9.00
More than 20 million people pass through Brussels Airport each year so you’ll want to make a swift exit after touching down in a limousine from Modern Car (+32 2 420 10 00; www.moderncar.com). Check into the invitingly named Hotel Amigo, a stunningly appointed property and part of the renowned Rocco Forte group. Within strolling distance of La Grand-Place, the historic Îlot Sacré area and the antiques district of Le Sablon, Hotel Amigo is perfectly positioned with impeccable service to boot. The 180-sqm Armand Blaton Royal Suite has a 60-sqm terrace along with a dining room and kitchen, while the quirky Tintin Suite is decorated with Hergé’s famous characters. For a chic alternative, try the recently opened Odette en Ville in the thriving Châtelain quarter. This boutique hotel, set in a 1920s private residence, has immaculately curated style and furnishings for those wanting a contemporary edge.
10.00
Make straight for the centre of the city to admire the imposing grandeur of the Bourse, the neo-Palladian building housing the Brussels stock exchange. Wander between the huge lion statues standing sentinel and admire the virtuosity of the architecture. It only gets better as you leave Place de la Bourse and meander along the picturesque alleyways lined with shops and cafés to Grand-Place, often described as one of the most visually impressive central squares in the world. Here, choose any terraced restaurant for a light breakfast bite and gawp at the impossibly ornate collection of historical civic buildings. After soaking up all the medieval majesty, take Rue Chair et Pain on the northern side to see the much-loved cheeky icon of Brussels, the Manneken Pis or “peeing boy” statue. After the customary snap, it’s time to take in some more lofty artworks.
Hotel Amigo
12.00
The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium (+32 2 508 32 11; www.fine-arts-museum.be/en) has a permanent collection that spans hundreds of years from the 15th to the 21st centuries. Alongside this are numerous temporary exhibits that will appeal to a wide range of art lovers. More essential viewing can be found in the Magritte Museum (+32 2 508 32 11; www.musee-magritte-museum.be) located in the adjacent neo-classical Altenloh Hotel. More than 200 works of the Belgian surrealist René Magritte, who lived in Brussels for most of his life, allow for a thought-provoking tour.
13.30
Time for some light respite in the form of lunch. Eating mussels in Brussels is a must – not for the rhyming fun but because they are delectable – and served with golden fries it’s a slap-up meal at lunch or dinner. Unwavering quality for moules-frites is found at La Bonne Humeur (+32 2 230 71 69; www.labonnehumeur.be/en). This informal family restaurant has been a “spécialité moule” venue since 1954 and many swear it’s unbeatable. If local delicacy is not an imperative, and another museum is fine, then not only does the Musical Instruments Museum (MIM) (+32 2 545 01 30; www.mim.be) have a fascinating display of musical instruments, but the rooftop restaurant has a decent menu and great views over the city. If a more gastronomic experience appeals, then head to Place Sainte-Catherine and La Belle Maraîchère restaurant (+32 2 512 97 59; www.labellemaraichere.com), an institution in the city for exquisite cuisine in a lavish setting.
The Magritte Museum
15.00
The afternoon is a great time to discover some of Brussels’s shopping opportunities and the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert is the ideal place to start. This opulent 19th-century shopping arcade features opposing façades with a distinctly Italian sense of finesse. For high fashion with a local connection visit Belgian designer Martin Margiela’s store at Rue de Flandre 114. The trendy Stijl store also carries Belgian designers such as Dries van Noten. For gifts to take home, peruse the chocolate offerings at Pierre Marcolini: Maison of Haute Chocolaterie (+32 2 512 12 06; www.eu.marcolini.com). The range is extensive, fantastically pricey and arrives finely packaged like jewellery. La Maison des Maîtres Chocolatiers back at Grand-Place (+32 2 888 66 20) is another excellent option for some deliriously expensive and divine chocolate.
17.00
Another tasty local specialty of a different kind is only a few minutes walk from La Grand-Place. For nearly 20 years, Biertempel (+32 2 502 19 06; www.biertempel.be) has sold range of rare and artisan beers, stocking some 600 varieties and also carrying gift packs. For a pre-dinner beer in more extravagant surroundings head to Belga Queen (+32 2 217 21 87; www.belgaqueen.be), the creation of successful restaurateur Antoine Pinto, who has transformed an old belle époque bank into a restaurant, oyster bar, beer bar and a cigar lounge.
Belga Queen in Brussels
19.30
La Truffe Noire (+32 2 640 44 22; www.truffenoire.com) is a sublime dinner venue for lovers of the illustrious back and white truffles. This Michelin-starred restaurant offers special “diamond” and “privilege” menus featuring dishes such as Tête de Moine cheese with acacia honey and Cohiba tobacco leaf scented with white truffle oil – gastronomy guaranteed. Comme Chez Soi (+32 2 512 29 21; www.commechezsoi.be) is another vaunted establishment that offers international haute cuisine in the elegant surroundings of a Brussels town house.
22.30
To bring a suitably sophisticated close to the day, head to the Hippodrome de Boitsfort (+32 2 354 72 00; www.la-terrasse.be), an old racetrack converted into a poolside terrace bar replete with palm trees, hammocks and those in the know.
A dish from La Truffe Noir, Brussels