Best of Belgium 2015 by Ads & Data Brand Studio

Best of Belgium THE INSIDER’S GUIDE TO TOURISM AND LIFESTYLE

 Offbeat museums  Underground art  Where to eat  Travel tips

Belgium exposed All that’s quirky and cool about this country

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Editorial

best of belgium

Plus Expat Directory EDITOR

Sarah Crew DEPUTY EDITOR

Sally Tipper EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Rachida Brocklehurst COORDINATOR

Thomas Buytaert CONTRIBUTORS

Derek Blyth, Samantha Clark, Katy Desmond, Jon Eldridge, Katrien Lindemans Karen McHugh, Ian Mundell, Vanessa Rombaut Daniel Shamaun, Linda A Thompson, Paola Westbeek

The Bulletin has always been on a mission. Since its launch more than 50 years ago, the country’s leading English-language publisher has encouraged the international community to get out and explore. Beyond the beer, chocolate and lace is a place that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Our cover image of homegrown international pop star Stromae, as depicted in the Underpants Museum (see page 4), is typical. For the second edition of our guide to tourism and lifestyle in Belgium, we scaled the highest viewpoints and dived deep underground to bring you a snapshot of a country that never neglects its traditions and heritage in the face of globalism. A notoriously pragmatic country, Belgium is not always the easiest to navigate administratively. So we hope you’ll also appreciate the Expat Directory, a useful collection of phone numbers and websites covering hospitals, government services, public transport and expat activities. Whether you’re a resident or visitor, The Bulletin is the perfect guide to your Belgian journey. thebulletin.be facebook.com/thebulletinmagazine

Contents

4 8 12 16 18 23 27 31 34 37 43

Travel writer and tour guide Derek Blyth shares his favourite museums

Discover ground-breaking Belgian art for the price of a Brussels metro ticket Dig into Belgium’s heritage at one of its many underground attractions

Made in Belgium: six inventions that sprang from these shores Get a new perspective on the country from its top viewpoints From fast food to fine dining: our pick of cheap eats and gourmet treats

Live music venues to suit all tastes, in Brussels and beyond

ART DIRECTOR

Patricia Brossel SALES EXECUTIVE

Helena Vreedenburgh ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Page-turners: books in English shed a light on this little country’s treasures

Bulletin readers share their tips for a blissful spa treatment

Evelyne Fregonese GENERAL MANAGER

On the tourist trail in Namur, Charleroi, Ghent and the coast

Hans De Loore PUBLISHER

John Stuyck Ackroyd Publications A Gossetlaan 30 1702 Groot-Bijgaarden

Expat Directory

editorial@ackroyd.be advertising@ackroyd.be

Photo credits P1 P5 P8-11 P13 P14 P15

© Underpants Museum Wiertz Museum © MRBC/DMS; Mayer van den Bergh © Antwerpen Toerisme & Congres Courtesy STIB/MIVB Coudenberg © M Vanhulst Antwerp sewers © Antwerpen Toerisme & Congres Yorkshire trench © Stad Ieper/ Tijl Capoen

P16 IngImage P17 Top © B Boissonnet/BSIP/Corbis; bottom © Musterer, W/Corbis P19 © www.atomium.be/SABAM 2011/Normann Szkop P20 Samantha Clark P21 Dinant © WBT/JP Remy P23 Hertog Jan © K Vrancken P25 L’Air du Temps © Stéphanie Biteau

P26 Hertog Jan © K Vrancken P37 © www.milo-profi.be P39 Top © www.milo-profi.be, bottom © Visit Gent P40 Top left © www.sergebrison.com, right © Sabina Maselli, bottom © Andy Craps P41 Top left & bottom © WBT/ JPRemy; right © F Struzik P43 © Sander de Wilde/Corbis

P44 P50 P60 P64 P68 P82 P88 P92

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Tales from the

museum

Belgium has hundreds of museums, including some quirky ones they don’t always tell you about at the tourist office. Here are 10 you might have missed WIERTZ MUSEUM It’s one of the world’s most beautiful picture galleries, yet most people in Brussels know nothing of it. Built in 1850 as a home and studio for the Romantic painter Antoine Wiertz, it’s hardly changed since his gigantic, melancholy paintings were bolted to the walls. It has a strange, forgotten atmosphere, though it’s just five minutes from the European Parliament. Free, but only open from Tuesday to Friday. ÄÄ62 Rue Vautier, Brussels www.fine-arts-museum.be

MUNDANEUM This strange place occupies a former department store in Mons. Founded in 1895, it contains the remains of a vast archive of documents gathered by the Brussels lawyers Paul Otlet and Henri La Fontaine. They set out to gather all the world’s knowledge, including newspapers, posters, maps and guides, in the hope that this would promote world peace. Forgotten for many years, it is now regarded as a forerunner of the internet and is partly funded by Google. ÄÄ76 Rue de Nimy, Mons www.mundaneum.org

UNDERPANTS MUSEUM underpants museum

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This cheeky Belgian collection once appeared on a list of the world’s 10 weirdest museums. The founder, Jan Bucquoy, displays his collection of underwear in a room above a dingy alternative

Wiertz museum

bar called Dolle Mol. The framed garments include boxers once worn by a former Belgian finance minister and a porn star’s knickers. Only open on Sundays. ÄÄ52 Rue des Eperonniers, Brussels

CARROT MUSEUM The Carrot Museum occupies an abandoned electricity tower in a tiny village near the German border and was created by members of the local Carrot Fan Club. The museum is too small to allow anyone inside, so you have to peer through a window to see a whimsical display of carrotrelated objects. Look out for the switch next to the window: it activates a mechanical wheel, allowing you to see the entire collection as it slowly rotates. ÄÄBerlotte, near Eynatten, Liège province

MAYER VAN DEN BERGH A forgotten art collection occupies a creepy Neo-Renaissance house in Antwerp. Overcome your caution and you’ll discover one of the finest private art collections in Europe. It was assembled by Frits Mayer van den Bergh, a rich art collector who died young, leaving everything to his mother. She turned the deserted house – never occupied by her son – into a museum. The collection includes Pieter Bruegel’s haunting painting Dulle Griet as well as a tiny sculpted head of Blanche de France, daughter of the King of France, who died before her third birthday, just 17 days after the death of her sister. The King was devastated and commissioned a marble tomb with the figures of his two daughters. It was destroyed in the French Revolution, leaving one little head in this deserted museum. ÄÄ19 Lange Gasthuisstraat, Antwerp www.mayervandenbergh.be

mundaneum

MUSEUM DR GUISLAIN A strange and haunting museum of psychiatry in a former asylum on the edge of Ghent. It occupies one wing of a model psychiatric institution founded in the 19th century by Dr Jozef Guislain. You can wander through chilling deserted wards still furnished with iron beds and old medical equipment. One room contains a terrifying mechanical saw used in operations to remove the top of the skull. The temporary exhibitions are always fascinating, as is the extensive collection of outsider art. ÄÄ43 Jozef Guislainstraat, Ghent www.museumdrguislain.be

SCHOOL MUSEUM Located in a reconstructed church in a town devastated by war, this oddly touching museum is filled with school memorabilia.

Mayer van den bergh

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Museum dr guislain

The collection includes old books, globes, educational posters and satchels. One section charts the destruction of Ypres’ schools in 191418 and the fate of the children forced to flee to France and Britain. You can also peer inside two reconstructed classrooms from the past. Entry is free if you have a ticket to the In Flanders Fields war museum. ÄÄ6A Gustave De Stuersstraat, Ypres www.toerismeieper.be

ENSOR MUSEUM This bizarre museum is devoted to the eccentric Ostend artist James Ensor. It’s in a former souvenir shop near the promenade run by his aunt and uncle. The ground floor is crammed with an odd collection of shells, masks and other seaside souvenirs, while the two upstairs

ensor museum

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rooms – where Ensor lived from 1917 until his death in 1945 – contain his battered harmonica along with several creepy puppets. But there are no original paintings. You have to visit Ostend’s Museum of Fine Art to see those. ÄÄ27 Vlaanderenstraat, Ostend www.muzee.be/en/ensor

BELLE EPOQUE CENTRE One of the most charming museums on the coast. Located in three restored Belle Epoque houses, it’s a nostalgic museum of seaside history filled with relics from the days when Blankenberge was the most elegant resort on the North Sea. You can enter a living room furnished in period style, listen to music hall songs on headphones and step out on to an astonishing roof terrace with a replica Gaudi bench made

using ceramic tiles salvaged from demolished seaside houses.

