november-2010

BELGIUM Population 10,423,493 Currency Euro GDP
BRUSSELS
† €26,540 Dialling code +32
Coastline 66.5km Border Countries France, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands
venture of Sonja Noël, the boutique
owner who was among the first to
champion Dries Van Noten, Ann
Demeulemeester, Raf Simons and other
now-internationally known Belgian
designers. Sold here are Eric Beauduin’s
recycled leather handbags, organic
knitwear by Elementum and recycled
apparel by Christopher Raeburn.
Christa Reniers (196 Rue Antoine
Dansaert) uses plant-life, magma
and other natural phenomena as
inspiration for her line of silver jewellery.
The stalactite-like pendants and
sea-anemone rings are timeless.
LATER Despite its cultural centre
pedigree, De Markten (5 Place de Vieux
Marché aux Grains) attracts a mix of
bohemians, professionals and everything
in between. Unless your Flemish is
flawless, it’s better to speak English
here than French.
CANAL
Where merchants buy their fresh
fruit, flowers and veg in the wee
hours, this area is usually pretty
deserted – making it the perfect
neighbourhood for clubbing.
LATER The Fiesta Club (20 Quai des
Usines) is a popular destination for
clubbers craving hip-hop beats. Snoop
Dogg, Destiny’s Child’s Kelly Rowland,
Alicia Keys and Ne-Yo have all either
partied or performed here, boosting its
stock on the nightlife circuit. Housemusic
lovers are welcomed in the Silver
Room on Saturdays. Open Fridays and
Saturdays from 10 pm.
PLACE BRUGMANN
Fashionably PC best describes
this area: leafy, tasteful and wellheeled,
without being too flash.
SHOP Award-winning designer Sandrina
Fasoli (22 Place Brugmann) creates
womenswear that’s ultra-feminine
without crossing the line into frou-frou.
This season, her collection of silver
sheaths, leather skirts and silky
106
Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2010
MAP ILLUSTRATION IAN DUTNALL
INFO chemises with butterfly bows are
For more
a new twist on schoolgirl chic.
information about
places to stay, EAT What does a residence of the Queen
things to do and
much more, go to
visitbelgium.com
of England have to do with a 1950s
American diner? The owners of Le
Turn the page for Balmoral (21 Place Brugmann, (0)2 347
a special Belgian
city focus. This
issue: Bruges
0882) evidently see some connection.
This eatery serves burgers, burritos and
artery-clogging American breakfasts in
a pink and blue décor where Marilyn
Monroe and Betty Boop are represented
in life-sized form. Kitschy, but cool.
€99 *
FROM JUST
RETURN ALL-IN
Fly to Brussels from
50 premium European
destinations with fares from
just €99* return all-in.
brusselsairlines.com
†PER COUNTRY PER CAPITA
*PRICES QUOTED ARE FOR A RETURN TICKET IN B.LIGHT ECONOMY FROM OR TO BRUSSELS, ALL TAXES AND FEES INCLUDED, IF BOOKED ON BRUSSELSAIRLINES.COM. TICKETS ARE NOT CHANGEABLE, NOR REFUNDABLE. PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE