Recommend September 2011 - (Page 47)

Fashionable Antwerp For the serious shopper with an eye for designer clothes created by the likes of Walter Van Beirendonck, Dries Van Noten, and Ann Demulemeester, The Flanders Fashion Institute has an Antwerp Fashion Map, a guide for visitors who want an entree into the nicest insider shopping places in Antwerp. Both Belgian fashion and international fashion houses as well as trendy children clothing stores, men’s fashion and vintage stores are covered. All the visitor needs is a healthy credit card and the will to abuse it. Itinerary 1: ModeNatie The rst itinerary explores the neighborhood around the Mode Natie, known as “the heart of Belgian fashion’” since Dries Van Noten opened his Modepaleis in the Nationalestraat. Various designers and stores pursuing an avant-garde pro le have settled down here. The Kammenstraat, a side-street of the Nationalestraat, is the place to shop for the latest streetwear collections. Itinerary 2: The South For several years, the South (Het Zuid) has been described as Antwerp’s trendiest district. In the museum district—within walking distance of the ModeNatie— there are numerous special restaurants, bars, galleries and design stores o ering vintage, antique and concept products. Even the store of Ann Demeulemeester is located in this area. The return route leads through the Kloosterstraat, a street where fashion, second-hand and vintage stores are happily rubbing shoulders. Itinerary 3: Historic Center This third itinerary leads the visitor through the historic center, still dominated by the Cathedral of Our Lady and the Art Deco KBC Tower. This area is situated between the Groenplaats and the Grote Markt. Itinerary 4: Meir & Leien The Meir is the most important commercial shopping street of Antwerp and houses mostly international clothing and shoe labels. This large street dominates the fourth route. For a couple of years now, the Meir has been given an extra re ned touch with the renewed and glorious Stadsfeestzaal (the city reception hall). Itinerary 5: Wilde Zee & Quartier Latin The area around the Schuttershofstraat is known to the Antwerp citizens as the “Quartier Latin.” This neighborhood is dominated mainly by international luxury brands. At the Wilde Zee, located in and around the Lombardenvest, the rst Belgian designer labels were sold in the 1980s. seafood bisque, crispy-skinned ray with capers, and seared scallops on a bed of mashed potato. Yum! Or, for a little fun hideaway dining spot, try Sir Anthony Van Dyck, tucked away in a tiny cobbled lane in a 16th century building oozing with classical charm and famous for its delicious traditional Flemish food ordered from its 4-course gourmet menu. Alternatively, head over to the south and hang out with the locals at De Hopper, Wine Bistro Patine or Den Artiest. Wrap up the day with some serious clubbing. After dinner, start o slow at the oldest bar in town, the Quinten Matsijs, which dates back to the mid-16th century and still has oodles of medieval charm. Next, try De Vagant, a famous city-center bar with adjoining shop and restaurant that serves only liqueurs and jenever, which is Belgian gin usually served in shooters. But don’t do too many of those because by midnight, you’ll want to end up the evening—and probably a little of the morning on the weekends—at the Velvet Lounge, a trendy and sophisticated restaurant/after-dinner club that’s located in ‘t Zuid and which mixes ethnic fusion cuisine with lounge music, dancing, and a sexy vibe inspired by red velvet seating, candlelight, and chandeliers. Morning—Day 2 If you’re eager to get on the road and looking for a quick bite like sandwiches, omelettes and freshly squeezed juices, then head to Barnini, a cozy cafe decorated with vintage furniture. Or, there’s Mo(Made), which is really a lunch and soup bar in the south, but according to Internet reviews, it o ers one of the best breakfasts in town where the rolls are deliciously famous. Next, take advantage of the aforementioned City Card and visit some of the museums left over from the day before. Or, just for the fun of it, do a quick, relatively low-cost run through all the city sights for more photo ops on a couple of other fun tours you can take other than or in addition to the bus. The rst is the Tram Tour, a 40-minute run around the high spots of the city in open carriage type seating that makes it easy for taking photos. The other option is a photo op in itself. It’s called the Palmtram and it’s a double-decker, horse-drawn carriage drawn by two huge Brabander horses and like the tram, takes you around the city on a sightseeing tour of the most important tourist sites. But to be honest, it looks like a lot more fun. Kids will love it. Save some time for a visit to the Butcher’s Hall. Originally built in 1250 as the city’s main meat market, it was rebuilt and enlarged in the mid-16th century to accommodate the larger population and the Butcher’s Guild o ces. Today, it’s a musical instruments museum, lled with the sounds of the city. Next, head to ‘t Steen, at 800 years old it’s the oldest building in town and the rst large stone building in Antwerp, originally about six times the size it is today. It housed the city’s governor, a church, warehouses, courthouse and more. Today, what’s left is an entrance gate leading to a small inner courtyard, the only remaining part of a network of eight streets. At the top of the gate is a small statue of Semini, a pagan god of youth and fertility, who, according to local legend, was the forefather of the people of Antwerp. ☞ www.visitflanders.us / F5 http://www.visitflanders.us

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend September 2011

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk: Hilton Hotels & Resorts
Tour Talk: Abercrombie & Kent
Sunset Key Guest Cottages, Key West
Can't Get Enough of Jupiter Beach, Florida
Hanging Out in the Outer Banks
Aloha to Families in Hawaii's Resorts
Cruise Stockholm
Galapagos Islands- Cruising 101: Back to Basics
The Ultimate Family Adventure in Costa Rica
Flanders Travel Planner
Fabulous Family Voyages
China: A Wonderland for Kids
India: Pure Wonderment
An African Adventure
Dreams Punta Cana Resort & Spa, D.R.
The Bahamas: Islands of Adventure
Cayman Islands: A Home Away from Home
Mazatlan Reinvigorated
CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort

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