ÄÄ24 Elisabethstraat, Blankenberge www.belle.epoque.blankenberge.be

MUSÉE MONOPOLI Renato Monopoli has created an enchanting little museum in a large restored barn in a village near Namur. The Italian-born collector displays a quirky collection of barrel organs, mechanical toys, wax figurines and musical instruments made between 1850 and 1950. The owner loves to take children around his collection and demonstrate the complex automatons. It’s only open at weekends, and you need to book first.  DB

ÄÄ9 Rue du Musée, Barsy-Flostoy www.musee-monopoli.be

school museum

Art in

transit Brusselsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; public transport network is a veritable gallery of idiosyncratic Belgian art

Stefan vanfleteren at gare de lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ouest

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ven the most distracted tourist or jaded commuter will have noticed that there’s art on the Brussels metro. But just how much there is – 82 works in 58 stations – may come as a surprise. Most of the artists are Belgian, by birth or long residence, making the metro a fascinating, idiosyncratic and highly selective guide to the nation’s contemporary art. Brussels was late to develop an urban underground railway, only beginning plans in earnest in the 1960s. Its first underground tramways – the pre-metro – opened in 1969, followed by the first metro line in 1976. This was more than a century after London went underground, and over 70 years after Paris and New York. But Brussels was a pioneer when it came to filling its metro with art. The idea was that art would help create an open, welcoming transport system in which each station had its own identity. A secondary aim was to bring contemporary art to a public that would not necessarily seek it out in museums and galleries. This was particularly appealing to artists in Belgium’s geometric abstraction movement. They believed their art had a role to play improving modern urban life, and getting it into a public space as busy as the new metro was an opportunity not to be missed. Many of them submitted projects and as a consequence geometric abstraction is well represented across

roger somville at Hankar

the network. Pol Bury’s angular sculptures point in all directions from the ceiling at Bourse, Hilde Van Sumere’s large marble disk, Moving Triangle, ushers travellers into Osseghem, and Walter Leblanc’s abstract typographies loom over the platforms at Elisabeth. Other artists selected early on were committed to public art for ideological reasons, such as the communist Roger Somville, whose immense fresco of modern life, Our Times, dominates Hankar station. He had been part of the militant best of belgium 2015 i 9

Six stops Parc: The City (1974) by Roger Dudant From a distance The City is typical geometric abstraction, all angles and intersecting planes of colour. But up close the mosaic of different stones is warm and tactile. Montgomery: Magic City (1976) by Jean-Michel Folon A vast sun shines a rainbow of colours on to an immense pyramid in Folon’s mural over the Montgomery ticket hall. Despite water damage, the effect is impressive.

Forces Murales movement along with Edmond Dubrunfaut, whose work can be seen at Louise, renovations permitting. After geometric abstraction, perhaps the best represented art movement is the Cobra group, which formally ended in the 1950s. Its Belgian alumni include Pierre Alechinsky and Christian Dotremont, who share a spot at Delta with their logogrammes, while Jan Cox’s painting The Fall of Troy hangs over a tunnel at Herrmann-Debroux, the end of the line. Serge Vandercam’s handshaped birds fly over the platforms at JoséphineCharlotte, while Reinhoud d’Haese creates an

impression of rushing commuters in copper at Osseghem. Belgian surrealism is represented at Bourse by Paul Delvaux, still alive when the metro was spreading. And by sleight of hand the system retrospectively covers the Art Nouveau of Victor Horta, incorporating ironwork and stained glass from buildings he designed in the station that bears his name. Other artists are so idiosyncratic they defy categorisation, such as Octave Landuyt and Jephan de Villiers (see box left). Then there are image

Merode: Ensor: Vive la Sociale (1978) by Roger Raveel Raveel paints a dynamic street scene across the ticket hall, with slogans on panels over the escalators. Alongside his artistic trademarks (a self-portrait, embedded mirrors, faceless men in flat caps) he pays tribute to compatriots James Ensor and Jan Van Eyck. Porte de Namur: Het uiteindelijk verkeer (1979) by Octave Landuyt Landuyt’s four huge ceramics, representing birth, love, adulthood and death, have a mesmerising gothic elegance that blends perfectly with the shining surfaces of the Porte de Namur ticket hall. Clemenceau: Promenade (1993) by Joseph Willaert Willaert paints a Pop Art version of the Belgian countryside along the platforms at Clemenceau, dropping passengers into an idealised landscape of bright green fields dotted with red and white houses. Albert: Fragments of Memory (2004) by Jephan de Villiers Albert is invaded by de Villiers’ fantasy world of Arbonie, inspired by decaying wood and other debris from the Forêt de Soignes near Brussels.

roger dudant at Parc

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makers who have slipped in from other disciplines, such as film-maker Raoul Servais at Houba Brugmann and jeweller Emile Souply at Botanique. Over the decades, two broad guiding principles have shaped the selection of art for the metro. The first is that accessibility should even out across the system, with more challenging work in one station balanced by something easily understood in another. This explains Stockel’s crowd-pleasing fresco of characters from the Tintin comics, for which Hergé apparently drew sketches before his death in 1983. The second principle is that the artist should respond in some way to the setting. Early work often referenced the transport system itself, such as Delvaux’s Our Old Brussels Tramways at Bourse or Marc Mendelson’s Happy Metro to You at Parc. But by the 1980s work started to appear responding to specific locations. Sometimes this was literal, as in Jan Burssens’ painting of black ponds for Etangs Noirs station. Or it was more obscure, such as the figures in Yves Bosquet’s Stuyvenbergh, which refer to Queen Elisabeth’s last residence at nearby Stuyvenbergh Castle.

Jean-michel folon at montgomery

Past 2000 a more socially aware tone appears, with art reflecting communities and their issues. At Rogier, for example, a mosaic by Roobjee Pjeroo and Gino Tondat is the result of a community project on poverty, while Vincen Beeckman’s Casting covers columns on the platform at Anneessens with photographs taken in the homes of people living in the neighbourhood. Beeckman is also part of an influx of photographers invited to decorate stations after 2000. Others include Marin Kasimir at Ceria, Stephan Vanfleteren at Gare de l’Ouest and the two most recent installations, Vegetable Miniatures by Bob Verschueren and People in Motion by Michel Dusariez, both unveiled at Demey in 2012.  IM best of belgium 2015 i 11

What lies

beneath Belgium has a host of underground attractions to explore. Just look downâ&#x20AC;Ś

spiennes flint mines

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idden below Belgium’s surface is a wealth of geological, archaeological and historical treasures. Thousand-year-old canals under the streets of Antwerp, a cornucopia of mines in Limburg, underground rivers in Wallonia that are as rich in history as they are in beauty: Belgium’s underground attractions are as numerous as they are diverse.

More underground quarries than mines, the limestone walls and ceilings of the Kanne caves in Riemst are beautifully carved. The limestone in these caves was deposited roughly 70 million years ago, at the bottom of a shallow subtropical sea. Today, murals of prehistoric animals (which make up the limestone) can be seen carved into the stone at Kanne museum. It’s also possible to book a taster’s tour, experiencing grottenbier (cave beer) and grottenkaas (cave cheese). www.grottenvankannevzw.be

Coudenberg Palace

Though the Beringen mines themselves were closed in 2014, the Beringen Mine Museum is still open, and includes a simulation of the underground mines. The museum, renovated by be-Mine in 2012, also has a game for families with children (in Dutch only). www.mijnmuseum.be

The Coudenberg was a small hill in uptown Brussels from the 11th to the late 18th century. In its time, it became home to one of the greatest palaces in Europe. Coudenberg Palace, Charles V’s main residence, burned down in 1731 and its ruins were built over in the 1770s, only to be uncovered over the past 30 years. The archaeological site immerses you in history from floor to ceiling. Holes along the walls of the cellars under the main building, which were once at ground level, give you an idea of how deep the palace has been buried. The basements show the scale of the grand ceremonial room, which no longer remains. Even more impressive is Rue Isabelle, an entire street that was vaulted over in the 18th century and converted into cellars. It’s hard to imagine what’s buried here when you’re outside, passing through today’s Place Royale, but it’s worth finding out. The Coudenberg hosts a number of events in English, Dutch and French; an exhibition on Vesalius and a children’s treasure hunt both run until the end of August. www.coudenberg.com

English guided tours are possible at all three on appointment, and audio tours are available in English at Beringen.

coudenberg

Spiennes flint mines Delve deepest into Belgium’s mining history at the Spiennes flint mines just outside Mons. Dating back over 6,000 years, they were recognised by Unesco in 2000 as “the largest

Limburg mines There are a number of mines throughout Limburg, each with their own character. Expeditions through C-Mine in Genk take you through an impressive ventilation passage and ancient tunnels, all the way up to the top of Belgium’s tallest tower shaft for a magnificent view of Limburg from 60m up. Along the way, simulations, museum installations and comments from the tour guide give you a taste of how miners lived, turning the trip into a wellrounded experience. www.c-mine.be

c-mine

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han caves

and earliest concentration of ancient mines in Europe”. It’s here that prehistoric populations developed a technique called striking to extract large blocks of flint up to 2m long. Visitors can take educational walks outside, a tour of the new exhibition space and a trip down into one of the Neolithic mines. Adaptations have also been made for visually impaired people. www.silexs.mons.be

antwerp sewers

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Han caves It takes a 4km trip on a 100-year-old tram to reach the entrance of the Han caves in Rochefort, Namur province. The ‘magic mirror’ of the river Lesse, which runs through and forms the caves, reflects the magnificent chambers perfectly. There is also a sound and light show in the Chamber of Weapons, and an

claustrophobic trench was originally dug by the British in 1915, the dugout in 1917. Walking through it and reading the information panels gives an in-depth image of what trench warfare was like. www.toerisme-ieper.be For other tours of Belgium’s World War One battlefields: www.battlefieldguide.be/en/tours

Antwerp sewers

spiennes flint mines

opportunity to hear the acoustics of the cave as a gunshot is fired at the exit. If that isn’t daring enough, you can also stay overnight at the Wild Animal Reserve, in a chalet just a few yards from Willy and Marlene, a pair of brown bears. www.grotte-de-han.be

