Wedged between Paris, Amsterdam and London, Brussels doesn’t hog the spotlight. Many travelers skip over the Belgian capital, or spend a couple of hours hitting the landmarks before moving on.
But for any curious soul willing to linger, Brussels has some nice surprises, from indulgent libations to quirky artists. Spend 36 hours here, and you’ll leave wanting more.
Start your day big. La La Grand-Place, the heartbeat of Brussels, pulses with activity. Take in the powerful solemnity for a few minutes before setting off to wander the back streets at whim.
The cobblestone alleys are where you’ll find the city’s most famous spots, like the beloved Manneken Pis, the cheeky if underwhelming statue of a little boy peeing in a fountain. A local treasure, depending on the day you’re in Brussels, he may be dressed up in a particular costume (fireman, soccer player and Elvis Presley are some favorites).
You’ll come across Gothic churches like the Eglise Saint Nicolas and Cathédrale Saints-Michel-et-Gudule where the weddings and christenings of the Belgian royal family take place.
And you’ll find yourself in charming squares, like Place Sainte-Catherine, and lively alleyways like Rue des Bouchers.
Les Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert
Grab a quick lunch Brussels-style, at one of the multiple friteries in the area. Worth the detour is Maison Antoine in Place Jourdan, where you can join residents in gorging on fricadelle (a minced meat hot dog) and frites al fresco, as is the local custom.
Finish off in style with a café au lait and a sugar-powdered waffle at Mokafe under the glass arch in the classy Galeries-St Hubert.
There are myriad ways to get your culture fix in Brussels. The city has dozens of interesting museums, galleries and historic buildings, and you can have your pick depending on what you’re in the mood for.
Fancy looking at some quirky art? Explore surrealism master Rene Magritte’s work in his old house, which is now the René Magritte’s. Musically minded? Head to the Musical Instruments Museum.. Serious about art history? Visit the Horta Museum.
Brussels’ has some great restaurants and a pavement-cafe culture
Belgian cuisine may not be as famed as others in Europe, but it can definitely hold its own and the city has thousands of restaurants to choose from. For dinner, head to a traditional brasserie such as La Roue d’Or where you’ll find quintessential Belgian dishes like fricassé de lapin (rabbit stew) and stoemp (mashed potatoes), and Brussels’ perennial favorite, moules et frites (mussels with French fries).
Or, dine like a local at a neighborhood restaurant with a loyal following, like Chabrol. To drink, it has to be a local beer (ask what they have on tap).
The Atomium outside Brussels
Start the day bright and early with breakfast at Maison Dandoy. This patisserie is a Brussels institution, and a bite into one of their cakes or cookies will be enough to wake you up and energize you for the day ahead.
After breakfast, gear up up for a short train ride. The Atomium is a little out of town, but is an unmissable sight. The unique construction of glistening spheres and sticks, built for the 1958 International Fair, is like nothing else you’ve seen.
It is also worth exploring the interior, a winding museum that leads you from sphere to sphere, with panels showing you how the Atomium was built and taking you on a journey through the city’s past.
If you have time to linger, take in the views from the rooftop, and stop for lunch at the restaurant on the terrace. By the time you’re on your way to your next destination, you’ll be planning another, longer visit to Brussels.
If you’re keen to mix with the locals and see the real London, stay at these top-rated neighborhood hotels. The city comes alive outside Zone One.
This Italian-owned haven for the well-heeled of Chelsea isn’t cheap, but for a neighborhood hotel, it is something special. The 19 rooms are styled like scenes from the Renaissance, with rag-painted walls and voluminous drapes in vibrant colors. Antique furniture and four poster beds complete the look.
All the shops you could ever want are on the doorstep, as well London’s top museums and the Royal Albert Hall. The Five Fields which critics have tipped as one of London’s top restaurants for 2020, is just around the corner. Frommer’s says this hotel delivers, “divine Italian luxury at its most romantic and English-accented.” In other words – it’s got wow factor.
+44 (0)20 7581 5757, from £250 per room per night, www.sandomenicohouse.com
At the height of the punk rock era, some legendary showbiz moments happened at the Portobello Hotel. The Beastie Boys were arrested there, the Sex Pistols were thrown out, and Patti Smith was a regular. Later, it was where U2 signed a record deal, and Damon Albarn was a bartender. Despite this, the hotel remains low-key – apart from the décor, which Travel + Leisure describes as, “seventies Marrakesh madness meets faded country-house glamour.”
Located in the heart of Notting Hill, the antique shops and artisan bakeries of Portobello Road are on the doorstep. And you can walk to Hereford Road a popular neighborhood restaurant where the menu is as intriguing as your accommodation.
You know your hotel is cooler than you when events – sorry – “happenings” include life drawing classes of… wolves. But don’t let that put you off, because this former Edwardian town hall is a beautiful design hotel, with some fabulous restaurants, and being this far from Central London, feels like a steal.
Explore the arty neighborhood of Bethnal Green, which has character, grit and great nightlife. On a sunny Sunday, walk to Columbia Road, which is full of independent shops, cafes as well as flower market A word of warning – this isn’t the best hotel if you’re seeking peace and quiet. There are frequent hipster weddings and photo shoots and you might also find instagrammers running riot.
