Recommend September 2011 - (Page 48)

48 HOURS IN ANTWERP Continued Good job, Semini. Another of Antwerp’s famous statues, the Lange Wapper, depicts a kind of boogie man who, according to folklore, could grow to the size of an enormous giant and enjoyed teasing children, harassing drunks and generally annoying everyone else. Afternoon—Day 2 For a quality lunch, head over to the Botanical Gardens and make a stop at the Michelin rated Het Gebaar, one of the city’s most popular restaurants that’s open for lunch only and reservations are required. But “popular” is the key word here, so be prepared to take some time. Located in an old fish market building, De Godevaart is another great place for a multi-course lunch, made all the better with exquisite wine pairings. After lunch, Antwerp By Bike is a great way to spend three hours on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. The bike tour company—Antwerp By Bike—offers three different programs exploring hidden, out-of-the-way places you may not see on a regular tour. Visitors select from the city tour or the Gold Tour, which takes you to all the highlights of Antwerp; the Green Tour around the port, the docks and the parks in the northern part of the city, or the Blue Tour, which goes to the so-called trendy south, the Antwerp version of New York’s SoHo, then down to the Scheldt River to the Left Bank (Linkeroever) and then along the Scheldt. You can follow your bike tour exploring the Hendrick Conscienceplein, one of the loveliest squares in Antwerp and home to the early17th century Carolus Borromeus Church with its gorgeous baroque facade and a beautifully designed interior heavily influenced by Rubens with his knowledge of Italian architecture. Nearby are two excellent coffee places: BarChoc, with lots of espresso brews and a good variety of chocolate drinks, and Loyola. Even better is the Saturday market with a choice of goodies—from the famous Belgian waffles, to oysters and other exotic fare such as Moroccan goat cheese and honey sandwiches. End up the day with a stop at a museum. One choice is the MAS y of Antwerp In April 2005, the cit museum, the uniquely designed city original Red Star purchased the museum with its box-like tower that rt the Po Line buildings from opened earlier this year. It was built as a and erp Authorities of Antw central museum for several collections n, top-tobegan a $26 millio related to Antwerp’s history. The roof ormation of the bottom transf is a perfect place for panoramic views slated for completion complex d Star and photos of the city and a good ring 2013 as the Re in sp een 1873 place to stop for a drink at the Cafe Line Museum. Betw dary shipping and 1934, the legen Storm downstairs. Another interestAntwerp, company based in ing museum to visit this afternoon is llion emigrants transported 2.6 mi the MoMu (the Fashion Museum), America. to a new life in North located in the ModeNatie, which was traveled on Although millions originally designed as a storehouse rate gene the Red Star Line, to for a men’s and children’s clothing seum and mu interest in the new company. The MoMu has a collecmuseum the city itself, the tion of over 25,000 items, including online contest and started a an the clothing, shoes, accessories, and nation search using a multil with lace with the oldest pieces dating oto of one young gir ph not only back to the 16th century, complea ticket in hand, to ty, but bring discover her identi mented by contemporary pieces by details, go to her story to life. For such designers as Martin Margiela redstarline.org. and Walter Van Beirendonck. F6 / www.visitflanders.us Evening—Day 2 For quality dining and a dinner you won’t forget, reserve a table at Huis De Colvenier, located in the very center of Antwerp, where it’s been for 17 years in a classical Patrician house in the Sint-Antoniusstraat. The ambiance includes a summer terrace and a winter garden with an open retractable roof. The dining room itself is elegant and tasteful but not stuffy. But it’s the wine cellar that’s the big winner. You’re guided through the open kitchen, then down to the cellar with the chef/owner Patrick Van Herck, where you’ll enjoy an appetizer and a wine aperitif while planning your menu. For plainer, more traditional fare, try Kapitein Zeppos, named after a popular ‘60s Belgian TV show. It’s cozy, original and not too fancy cafe. Later, head on over to De Muze, a Jazz cafe where you can enjoy a meal, after-dinner drinks, a train station decor and best of all, if you’re a fan, some good jazz sounds. l Upcoming Gay Antwerp Like the city itself, with its growing reputation as one of the hippest cities in Europe, gay Antwerp, too, has developed a reputation as one of Europe’s trendiest gay destinations, as well as offering an open-minded and tolerant atmosphere. After all, Belgium was the second country in the world to legalize gay marriage. For hangouts, the Red and Blue disco is the city’s largest gay and lesbian disco, offering a variety of events, including a men’s party on Saturday nights that’s the major see-and-be-seen, gay-male party in the region. Other major clubs around the city that rate high with the gay-party set include the Rubzz Industrial Bar, Den Draak and D Club. The centrally located Que Pasa cafe bills itself as a gay Latin bar and cafe, with some fun drag parties. The Boekhandel ‘t Verschil is one of Europe’s most popular GLBT bookstores, located near the Grote Markt square. Don’t miss the Popi Cafe, a light and spacious venue with a gay-lesbian mixed clientele, close to the city-center and overlooking the river with its famous terrace. This gay-popular cafe is open for anything from breakfast to late-night parties. Additionally, the 3rd World Out Games are coming to Antwerp in 2013, Aug. 3-11. There will be sports events as well as a varied and international cultural program, but, most importantly, the event organizers says, it will serve as a platform that “aims to boost acceptance and integration of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender, queer and questioning people (LGBTQ) by and into our society.” http://www.redstarline.org 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

Recommend September 2011