaparkhotel.com mentioning 

the following Promotion Code - BTHERE Magazine 2011. 

www.fontanaparkhotel.com 

High hopes: the Festival 

dos Oceanos off ers a 

range of performances 

heaven, with Philippe Starck baths, a 

sushi bar and chic fittings throughout. 

EAT Eleven (Rua Marquês de Fronteira, 

tel. 213 862211) has had a Michelin star 

and offers dazzling views over Lisbon. 

CULTURE The Gulbenkian (45a Avenida 

da Berna) is Lisbon’s premier cultural 

centre, containing the city’s best art 

museum and, throughout August, a jazz 

festival that’s been drawing top 

international performers since 1984. 

SHOP Campo Pequeno shopping centre 

has an array of local and international 

stores; Lisbon’s beautiful pseudo- 

Moorish bullring has been artfully 

modified to sit right above it. 

LATER The Panorama Bar (1 Rua Latino 

Coelho) at the Sheraton Hotel offers the 

best view of the city that you’re likely to 

get outside of an aeroplane. 

TIP Many museums will participate in 

Museums Nights on 4 and 11 August, 

with events from 6pm to midnight. 

CHIADO 

The main shopping district in the 

historic centre, much of Chiado 

was rebuilt in a traditional style 

after a fire in the 1980s. 

SLEEP Hotel Borges (108 Rua Garret, 

tel. 213 461951, lisbonhotelborges.com, 

rooms from €90) is right on Chiado’s 

main shopping street. This historic little 

hotel offers simple, well-priced rooms. 

EAT Faz Gostos LX (11 Rua Nova da 

Trindade tel. 213 472249) is the newest 

opening from chef Duval Pestana who, 

after making a name for himself in Faro, 

has launched this restaurant in a former 

convent – bringing the freshest flavours 

of the Algarve with him. 

CULTURE The Teatro Nacional de São 

Carlos (9 Rua Serpa Pinto) is the city’s 

main opera house, with a suitably 

dramatic rococo interior. 

CAPARICA 

Lisbon’s nearest seaside resort 

has a fantastic beach. 

SLEEP Hotel Costa da Caparica 

(47 Avenida General Humberto Delgado, 

costacaparicahotel.com, rooms from 

€100) is big, brash and offers four-star 

comforts right on the beachfront. 

EAT O Barbas (Rua Praia, tel. 212 

900163) has two neighbouring branches 

serving fresh fish on the promenade. 

LATER Tarquinio Bar (Muralha da Praia) 

is where the local surfers hang out, and 

makes a great place to grab a beanbag 

and a cocktail or two. 

TIP Take the mini train from Caparica to 

one of the 19 other beach stops along 

the coast, each with its own character. 

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FRANCE Population 62,814,233 Currency Euro GDP 

LYON 


Airport code LYS Flight frequency Four times daily Average temp (Aug) 20°C 

Lion-hearted Lyon roars 

with energy during the 

summer months. A hip 

cultural centre since the 

Lumière brothers invented 

cinema here, this month 

the Tout l’Monde Dehors 

festival (tlmd.lyon.fr) 

ensures the city is packed 

with music, comedy, fi lms 

and fêtes. Heidi Fullerlove 

is our city guide 

PRESQU’ÎLE 

Sandwiched between the Rhône 

and the Saône, the Presqu’ile is 

where to head if you want to be 

at the heart of the action. 

EAT Restaurant Nicolas Le Bec (14 

Rue Grolée, tel. (0)4 7842 1535) serves 

Nicolas Le Bec’s creative combinations 

of classic French dishes with exotic 

fruits and spices. Gourmet-loving Lyon 

is packed with great eateries, but this 

stylish place is one of the best. 

CULTURE Opéra de Lyon (Place de la 

Comédie) has been hailed as one of 

the top cultural venues in France. Its 

state-of-the-art auditorium is the 

magnificent setting for a spectacular 

programme of opera, ballet and 

concerts throughout August. 

SHOP Quartier Auguste Comte (14 

Rue Auguste Comte) sits between the 

Place Bellecour and Place Carnot and 

is a shoppers paradise of undercover 

stalls selling everything from antique 

rugs and ancient heirlooms to designer 

jewellery and fashionable clothing. 

LATER Le Voxx (1 Rue d’Algérie) is 

where Lyon’s beautiful people flock to 

see and be seen. Head to this laid-back 

riverside café to loll on sofas, sip 

cocktails or dance to acid jazz and funk. 

VIEUX LYON 

Jumbled along a narrow strip of 

land hedging the right bank of the 

Saône, the UNESCO world heritage 

IMAGE GUILLAUME PERRET 

INFO 

Saint Exupéry 


east of the centre. 

Tram The 

Rhônexpress tram 

links the airport 

and Lyon Part Dieu 

train station in less 

than 30 minutes. 

Located in the TGV 

station, tickets cost 

€13 for a single and 

€23 for a return 

and can be bought 

on board, by ticket 

machine or online 

(rhonexpress.fr). 

Allow 10 minutes 

from terminal 3. 

Taxi A taxi to the 

centre costs about 

€55 during the day 

and €70 at night, 

and takes about 

30 minutes. 



at Place Bellecour 

(tel. (0)4 7277 6969, 

lyon-france.com). 

Become part of local life with 

a range of free events as part of 

the Tout l’Monde Dehors festival 

site of old Lyon is endlessly 

charming. Make time to explore 

its narrow corridor-like traboules 

and medieval architectural gems. 

SLEEP At the Collège Hotel (5 Place 

Saint-Paul, tel. (0)4 7210 0505, collegehotel.com, 

rooms from €125), owner 

Laurent Phelps whisks guests back 

to his childhood. This school-themed, 

fun-loving hotel with superb views over 

the city is decked out with antique 

wooden desks, inkwells and other 

scholarly paraphernalia. 

EAT Café Comptoir Abel (25 Rue 

Guynemer, tel. (0)4 7837 4618) is the 

pick of the crop of Lyon’s bistros, known 

as bouchons, and one the city’s oldest 

such establishments. They’re the best 

place to sample the city’s cuisine, and 

Abel serves local specialities such as 

saucisson (sausage) with a thick lentil 

purée and creamy pike dumplings, 

quenelles de brochet. 

CULTURE The Théâtre Le Guignol 

(2 Rue Louis Carrand, guignol-lyon.com) 

offers suitable entertainment for 

both children and parents, where the 

Lyonnais – rumoured to be rebellious 

and inordinately fond of their drink – 

are lampooned in easy-to-understand 

satirical puppet shows. 

LATER Alibi (13 Quai Romain Rolland) 

boasts celebrity DJs, themed events, 

several bars and comfy sofa-style 

seating, making this vast club popular 

with the city’s movers and groovers. 

If you’re seeking something more laidback, 

Furib’ Arts (60 Rue St-Georges) is 

a cosy, bric-a-brac-stuffed bar showing 

the work of local artists, where you 

can listen to local bands as you sip 

organic wine and locally brewed beer. 