Under Antwerp’s surface lies an 8km network of waterways with a long and diverse history. They originated from the moat that surrounded the city walls in the 11th century. Later, ditches connected to the river were added to protect against flooding, and later still the waterways became an open sewage system. In 1866, nearly 3,000 people died in a cholera epidemic, leading to all the canals being covered. Above ground, it’s possible to tell if you’re standing above some of the underground waterways: many of the wider streets were built over them, and roads with the word ‘brugge’ (bridge) in the name are often above waterways. The sewers were due to change hands by June 2015, so visiting possibilities are liable to change.  DS

Remouchamps caves The longest uninterrupted underground river in the world, Rubicon, runs through the Remouchamps caves in Aywaille, Liège province. Palaeolithic hunters lived here as long as 10,000 years ago, evidenced by the presence of human tools, but now the caves are home to shellfish, frogs and bats. The tour (available in English) starts on foot with a return trip by boat, and visitors are guided through the geological and mineralogical tales behind the White Lady rock formation, the chalk Great Curtain and the 40m high Cathedral Room. www.mondesauvage.be/#grottes

Yorkshire trench and dugout

Excavated in the early 90s by an amateur group of Belgian archaeologists called The Diggers, the Yorkshire trench and dugout in Ypres have been restored and are free to visit all year round. Since 1997, archaeologists have found constructions, unexploded ammunition and the remains of 205 soldiers in the area. The narrow,

yorkshire trench

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Pride

of Belgium Meet six Belgian inventors whose names you might not know, but whose inventions still play a role in our lives today

elgiumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fame as a paradise for chocolate lovers is largely thanks to the praline, invented by Jean Neuhaus. This famous Belgian rivals Adolphe Sax, inventor of the saxophone, and cartographer Gerardus Mercator, whose maps first took into account the fact that the world is round. But several lesser-known Belgians are also quietly revered in the world of invention. Here are six of the best. Brit Tim Berners-Lee is commonly recognised for his role in the development of the worldwide web, but credit should also go to a Belgian, Robert Cailliau. The computer scientist from Flanders co-authored with Berners-Lee a proposal for funding the creation of the precursor to the web, the hypertext system for accessing documents at Cern, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research in Switzerland. Cailliau also codeveloped the first web browser for the Microsoft OS operating system. Today, he gives speeches on the future of the web, and in 2012 he was inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame. Staying on the techie theme and proving that computing isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t exclusively a male domain, Ingrid Daubechies deserves a mention for an invention that many of us in the publishing world, in particular, have benefitted from. The gifted physicist and mathematicianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s formulas, known as Daubechies Wavelets, are central for compressing digital images. These wavelets are also used in technologies for quickly scanning fingerprints. Her achievements were recognised by King Albert II in 2012, when he made her a baroness.

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Debate rages over whether the invention of the common currency of the EU (a Belgian invention?) was a good thing, but the name euro is certainly a catchy handle. It was ‘invented’ by esparanto speaker and former French and history teacher Germain Pirlot. In 1995, he wrote to the then president of the European Commission, Jacques Santer, suggesting the name euro be used for the planned new currency. While this name was officially adopted, his suggestion of ropas for a 100th of a euro was not. Most social historians would agree that the contraceptive pill was central to the Swinging Sixties, and though he can’t claim to be the sole parent of the pill, Ferdinand Peeters was instrumental in it becoming widely adopted. Early contraceptive pills from the US had serious side effects, but gynaecologist Peeters created an improved pill. Because of his Catholic beliefs, he never patented his pill, and it was developed in the early 1960s by German pharma company Schering under the name of Anovlar, the first combined oral contraceptive pill to be sold outside the US.

called the stroboscope, and the name stuck. The stroboscope found a use for viewing short movies and as the basis for many toys. Inline skates seemed to take over from roller skates in the early 1990s, but their invention dates back far earlier – to the 18th century, in fact. JeanJoseph Merlin very much fits the image of the nutty professor, improving musical instruments, creating clocks and, in 1760, inventing inline skates that strapped on to the wearer’s shoes. Merlin would wear his skates to drum up publicity for his inventions, but they lacked the stability of the later-developed roller skates with their added wheels. Modern inline skates were developed to help speed-skaters train. JE

Physicist Joseph Plateau can take joint credit for having invented the stroboscope, though he called his device the phenakistoscope. His invention, which demonstrated in 1832 the illusion of a moving image, consisted of a rotatable disc with radial slits through which the viewer looks at images on a separate rotating wheel. Around the same time, Simon von Stampfer, an Austrian scientist, was creating a similar device, which he best of belgium 2015 i 17

Up on the

roof

Head skywards for an alternative view of the country

elgium is a beautiful little country teeming with unique history and culture. Yet sometimes, to truly appreciate our surroundings, it’s helpful if we occasionally change our perspective. Here are a few tips for finding panoramic views around the country.

KU Leuven library tower

The original Leuven university library was destroyed in 1914 during World War One, as German soldiers set fire to the city. Not only was the building itself destroyed, but 300,000 volumes burned along with it. The burning and destruction of the library symbolised a devastating end to history and culture as the Western world had known it. Universities, 18 i best of belgium 2015

primary schools and various institutions from dozens of countries helped rebuild the presentday Leuven library. This library incorporates an overshadowing bell tower that’s open to students and visitors. From the top of the tower, enjoy the view of one of the oldest cities in Belgium, while remembering an empowering moment in Western history, as Allied forces came together to rebuild a symbol of the shared culture they fought to defend.

triple arch, known as the Triumphal Arch. The arch is attached to three museums: car museum Autoworld, an art museum and the army museum. Visitors can climb the arch via the latter. From the top, there’s a wonderful view of the park and the bustling streets of the European quarter. On a clear day, you might even see as far as the Atomium on the opposite side of the city.

Triumphal Arch

The Atomium is one of the most widely known landmarks in Belgium. At a height of approximately 102m, its giant spheres can be seen looming over Brussels from a distance. It was built for the World Fair of 1958, otherwise known as Expo 58. The Atomium was the central feature of the fair, representing the modern

In Brussels’ European quarter is the beautiful Cinquantenaire park, also known as Jubelpark, created in 1880 under the reign of Leopold II in honour of 50 years of Belgian independence. Within this national landmark stands a towering

The Atomium

Atomium

age of scientific progress. It was the first World Fair since World War Two, and more than 40 countries participated, building their own pavilions which spread around the Atomium, promoting a renewed sense of world peace. Today, visitors move through a cultural museum from sphere to sphere, finally reaching the top sphere from which you get an incredible view of Brussels.

Parking 58 When it comes to finding a fantastic view of the city of Brussels, you can’t be picky. Minutes from Brussels Central station and the Grand Place, Parking 58 lies truly in the heart of Brussels. From the top floor of this unsuspecting multi-storey car park, there’s a panoramic view of the entire

city: from the remarkable buildings of the Grand Place, all the way to the Atomium in the north of the city. Because of its beautiful view, free rooftop entry and unhindered access to sunlight in the summer, this parking garage has become quite the hangout for teenagers and young adults.

Ghent belfry The historic belfry tower is in the centre of Ghent, symbolising the city’s independent status during the Middle Ages. In 1442 the tower was used by watchmen to guard the city because of its central location and its excellent view of the city from the top. The alarm bell was named after Chancellor Roeland, who saved the city and Charlemagne from danger with his warning blows. Klokke Roeland (Roland’s Bell) was best of belgium 2015 i 19

MAS

used primarily as a warning, but it eventually became used to announce the time. To introduce the hourly bell toll, the carillon was created, sounding a melody from a series of smaller bells. The carillon has undergone several renovations over the years, its most recent being in 1982, after which it expanded to include 53 bells. Today, visitors can climb to the top of the belfry, where they can enjoy the beautiful medieval architecture of central Ghent from up high.

Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) The MAS is the largest museum in Antwerp, consisting of 470,000 objects categorised into four major universal themes: display of power, metropolis, world port, and life and death. The building is itself an intricate work of modern architecture alongside the Scheldt river in the Eilandje district. As visitors climb from one floor to the next, each landing exposes a progressively more impressive view of the city through large glass walls. At the top of the 60m building, visitors are allowed rooftop access, from which thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an amazing panoramic view of the river, the port and the city of Antwerp.

IJzertoren (Iron tower)

KU leuven library tower

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Belgium is well known as the central battleground during World War One, with people from around the world coming here to pay respects to those buried in Flanders Fields. The IJzertoren is a beautiful monument in West Flanders in the city of Diksmuide. At a height of 84m, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the tallest peace monument in Europe. Built along the Yser river, this monument commemorates the Belgian soldiers who were killed on the Yser Front during the war. Within the tower, visitors are invited to explore a museum focused on stories about the war, European peace and national identity. Not just an important part of Belgian and Flemish history, the IJzertoren also offers visitors a breathtaking view of Diksmuide and the fields of Flanders.

Dinant citadel To reach the 100m-high military garrison, visitors have the choice of climbing 408 steps, carved out of rock and dating from 1577, or taking a cable car. However you arrive, the outlook is glorious. A panoramic view of the Mosane valley and historic town includes the Collegiate Church of Our Lady with its bulbous black spire. Dating from the 11th century when Dinant was part of the principality of Liège, the citadel’s fortifications were modernised by almost every conquering power, from Louis XIV to the Dutch army in 1820. There’s a small museum of weaponry and an exhibition dedicated to the bloody events of 1914 when 674 townsfolk were massacred.

