Go Discover - InterContinental Hotels Group

Food & Wine
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Brussels
CITY oF ArT DECo ArCHITECTUrE,
LUxUrIoUS CHoCoLATES AND ArTISAN
BEErS, BrUSSELS IS A PICNIC HAMPEr
oVErFLoWING WITH THE FINEr THINGS
IN LIFE. JoIN ITS CULTUrED, MULTI-ETHNIC
PoPULATIoN For THE FEAST.
Since its stint as the Cultural
Capital of Europe in 2000
Brussels has been doing much to
improve its international image.
Contrasts and contradictions
are all part of the experience
– the medieval core of the Lower
Town couldn’t be more different
than the cosmopolitan Upper
Town with its wide boulevards,
monumental buildings and chic
shopping precincts. Brussels
is the birthplace of Art Deco,
and glorious buildings from this
era stand beside the Gotham
City-like modern architecture of
the EU quarter. This is all part
of Brussels’ rich tapestry and
makes exploring the city such an
adventure.
Hot tip!
Culture vultures will happily
swoop on the city’s impressive
range of museums while
shopaholics will not be
disappointed by the consumer
opportunities ranging from
antiques to cutting-edge
fashion. Best of all, Brussels’
exquisite dining scene offers
everything from the freshest
seafood served in the grandest
of surroundings to piping hot
waffles to be scoffed on an
atmospheric street corner or in
the serene confines of a formal
garden. The sumptuous locally
made chocolates are worth the
trip here alone and let’s not even
get started on the sheer diversity
and overall quality of Belgian
beer. Brussels is the place to
sample the best of it all.
Check out the Atomium (www.atomium.be) – the giant structure
resembling an iron crystal molecule magnified 165 billion times. It has
had a €24 million facelift and is looking as good as it did when first
unveiled for the 1958 World Fair.
Suggested Itinerary:
Day 1
Take in the amazing architecture of the aptly named Grand Place then indulge in
a little retail therapy at the elegant Galeries St Hubert, Europe’s oldest shopping
arcade. Museum hop around the Upper Town peeking into the Musées Royaux des
Beaux-Arts de Belgique and the Musée des Instruments de Musique, followed by
chocolate tasting in the Place du Grand Sablon.
Day 2
Learn all about the fine art of beer making at the Musée Bruxellois de la Gueuze then
sample a few more jars in one (or several) of the city’s many old pubs before sobering
up over a slap-up lunch of Belgian cuisine. While away the afternoon at the sublime
Musée David et Alice van Buuren, then the night exploring the cobblestone streets
of the Lower Town.
1km = 0.6 mile approximately. The featured distances on the map correspond to the approximate distance
between the city centre and the hotels. For a full list of hotels and other destinations, see pages 28-35.
Book online at www.ichotels.com/GoDiscover Call 00800 95 800 800 (from Europe) or 0870 400 8840 (from the UK only)
Eating out
In ‘t Spinnekopke (1 Place du Jardin aux Fleurs;
+32 2 511 8695)
It hardly gets more authentic than this 18th-century
coach inn serving up beer-soaked Belgian dishes.
Belga Queen (32 rue du Fossé aux Loups;
+32 2 217 2187)
A fabulous restaurant with an equally fab crowd.
Eating in
A delicious two course dinner is available from €20 per
person at Crowne Plaza and €15 at Holiday Inn hotels.
Where to stay: see map
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Crowne Plaza:
Brussels from €79
Brussels Airport from €99
Brussels-Europa from €69
Holiday Inn:
Brussels Airport from €79
Brussels City Centre from €85
Brussels-Schuman from €65
Brussels-Expo * from €69
8 Express by Holiday Inn Brussels Airport from €49
Prices include breakfast and are per room per night.
Valid 1 November 06 – 31 March 07. * Holiday Inn Garden Court
If you like Brussels, why not
also visit Antwerp or Ghent?
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