may2014
64
FLYTO
brussels
frommorethan50europeandestinations.
brusselsairlines.com
SLEEP
Martin’sPatershof
(Karmelietenstraat
4, (0)15464646,martinshotels.com, rooms
from€89) isaFranciscanchurchconvertedby
theadventurousMartin’sHotelsgroup.
Hotel
MercureMechelenVé
(Vismarkt 14, (0)1520
0755,mercure.com/Mechelen, rooms from
€79) isanother appealingconversion, this time
of anold fishmarket’ssmokinghouse.
EAT
GrandCafé Lamot
(VanBeethovenstraat
8/10) isamodern riversidebrasserie-restaurant
withgoodviewsofStRumbold’sCathedral. For a
completelydifferent experience,
HetNieuwwerk
(Nieuwwerk 11, (0)15345340) servesclassic
Belgiancuisine inapeaceful, picturesquespot
behind theCathedral.
CULTURE
The
HanswijkProcession
(hanswijkprocessie.be) on 18May isanot-to-be-
missedannual event frommedieval times. It
featuresaprocession that depicts the lifeof the
VirginMary, thehistoryofMechelenandscenes
from theBurgundiancourt.
War in theChildren’s
Room
isanexhibitionofmilitary toysonat the
SpeelgoedMuseum
(speelgoedmuseum.be).
SHOP
Kaashandel Schockaert
(IJzerenleen28)
isashopsellingalmost 300cheesesand is
particularly famous for itsGoudenCarolus
Brouwerskaas,which ismadewith local beer.
LATER
t’ Ankertje
(Vismarkt 20) hasall the
GoudenCarolusbeerson tapandstaysopen
until around2am, everynight exceptMonday.
TIP
Whendining inMechelenmakesureyou
order
witloof
(Belgianendive) andasparagus.
AdrianMourby
TRAIN
Theairport
station is located
below the terminal
atbasement level.
Take trainnumber
3612,direction
Mechelen-Antwerpen.
There’sonedirect
trainperhour, the
journey time is 11
minutesand tickets
cost€8.10. If you
miss it, travel via
Brussel-Noordand
boardanyAntwerp
train.That journey
will take38minutes.
BUS
Thereare four
busservices from
ZaventemLuchthaven
PerronB toMechelen.
Buses682and683
takearound48
minutes,686 takes
57minutes,and681
takes72minutes.
All routescost€3
andyoucanbuy the
ticketon thebus.
TAXI
A taxi to
Mechelen from the
airport costsat least
€40and takesabout
20minutes,with
slightlyhigher rates
in theeveningand
Sundays/public
holidays.
TOURIST INFO
visitmechelen.be
/
info
10,444,268 +32 12°C
Euro (EUR)
mechelen
belgium
21kmfrombrussels
Martin’sPatershof hotel
ishoused ina former
Franciscanchurch
Tournai’sBelfryand
thefive-towered
NotreDameCathedral
SLEEP
Thecentrally located
Hôtel d’Alcantara
(RuedesBouchersSt Jacques2, (0)69212648,
hotelalcantara.be, rooms from€99) has25
spacious roomsplusahandful of apartments
equippedwithakitchen–all inabeautiful
18th-centuryhouse.
EAT
Feel right at homeat thecosy
Moment
Gourmand
(Ruelled’Ennetières4, (0)697696
00). ChefDamiendraws inspiration fromhis
time inLyonandGeneva tocreateFrenchdishes
withamodern twist, includingdark-chocolate
omelettes. The two- and three-coursemenus
aregoodvalue formoney.
CULTURE
The five-towered
NotreDame
Cathedral
(Placede l’Evêche 1) housesworks
byRubensandhiscontemporaryJacob
Jordaens, plus there’sa famous letter from Joan
ofArc to thecitizensof Tournai. A three-minute
walkaway is the72-metre-tall
Belfry
(Vieux
MarchéauxPoteries 14)–Belgium’soldest.
From23May-1 June, kidswill love the rides,
magicandclownshoesat the fair happening
on theEsplanadeduConseil de l’Europe.
SHOP
EverySundayuntil noonhunt for bargains
or just enjoy thebuzzof the
fleamarket
(PlaceStPierreandRueDuCygne).
LATER
Feedyour after-hoursculturevulture
on3May,when localmuseumsopen their doors
for freeaspart of the
MuseumNocturne
.
TIP
The tourist officeof Tournai canorganise
special guidedvisits to thecity, includingwalking
andgourmet tours.
RenéeCordes
TRAIN
Thereare
direct trainsevery
hour fromBrussels
Central Station to
Tournai.The trip takes
around60minutes
anda return ticket
costs€25.60.
TOURIST INFO
tournai.be
/
info
10,444,268 +32 13°C
Euro (EUR)
tournai
belgium
100kmfrombrussels