An eight-room hotel owned by Gordon Ramsey, the York and Albany has tasteful décor – original fireplaces and four poster beds – and a buzzy restaurant. The hotel just pretends to be in Camden – in fact, it’s on a lovely hill (with a Whole Foods, no less) leading directly to Regent’s Park But it’s in easy reach of the grungier side of Camden if you’re keen to explore.
This hotel is a good choice if you have children and animals in tow. Kids eat free in the restaurant, and the park and London Zoo are within strolling distance. For live music-fans, The Blues Kitchen is just down the street, as is, of course, The Jazz Cafe, which everyone should visit at least once.
Fifteen years ago, Shoreditch was a hinterland. At night, you didn’t stray far from Great Eastern Street. But then, prices shot through the roof, and soon cocktail bars began appearing on every corner. The hugely popular Hoxton Hotel, built out of a converted car park, was one of the first cool places to spring up and it’s still cool, years later.
Considering the Hoxton is located in what the Telegraph calls “the heart of hipster heaven” it’s surprisingly affordable, friendly, and has great perks for travelers like free phone calls all over the world. There are dozens of places to eat nearby, but for a magical lunch or dinner, head to Rochelle Canteen – a restaurant in a converted school bike shed that is worshipped by locals.
+44 (0) 207 550 1000, from £130 per room per night, https://thehoxton.com
Opposite Hyde Park and Kensington Palace the Milestone is a traditional English hotel with elegant furnishings, and a quirky horse-racing themed bar. Known for its exceptional service, there are two members of staff for every guest, which says it all really. There is a suite named after Meghan Markle, and if you stay here, expect to be treated like royalty too.
With grand white stucco fronted houses, and more than a dozen imposing embassy buildings, Kensington might feel intimidating at first. But wander down the cobbled streets and you’ll find classic pubs, all peeling paint and chandeliers, and some pretty garden squares. On the street behind the hotel is Launceston Place a fine dining restaurant loved by well-to-do locals.
This two-room bed and breakfast is owned by flamboyant interior designer David Walker, described by Elle Decor as the “enfant terrible of British design.” As you might expect, staying here is like walking into an exploded jewelery box. The idea is to offer guests a fairy-tale experience. Rooms are filled with objects and curios (each one has a story) given to the designer by photographers, artists and the like.
Once you’ve recovered from this overdose of English eccentricity, have a wander around Stepney Green. A little rough around the edges, it has some good pubs and Bangladeshi, Turkish and Pakistani restaurants. The Tower of London the City, and Spitalfields Market are all nearby.
single room £115 per night, double £185 per night. Both rooms can be hired together, www.40winks.org
Although only Wisconsin’s second largest city, Madison is the capital of the great dairy state. The heart of the city is nestled between two lakes, so it’s no surprise that a majority of Madison’s top hotels sit on the waterside.
When you stay in prime locations near Capitol Square and the University of Wisconsin – Madison campus, as suggested by travel experts, you’ll find the city surprisingly walkable. Read on to learn the best places to bunk for a truly great trip to Madison.
Hampton Inn & Suites Madison Downtown
You’ll find the Hampton Inn & Suites Madison Downtown on the eastern edge of the university campus, just a few blocks from the pedestrianized State Street, which leads directly to the Capitol Square.
While travelers will be happy enough to explore the city during inviting summer months, the hotel has facilities to keep travelers sated during the bitingly cold winter days too. The hotel is home to an indoor heated pool with whirlpool, and a spacious fitness center stocked with cardio machines and weight training equipment. Guests are also provided a free hot breakfast or “On the Run” breakfast bags.
Lauded as a “Lakefront Deco landmark” by Jetsetter, The Edgewater celebrates its Wisconsin heritage. At the lobby entrance, a 90-foot media wall celebrates Wisconsin icons and past famous hotel guests. You can mingle with Madison locals during your stay, since the hotel hosts community events, including live music concerts in summer and open ice skating in winter in their plaza.
If you happen to be there for a Friday Fish Fry, take part in the Wisconsin tradition. Since The Edgewater is the only hotel with a AAA Four Diamond Rating in Madison or Dane County, dinner should not disappoint.
Hilton Madison Monona Terrace
If you want to check in to a hotel with great lake views and a convenient Capitol Square location, Hilton Madison Monona Terrace is your best bet. If your room does not have water views, the hotel is connected to the Monona Terrace Convention and Community Centre, which has its own rooftop terrace overlooking Lake Monona.
This Hilton is home to a steak restaurant, but there’s no shortage of restaurants on your doorstep, including The Great Dane Pub and Brewing Company. A special perk of staying here is the free shuttle service to the airport, the Capitol and the UW-Madison campus.
The boutique Graduate Madison hotel, formerly known as Dahlmann Campus Inn, offers visitors a glimpse into the UW-Madison college lifestyle – but, thankfully, a refined version. Lonely Planet highlights the “hip academic vibe with its mod-meets-plaid decor and book-themed artwork.”
Just off Lake Mendota and a few footsteps from the iconic Memorial Union, Graduate Madison sits on Langdon Street, along with nearly all of the university’s fraternity and sorority houses. Notably, Friday and Saturday nights might be particularly noisy, but bring your earplugs – or hop on over to nearby State Street and join in the youthful revelry.
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