Brussels question - Augusta?
Brussels question - Augusta?
Hi there :wave:
I've just booked tickets for a weekend in Brussels at the end of July :yay:
Is there anything special going on at the moment? I've been to Brussels several times before and have "done" the sights, so I'm more interested in experiences than sightseeing. Will Bruxelles Les Bains be open? What about the funfair along Boulevard du Midi (at least I *think* that's where it was)? Anything else that would be fun to do? Any festivals, performances etc? Any good restaurants opened recently? Any good fritkots that you would recommend?
I hope the weather's nice, last time I went to Brussels in summertime I came back with a tan - I was most impressed with the fake beach!! :beach:
Answers:
I live about an hour and a half from Brussels so I'm sure Augusta will have better tips for you than me, however I would say prepare to SWELTER! I had to go into Brussels a few weeks ago and I only went to the outskirts and it was 34 degrees according to my car thermometer... make that 38 in the city itself! :cool: :eek:
Answers:
Hello!
The Brussels beach will indeed be in full swing again from 14th July to 13th August.
http://www.bruxelleslesbains.be/
The funfair 'Foire du Midi' is coming back to its usual site on the boulevard du Midi, from mid July-mid Aug.
http://www.espacespeculoos.be/ - details of street performances at the place de la monnaie.
The full cultural calendar of what's on is
here.
If you rollerblade, then you could join in one of the big roller parades: http://www.belgiumrollers.com/
The Atomium re-opened in February after its long closure for a gutting and a shiny new facelift with groovy lighting. I've been told it's worth a visit, although was unable to get in when I went a few days after its re-opening and the queue was over an hour long.
http://www.atomium.be/HTMLsite/dyn/eindex.html
All the cultural listings are talking about this:
http://www.visitbelgium.com/mediaroo...Electrique.htm
As for restaurants, I'm afraid I've rarely been out to dinner in Brussels this year so am well out of touch. I'll ask around for any recs, or other baggers might have some suggestions. The restaurants I know best are mostly in and around the trendy Place Chatelain/rue de Bailli area, where there is also some choice shopping to be had.
Everyone I know here is in agreement that the best fritkot in Brussels is the one on Place Jourdan in Etterbeek (1040 Brussels), the Maison Antoine.
There are film showings at the Esplanade du Cinquentenaire (it's set up as a drive-in cinema) every Friday and Saturday night from 28th July - 2nd September from 8pm onwards.
One café I do really like that has a great atmosphere and lots going on (whatever time of day I turn up) is Café Belga on Place Flagey, Ixelles.
http://www.cafebelga.be/
Yes, it's been hot, but it was around the same time as it was boiling in Germany during the World Cup and also hot in England and elsewhere in Europe. Currently it's around 25C and cloudy, but the other week was well over 30C for a few days and nights.
Anyway, hope that helps and if I hear of anything else fun and happening I'll post here about it. Guess you've seen previous posts with other general info and recs. Shame I'm away at the end of the month or we could have had a mini-meet in a bar somewhere! :D
Answers:
Excellent, thank you ladies! :thanks:
I love hot weather, so I certainly hope it stays warm for the rest of the month! :D
Great news re: Brussels Beach & Foire du Midi. I wasn't planning a trip to the Atomium, but if it's been refurbished perhaps I should consider it. :great:
I'll definitely check out the Maison Antoine, as I love Belgian fries. Is Schuman the closest metro stop? Anything else to see/do in that area?
Also, any idea how long the Foire du Midi stays open on a Friday night?
Answers:
Yep, Schuman is the closest metro stop to Place Jourdan, but there are buses that go to it as well. (nos. 80, 21, 59 I think) It's close to all the EU stuff (can visit the commission or parliament building I think) and also the Leopold Park with the Natural Science museum and the Solvay Library (has exhibitions sometimes) and Cinquentenaire Park with various museums and the grand mosque of Brussels in it.
Babeko restaurant has been recommended to me as a recent place in central Brussels. There are tons more places reviewed and listed on www.resto.be
Sorry, I have no idea about how long the funfair continues into the night and no-one I've asked so far knows either.