CROIX-ROUSSE 

For a heady fill of culture try this 

atmospheric quarter, formerly 

populated by silk workers. The 

high-ceilinged canut houses and 

narrow covered traboules are 

now home to many of the 

conurbation’s arty crowd. 

EAT A food market (Boulevard de la 

Croix-Rousse) is held on the boulevard 

every morning except Monday. This 

is the best place in town to sample 

Lyon’s grilled sausage andouille, flourand-egg 

quenelle dumplings and other 

traditional gourmet delights. 

CULTURE Join a traboule walking tour 

(lyontraboules.net) to learn more about 

the area’s traboules, those emblematic 

covered passages that provided a 

shortcut between streets – via houses 

and courtyards – for the silk workers 

(and were later used as escape routes 

by members of the French Resistance). 

A tour, leaving from Place de la Croix- 

Rousse, makes a fascinating way to 

delve into the city’s culture. 

SHOP Soierie Vivante (21 Rue Richan) 

offers the chance to watch silk screening 

and velvet painting, then buy scarves and 

other goodies in this silk workshop – 

complete with working worms – at the 

heart of the canut-house district. 

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NORWAY Population 4,691,849 Currency Norwegian Krone (NOK) GDP 

OSLO 


Airport code OSL Flight frequency Three times daily Average temp (Aug) 16°C 

Oslo is at its liveliest in 

August: with the sun 

staying up late, locals 

stroll Karl Johans Gate 

and enjoy picnics in the 

park well into the night. 

But should the fi ckle 

Scandinavian weather 

not cooperate, there’s 

plenty to do indoors. 

Ian MacDougall is our 

city guide 

CENTRE 

Walk down Karl Johans Gate from 

the Parliament building to the 

Royal Palace, stopping along the 

way to shop, admire the fin de 

siècle architecture of the National 

Theatre or take coffee at a café. 

SLEEP The Hotel Continental (24-26 

Stortingsgaten, tel. 2282 4000, 

hotelcontinental.no, rooms from €217/ 

NOK 1,690) is a century-old hotel – it’s 

not cheap, but it’s worth paying a little 

extra for luxury in the heart of town. 

EAT Dovrehallen (22 Storgata, tel. 2217 

2101) serves salted meat, boiled fish 

and potatoes in brown sauce – authentic 

Norwegian food. 

CULTURE The Akershus Fortress is 

a sprawling medieval castle that sits just 

off Rådhusgata, on the harbour, and 

houses the Norwegian Resistance 

Museum with an array of artefacts. 

SHOP Aker Brygge (3 Stranden) is Oslo’s 

premier shopping area. For fashion, 

check out Bik Bok – a trendy Norwegian 

fashion house for women – and head to 

Carlings for menswear. 

TIP Hike up the sloping exterior of the 

waterfront Oslo Opera House to enjoy 

one of the best fjord vistas in the city. 

ST HANSHAUGEN 

Sitting just north of the centre, 

St Hanshaugen is an often 

overlooked but vibrant district 

of Oslo – a neighbourhood of 


IMAGE TERJE BAKKE PETTERSEN 

With a plethora of shops and 

restaurants, the harbour area of 

Aker Brygge draws the crowds 

INFO 

Gardermoen 


from the centre. 

Train The airport 

express train, 

Flytoget, costs 

€22/NOK 170 and 

takes around 20 

minutes, while the 

NSB is slower but 

still convenient 

and costs just €14/ 

NOK 110. Once in 

the centre, head to 

the tourist offi ce 

(see below) and 

ask about the 

various options for 

public transport 

day passes. 

Taxi A cab ride 

costs €87/NOK 690 

each way before 

5pm and €113/ 

NOK 890 after 

5pm, according 

to Oslo Taxi. 

Tourist Offi ce 

The main offi ce 

is by the central 

train station (1 

Jernbanetorget, 

tel. 8153 0555, 

visitoslo.com) 

inviting city parks and quirky 

bars and restaurants. 

SLEEP Gjestehuset Lovisenberg (15a 

Lovisenberggaten, tel. 2235 8300, 

gjestehuset.lovisenberg.no, doubles 

from €89/NOK 700) offers affordable 

accommodation in a quieter part of town. 

EAT Underwater Pub (4 Dalsbergstien, 

tel. 2246 0526) is the place to go if 

you’re looking for simple and inexpensive 

fare in a unique setting. Besides the 

elaborate maritime décor and opera 

singers (Tuesday and Thursday 

evenings), it also serves very good pizza. 

LATER At St Hanshaugen Parkservering 

(28 Ullevålsveien) you can join the 

Norwegians in embracing utepils 

(outdoor beer) during August’s long days. 

An outdoor bar with an extensive and 

reasonably priced beer list, it’s in the 

middle of leafy St Hanshaugen Park. 

GRØNLAND 

A former mill district, Grønland is 

Oslo’s hippest neighbourhood, 

home to artists, musicians and 

an ethnically diverse populace. 

EAT Teaterplassen, a plaza just off 

Mandalls Gate and Tøyenbekken, is the 

place to taste Grønland’s ethnic mix – 

from Indian to Mexican – at various 

take-away and dine-in restaurants. 

CULTURE Øya (oyafestivalen.com) is 

Oslo’s biggest music festival, from 9-13 

August in Middelalderparken – this 

year sees US rapper Kanye West and UK 

indie-pop band Pulp headline. If you miss 

Øya, you can catch live music at venues 

like Gloria Flames (18 Grønland) and 

Dattera til Hagen (10 Grønland). 

LATER Oslo Mekaniske Verksted (34 

Tøyenbekken) offers outside seating 

and an excellent drinks menu. 

VESTKANTEN 

From the chic Majorstua 

neighbourhood to the museums 

and beaches of Bygdøy, west Oslo 

(aka Vestkanten) is crammed with 

destinations for summer. 

EAT United Bakeries (9 Valkyriegata, 

tel. 4177 5833) is an Oslo original, 

serving homemade bread, baked goods, 

quick snacks or sit-down lunches. 

CULTURE The Viking Ship Museum 

(35 Huk Aveny) on the Bygdøy Peninsula 

is home to three of the world’s bestpreserved 

Viking ships – catch the 

30 bus or 91 ferry. Visit the nearby 

Kon-Tiki Museum (36 Bygdøynesveien) 

to relive the adventures of Norwegian 

explorer Thor Heyerdahl. 

SHOP Vestkanttorget market (corner of 

Professor Dahls Gate and Neuberggata) 

is among the best open-air antiques 

markets in Oslo. Only on Saturdays, 

get there early to bag the good stuff. 

LATER Hammertson (5 Bygdøy Alle) is 

one of Vestkanten’s many classy venues, 

combining a bar, restaurant and club. 

