32 24 hours

HOURS IN 24Words by Kimberley Lovato Illustration by Fernando Volken Togni

Connect Brussels, ✈ Distance: 4,904 km ✈ Flight Time: 7 hours, 10 minutes ✈ Frequency: 5 flights a week

Oryx March 11 24 hours 33

Belgium gained independence in the multicultural and effervescent getting around 1830. prior to that the territory spirit of a city. was ruled By nearly every european power including the Roman But don’t ignore its home-grown heroes. Empire, France, Austria, Hapsburgian Spain, Brussels is the cradle of , and the Netherlands. It’s fitting, then, that and opulent structures – such as the the capital city of Brussels has grown from UNESCO townhouses of – dot taxi walk th its roots as a 10 -century fortified town the cityscape. Chocolate-lovers can thank Taxis are found at the Brussels is compact, and the along the Zenne River (now bricked over) Brussels chocolatier Jean Neuhaus for airport, hotels, or train various neighbourhoods, into a bilingual metropolis of over one inventing the praline: the filling-stuffed stations, but can’t be hailed squares, and green spaces are million inhabitants, half of whom hail chocolates we are familiar with today. on the streets. best discovered on foot – when it’s not raining. from elsewhere. And did you know The Smurfs, Tintin, and Lucky Luke are just a few of the comic It’s also the home of NATO, the European characters created by Belgian authors Union, and nearly 2,000 international and cartoonists? It’s no wonder Brussels companies and organisations, reflecting is called the capital of Europe. bike train For the very brave, there are The city’s buses, trams, and 180 Villo bike stations around underground trains are Brussels that charge only efficient and affordable: only €1.50 per day and €7 €1.70 per journey or €12.30 per week. for ten rides.

City profile

oFten considered the ugly perceptible from a cursory glance. step-sister oF more glamorous A patchwork of sundry neighbourhoods, neighBours London, Amsterdam, and top-notch restaurants, and cutting-edge Paris, Brussels is viewed as a quick stop en cultural venues, Brussels presents a bevy route to somewhere else. But those who of surprises for those willing to branch out live and work there know the city possesses beyond the main tourist traps and uncover Royal Palace and gardens

© jan kranendonk/istockphoto.com an understated sophistication not her hidden beauty.

01.00 07.0 0 09.00 10.00 12.00 salsa on over to outdoor markets are the grand’place, explore les marolles, Follow Brussels’ maria’s, in the heart the cornerstone of a unesco site and a working-class whimsical spirit of the city, where daily life in Brussels, touted as “the most neighbourhood along the comic strip Spanish tapas is and Place Ste. beautiful square popular for its daily flea trail: 36 larger-than- served until midnight, Catherine is a local in Europe” by Victor market, and the only life comic murals and live music and favourite, set amongst Hugo, inspires gaping place you might hear painted on buildings dancing pulse until gabled Flemish at gold-tipped guild Bruxellois, an old dialect around the city centre the wee hours. (Rue houses and cafés. houses and a 96-metre mixing French, Flemish, illustrating Belgium’s Auguste Orts 6.) spire-topped town hall. and a bit of Spanish. beloved art form.

13.00 15.00 16.00 20.00 22.00 rené magritte is indulge your sweet rejuvenate at the architecture and the neon-blue sign venerated at the tooth at the small Zein oriental spa gastronomy meet at on fashionable rue , café above wittamer inside the historic Belga Queen, a Belle antoine dansaert opened in 2009 on the Place du Grand Tour & Taxis building, Époque bank-turned- is l’archiduc, and showcasing Sablon – a stunning once the base for the sumptuous restaurant a legendary Art Deco the world’s largest square laced with first European postal with dishes using bar known for its collection of the chocolate shops, chic service, which ran ingredients exclusively smooth cocktails, surrealist’s work. boutiques, and between Brussels from Belgian sources. cool jazz, and Book tickets online. outdoor terraces. and Vienna. Downstairs, a cigar bar 5am closing time. sits in the former vault.

B Although Brussels is officially a bilingual region, French is the predominant language. Most people speak more than one language.

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