Hi there :wave:
I've just booked tickets for a weekend in Brussels at the end of July :yay:
Is there anything special going on at the moment? I've been to Brussels several times before and have "done" the sights, so I'm more interested in experiences than sightseeing. Will Bruxelles Les Bains be open? What about the funfair along Boulevard du Midi (at least I *think* that's where it was)? Anything else that would be fun to do? Any festivals, performances etc? Any good restaurants opened recently? Any good fritkots that you would recommend?
I hope the weather's nice, last time I went to Brussels in summertime I came back with a tan - I was most impressed with the fake beach!! :beach:
Answers:
I live about an hour and a half from Brussels so I'm sure Augusta will have better tips for you than me, however I would say prepare to SWELTER! I had to go into Brussels a few weeks ago and I only went to the outskirts and it was 34 degrees according to my car thermometer... make that 38 in the city itself! :cool: :eek:
Answers:
Hello!
The Brussels beach will indeed be in full swing again from 14th July to 13th August.
http://www.bruxelleslesbains.be/
The funfair 'Foire du Midi' is coming back to its usual site on the boulevard du Midi, from mid July-mid Aug.
http://www.espacespeculoos.be/ - details of street performances at the place de la monnaie.
The full cultural calendar of what's on is
here.
If you rollerblade, then you could join in one of the big roller parades: http://www.belgiumrollers.com/
The Atomium re-opened in February after its long closure for a gutting and a shiny new facelift with groovy lighting. I've been told it's worth a visit, although was unable to get in when I went a few days after its re-opening and the queue was over an hour long.
http://www.atomium.be/HTMLsite/dyn/eindex.html
All the cultural listings are talking about this:
http://www.visitbelgium.com/mediaroo...Electrique.htm
As for restaurants, I'm afraid I've rarely been out to dinner in Brussels this year so am well out of touch. I'll ask around for any recs, or other baggers might have some suggestions. The restaurants I know best are mostly in and around the trendy Place Chatelain/rue de Bailli area, where there is also some choice shopping to be had.
Everyone I know here is in agreement that the best fritkot in Brussels is the one on Place Jourdan in Etterbeek (1040 Brussels), the Maison Antoine.
There are film showings at the Esplanade du Cinquentenaire (it's set up as a drive-in cinema) every Friday and Saturday night from 28th July - 2nd September from 8pm onwards.
One café I do really like that has a great atmosphere and lots going on (whatever time of day I turn up) is Café Belga on Place Flagey, Ixelles.
http://www.cafebelga.be/
Yes, it's been hot, but it was around the same time as it was boiling in Germany during the World Cup and also hot in England and elsewhere in Europe. Currently it's around 25C and cloudy, but the other week was well over 30C for a few days and nights.
Anyway, hope that helps and if I hear of anything else fun and happening I'll post here about it. Guess you've seen previous posts with other general info and recs. Shame I'm away at the end of the month or we could have had a mini-meet in a bar somewhere! :D
Answers:
Excellent, thank you ladies! :thanks:
I love hot weather, so I certainly hope it stays warm for the rest of the month! :D
Great news re: Brussels Beach & Foire du Midi. I wasn't planning a trip to the Atomium, but if it's been refurbished perhaps I should consider it. :great:
I'll definitely check out the Maison Antoine, as I love Belgian fries. Is Schuman the closest metro stop? Anything else to see/do in that area?
Also, any idea how long the Foire du Midi stays open on a Friday night?
Answers:
Yep, Schuman is the closest metro stop to Place Jourdan, but there are buses that go to it as well. (nos. 80, 21, 59 I think) It's close to all the EU stuff (can visit the commission or parliament building I think) and also the Leopold Park with the Natural Science museum and the Solvay Library (has exhibitions sometimes) and Cinquentenaire Park with various museums and the grand mosque of Brussels in it.
Babeko restaurant has been recommended to me as a recent place in central Brussels. There are tons more places reviewed and listed on www.resto.be
Sorry, I have no idea about how long the funfair continues into the night and no-one I've asked so far knows either.