TIP If the sun is shining you can take 

a dip in the surprisingly warm waters of 

the Oslo fjord, or just relax on the sand 

at Huk beach on the western side of 

the Bygdøy Peninsula. 

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SPAIN Population 46,754,784 Currency Euro GDP † €20,780 Dialling code +34 

PALMA DE MALLORCA 

Airport code PMI Flight frequency Weekly Average temp (Aug) 24°C 

After basking in the 

Mediterranean sunshine, 

you’ll fi nd plenty to keep 

you occupied in Palma de 

Mallorca this August. You 

can see two exhibitions 

at the CaixaForum, as well 

as the work of Julião 

Sarmento, before ending 

the day in one of the city’s 

lively restaurants. Scott 

Adams is our city guide 

PLAÇA MAYOR & AROUND 

With its pedestrian streets lined 

with boutiques and open-air dining 

options, this is the best place for 

shopping and enjoying some 

well-earned refreshment. 

EAT Simply Fosh (7A Carrer de la Missió, 

tel. 971 720114) is set in a former 

convent and offers both indoor and 

garden seating. The trendy décor sets 

the scene for creative dishes from 

chef Marc Fosh – try the strawberry 

gazpacho with tomato jelly. 

SHOP Son Vivot (1 Plaça Porta Pintada) 

stocks a wide variety of delicious 

Mallorcan produce, including Son Prim 

wine, cheese, olives and ham. 

LATER Check Point Charlie (3 Plaça del 

Mercat) is where to linger with an icy 

caipiriña or a glass of white Rueda wine. 

TIP Late afternoon is a great time 

to join the crowds listening to roaming 

musicians in Plaça Mayor. 

LA LONJA & AROUND 

Palma’s oldest district is dominated 

by La Lonja, a gothic marvel that 

was once the heart of the city’s fish 

trade. This area also plays host to 

several international exhibitions. 

SLEEP Hotel San Lorenzo (14 Carrer 

San Lorenzo, tel. 971 728200, 

hotelsanlorenzo.com, doubles from 

€155) has old-world charm, friendly 

staff, a ‘secret’ terrace garden and 

a swimming pool. For a romantic 

IMAGE SCOTT ADAMS 

INFO 

Palma de Mallorca’s 

international 

airport is 8km from 


Bus The no. 1 

leaves from the 

arrivals hall every 

15 minutes from 

around 6am until 

1am, and costs €2. 

It passes through 

the centre of Palma 

and terminates 

at the port. Alight 

at Plaça España for 

island-wide bus 

connections. 

Taxi Expect to 

pay around €20 

to any point in 



There is a tourist 

offi ce in the 

arrivals hall 

(tel. 971 789556) 

and at 2 Plaça 

de la Reina 

(tel. 971 712216, 

infomallorca.net). 

Set in a 17th-century convent, 

Simply Fosh’s dining ethos 

is decidedly modern 

weekend, book the suite with a private 

bougainvillea-covered terrace. 

EAT Forn de Sant Joan (4 Carrer de 

Sant Joan, tel. 971 728422) is a historic 

house covering three floors, where rustic 

architecture and modern art make for 

a stunning setting. Feast on spicy grilled 

octopus or roast lamb with pineapple. 

CULTURE Es Baluard (10 Plaça Santa 

Catalina, esbaluard.org) is the city’s 

contemporary art museum, which 

currently has a special exhibition by 

Portuguese artist Julião Sarmento. 

LATER The Blue Jazz Club (Hotel 

Saratoga, 6 Paseo Mallorca) has a 

spectacular seventh-floor location, with 

local and international groups starting 

around 11pm from Thursday to Saturday. 

PASEO MARITIMO 

Summer nights and cool breezes 

attract visitors and locals alike to 

this waterside promenade. 

SLEEP Gran Meliá Victoria (21 Avenida 

Joan Miró, tel. 971 732542, gran-meliavictoria.com, 

doubles from €180) offers 

the chance to catch some rays around 

the pool. Most rooms have fantastic 

views of the marina and cathedral. 

EAT Bahía Mediterráneo (33 Paseo 

Maritimo, tel. 971 457653) has an 

elegant dining room and terrace from 

which to enjoy perfectly cooked fish, 

paella and exotic salads. 

LATER Puro Beach Club (Cala Estancia) 

has an enviable location by the sea, 

making it an ideal spot for a sundowner 

– and the rest of the evening. 

TIP Joggers will love the Paseo Maritimo 

for keeping in shape while also enjoying 

the view of the sea. 

PLAÇA DEL MERCAT 

With art nouveau buildings on 

all sides, you can chill out in this 

shady square after viewing the two 

art exhibitions at the CaixaForum. 

SLEEP Hotel Almudaina (9 Avenida 

Jaime III, tel. 971 727340, hotel 

almudaina.com, doubles from €114) has 

modern rooms and a rooftop terrace 

that’s a great place for a drink while 

looking out across the city. 

EAT Bodega La Rambla (15 La Rambla, 

tel. 971 721190) is a typical Spanish 

taverna, where you can work your way 

through delicious tapas. Highlights 

include veal meatballs, kidneys with 

sherry, and battered cod. 

CULTURE CaixaForum (3 Plaça Weyler) 

hosts Cambodia, Land of Hope until 28 

August, an exhibition of photographer 

Gervasio Sánchez’s work that shows the 

country in fascinating detail. In complete 

contrast you can also see From Dürer to 

Morandi – exceptional etchings dating 

back to the 15th century. 

SHOP Slip into a pair of wonderful 

hand-crafted leather sandals at Ria 

(23 Carrer Sant Jaume). 

TIP Meals are taken late in the summer 

months in Palma: sit down to lunch 

around 2.30pm before using the long 

hours of daylight to enjoy the city, then 

dine at around 10pm. 

€99 * 

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from just €99* return, taxes 

included. brusselsairlines.com 


ITALY Population 61,016,804 Currency Euro GDP 

VENICE 


Airport code VCE Flight frequency Twice daily Average temp (Aug) 22°C 

The Venice Biennale (until 

27 November, labiennale. 

org) is one of the world’s 

greatest international 

contemporary art festivals; 

if you visit the city this 

month you’ll fi nd that 

it dominates the cultural 

landscape. Roderick 

Conway Morris is our 

city guide 

CASTELLO 

This varied district stretches 

eastwards from Piazza San Marco, 

taking in the Arsenale and the 

working-class district around 

Via Garibaldi and onwards to 

the island of Sant’Elena, with its 

wooded park of umbrella pines. 

EAT On the narrow streets and canals 

between the Giardini – the gardens 

where the Biennale pavilions are found 

– and the Arsenale are some highly 

recommendable little trattorias in 

which to take a welcome break. On the 

San Isepo canal there’s Osteria al Ponte 

(930 Fondamenta San Isepo, tel. 041 

520 6632), with Dai Tosi Piccoli (738 

Seco Marina, tel. 041 523 7102) just 

around the corner. On the square 

opposite the imposing main gate of 

the Arsenale, with its pride of stone 

lions, is Da Paolo (2387 Campo del 

Arsenale, tel. 041 521 0660). 