Dinant citadel

Bouillon fortress One of the best examples of medieval castles in the country, the spectacular fortress sits atop a rocky precipice in a hairpin bend of the river Semois. The origins of the castle fortress date from the eighth century and it is famous since the 11th century when Godefroy de Bouillon joined the first crusade and became the first ruler of Jerusalem. Like Dinant, the castle is a fine example of military architecture, and it benefitted from improvements by the prolific 17th-century French military engineer Vauban. These include bridges, ditches, drawbridges, towers and gun turrets. Tours of the castle are recommended and include the dungeons and the grisly torture chamber. The Austrian tower (1551) provides the best vantage point. There are falconry displays and other medieval events all year round.  SCL/SCR

Bouillon

Have you just moved, or are you about to move, to Belgium ? In that case expert advice and support can be useful. That is precisely what ING can offer you for all your banking and insurance needs, even before you arrive. With ING you can benefit from a contact who

speaks your language and a dedicated Call Center. What better welcome could you wish for? Have a try by calling one of our staff on + 32 (0)2 464 66 64 or by surfing to ing.be/expat

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hertog jan

Dinner is served

Eating in Belgium is a national pastime. Here’s our pick of thrifty fare and gastronomic dining

rom chip stands to sushi and a growing posse of food trucks, it’s no hardship to find reasonably priced snacks and meals in Belgium. The daily menus of cafes and bistros are another reliable source for a tasty hot lunch. At the other end of the scale, the country has an enviable tradition of fine dining, with gastronomic restaurants thriving in the provinces. All share a passion for topquality, seasonal ingredients.

CHEAP EATS With a menu featuring quesadillas, burgers, pasta and baked potatoes, you won’t leave Chicago Café feeling hungry. It’s a large eatery that’s ideal for a relaxed meal, with a corner for the kids to play in. Enjoy a lazy continental, English or Moroccan breakfast until midday. And if the honey from the latter rouses your sweet tooth, there are homemade cakes and muffins too. ÄÄ45 Rue de Flandre, Brussels www.chicagocafe.be best of belgium 2015 i 23

chicago cafe

balls & glory

A bowl of ramen is the ultimate Asian comfort food. Served in a rich broth, the noodles at Au Bon Bol come with a variety of toppings to please both vegetarians and carnivores. If you’re not too keen on soup, try their fried ramen with chicken, beef, marinated pork, vegetables or prawns. Or order some spring rolls or share a platter of dim sum while you’re waiting. A tasty meal that won’t set you back more than €15. There’s a second outlet, Bon Bol II, at 6 Rue de la Bourse. ÄÄ9 Rue Paul Devaux, Brussels The rice paper rolls at Knees to Chin are filled with fresh ingredients and are healthy, light, low in gluten and lactose-free. There are lunch specials during the week as well as sides, dim sums, extras and dessert. Also open for dinner. ÄÄ125 Rue de Livourne, Brussels www.kneestochin.com Glorified meatballs – as the name suggests – are currently trending in Ghent and Antwerp thanks to Balls & Glory. There’s a varied range

lombardia

24 i best of belgium 2015

of homemade meatballs and sides, plus sauces, salads and Filliers gin cocktails. The concept extends to food trucks, some butcher’s and Delhaize stores. ÄÄ6 Jakobijnenstraat, Ghent ÄÄFelixpakhuis De Markt, Antwerp www.ballsnglory.be What started as an organic grocery shop in 1972 grew into one of Antwerp’s most famous hotspots for healthy, veggie and vegan food. Lombardia bursts with colour, in its interior and on the plates. There are sandwiches, salads, burgers, juices and desserts, all homemade. How do you like the sound of a Mexican veggie cheeseburger, a Shanghai Express hot sandwich with spicy chicken or a big salad with at least 11 ingredients? All priced at around €12. ÄÄ78 Lombardenvest, Antwerp www.lombardia.be Le Perroquet in the Sablon area isn’t your average pitta bar. With its Art Nouveau interior and long

king kong

cor de chasse

l’air du temps

list of fresh, cooked-to-order pittas, it’s a popular spot for a quick bite to eat. Choosing is difficult, but as the pittas aren’t very big there’s no shame in ordering two. The menu also features salads and sweet options, and there’s a large, sunny terrace. ÄÄ31 Rue Watteau, Brussels King Kong is a trendy Peruvian joint serving a limited but finger-licking menu. Choose a hot or cold sandwich – the hamburger and chicken mayonnaise come highly recommended – and opt for a side such as the yuca chips or mixed bean salad. If you’re there around lunchtime, go for the rotisserie chicken, with potato salad, salad, apple sauce and a drink for just under €12. ÄÄ227 Chaussée de Charleroi, Brussels When in Liège, you have to taste the famous boulettes Liégoises: meatballs with a savoury dark sauce. Try them at l’Oeuf au Plat, a popular eatery with an affordable menu. They also serve a mean fry-up with eggs, bacon and sausage, which will set you back €11 if you go for the meal deal which includes a glass of wine, coffee and a shot of local schnapps at the end. ÄÄ30 La Batte, Liège www.oeuf-au-plat.com For cheap, cheerful and healthy eating you can’t go wrong with fast food outlet Potatolicious. It serves soups and salads as well as baked potatoes. The goat’s cheese option comes highly recommended, while meat eaters will enjoy the crispy bacon variety.  KL/VR ÄÄ5 Verlorenkost, Ghent potatolicious.be

GOURMET DINING At Va doux vent, a duo of daring young chefs, Stefan Jacobs and Romain Mouton, serve modern dishes with a nod to retro cuisine. The name is a tribute to the French colonial Indian spice vadouvan; Jacobs’ passion for spice was aroused while working under French spice master Olivier Roellinger. Only 18 months after opening, the team, including former Comme Chez Soi sommelier Gontran Buysse, picked up a Michelin star in 2012. This compact Uccle townhouse was formerly occupied by Brussels culinary star BonBon, now the bearer of two Michelin stars and occupying new premises in Avenue de Tervuren, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre. Generous portions and a preference for meat in the mains. Menus €35€85. ÄÄ93 Rue des Carmelites, Brussels www.vadouxvent.be At the heart of the tourist trap restaurant quarter Rue des Bouchers lies Aux Armes de Bruxelles, a legendary address that’s perfect for traditional Belgian cuisine. The institution has been serving generations of visitors as well as loyal locals. On the menu: oysters, lobster, Belgian specialities such as shrimp croquettes, waterzooi, carbonnade, steak-frites and plenty of fresh fish. Service is impeccable. Mains €19-€57. ÄÄ13 Rue des Bouchers, Brussels www.auxarmesdebruxelles.com Three-Michelin-star Hertog Jan opened in new premises in 2014, in a renovated barn just outside Bruges. Pared-down pure design, the

dining room is dominated by large glass walls overlooking a farm garden. The green view is reflected in the menu, which features colourful and seasonal veggies, and the lack of clutter continues in every dish: the very best ingredients served simply with tantalising flavours and accompaniments. Chef Gert De Mangeleer and host Joachim Boudens took over the former Bruges bistro Brasserie Hertog Jan 10 years ago. It’s now one of Belgium’s top culinary addresses, as reflected in the prices. Dishes from €60-€90; menus €115-€315. ÄÄ52 Loppemsestraat, Zedelgem www.hertog-jan.com At 23 and with only a few years of experience at high-end restaurants in the Netherlands and Spain, Kobe Desramaults took over his parents’ struggling French bistro in deepest Flanders and transformed it into In De Wulf, an award-winning, Michelin-starred restaurant that promotes local ingredients. When he isn’t growing his own herbs, Desramaults is sourcing from neighbouring farmers and buying fresh fish in nearby Dunkirk. The tasting menu (from €140) features many regional delicacies and the results of the chefs’ foraging in the rich soil of the agricultural land. Accommodation also available. ÄÄ1 Wulvestraat, Heuvelland www.indewulf.be Arriving on the Antwerp restaurant scene in 2014, The Jane has provoked as much discussion on architecture and design blogs as it has for its food. Dutch chefs Sergio Herman (formerly of Oud Sluis in the Netherlands) and Nick Bril offer exquisite best of belgium 2015 i 25

hertog jan

eight-course menus, and earned a Michelin star in 2014. Built inside the chapel of a former 19thcentury military hospital, the building retains arching ceilings with more modern accents, including a massive spindly chandelier, stainedglass windows and a glowing neon skull. The Upper Room Bar is the place for cocktails, food and music. Menus €60-€90. ÄÄ1 Paradeplein, Antwerp www.thejaneantwerp.com One of Flanders’ rising chefs, Michael Vrijmoed cut his culinary teeth as sous-chef for the legendary Peter Goossens at Hof van Cleve before opening his own self-titled place in Ghent in 2013. The cuisine is experimental yet honest and simple; dishes are based on regional and seasonal products. Vegetarians are also catered for. Menus €48-€89. ÄÄ22 Vlaanderenstraat, Ghent www.vrijmoed.be

