Looking for a brilliant mini weekend escape from Rome? Well if you haven’t thought of Brussels, it’s about time you did!
By NICOLA FERLEI BROWN
BRUSSELS — Apart from being the administrative hub of the European Union, Belgium is a chic place to hang out, and why not. Offering a cosmopolitan atmosphere with beautiful buildings, and as many as 80 museums to choose from, you will need to plan a way to fit it all in.
Try the Musical Instruments Museum, on the rue Montagne de la Cour, for something different which has everything from primitive drums to the saxophone, invented by the Belgian Adolphe Sax in the 1840s.
Chocolates and waffles never quite tasted so good until you’ve eaten some there, in one of the many cafes found meandering through the medieval picturesque streets. Beer will be the next thing you are bound to sample, and you might have to keep doing it all over again because there is always more on tap, with 350 different beers to taste.
An hour away by train, Bruges is the so called Venice of the north, however it seems more like a mini Florence. Michelangelo worked in Bruges on his beautiful Bruges Madonna, believed to be the only Michelangelo sculpture to have left Italy. During the height of the Renaissance, the
Medici family and other bankers used their agents in Bruges to send Greek and Roman books, and in return they sent works of art from Florence to Bruges.
A pretty little town lined with cobble stone streets and gabled houses. A famous landmark is the medieval church of Our Lady, which has the highest brick tower in Europe. The Basilica of the Holy Blood, with roman ruins, houses a phial said to contain the blood of Christ.
Brussels is one of the world’s largest political and economic trading centres. Local Bruges resident Caroline Van Langeraert talks of the great trading links between Bruges and Florence historically. Personally realised when she took over a huge family house overlooking the Groene Rei, dating back five generations. She found a unique store of antiques in the loft, including many Italian works.
Now run as a guest house, Hotel Cote Canal, with stunning suites in a unique calm spot, is in the heart of the old city. Caroline confirms a large number of Italians flock over every year, attracted to the food alone. Belgium has the highest density of Michelin Star restaurants in Europe. Belgian food with European fusions and Italian, French and Belgian menus on offer, means that if you want to test your palate, there is plenty on offer to try. The Bruges delicacy of mussels come in many different varieties and Brussels has a treasure of seafood haunts. La Quincaillerie, a former Ironmongers warehouse, is now a luxurious Oyster bar in the trendy Chatelain district, famous for its divine Lobster ravioli. Also, La Manufacture, formerly a Leather factory revamped with red brick and red granite decor, is a place where not only are fresh mussels in supply, but pigeon mouse is just as normal on the menu as deer torte.
Brimming with culture, open parks and monuments for photo opportunities, it also has a beautiful market square, Grote Markt. With a mere 800 miles to fly, why not give it a try!
Ryan air, from Rome (Ciampino) - Brussels (Charleroi).
Carolines Hotel Cote Canal. http://www.bruges-bedandbreakfast.be/
Hertsbergestraat 10, B-800, Bruges.
Rates from 140 euros.
La Manufacture Restaurant
Rue Notre Dame du Sommeil 12
Brussels
La Quincaillerie
Rue du Page 45
Brussels
www.quincaillerie.be