CULTURE The 54th Venice Biennale 

hosts a record 89 national pavilions in 

the Castello gardens, the Arsenale and 

at other venues around the city, plus 

scores of parallel events. 

SHOP Banco No.10 (3478 Salizada 

Sant’Antonin) sells beautiful clothes 

and bags in silk, brocade, damask and 

velvet – all made at the atelier in the 

women’s prison on Giudecca. 

LATER Angio Bar (2142 Riva San 

Biagio, Castello) sits on the waterfront 

overlooking the lagoon and makes the 

perfect spot for sipping a glass of wine 


IMAGE LEE YONGBAEK 

Modern sculpture is just one 

part of the fantastic show 

at the Venice Biennale 

INFO 

Venice Marco 

Polo Airport is at 

Tessera, about 

8km from Venice 

on the northern 

edge of the lagoon. 

Bus The ACTV 

no. 5 to Piazzale 

Roma takes about 


costs €5; the 

ATVO shuttle takes 

15-20 minutes 

and costs €7. 

Boat Alilaguna 

shuttle launches 

run from the dock 

about 500 metres 

from Arrivals: 

6.10am-12.10am 

to San Marco, 

8.45am-6.45pm 

as far as Zattere. 

Tickets cost €15 

(alilaguna.it). 

Taxi A taxi to 

Piazzale Roma 

costs €35-€40; 

a private water taxi 

costs around €100. 


There’s an offi ce 

at 71F Piazza San 

Marco (tel. 041 

529 8711, turismo 

venezia.it). 

or traditional Venetian spritz al biter 

(white wine, soda and Campari) while 

watching the sun set. 

SAN GIORGIO ISLAND 

The magnificent Benedictine 

monastery of San Giorgio Maggiore 

on this island is now the home 

of the Cini Foundation, which 

hosts cultural events and stages 

regular art exhibitions. 

EAT Bar San Giorgio on the quay of the 

island’s picturesque yacht harbour is 

the perfect place to pause for a drink 

or a snack and savour the panoramic 

view of Venice across the water. 

CULTURE The Cini Foundation’s 

gardens feature an intriguing new 

maze dedicated to the writer Jorge 

Luis Borges. Close by, the Abbey of 

San Giorgio Maggiore is hosting the 

evocative Real Venice exhibition until 

30 September. This is the end result of 

the Venice in Peril Fund asking some of 

the world’s most famous photographers 

to record their impressions of the city. 

Venice in Peril (veniceinperil.com) was 

established after the devastating floods 

of 1966. 

LIDO 

The Lido is a 12km-long sandbar 

that shields Venice from the 

Adriatic. Sparsely inhabited until 

the late 19th century, it became a 

fashionable resort during the Belle 

Époque. It’s still a summer haven 

for the Venetians, many of whom 

rent beach huts for the season. 

SLEEP Grande Albergo Ausonia & 

Hungaria, (28 Gran Viale SM Elisabetta, 

tel. 041 242 0060, hotelhungaria.com, 

rooms from €180), on the boulevard 

running between the main Lido landing 

and the Adriatic shore, has recently 

been restored. Dating from 1905, its 

majolica-tiled façade and attractive 

interiors are once again receiving guests. 

EAT Al Mercà (17A Via Enrico Dandolo, 

tel. 041 526 4549) is a stone’s throw 

from the main landing, picturesquely 

located in the open-sided old fish 

market. It has a menu to match, with 

typical Venetian seafood antipasti 

such as schie (tiny shrimps), folpeti 

(little octopuses) and baccalà (whipped 

salt cod), as well as delicious pasta. 

Andri (21 Via Lepanto, tel. 041 526 

5482), with a pretty jasmine-scented 

pergola, is famous for its seafood risotto 

and is popular with locals. The beachside 

Caribe (58 Lungomare Marconi, tel. 041 

526 1136) has freshly cooked dishes 

for all tastes (try the lasagne), and also 

rents out umbrellas and sunbeds for after 

lunch. At Alberoni, at the far end of the 

Lido (but easy to get to by bus) is the 

Trattoria Scarpa (5 Via Ca’ Rossa, tel. 

041 731034), a friendly, family-run 

trattoria-pizzeria. 

LATER Ultima Spiaggia (23 Viale 

Umberto Klinger) has lounging areas to 

chill out in and plays reggae, funk and 

classics from the 1960s-1980s. There 

are live bands every Friday and disco 

nights on Saturday. 

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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 †PER COUNTRY PER CAPITA 

POLAND Population 38,441,588 Currency Złoty (PLN) GDP 

WARSAW 


Airport code WAW Flight frequency Twice daily Average temp (Aug) 18°C 

Green abounds in 

Warsaw’s parks in August 

and its outdoor cafés and 

bars are in full swing. Even 

the city’s culture moves 

outdoors; every Sunday 

world-renowned pianists 

perform free concerts 

next to the Chopin 

Monument, and Łazienki 

Park’s gates become a 

backdrop for photo and 

art exhibitions. Michelle 

Smith is our city guide 

CENTRUM 

Once a major eyesore, Warsaw’s 

centre has benefitted from a major 

face lift in recent years. 

SLEEP Polonia Palace Hotel (45 Aleje 

Jerozolimskie, tel. (0)22 318 2800, 

poloniapalace.com, rooms from €120/ 

PLN 485) is a glittering hotel in a prime 

location that also serves great brunches. 

CULTURE Łazienki Park is a massive 

green space that runs along Ulica Agrykoli 

and Ulica Belwederska. At the park’s 

Chopin Monument there are free piano 

concerts every Sunday, at noon and 4pm. 

Afterwards, grab an ice cream and 

stroll along the park gates to view the 

temporary art and photography exhibits. 

LATER Pub Lolek (20 Ulica Rokitnicka), 

sitting smack in the middle of Pole 

Mokotowskie park, has a huge outdoor 

patio, live music and beer on tap. The 

industrial-vintage Time Café (40 Ulica 

Smolna) is well-hidden in a courtyard, 

but is worth seeking out. 

TIP The ‘pavilion bars’ hidden in the 

alleys of Ulica Foksal and Nowy Swiat 

are a backstreet, boozy treasure trove. 

Unmarked, unsophisticated and very cool 

Sounds of summer: free 

classical concerts come to 

Łazienki Park this month 

INFO 

Frederic Chopin 


from the centre. 

Bus The no. 175 

runs to the main 

train station every 

10-20 minutes 

between 4.58am 

and 10.35pm, and 

every 30 minutes 

after that. Buy 

a ticket from 

the airport RUCH 

shop – a single 

costs less than €1. 

Taxi About €13/ 

PLN 50 will get 

you from the 

airport to the city 

centre. Beware 

of the ‘mafi a taxis’, 

which don’t have 

a sticker of the 

Warsaw mermaid 

on their doors. 