Sang-Hoon Degeimbre is a culinary star in Wallonia. One of the co-founders of the region’s chef collective Generation W, the South Koreanborn chef is passionate about promoting Wallonia’s culinary heritage abroad. He presides over the kitchen of L’Air du temps, a twoMichelin-star restaurant in a renovated farm in Namur province. Once a pioneer of molecular cuisine, the former pharmacy student and sommelier now focuses on technical precision and creativity. Menus €95-€140. In September he is opening San, in Rue de Flandre, Brussels. It proposes a simple concept of six different bowls of food each day. ÄÄ2 Rue de la Croix Monet, Liernu www.airdutemps.be Chef Mario Elias and his wife Aurore regained their Michelin star in 2013 after moving highly reputed Cor de Chasse to a renovated farm in a picturesque village near Durbuy. The new rustic-

aux armes de bruxelles

26 i best of belgium 2015

chic quarters offer en-suite accommodation and breakfast rooms, indoor and al fresco. Overlooking the garden, swimming pool and bucolic countryside is a 40-person dining room, communal table d’hôte and ample, lightfilled kitchen. Elias creates multi-sensory and personalised seasonal dishes, some with an Asian twist. Menus €35-€73. ÄÄ16 Rue des Combattants, Wéris www.lecordechasse.be Gastronomic surf and turf are on offer at L’Impératif, an unassuming one-Michelinstar restaurant, next to Nato’s military base, Shape, near Mons. Chef Benoît Neusy specialises in fish and seafood, giving diners a choice of preparations when they choose fish as a main. Local artisan Jacquy Cange supplies the cheese course. Menus €70-€85.  SCR/KD ÄÄ208 Rue Grande, Maisières www.limperatif.be

l’imperatif

scott’s bar

Live

and local Forest National and the Sportpaleis host international stars, but where can you check out a band on the spur of the moment?

BRUSSELS Just down the hill from Sablon, La Porte Noire is the perfect place to go if you’re a folk fan. This underground bar (mind the steps!) with its brick interior and low rounded roof emits an instant ambience, and on gig nights the place really comes alive. There are concerts every Thursday night offering folk music in all its

interpretations, with Irish traditional music sessions every other Tuesday and a Brussels Folk Club concert every second Sunday of the month. ÄÄ67 Rue des Alexiens www.laportenoire.be As popular among local musicians as it is with the tourists who converge there, many head to best of belgium 2015 i 27

Music village

Bizon for its Monday night blues jam. You forget you’re in Brussels as the moody twang of minor chords transports you across the Atlantic. Concerts are held on Wednesdays with a wellloved piano always ready for accompaniment, and if it’s a good night you’ll hear the staff slam-dunking coins into the musician’s tip bucket that hangs over the bar. A friendly bar with a lively atmosphere that gives homesick live-music lovers a reminder of what they’ve been missing. ÄÄ7 Rue du Pont de la Carpe www.cafebizon.com The Thon Hotel Music Sessions consistently present excellent live music, and it’s no wonder, with gigs programmed by a concertcoordinator at Botanique. Held every Tuesday evening with the first act starting at 18.00, it’s a good opportunity to catch some live music after a day’s work. You’ll be treated to free performances by some great acts, many on European tours from overseas, in the O Bar of the Thon Hotel directly across from City 2 shopping centre. ÄÄ17 Avenue du Boulevard Created by two friends with a passion for jazz, the 100-seater Music Village was designed to compete with the best international jazz clubs. Close to the Grand Place, it hosts music almost every night. It’s one of the top places to enjoy jazz in Brussels, attracting top Belgian and 28 i best of belgium 2015

Podiumcafe ami

thon hotel

international musicians. Concerts cost between €7.50 and €25. And it’s not strictly limited to jazz – sometimes you’ll find Afro-Cuban, Brazilian or folk music on the programme. ÄÄ50 Rue des Pierres www.themusicvillage.com If Brussels’ more jazz and techno-oriented music scene doesn’t do it for you and you’re missing your fix of rock and pop, Scott’s Bar is the place to go on a Saturday night. With many of the city’s gigging musicians on its roster, you’ll be sure to find something you like. Every second Thursday of the month there’s also a singer-songwriter showcase – recorded live for expat station Radio X – with artists playing original music for an appreciative audience. ÄÄ51 Rue Montagne aux Herbes Potagères www.scottsbar.be A trendy bar on the border of Saint-Gilles and Forest, Bar du Matin provides an eclectic range of music in its free Thursday night concerts. A sister bar of Café Belga at Flagey and nearby Potemkine, it also hosts a DJ set after the live performance and a terrace for sunny evenings. Drop in for alternative music from all backgrounds from pop to rock to acid jazz. ÄÄ172 Chaussée d’Alsemberg bardumatin.blogspot.be Tucked away down a tiny passageway in the heart of the old town, A l’Imaige Nostre Dame is

a popular spot for tourists and locals alike, the latter often coming back for the live music held every Thursday to Saturday. The bar is small but has a definite charm and the quizzical gaze of the deer busts on the walls only adds to the authenticity. A great bar for acoustic music in a cosy, friendly atmosphere. ÄÄ3 Impasse des Cadeaux

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS A former farm now converted into a cultural centre, the Ferme du Biéreau is just outside Louvain-La-Neuve. When the university took ownership of the surrounding land, it decided to make the farm into a cultural space and now it hosts recording sessions, workshops and exhibitions. There are regular concerts with styles ranging from jazz to world music to French chanson; tickets are available online, with some shows free. ÄÄAvenue du Jardin Botanique Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve www.fermedubiereau.be Podiumcafe Ami in Antwerp’s old town is serious about live music – enjoy a beer and some food while listening to the sounds of musicians from Flanders and beyond. Piano and guitars are available to musicians, with styles ranging from folk to acoustic rock. ÄÄ59 Sint Katelijnevest, Antwerp www.facebook.com/EetDrinkPodiumcafeami

There’s more… For jazz, funk and soul lovers Sounds Jazz Club ÄÄ28 Rue de la Tulipe www.soundsjazzclub.be L’Archiduc ÄÄ6 Rue Antoine Dansaert www.archiduc.net Bravo ÄÄ7 Rue d’Alost www.facebook.com/bravobxl Alternative Bonnefooi ÄÄ8 Rue des Pierres www.bonnefooi.be Café Central ÄÄ14 Rue Borgval lecafecentral.com Rock, pop, reggae and the rest Live Music Café ÄÄ90-92 Boulevard Anspach www.live-music-cafe.be Bar des Amis ÄÄ30 Rue Sainte-Catherine www.bardesamis.be Cafe Floréo ÄÄ19 Rue des Riches Claires www.facebook.com/LeCafeFloreo

best of belgium 2015 i 29

Read

all about it A round-up of recent English-language books celebrating the quirky, the tasty and the not-to-be missed about Belgium

Eccentric homes A perfect arty coffee table book, Belgique Excentrique invites you on a colourful, fun and, at times, flamboyant journey into 16 Belgian homes, each one capturing the contributors’ personalities and style in every room. Exquisite full-length photographs fill the pages, with a new visual treat at each turn. The text, in English, Dutch and French, helps create an inclusive vibe and lets you learn about the home dwellers and their collections in detail. After reading, we guarantee you will feel inspired to try some interior designing of your own.  RB €39.95

best of belgium 2015 i 31

Beautiful Belgium In Beautiful Belgium, Canadian travel writer and photographer Alison Cornford-Matheson shares a glimpse of the country she called home for 10 years. Through her vivid photographs and digital art, she captures everything that’s bright and beautiful about the country. She explains: “After being asked repeatedly if I sold the photos I share on my website, CheeseWeb, I decided to collect my favourites in a book, creating a souvenir for those living temporarily in Belgium that is both beautiful and portable.” It’s available through her website, Blurb.com and Amazon UK.  ST €55

The Bright Side of Belgium The result of a collaboration between a handful of editors, photographers and graphic designers, The Bright Side of Belgium is evidence of a growing but still subdued sentiment that it’s time for locals to drop the act, and their innate modesty, and just say it – Belgium is worth it. This 500-page coffee-table book zooms in on 10 of the country’s most interesting and vibrant cities and regions. Each chapter covers the same themes – architecture, parks and squares, art, culture, shopping, food, accommodation and noteworthy spots just a bit further down the road. The stunning photos are complemented by colourful and cheeky illustrations that help readers make sense of the wealth of information.  LAT €39.95

Barak Friture Barak Friture offers a loving tribute to what used to be a linchpin of small-town Belgium – the frietkoten or roadside chip stands that are fast disappearing from local streets. For this bite-size photo book, Jesse Willems, a self-taught Antwerp photographer, visited 80 frietkoten across the country over a year. In his muted, melancholy pictures, these vans and shacks stand solemnly, sometimes decidedly uninvitingly on often abandoned roads. The result is that with every rundown, uninspiring chip stand that Willems rescues from oblivion, it becomes clearer and clearer that, heritage or not, these shops have become something of a quaint, anachronistic quirk in the modern Belgian landscape.  LAT €21.50 32 i best of belgium 2015

