Recommend December 2017 - 42

The UNESCO
World Heritage City of Bruges.

BELGIUM
The very hip destination of Belgium,
located in western Europe and bordered
by France, the Netherlands, Germany,
Luxembourg, and the North Sea, is
an intimate country where visitors will
hear a chorus of languages including
Dutch, French and German. Its capital
and largest city, BRUSSELS, offers an
array of attractions for everyone from the
museum-loving traveler to multi-gen family
vacationers. For the latter, Train World
takes guests on a discovery of the trains
of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. This
railway museum not only offers a peek
into the history of the Belgian railways
dating back to 1835, but guests can also
learn about life behind the ticket counter.
History and political buffs should take
a detour over to the Parlamentarium,
featuring interactive tools to show visitors
how the European Parliament works; and
for those into pop culture, the Belgian
Comic Strip Center honors creators and
heroes of comic art through exhibitions
featuring Tintin and the Smurfs, among
others. Other must-visits are the Museum
of Natural Sciences, and the Musical
Instruments Museum.
Culture isn't the only thing travelers
should head to Brussels for. Its nightlife

will have visitors partying into the early
morning at various nightclubs such as
Fuse, Zodiak and Stereo for electronic
music, Madame Moustache for a little
rock 'n' roll, and hip hop and house music
at Bloody Louis. For a unique dining
experience, get a bite to eat at the Tram
Experience-it's a 6- or 7-course meal
created by top Belgian chefs enjoyed
while on a 2-hour tour through Brussels'
most beautiful sights. Brunching has been
trending in Brussels recently, so make sure
to add a stop for brunch to enjoy healthy
options or indulge in classic choices.
Our pick for a stay in the city is the
upscale Warwick Brussels, located
steps from the Grand Place and featuring
16 suites draped in velvet, wood and
marble furnishings.
About an hour connection by train
from Brussels, visitors arrive in Bruges,
a UNESCO World Heritage City known
for its brick-Gothic buildings that still
keep the mysteries of the Middle Ages
in their embrace, but also offers a very
contemporary vibe. While in Bruges,
with its cobbled lanes and sleepy canals,
visitors will want to take in the city's
religious heritage by visiting some of
its churches, monasteries, abbeys and

chapels. The Basilica of the Holy Blood
is a double church from the 12th century
that became a basilica in 1923, consisting
of a lower church that has maintained its
Romanesque character while the upper
church features a neo-Gothic style, where
the relic of the Holy Blood is preserved;
its treasury features works of art also
worth visiting. The annual procession
of the Holy Blood, which dates back
to the Middle Ages, takes place yearly
during Ascension Day and was named an
Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO
in 2009. Another cultural event to note
takes place during summer nights on
Mondays and Wednesdays: the Carillon
Concerts, which draw a crowd at the
Belfry courtyard. And you mustn't leave
this charming city without climbing the
366 steps of the Belfry for panoramic
views of the canals, red-tiled roofs and
spires. There are also antique shops, art
galleries, and so many historic sights to
discover it's almost dizzying. Don't forget a
horse-drawn carriage and a boat ride, too,
as well as an exploration of the quiet St
Anna District, with its Lace and Folklore
museums. With its 15th century roots-
it's a converted convent-the Hotel de
Orangerie, located on the Den Dijver
Canal, is the ideal place to retreat after
exploring the city. ◆

FASTFACTS
GETTING THERE: ATL, JFK
ENTRY DOCUMENTS: Valid passport
INFORMATION PLEASE:
visitbegium.com (Wallonia & Brussels)
visitflanders.com (Flanders & Brussels)

42

42 BELGIUM.indd 42

12/14/17 12:20 PM
http://www.visitbelgium.com http://www.visitflanders.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend December 2017