There are offi ces 

at the airport, train 

station and 15/17 

Ulica Krakowskie 

Przedmieście 

(tel. (0)22 194 31, 

warsawtour.pl). 

– to find them, head through the gateway 

at 26 Ulica Nowy Swiat. A few worth 

checking out are Klepsydra, Femme 

Fatale and Klaps. 

OLD TOWN/ RYNEK 

In the summer months the central 

square area really comes to life, 

with wine bars and elegant 

restaurants moving outdoors. 

SLEEP Kanonia (2 Ulica Jezuicka, tel. 

(0)22 635 0676, kanonia.pl, dorm beds 

from €14/PLN 57, private rooms from 

€42.50/PLN 171) is one of the few 

hostels in the area, and great value. 

Old Town Apartments (12/14 Ulica 

Rynek Starego Miasta, tel. (0)22 820 

9227, warsawshotel.com, studios from 

€25/PLN 100) has something for every 

budget, from smart single-bedroom 

flats to sprawling studios. 

SHOP At Café Gallery Belle Epoque 

(18 Ulica Freta), everything you see – 

IMAGE PIOTR WIERZBOWSKI 

statues, lamps, paintings – is for sale, 

so antique- and art-lovers can mix 

their shopping with a coffee break. 

LATER Piwna Kompania (25 Ulica 

Podwale) is a beer garden perfect for 

big groups, as is Harenda (4/6 Ulica 

Krakowskie Przedmiescie). Honoratka 

(14 Ulica Miodowa) has live music from 

6pm, while beer fanatics must visit 

Browarmia (1 Ulica Królewska) to sample 

the brewed-on-the-premises golden ale. 

PRAGA 

Once Warsaw’s most notorious 

‘no go’ zone, the other side of the 

river now offers cool culture, hip 

clubs and reasonably-priced hotels. 

SLEEP Hotel Hit (33 Ulica Kłopotowskiego, 

tel. (0)22 618 9470, hithotel.pl, rooms 

from €60/PLN 240) is a cheerful two-star. 

EAT Fabryka Trzciny (14 Ulica Otwocka, 

tel. (0)22 619 0513) is the heart of art 

in Praga; set in a beat-up former factory, 

the bar offers good wine and cocktails, 

while the restaurant serves ‘industrial 

fusion’ – consisting of such dishes as 

grilled feta cheese rolled in bacon. 

LATER W Oparach Absurdu (6 Ulica 

Zabkowska) is hard to miss due to the 

giant tarantula above its entrance. 

You’ll descend into a surreal world, with 

many labyrinth-like levels and passages. 

Po Drugiej Stronie Lustra (5 Ulica 

Zabkowska) is slightly less strange. It’s 

reminiscent of a bazaar, with mirrors, 

dangling flowers and old suitcases. 

TIP Koneser Vodka Factory (27/31 Ulica 

Zabkowska) runs tours (including free 

samples) every day during the summer 

months, from 8am to 1pm. 

€119 * 

FROM JUST 

RETURN, 


Fly to Warsaw from just 



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airline news 

AIRLINE \\\ 

b.house in Copenhagen 

Belgian cycling fans to get offi cial hangout in Denmark 

The 78th UCI Road World Championships (23 - 25 September) 

will begin in the Danish capital of Copenhagen and continue to 

Rudersdal. The Belgian team has repeatedly shone at this event, 

and this year is expected to be no different. With the support of 

the Belgian Cycling Federation and various sponsors, 

Brussels Airlines will set up b.house, the 

official Belgian hangout in Rudersdal. 

b.house will be located right on the 

track, just 800m from the finish 

line which will allow for an 

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amazing view of the race. There will be a Belgian atmosphere in which to 

enjoy the championship camaraderie and celebrate unforgettable moments. 

Large TV screens will show live telecasts of the event, and Belgian food and 

beer will be available. 

Cheer Belgium on from b.house by purchasing one of various packages 

or individual entrance tickets. For example, a one-day package costs €399 

and includes return flights from Brussels, land transfers, b.house entrance 

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For more information, visit brusselsairlines.com/bhouse 

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GAGNEZ Un forfait d’un jour 

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b.house à Copenhague 

Les fans belges de cyclisme auront leur espace 

officiel au Danemark 

Les 78èmes Championnats du Monde de Cyclisme sur route de 

l’UCI (23 – 25 septembre) démarreront dans la capitale danoise, 

Copenhague, et se poursuivront jusqu’à Rudersdal. L’équipe 

belge s’est déjà démarquée à plusieurs reprises dans cette 

compétition, et cette année ne devrait pas être différente. Avec l’appui de 

la Fédération belge du Cyclisme et d’autres sponsors, Brussels Airlines 

mettra en place, à Rudersdal, un espace officiel pour la communauté belge. 

À seulement 800 m de la ligne d’arrivée, b.house sera situé sur le 

parcours, offrant une vue imprenable sur la course. Il y règnera une 

ambiance exclusivement belge, marquée par le plaisir de partager les 

moments forts des championnats entre compatriotes, qui y vivront des 

moments inoubliables ! De grands écrans TV diffuseront des images de 

l’événement et des produits belges tels que la bière et le chocolat y seront 

également à l’honneur. 

Venez soutenir la Belgique à b.house, en optant pour l’un des nombreux 

forfaits de séjour ou pour des tickets d’entrée individuels. Un forfait d’un 

jour, par exemple, est déjà proposé à 399 €, comprenant le vol aller retour 

à partir de Bruxelles, les transferts, l’entrée à b.house ainsi que la 

restauration VIP. 

Pour de plus amples informations, allez sur brusselsairlines.com/bhouse 


WIN Een dagpakket naar keuze 

voor 2 personen! Beantwoord 

een simpele vraag op 

brusselsairlines.com/bhouse 

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b.house in Kopenhagen 

Offi ciële ontmoetingsplaats voor Belgische wielerfans 

in Denemarken 

Het 78ste UCI-wereldkampioenschap wielrennen op de weg 

(23-25 september) start in de Deense hoofdstad 

Kopenhagen en wordt voortgezet in Rudersdal. In het 

verleden heeft het Belgische team op het WK regelmatig 

mooie resultaten neergezet en voor dit jaar verwacht men niet anders. 

Met de steun van de Koninklijke Belgische Wielrijdersbond en 

verschillende sponsors organiseert Brussels Airlines b.house, de 

officiële Belgische ontmoetingsplaats in Rudersdal. 

Het b.house bevindt zich op 800 meter van de finish, een droomplek 

om het WK bij te wonen. Het b.house staat garant voor een 

vriendschappelijke Belgische sfeer en is dus ideaal om samen 

onvergetelijke momenten te beleven. Via grote televisieschermen kan 

men het event live volgen en vanzelfsprekend zullen er bier en culinaire 

verwennerijen van eigen bodem worden geserveerd. 