What’s Cooking in Belgium When it comes to food, the Belgians tend to take certain things for granted: fresh bread is always just around the corner, the meats and cheeses are good enough to eat raw and for €3 or less you can sample the world’s finest beer in any given cafe. This modesty often results in Belgian cuisine being reduced to chocolate, beer and Brussels sprouts. Until now, that is. What’s Cooking in Belgium: Recipes and Stories from a Food-Loving Nation, devoted to local cuisine, was written by Brussels-based British expats Anna Jenkinson and Neil Evans, who attempt to remedy this situation by painting a portrait of the history and culture of Belgium through its food. It’s not an exhaustive anthology but a carefully assembled collection of Belgian delights, from stoofvlees to speculoos. Accompanying the recipes are vignettes that place the dishes in context. Whether it’s a description of the annual Golden Throwing of the Chicken Leg from the windows of Londerzeel’s town hall or the fact that the average Belgian consumes 6.5kg of witloof each year, the book is filled with fascinating facts that round out the story of local food. And while Belgium is by no means a vegetarian’s paradise, Evans, the chef of the duo, has given a few useful tips on how to change some classic dishes into veggie-friendly meals.  KD €29.95

The 500 Hidden Secrets of Flanders Fields and the Belgian Coast If you’re looking to explore hidden Belgium, this is the book for you. Former Bulletin editor Derek Blyth follows up his guide to secret Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent with a whole host of lesser-known spots to visit in West Flanders, ranging from lonely World War One trenches and graveyards to seaside museums and romantic coffee shops. With recommended accommodation, bars, chic cafes and places to indulge in Belgian beer and cuisine, you will be in no doubt about the places to head to on your trip. The inclusion of sections such as “The Five most famous Ypres survivors” and “The five most significant women” add a personal touch and are an interesting addition to the book.  RB €15.95 All books except Beautiful Belgium are published by Luster

…and

relax The Bulletin’s readers’ tips for Belgium’s best massages and spa treatments

e asked visitors to The Bulletin’s website and Facebook page to tell us their favourite places for a spot of pampering in Brussels and further afield. Some you’ll be familiar with; have fun discovering the others. There were lots of votes for upmarket spa Serendip on Brussels’ Place Stephanie. A few testimonials: “The best massage centre in Brussels (I have tried many)”; “My favourite is the back and shoulders deep massage at Serendip”; “Oh yeah! Serendip, without a doubt the best concept I know for spas in Brussels! The perfect place for mind and body to relax and get balanced”; “Serendip, hands down the best massages in Brussels if not in Europe.” Its expertise has just been recognised with the award for Best Luxury Boutique Spa in Europe by the World Luxury Spa Awards. See what all the fuss is about: its location is handy for a 15-minute lunchtime treatment, while the hours-long couples packages are sheer indulgence. Also popular with our readers is Waer Waters, a short drive out of the city in Dilbeek. “Waer Waters – for those who need to feel closer to nature and water again. The BEST”; “Yes, Waer Waters! Most beautiful setting, modern architecture with steaming hot bath... Snoozing on water beds underneath the restaurant and a saltwater pool with music underwater! Not forgetting the aufguss, which is an experience by itself. Relaxation at its best.” Boetfort

34 i best of belgium 2015

“Thermae Boetfort for everything”; “Thermae Boetfort is the best!”: the sauna and wellness

O’pale

complex in a 400-year-old castle in Melsbroek, just outside Brussels, got a big thumbs-up from our readers too. Dolce La Hulpe resort and the upmarket fitness chain Aspria are also big hits. “Dolce La Hulpe: for sure the most serene atmosphere, and superb quality of massages. Stunning!” Aspria rates highly for its Swedish massage in particular. Among the places you might not have heard of are some real gems, according to our readers. “Try Relaxation Massage Brussels for an authentic Thai spa. I’m a regular client.” Apart from its “excellent” Thai massage, this centre in Etterbeek also offers Balinese, Ayurvedic and acupressure treatments, plus a tension relief massage one reader recommends for migraines. Longitude Zen in Ixelles, meanwhile, offers holistic pulsing and Californian massage. Further afield, one helpful reader listed her favourite spots for sauna and wellbeing:

Boetfort

Aquaheaven and Vitala in Leuven, O’pale and Vitacuzzi in Herent. And the Esthetique Centre Mieux Etre in Rhode-Saint-Genèse was praised for its great atmosphere. Also in Leuven is Santé Magic, which one reader recommended for its “fantastic massage, reiki, yoga, wonderful atmosphere and staff”. It also provides proton therapy and workshops on wellbeing. You could make a weekend of it, meanwhile, at Quartier Latin in Marche-en-Famenne in Luxembourg province. The four-star hotel with spa offers Indonesian and Polynesian rituals for couples and individuals. In Brussels, for a traditional Turkish hammam, Schaerbeek should be your destination. Our readers voted for Le Riad, praising its steam baths, beauty treatments, pedicures and massage, and Hammam Douniazad, which has a range of rituals and scrubs. For authentic Tibetan treatments, they have a couple of recommendations: Tsomo Tibetan Healing in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert and the Tibetan Health Centre in Rue de Flandre in central Brussels. Finally, if you’re looking for something more medicinal, Core Massage and Personal Training is “great for people doing sports regularly. A range of sports massages, relaxation massages and postinjury massages. Highly recommend it!” German therapist Sven Parthie also offers sports massage, along with deep tissue, anti-cellulite, facial and hot stone treatments. One fan sums it up nicely: “Not a fancy place, but the massage is heaven.” See page 97 for websites best of belgium 2015 i 35

My favourite moment in Knokke-Heist by @charlychee

#mytreat #icecream #yummy Share your favourite moment in Knokke-Heist with #knokkeheistgram

MAKE YOUR DAY @ WWW.KNOKKE-HEIST.BE

Our day

out

Let us be your guide as you discover these Belgian treasures, north and south

ocket-sized Belgium is perfect for easy day trips and overnight breaks. All destinations are accessible from the capital and if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re visiting a city or the North Sea coast consider taking the train to relieve the pain of finding a parking

spot. As well as the coast, always a popular summer standby, we provide you with tips for three of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s historic cities. Ghent is Flandersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; alternative medieval gem, while Namur is a waterfront pearl and find out why Mons is a top arts hot spot Mons in 2015.

ghent

best of belgium 2015 i 37

THE COAST

ome the summer, there’s no better place to unwind and revive the senses than at the Belgian coast. With pristine sandy beaches and handsome seaside towns extending from Knokke-Heist in the northeast to De Panne in the southwest, the area offers something for everyone – from thrill-seeking water sports fanatics to those who prefer sipping cocktails at the beach after a day of shopping.

EXPLORE

The coastal tram makes exploring Belgium’s seaside comfortable and affordable. Don’t worry about traffic jams or finding a place to park – the 67km tramline, the longest in the world, departs from 68 locations between KnokkeHeist and De Panne every 10 minutes during the high season and stops at all the resort towns.

Tickets are available at tram stations, kiosks and supermarkets for €5, and for €7 in the tram. www.delijn.be/en/kusttram

SEE

Though all the resorts are worth a visit, make sure you take time to revel in the opulence of Knokke, also known as the Saint-Tropez of the North Sea. Here, the elegantly dressed and well-coiffed stroll through streets dotted with high-end boutiques, art galleries and trendy restaurants. Many wealthy Belgians own weekend mansions in Knokke. It’s definitely a place to see, and be seen.

Want to sunbathe undisturbed, challenge the waves on a surfboard or go for a zen-inducing walk? De Panne not only boasts the widest beach on the Belgian coast, it’s also surrounded by four nature reserves. In the sandy dunes of the Westhoek you can peacefully wander for hours, clearing your head and admiring myriad plants and wildlife as you go. Ever tried land yachting? De Panne is where this adventurous sport first evolved.

EAT

A visit to the coast is the perfect opportunity to sample the region’s fantastic seafood. At ’t Kantientje in Knokke, chef Dominique Pille will delight you with his culinary expertise. Start your meal with oysters, follow with one of his lobster specialities and end with a mouthwatering dessert. For mussels, Resto de Rimini in SintIdesbald (Koksijde) is sure to please. Bear in mind, however, that mussels aren’t usually served out of season (between April and July). But Rimini’s other seafood choices – such as prawn croquettes – will not disappoint. www.kantientje.be www.restohofterhille.be 38 i best of belgium 2015

SLEEP For the ultimate indulgence, stay at Hotel Manoir du Dragon in Knokke-Heist. Set in a beautifully restored villa dating to 1927, the four-star hotel offers 16 rooms, most with private jacuzzi and a view of the Royal Zoute golf course. In the morning, enjoy a sumptuous breakfast that includes fresh fruit, eggs, homemade preserves and Belgian specialities. Another excellent choice is Esprit de Mer in De Panne. The cosy bed and breakfast has three tastefully decorated rooms and is just 400m from the beach.  PW www.manoirdudragon.be www.espritdemer.be

GHENT

ith its picturesque medieval buildings and quaint cobbled streets, Ghent was once a busy medieval port city, and the second biggest city in northern Europe. Today it is anything but a boring relic. It’s a creative hub, teeming with rebellious and innovative energy. Ghent has been touted as the top alternative city trip for 2015 by the Guardian, and in 2008 was ranked the third most authentic destination in the world by National Geographic. This little-known but vibrant city is a gem waiting to be discovered by young and old alike.

SEE

highlights the city’s beautiful architecture. You can download a map of the lighting route from the tourist website.

