august-2011

BELGIUM Population 10,431,477 Currency Euro GDP
KORTRIJK
† €26,700 Dialling code +32
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
Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine August 2011
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.
Tourist offi ce
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.
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