Kom de Belgen aanmoedigen vanuit het b.house en koop één van onze 

verschillende pakketten of losse toegangstickets. Een pakket van één 

dag kost bijvoorbeeld € 399 en omvat de retourvlucht vanuit Brussel, 

het vervoer van en naar de luchthaven, het toegangsticket voor het b. 

house en de vipcatering. 

Surf voor meer informatie naar brusselsairlines.com/bhouse 

With special thanks to our sponsors / Mille mercis à nos sponsors / Met speciale dank aan onze sponsors 

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in partnership 

Summer fun 

in Brussels 

Experience 10 days of music 

and much more 

The Brussels Summer Festival is 

back for the 10th year! Having 

welcomed more than 600 artistes 

and 100,000 visitors over the last 

decade, this is one of the largest names on 

the Belgian summer festival circuit. 2011 

festival-goers can look forward to a line-up 

of rock, French pop, folk, world music, jazz, 

classical music, electro, hip hop, and reggae 

among other styles. This year’s performers 

include the likes of Jamie Cullum, Hooverphonic 

and Ozark Henry. 

Stages will be erected at prominent sites in 

the Royal Quarter, including at Place des Palais/ 

Paleizenplein and Place Royale/Koningsplein. 

Additionally, there will also be a fourth stage at 

Mont des Arts/Kuntsberg this year. Moreover, 

Un été festif à Bruxelles 

Vibrez sur 10 jours de musique et bien plus 

There is even more for 

festival-goers this year 

as the Summer Festival 

stretches to four stages 

Le Brussels Summer Festival est de retour pour sa 10ème édition ! 

Ayant accueilli plus de 600 artistes et 100.000 visiteurs ces dix 

dernières années, c’est le plus célèbre du circuit des festivals 

d’été en Belgique. Les festivaliers de l’édition 2011 pourront se 

réjouir d’une programmation variée de rock, pop française, folk, musique 

du monde, jazz, classique, électro, hip-hop, et reggae entre autres. Cette 

année, le festival accueille des groupes comme Jamie Cullum, 

Hooverphonic et Ozark Henry. 

Des scènes seront érigées sur les sites très en vue du Quartier Royal, 

incluant la Place des Palais et la Place Royale. En plus, Il y aura cette année 

une 4ème scène au Mont des Arts. Et cerise sur le gâteau, les amateurs de 

rockabilly peuvent s’attendre à 2 jours rien que pour eux au sein du 

festival, avec Brock’xl 58. 

Mais le festival, c’est bien plus que de la musique. Il y aura aussi des 

expositions, des films et beaucoup d’autres activités. Votre pass festival vous 

donnera accès à la plupart des musées bruxellois de renom, y compris les 

Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts et le Musée des instruments de musique (MIM). 

Le Brussels Summer Festival se déroule du 12 au 21 août. Un pass de 4 

jours coûte 20 € ; un pass de 10 jours : 30 €. Pour plus d’informations, 

surfez sur bsf.be 

rockabilly fans can look forward to a 2-day 

festival within the festival, Brock’xl 58. 

But the festival is “much more” than just 

music. There will also be exhibitions, films, and 

Brussels Summer Festival runs from 12-21 August. A 4-day festival pass costs €20; 

a 10-day pass costs €30. For more information, visit bsf.be 

Zomerpret in Brussel 

10 dagen muziek en nog zoveel meer 

AIRLINE \\\ 

many other activities. Your festival pass will also 

allow you entrance to many of the top museums 

in Brussels including the Royal Museum of Fine 

Arts and the Musical Instruments Museum. 

Het Brussels Summer Festival is inmiddels aan zijn tiende 

editie toe. Met tijdens het voorbije decennium meer dan 

600 artiesten en 100.000 bezoekers is dit een van de 

grootste Belgische zomerfestivals. Dit jaar kunnen de 

festivalbezoekers opnieuw genieten van onder meer rock, Franse pop, 

folk, wereldmuziek, jazz, klassieke muziek, electro, hiphop en reggae. 

Onder de artiesten bevinden zich bekende namen zoals Jamie Cullum, 

Hooverphonic en Ozark Henry. 

De podia staan opgesteld op prominente plaatsen in de Koningswijk, 

waaronder op het Paleizenplein en het Koningsplein. Daarnaast zal er dit 

jaar op de Kunstberg een vierde podium worden opgetrokken. Fans van 

rockabilly kunnen zich bovendien verheugen op een tweedaags festival 

binnen het festival, Brock’xl 58. 

Het festival biedt echter veel meer dan enkel muziek. Er zijn ook 

tentoonstellingen, films en heel wat andere activiteiten. Met de 

festivalpas bezoek je bovendien gratis de Koninklijke Musea voor 

Schone Kunsten en het Muziekinstrumentenmuseum. 

Het Brussels Summer Festival vindt plaats van 12 t/m 21 augustus. 

Een festivalpas voor 4 dagen kost € 20, voor 10 dagen € 30. Surf voor 

meer informatie naar bsf.be 

IMAGE ©VISITBRUSSELS 


.foundation 

Aiding those in 

vulnerable situations 

A special spotlight on one of the NGOs that receives 

Brussels Airlines’ support 

The Centre for Children in Vulnerable Situations (CCVS, 

centreforchildren.be) is a Belgian inter-university cooperation 

that aims to promote the psychosocial well-being of 

children and adolescents living in vulnerable situations in 

southern countries. 

With the support of Service “Peace Building”, Vlir-UOS, the Belgian 

Technical Cooperation and Brussels Airlines, CCVS currently has 

projects in Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Nepal, Colombia, 

Bolivia and Uruguay. 

Enhancing the psychosocial well-being of youths living on the streets, 

former child soldiers or war-affected adolescents is accomplished firstly, 

Venir en aide aux 

personnes en situation 

vulnérable 

Focus sur une des ONG soutenues par Brussels Airlines 

Le Centre pour Enfants en Situations Vulnérables (CCVS, 

centreforchildren.be) est un centre de recherche basé sur la 

coopération de 3 universités belges. Il a pour objet d’améliorer le 

bien-être psychologique et social des enfants et des adolescents en 

situations vulnérables dans les pays du sud. 

Grâce à l’appui du Service « Consolidation de la Paix », du Vlir-UOS (Vlaamse 

Interuniversitaire Raad), de l’Agence belge de développement (CTB) et de 

Brussels Airlines, le CCVS mène à l’heure actuelle des projets dans République 

Démocratique du Congo, Ouganda, Népal, Colombie, Bolivie et Uruguay. 

L’amélioration du bien-être psychologique et social des jeunes des rues, 

des anciens enfants soldats ou des adolescents touchés par la guerre se 

fonde dans un premier temps sur des projets de recherche, basés sur 

l’expérience de terrain. Ensuite, les résultats de ces études, rendus publics 

via des publications locales, des sites web et des workshops, permettent de 

formuler des recommandations pratiques. 