EAT

Ghent shows its rebellious side with its “kitchen rebel” scene, described as haute cuisine without the fuss. The most famous kitchen rebels of Ghent are the Flemish Foodies, who have opened several restaurants, including J.E.F. and Vrijmoed. To satisfy your sweet tooth, sample the local speciality, neuzekes, sweets with a raspberry centre, from one of the carts at the Groentenmarkt.

DRINK

Head to the Graslei for a drink or an ice cream. You can choose a cafe or bring your own drinks and sit on the banks of the river and enjoy the

scenery. Book lovers should make a bee-line to the Paard van Troje, a bookshop/coffeehouse with plenty of outdoor seating. The Gruut brewery is also worth a visit. The beer is brewed without hops, instead using special herbs from a medieval recipe. If you’re more of a cocktail fan, then Jiggers is a must. This underground bar serves classic cocktails with a twist.

EXPLORE

Ghent has recently begun a hop-on, hop-off water tram service which takes you to most of the tourist destinations in the city; it operates on weekends until November. Alternatively, you can see all of Ghent’s sites on foot, or you can rent a bike from one of the rental services such as Biker, and cycle around.  VR www.visitgent.be

The Castle of the Counts was built by the Counts of Flanders to repress the people of Ghent. This medieval colossus is ideal for visiting with children: you can watch knights duel at one of their theme days. Sint-Baaf’s cathedral is home to the most stolen work of art in history, the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, which was painted by the van Eyck brothers in 1432. The painting is now being restored, panel by panel, at the Museum of Fine Arts, behind bulletproof glass. Prefer your art modern? Head to Werregarrenstraat, or the graffiti street, the only street where graffiti artists of all calibres can legally paint on the walls. The result is an ever-changing, organic artwork. If you’re game to give it a go, there’s a small shop at one end selling spray paint for around €3 for a small can. Hang around until it gets dark, and marvel at Ghent’s award-winning lighting, which best of belgium 2015 i 39

MONS

ith the Hainaut capital basking in the glow of its role as European Capital of Culture 2015, there’s never been a better time to visit Mons. See how the former medieval bastion and coalmining capital has undergone large-scale urban regeneration, renovating numerous heritage buildings and opening a cluster of new museums.

SEE

As the name suggests, and as an explanation for its former military prowess, Mons is built on a hill. Cobblestoned streets lead to the medieval Grand-Place and gothic town hall. From here, alleys wind up to the focal point, the Unescorecognised belfry, offering a bird’s-eye view of the city, its gothic collegiate church of SainteWaudru and surrounding countryside. Cranes are a familiar sight as work continues on the new Santiago Calatrava-designed train station to be unveiled in 2017. Flagship exhibitions are showing at the fantastic art space BAM, near the Grand-Place. From October it stages an exhibition on French poet Paul Verlaine, who spent two years in the city’s prison after firing two shots at his lover Arthur Rimbaud. From nearby Rue du Nimy you can access the cultural kilometre, combining museums and other venues including Mundaneum, an archive and data centre dedicated to world culture. In partnership with Mons 2015 and Google it presents the interactive exhibition Mapping Knowledge. Head downhill to discover other must-visit sites: Anciens abbatoirs, Maison du Design, Mons Memorial Museum, 40 i best of belgium 2015

dedicated to World War One and remembrance, Artothèque and the Musée du Doudou, devoted to the St George and the dragon ritual.

EVENTS

The world-class arts programme includes visual arts, music, street theatre, urban art, literature, design and food, with family events dominating this summer. A blazing field of golden sunflowers in the Grand-Place (17-26 July) is a nod to former resident Vincent Van Gogh. Le Festin + Dimanche toqué is a festival of food spread across the MonsBorinage region (1-6 September). The annual Festival au carré (28 June-11 July) promises an exceptional line-up with Belgian and international artists. Autumn’s programme is themed the Renaissance and celebrates the city’s Golden Age and its famous sons, polyphony composer Orlando di Lasso and architect and sculptor Jacques Du Broeucq. The Mons 2015 closing party on December 12 will be one giant fiesta.

EAT & SLEEP

The culture capital foundation provides a list of restaurants promoting gastronomy in the region. Take advantage of a loyalty card for a free aperitif in many. Options in Mons include Vilaine fille, mauvais garçon in Rue du Nimy and Le Bistro de Jean-Phi in Rue des Fripiers, which along with Rue du Coupe is an excellent reference for boutiques and eateries. Join artists and Mons 2015 staff in the canteen in the foyer of Théâtre Le Manège, also open for evening shows. City hotels are all conveniently situated for exploring. Combining period charm and contemporary fittings are the central four-star Dream Hotel, a conversion of a neo-gothic former church, and three-star Hotel St James, an 18th-century contemporary-styled hotel on the edge of the city centre.  SCR www.visitmons.be www.mons2015.eu

NAMUR

ts emblem may be the snail, but the capital of Wallonia is slowly ditching its reputation as a genteel city with an equally sedate nightlife. Historic Namur is revving up its image with an ever-expanding calendar of events, from cultural and culinary to heritage and sporting. So whether you’re on a one-day or weekend trip, there’s no shortage of sights and entertainment in this charming university city.

CITADEL

Rising majestically over the confluence of the Meuse and Sambre rivers, this ancient fortress

is a living reminder of the city’s once strategic military position in war-torn Europe. It’s now home to activities for all ages, including medieval re-enactments, outdoor theatre and live music, cycle races, torch-lit walks and guided tours. A visitor centre opens at the former military barracks, Terra Nova, on 28 June, tracing the 2,000-year history of Namur and its citadel. The sound and light show Waterloo, The Day After runs in July. In summer, a grazing flock of Ardennes sheep add a bucolic touch to the panoramic site. A shuttle bus connects to the train station and city centre.

SEE & DO

A tourist destination since the 19th century, Namur boasts fine 17th- and 18th-century avenues and a few architectural gems. Ideally explored on foot, the historical centre is bordered by the two rivers and the railway line to the north. Rue du Fer and Rue de l’Ange form the main shopping drag, while independent stores and cafes dominate a pedestrianised cobbled area. Place d’Armes is a public space that stages the annual Christmas market and numerous festivals and events. From here it’s a short walk across the Sambre via the picturesque Rue du Pont bridge. On your left is the Mosanestyle 16th-century Halle al’Chair, a former butchers guild and now archaeological museum. A series of bronze sculptures by Flemish artist Jan Fabre currently grace various corners of the city, part of the Facing Time: Rops/Fabre exhibition that continues until the end of August. Keep an eye out for the giant turtle halfway up the citadel.

depart from the Grognon area at the SambreMeuse confluence. This is also the site of the summer event Cap Estival. Until mid-October, you can eat, drink, read and enjoy DJ sets and 100 other outdoor activities. A new artists market adorns the Meuse quayside every first Sunday of the month.

DRINK, EAT & SLEEP

Head to Rue des Brasseurs and surrounding area for a lively selection of wine bars, pubs and eateries. If the weather’s fine, enjoy terrace life in Place du Marché aux Lègumes and, as the sun sets, Place du Théâtre. For an overnight trip, consider the Royal Snail Hotel behind the casino by the Meuse, which also boasts a gastronomic restaurant, L’Agathopède. Further along the riverbank, there’s a friendly youth hostel, the Auberge de Jeunesse Félicien Rops. Up on the citadel, the Ne5t hotel and spa is a renovated farmhouse, combining wellness and gourmet food.  SCR www.namur.be www.citadelle.namur.be

WATER

Hop aboard the river taxi Namourette that plies the rivers at weekends from June to September, daily in July and August. Alternatively, cruises best of belgium 2015 i 41

The only difference from home is waking up in a different continent. KLMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s World Business Class, with Dutch Design at its heart, offers the perfect mix of comfort, individuality and personal space. The fullflat seats with smart privacy screens provide 207 centimeters of horizontal space. Together with the personal attention of our crew, the World Business Class has all the comforts of home. Except home doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t bring you to the other side of the world. www.klm.be

Expat Directory

44 50 60 64 68 82 88 92

Health The healthcare system and support groups Social Clubs and community groups Faith Churches and religious organisations Family Childcare and childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities Education International schools and language classes Business Banks, co-working and official organisations Travel Public transport and travel information Sport Keeping fit while socialising

best of belgium 2015 i 43

Health Here we present a list of emergency and vital numbers; whether you need the police, the fire brigade, an ambulance or another service, there are always organisations you can contact for assistance. There are also details of insurance providers, hospitals, ombudsmen and consumer groups

44 i best of belgium 2015

Emergency services

CHILDREN ’S HELPLINE ÄÄ103

AMBULANCE & FIRE Ä Ä112, www.112.be

COMMUNITY HELP SERVICE (CHS) ÄÄ02.648.40.14 (helpline), 02.647.67.80 (counselling), www.chsbelgium.org

CIVIL PROTECTION Ä Ä053.66.67.95 EUROPEAN EMERGENCY HELPLINE ÄÄ112 POLICE ÄÄ101 BURNS UNIT ÄÄ02.268.62.00 CHEMISTS ÄÄ0900.10.500 DENTISTS ÄÄ02.426.10.26 DIVING ACCIDENTS ÄÄ0800.123.82 DOCTORS ÄÄ02.479.18.18 DRUGS HELPLINE ÄÄ02.227.52.52 (in French), 078.15.10.20 (in Dutch) POISON CENTRE ÄÄ070.245.245 RED CROSS Ä Ä105 SOS MEDECINS ÄÄ02.513.02.02

