Archives for “Relaxing” tag

Everybody knows the Basilique of Koekelberg, often referred to as ‘oh yeah that ugly green building near that big park’. And to be frank people are right, nobody is really amazingly enthusiastic about the church and it does not have a unique selling proposition when it comes to architecture nor interior design. Although it’s ranked as the fifth biggest church in the world, it does not give the familiar feeling of a church. The colored windows are very nice, but there are too many bricks involved and not enough finesse.

But, the Basilique has one big advantage for spotters and that is its height! At nearly 53 meters you get to see all of Brussels and it is really amazing. And when it is not too cloudy you can even see the Cathedral of Mechelen, which is situated at around 30 kilometers from Brussels. You will also be able to see the big park, which is the gateway to the city centre. Try to visit the Basilique on a sunny day.

Time for pictures!

There’s something about hidden parks that makes them much more fun than the regular ones. This little park is in a particularly good spot, just up from the Petit Sablon and near the Palace of Justice. When walking into the centre, I always try to pass through here if I can to stop and enjoy the greenery. The park used to be the private gardens of the Egmont palace, which now belongs to the Belgian Foreign Ministry. If you get thirsty in the park, it even has a small café in the old orangery. 

The coolest thing about the park, though, is the unassuming statue of Peter Pan. Seven copies of the original London statue were dispersed throughout the English speaking world. This is the only one in a country speaking a different language, making Brussels and this park very unique.

One of my favorite green spaces in Brussels is this incredible park hidden deep within the neighborhood of Schaerbeek. It’s quite far from the centre, so you’re unlikely to find many tourists here, but they’re really missing out. The park occupies a deep ravine between two areas of a higher ground and was laid out in 1904 in the free-flowing English style. 

I have been here so many times but I keep discovering new things about the place, because it’s so full of hidden charms. The park’s drama comes from a clever use of the topography, so that sloping meadows lead down to two snaking ponds, filled with ducks and swans. It even houses a donkey sanctuary and is full of little bridges and statues. Concerts are sometimes held in the old-fashioned bandstand too.

Even in winter, this park has a certain rustic charm, so dress up warm and go frolic.

Every main city of the world has a river, or a harbor. But Brussels, at first sight looks like a city without water.

But that’s not true.

Once upon a time the river Zenne crossed through the city. By the end of the 19th century it was decided to build boulevards on top of the river, causing it to end up disappearing from the Brusseler’s mind.

Many of the inhabitants of Brussels will only know the Zenne from the signs on the highway. However right in the city center there’s a small hidden corner where you can see a glimpse of it. What you can see there is just the (reconstructed) original bedding of the Zenne, but not the Zenne itself. You can see it at the Grande écluse building near the Midi station.

This river was never very clean but in the last years efforts have been made to clean it and now its waters are clear and big fish swim in it.

I like to enter in this small courtyard to get away from the bustling noise of the center, of course before heading to the nearby Place St. Gery for a drink.

Enter through the iron gate and go to the left. Be quiet and respectful, this is a private area which is open to visitors during the day to give us this nice chance to discover a bit more about Brussels.

For several years now, The Terrace, a temporary beach bar open every year from the end May (in 2013 from the 23rd May) till 20th of July. It takes place in a wonderful place in our city: an old racecourse of Boitsfort. Situated on the border of the Sonian Forest (see the Sonian Forest article), I can only advice you to first take a little walk and then have a rest at the Terrace…

But some people obviously don’t consider the forest walk an option: the girls are sexy and hip, the guys are handsome and successful … it seems that all what Brussels has to offer in beauty and glory is meeting here…

Yet I love the place, it’s like a piece of Bahamas or Bali lost for few weeks in our city…. Go there with a lover, bunch of friends or with your kids…