Le CCVS a également ouvert deux centres de guidance dans le nord de 

l’Ouganda et dans l’est du Congo, où des équipes locales fournissent une aide 

psychothérapeutique aux enfants touchés par la guerre, forment des 

assistants sociaux et organisent des activités de sensibilisation. 

Si vous souhaitez de plus amples informations sur la b.foundation, allez sur 

brusselsairlines.com/CSR 


to visit brusselsairlines.com/CSR 


Children in Northern Uganda; 

Left: The counselling centre of 

CCVS in Bunia, DRC 

through research projects based on first-hand experience. Secondly, the 

results of these studies are linked to practical recommendations, and 

made public through local publications, websites and workshops. 

CCVS has also established two counselling centres in northern Uganda 

and eastern Congo where local staff provide psychotherapeutic 

counselling to war-affected children, train social workers and organise 

sensitisation activities. 

To find out more about b.foundation, visit brusselsairlines.com/CSR 

Steun aan personen 

in kwetsbare situaties 

Een blik op één van de NGOs die door Brussels 

Airlines gesteund worden 

Het Centrum voor Kinderen in Kwestbare Situaties 

(CCVS, centreforchildren.be) is een samenwerking 

tussen verschillende Belgische universiteiten. De 

doelstelling van het centrum is het verbeteren van het 

psychosociale welzijn van kinderen en jongeren uit het Zuiden die in 

kwetsbare situaties leven. 

Dankzij de steun van Dienst Vredesopbouw, Vlir-UOS en het 

Belgisch Ontwikkelingsagentschap (BTC) en Brussels Airlines, heeft 

CCVS vandaag projecten lopen in Democratische Republiek Congo, 

Oeganda, Nepal, Colombië, Bolivië en Uruguay. 

Het verbeteren van het psychosociale welzijn van jongeren die 

leven op straat, voormalige kindsoldaten of kinderen die in 

oorlogsgebied leven, gebeurt voornamelijk vanuit vragen en 

vaststellingen in de concrete praktijk. Daarna worden deze 

onderzoeksresultaten vertaald naar concrete aanbevelingen voor 

praktijk en verspreid via publicaties, website en locale workshops. 

Tenslotte heeft CCVS 2 centra opgericht in noord Oeganda and 

Oost-Congo waar locale ondersteuners psychotherapeutische 

begeleiding geven aan kinderen in oorlogsgebieden, sociale 

hulpverleners opleiden en sensibiliseringscampagnes opzetten. 

Voor meer informatie betreffende b.foundation, ga naar 

brusselsairlines.com/CSR 

Visitez brusselsairlines.com/CSR en scannant ce code avec votre smartphone 

Scan deze code met uw smartphone om brusselsairlines.com/CSR te bezoeken

.green 

Flying green 

Choose to off set your air travel for a good cause 

At the recent Paris Air Show, green 

aviation was a hot topic. While the 

use of renewable energy sources 

continues to be discussed, 

investing in CO2-reduction projects is one of 

the most practical ways to compensate for 

residual carbon dioxide emissions currently. 

Passengers can participate in the Brussels 

Airlines carbon offset programme by choosing 

to offset carbon emissions linked to their 

journeys. All voluntary contributions go 

towards supporting an environmental project 

in Uganda. 

The project reduces deforestation and 

ensures improved living conditions for the 

local population. Families are provided with 

Voler écologique 

Compenser son voyage en avion, pour la bonne cause 

Au dernier Paris Air Show, l’aviation verte était au cœur de 

l’actualité. Alors que l’utilisation des sources d’énergie 

renouvelable continue à faire débat, investir dans des initiatives 

visant à réduire le CO2 est aujourd’hui une des façons les plus 

pratiques de compenser les émissions persistantes de dioxyde de carbone. 

Les passagers peuvent participer au programme de compensation de 

CO2 de Brussels Airlines en choisissant de compenser les émissions de 

CO2 de leurs voyages. Toutes les contributions volontaires sont destinées 

à soutenir un projet environnemental en Ouganda. 

Ce projet vise à réduire la déforestation et à assurer l’amélioration des 

conditions de vie de la population locale. Des familles reçoivent des 

poêles à bois efficaces, qui diminuent leur consommation de bois et de 

charbon de près de 40%. Résultat : une réduction de 1,4 tonne d’émission 

de CO2 par poêle et par an – plus ou moins l’équivalent d’un trajet aller/ 

retour entre Bruxelles et New York. 

Brussels Airlines est le seul transporteur à avoir introduit un tel 

programme en Ouganda. Il a été récompensé d’un award par Pilot 

International, en reconnaissance de ses efforts à encourager, à travers ses 

actions, la responsabilité environnementale. 

Pour plus d’informations sur comment 

compenser les émissions de CO2 de vos vols, 

surfez sur brusselsairlines.com/CO2 


to visit brusselsairlines.com/CO2 

efficient stoves which lower wood and 

charcoal consumption by nearly 40%. This 

results in a decrease of 1.4 tonnes of CO2 

emission per stove annually – approximately 

equivalent to a return trip between Brussels 

and New York. 

Brussels Airlines is the only carrier to have 

introduced such a programme in Uganda, and 

was handed an award by Pilot International for 

its efforts to encourage environmental 

responsibility through its actions. 

To find out more 

about offsetting the 

carbon emissions of your flights, visit 

brusselsairlines.com/CO2 

Groen vliegen 

Denk aan het milieu en compenseer je vlucht 

Op de recente Parijse luchtshow was groen vliegen een hot 

topic. Terwijl de discussie over de inzetbaarheid van 

hernieuwbare energiebronnen verder gevoerd wordt, is 

investeren in CO2-uitstootverlagende projecten vandaag 

een van de beste manieren om de koolstofuitstoot te compenseren. 

Passagiers kunnen deelnemen aan het CO2-compensatieprogramma 

van Brussels Airlines en zo de koolstofuitstoot van hun reis 

compenseren. Met de vrijwillige bijdragen wordt een milieuproject in 

Oeganda ondersteund. 

Dit project gaat de ontbossing tegen en draagt bij tot betere 

leefomstandigheden voor de lokale bevolking. Gezinnen krijgen 

efficiëntere fornuizen die bijna 40% minder hout en houtskool 

verbruiken. Per fornuis wordt jaarlijks 1,4 ton minder CO2 uitgestoten, 

wat ongeveer het equivalent is van een retourvlucht tussen Brussel 

en New York. 

Brussels Airlines is de enige luchtvaartmaatschappij die in Oeganda 

een dergelijk programma heeft ingevoerd. Ze kreeg daarvoor een award 

van Pilot International als erkenning van haar inspanningen om 

milieuverantwoord reizen aan te moedigen. 

