prepared in an open kitchen. Located outside the city center, Bon
Bon’s lush gardens offer an escape from the city crowds.
One of the most popular meals in Brussels is brunch and Café
Luxembourg is a popular spot to laze away the morning over yogurt,
granola, banana-raspberry French toast, or creamy carrot cake. La
Fabbrica, located in the Royal Warehouse in the Tour et Taxis area, has
both indoor and outdoor terraces, where a hearty buffet is served.
Children can enjoy the bouncy castle, face painting, creative workshop,
story time, and reading corner while adults chat over crepes and quiche.
WHAT TO DO
The Grand-Place, and UNESCO World Heritage site, is the first stop for
many visitors to Brussels, thanks to lavish baroque, gothic, and Louis
XIV-style architecture dating back to the 14th century. Today, the Grand-
Place remains the center of cultural activity from daily flower markets
to Ommegang, a historical pageant at the end of June that reenacts the
entry of Emperor Charles V and his son Philip into Brussels in 1549.
Mini-Europe at the foot of the Atomium in Bruparck offers a quick trip
around all the countries in the E.U. through scaled-down reproductions
of 80 cities and 350 buildings. From an erupting Mt. Vesuvius to a
bullfight in Seville to the fall of the Berlin Wall, visitors can make models
work for themselves as learn about Europe’s culture and history.
The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium celebrates Belgian
artist Thomas Lerooy with a special exhibit through August 2019.
Behind the Curtain showcases Lerooy’s paintings alongside his
sculptures for the first time. While Magritte & Dali blends the work
of pioneers in surrealism, Salvador Dalí and René Magritte, into a
special show through 2020.
The Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium
Credit: adisa/Getty
Intimate Audrey at the Espace Vanderborght is dedicated to Brussels-
born Breakfast at Tiffany’s star Audrey Hepburn. The collection of
photographs, souvenirs, dresses, accessories and fashion drawings
created by her son, Sean Hepburn Ferrer, focuses on the woman
behind the Hollywood icon.
WHERE TO STAY GETTING THERE
A stone’s throw from the Grand-Place in the heart of Brussels’ historic
district, Hotel Amigo has hosted Hollywood stars, presidents, and
business moguls from around the world. Accommodations range from
classic rooms to themed suites, such as the Rene Magritte (decorated
in the artist’s favorite colors and patterns) and the luxurious Armand
Blaton, which boasts a rooftop terrace overlooking the city. The
Ristorante Bocconi serves Italian cuisine made with fresh local
ingredients, while Bar A has lighter fare and cocktails. Brussels Airlines and United Airlines each fly daily from Washington
Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Brussels Airport (BRU) with
a flight time of around eight hours. Brussels Airlines travelers can
also take advantage of free pit stops in other Belgian cities such as
Antwerp and Bruges. The airlines’ brand-new cabin is described as
a “boutique hotel in the air” that inspired by Belgian Art Nouveau.
Business class features full flatbeds and a five-course meal designed
by Belgian Michelin Star chefs.
WHERE TO EAT
Brussels was the first city outside of France to have a restaurant
awarded three Michelin Guide stars, in 1972, and there remains no
shortage of fine dining options within the city. Christophe Hardiquest’s
Bon Bon is a culinary adventure, blending flair with subtlety. Multi-
course menus range from the “2-Time Valve” to the “6-Course
Wallet,” featuring juicy steaks and seafood with innovative side orders
Once again, Brussels Airlines is hosting special party flights from
83 different airports including Dulles bringing festival-goers to
Tomorrowland. Of the 240 #TMLpartyflights, 55 will take to the sky with
music on board, of which nine will host a live DJ-set at 30,000 feet.
SUMMER 2019 47 FLYWASHINGTON.COM