Surf naar brusselsairlines.com/CO2 om 

meer te vernemen over het compenseren 

van de CO2-uitstoot van uw vluchten 

AIRLINE \\\ 

Passengers now 

have the chance 

to help save the 

environment 

Visitez brusselsairlines.com/CO2 en scannant ce code avec votre smartphone 

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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 

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 


Three great products in Business and 

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or the lowest fare guarantee † to 50 European destinations, Brussels Airlines has just 

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■ Yes 

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■ Free 

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Sen, as well as Star Alliance Gold, passengers are entitled to one extra 

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to visit brusselsairlines.com 

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Discover 

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page 92 

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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 


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. 


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 


ILLUSTRATIONS ROB COWAN/ILLUSTRATIONROOM.COM

elax 

What’s that noise? 

Aircraft, like any other form of motorised transport, are full of odd noises ises and movements that can be disconcerting when you’re not 

used to them. Here’s a short guide to set your mind at ease 

■ 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 es through several changes. 

Stay calm: When an n aircraft is landing, it needs 

to vary its power output utput to maintain the right 

speed at all times. 

■ Before landing, the e engines go to maximum 

power and the aircraft raft climbs again. 

Stay calm: Should the landing not be possible 

for some reason (e.g. g. the runway is not free 

or bad visibility), a standard manoeuvre 

known as a “go-around” und” will be performed, 

whereby the aircraft ft will make a new approach 

or will be diverted to another h airport. i EEvery 

flight has extra fuel on board to cover 

these procedures. 

AIRLINE\\\ 

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 


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 A319 

Flights to Europe 

Number 8 

Seats 132 

Wingspan 34.09 m 

Boeing 737-300 


Number 4 

Seats 142 


AVRO RJ100 


Number 12 

Seats 97 



Length 33.84 m 

Height 11.76 m 

Cruising speed 850 km/h 







Airbus A330-300 

Flights to Africa 

Number 5 

Seats 284 


Airbus A320 


Number 2 

Seats 168 


Boeing 737-400 


Number 4 

Seats 164 


AVRO RJ85 


Number 11 

Seats 82 






Height 11 m 







Cruising speed 755 km/h

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Connect more smoothly 

The Star Alliance network ensures you 

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AIRLINE \\\ 

■ The Star Alliance network is a group of 27 

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■ 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 


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 

UNITED 

STATES 

8 destinations in Canada 

Tampa 

Miami 

Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, 

CUBA 

Calgary, Ottawa,Québec City, Moncton JAMAICA 

and Charlottetown 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 


Minneapolis 

Austin 

Aberdeen 

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 

Lyon 

La Coruna 

Toulouse 

Bilbao 

Marseille 

Vigo 

Santiago de 

Compostela 

Porto 

Gerona 

Madrid Barcelona 

Valencia 

Ibiza 

Milan 

Venice 

Turin 

Bologna 

Nice Florence 

Rome 

Olbia 

Naples 

Zagreb 

Bari 

Bucharest 

Thessaloniki 

Lisbon 

Alicante 

Seville 

Granada 

Palma de 

Mallorca 

Lamezia Terme 

Palermo 

Catania 

Athens 

Faro 

Malaga 

Malta 

Rhodes 

Chicago 

Bergen 

Stavanger 

Cincinnati 

St. Louis 

Oslo 

CANADA 

Charlotte 

Dallas Atlanta 

New Orleans 

Houston 

Orlando 

Québec City 

Charlottetown 

Ottawa 

Moncton 

Toronto Montreal 

Boston 

New York 

Philadelphia 

Washington 

Fort Lauderdale 

HAITI 

Gothenburg 

BAHAMAS 

70 

Stockholm 

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 

Vaasa 

Abu 

Dhabi 

Oulu 

Dubai 

Kuopio 

Al-Ain 

2 

destinations 

in China 

Beijing and 

Shanghai 

in codeshare with 

Hainan Airlines

21 destinations 

in Africa 

Abidjan, Accra, Agadir, 

Bamako (from Sept) 

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 and Marrakech (with Royal Air Maroc); 

Addis Ababa (with Ethiopian Airlines); Abuja, Accra, 

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 MALAYSIA 

in Southeast Asia 

Bangkok 

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 

Cairo 

ZIMBABWE 

Johannesburg 

MALAWI 

MOZAMBIQUE 

Legend 

Brussels Airlines operated 

Codeshare operated 


at the airport 

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 

Discover trendy sunglasses 

at very competitive prices 

in the new Belgian Sky Shops 

store on Level 0, Pier A. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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). 


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. 


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

TM 

 

LE N°1ZERO Peroxyde 

Déjà 1 centaine de centres en Belgique 

Vos dents blanches en 21 minutes 

Nouvelle technologie de blanchiment des dents 

 

ZERO Peroxyde 

ZERO ZERO Douleur Douleur 

ZERO ZERO Sensibilité Sensibilité

LOOKING AHEAD 

Christophe’s 

coming... 

September is always a stylish month, 

with fashion and design weeks taking 

place across the network. So to celebrate, 

we’ve asked Belgian fashion legend Christophe 

Coppens to guest-edit our next edition. Famous 

for his chic and outlandish hats (pictured), Coppens’ 

unique vision pulses through our Style issue, kicking 

off with his personal guide to Brussels before jetting off 

(on Brussels Airlines, naturally) to Seville for a tapas tour. We 

also explore his passion for plants, taking a stroll through his 

favourite botanical gardens in Europe, and meet the collective 

that’s making a difference to the future of fashion. If you’re 

visiting Knokke this month, be sure to check out the 

Christophe Coppens pop-up store. 

b.house, Brussels Airport, 

Airport bld 26 box 4.7, 

Ringbaan B-1831 Diegem, 

Belgium 


Publications Director 

Monica Devi Lim 

MonicaDevi.Lim@brusselsairlines.com 


Editor Richard Bence richard.bence@ink-global.com 

Deputy Editor Jenny McNeely jenny.mcneely@ink-global.com 

Art Director Marten Sealby Picture Director Alex Ortiz Picture Editor Julia Holmes 

Production Manager Antonia Ferraro Production Controller Adam Jones 

Chief Sub Steve Handley Sub Editors Susie Parker (English), Brigitte Ledune/edito3 

(French and Dutch), Telelingua (Dutch) Online Director Sal Lababidi 

Digital Development Edward Chamberlin Reprographics Matt Lutkin/KFR Pre-Press Ltd 

Publisher Anna Szpunar anna.szpunar@ink-global.com, tel. +32 (0)2 808 1576 

Display Advertising Francesca Brandolini, Jonathan Carrillo Saez, Maciej Hille, David Serra 

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. 

IMAGE LAFORTUNASTUDIO.COM

The Art of Simple Luxury 

Belgium’s Leading Hotel 2010 

World Travel Awards 

1st Hotel in Belgium 

Condé Nast Travel 

Rue de l’Amigo 1-3 - 1000 Brussels - Belgium 

For reservations call +32 2 547 47 09 

reservations.amigo@roccofortecollection.com 

www.roccofortecollection.com

august-2011

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