MISSING MINORS BUREAU ÄÄ02.279.76.19 MISSING ADULTS BUREAU ÄÄ0495.51.90.54, 084.31.33.18 www.belgian-missing-persons.be SOS VIOL (RAPE HELPLINE) ÄÄ02.534.36.36 SOS JEUNES ÄÄ02/512.90.20 TELE-ACCUEIL ÄÄ107 Helpline (Fr) TELE-ONTHAAL ÄÄ106 Helpline (NL) TELE-PARENTS ÄÄ070.23.37.57 SOS SOLITUDE ÄÄ02.548.98.08 SUICIDE HELPLINE ÄÄ0800.32.123 (Fr) 02.649.95.55 (NL) SAVU ÄÄ0900.10.112 Emergency service for animals

Hospitals & clinics * Phone number for emergency department

Emergency help

ANTWERP

AWEL ÄÄ102, brievenbus@awel.be

ACADEMISCH ZIEKENHUIS ÄÄ10 Wilrijkstraat, 2650 Edegem 03.821.30.00, www.uza.be/english

CHILD FOCUS – MISSING CHILDREN ÄÄ11.60.00 (emergency), 02.475.44.11 (information)

INSTITUTE OF TROPICAL MEDECINE ÄÄ155 Nationalestraat, 2000 Antwerp 03.247.66.66, www.itg.be

BRUSSELS ACADEMISCH ZIEKENHUIS JETTE - VUB ÄÄ101 Avenue de Laarbeek, 1090 Brussels 02.477.41.11, *02.477.51.00, www.uzbrussel.be BRUSSELS MENOPAUSE CENTRE ÄÄ239 Avenue Winston Churchill, 1180 Brussels 02.340.14.14 BRUSSELS MENOPAUSE CLINIQUE ÄÄ284 Avenue Louise, 1050 Brussels 02.534.29.99, www.louise-medicalcenter.be CENTRE HOSPITALIER ETTERBEEK-IXELLES ÄÄ63 Rue J Paquot, 1050 Brussels, 02.641.41.11 *02.641.48.12, www.his-izz.be ETTERBEEK MEDICAL CENTRE ÄÄ(24hr English-speaking) 239 Avenue d’Auderghem, 1040 Brussels 02.648.39.97 (general), 02.479.18.18 (emergency) www.mceonline.org MEDICIS ÄÄ236 Avenue de Tervuren, 1150 Brussels 02.762. 03.25, www.medicis.be CLINIQUE ANTOINE DEPAGE ÄÄ101 Avenue Henri Jaspar, 1060 Brussels 02.538.61.40, www.depage.be CLINIQUE BARON LAMBERT ÄÄ38 Rue Baron Lambert, 1040 Brussels 02.739.84.11, www.his-izz.be CLINIQUE CESAR DE PAEPE ÄÄ11 Rue des Alexiens, 1000 Brussels 02.506.71.11, www.stpierre-bru.be CLINIQUE EUROPE DEUX ALICE ÄÄ57 Rue Groeselenberg, 1180 Brussels 02.373.45.11, www.cliniquesdeleurope.be CLINIQUE EUROPE SAINT-MICHEL ÄÄ150 Rue de Linthout, 1040 Brussels 02.614.30.00, *02.614.39.00 www.cliniquesdeleurope.be CLINIQUE EUROPE SAINTE-ELISABETH ÄÄ206 Avenue de Fré, 1180 Brussels 02.614.20.00, *02.614.29.00 www.cliniquesdeleurope.be

best of belgium 2015 i 45

NATURALSCIENCES.BE

NEW GALLERY FROM MAY 7, 2015 From Sahelanthropus to Homo sapiens, from embryo to adult: explore the human evolution and body at our new permanent exhibition, the Gallery of Humankind. Journey through 7 million years of evolution and learn about the adaptations that have made us so different to our predecessors. Then take a closer look at the human body: discover its development, the way it works and what it needs. Fossils, 3D reconstructions, virtual animations and films will guide you on this exploration of humankind. Check out our website www.naturalsciences.be regularly, to learn about our latest temporary exhibitions, new planned activities, opening times and be sure to subscribe to MuseumContact, our newsletter.

OUR EVOLUTION, OUR BODY

* In exchange for this page (no copies), youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll receive maximum one free entrance for a child between 6 & 17 years, when purchasing minimum one entrance for adults. Promotion valid for the permanent exhibition and only on the day of purchase/visit of the Museum. This promotion will run until 31.10.2015.

CLINIQUE GENERALE SAINT-JEAN ÄÄ32 Boulevard du Jardin Botanique, 1000 Brussels 02.221.91.11, *02.221.91.00, www.clstjean.be CLINIQUE DU PARC LEOPOLD ÄÄ38 Rue Froissart, 1040 Brussels 02.287.51.11 , parc-leopold.chirec.be

*02.535.43.60 (children’s emergency unit) www.stpierre-bru.be INSTITUT JULES BORDET ÄÄ121 Boulevard de Waterloo, 1000 Brussels 02.541.31.11, www.bordet.be

CLINIQUE SAINTE-ANNE/SAINT-REMI ÄÄ66 Boulevard Jules Graindor, 1070 Brussels 02.434.30.11, *02.434.30.63, www.sainteanne.be

INSTITUT MEDICAL EDITH CAVELL ÄÄ32 Rue Edith Cavell, 1180 Brussels, 02.434.41.11 Emergency entrance, 339 Rue Vanderkindere *02.434.40.01, edith-cavell.chirec.be

CLINIQUE SAINT-ETIENNE/SAINT-VINCENT ÄÄ100 Rue du Méridien, 1210 Brussels 02.225.91.11

BASILIQUE CLINIQUE ÄÄ37-47 Rue Pangaert, 1083 Brussels 02.434.21.11, basilique.chirec.be

CLINIQUE SANS SOUCI ÄÄ218 Avenue de l’Exposition, 1090 Brussels 02.478.04.33, www.sans-souci.be CLINIQUES UNIVERSITAIRES SAINT-LUC ÄÄ10 Avenue Hippocrate, 1200 Brussels 02.764.11.11, *02.764.16.02 www.saintluc.be HOPITAL ERASME – CLINIQUES UNIVERSITAIRES DE BRUXELLES ÄÄ808 Route de Lennik, 1070 Brussels 02.555.31.11, *02.555.34.00, *02.555.44.61 www.erasme.ulb.ac.be HOPITAL MILITAIRE REINE ASTRID ÄÄ1 Rue Bruyn, 1120 Brussels 02.264.41.11, *02.264.48.48 HOPITAL MOLIERE LONGCHAMP ÄÄ142 Rue Marconi, 1190 Brussels 02.348.51.11, *02.348.57.41, www.his-izz.be HOPITAL UNIVERSITAIRE BRUGMANN ÄÄ4 Place A Van Gehuchten, 1020 Brussels 02.477.21.11, *02.477.20.01 www.chu-brugmann.be HOPITAL UNIVERSITAIRE DES ENFANTS REINE FABIOLA ÄÄ15 Avenue Crocq, 1020 Brussels 02.477.33.11, *02.477.31.00, www.huderf.be HOPITAL UNIVERSITAIRE SAINT-PIERRE ÄÄ322 Rue Haute (emergency) 105 Rue aux Laine (main entrance) 129 Boulevard de Waterloo (polyclinic), 1000 Brussels 02.535.31.11 *02.535.40.55

BRAINE L’ALLEUD HOPITAL BRAINE-L’ALLEUD-WATERLOO ÄÄ35 Rue Wayez, 1420 Braine l’Alleud 02.434.91.11, *02.434.93.21, braine-waterloo.chirec.be

BRUGES AZ SINT-JAN BRUGGE - OOSTENDE ÄÄCampus Sint-Jan, 10 Ruddershove 8000 Bruges, 050.45.21.11, www.azsintjan.be

CHARLEROI CENTRE HOSPITALIER NOTRE-DAME ET REINE FABIOLA ÄÄ3 Grand’Rue, 6000 Charleroi 071.10.21.11, www.ghdc.be

Ghent UNIVERSITAIR ZIEKENHUIS GENT ÄÄ185 De Pintelaan, 9000 Ghent, 09.332.21.11, *09.332.27.42, www.uzgent.be ZIEKENHUIS SINT LUKAS ÄÄ1 Groenebriel, 9000 Ghent, 09.224.61.11 www.azstlucas.be

LEUVEN UZ LEUVEN ÄÄ49 Herestraat, 3000 Leuven 016.33.22.11, *016.34.39.00, www.uzleuven.be

LIEGE CENTRE HOSPITALIER REGIONAL DE LA CITADELLE ÄÄ1 Boulevard du 12ème de Ligne, 4000 Liège 04.225.61.11, *04.225.60.41/42/43 www.chrcitadelle.be CENTRE HOSPITALIER UNIVERSITAIRE DE LIEGE ÄÄB35 Domaine Universitaire du Sart Tilman

4000 Liège, 04.242.52.00 *04.366.77.11 www.chu.ulg.ac.be

MONS CLINIQUE SAINT JOSEPH - HÔPITAL DE WARQUIGNIES ÄÄ5 Avenue B de Constantinople, 7000 Mons 065.38.55.11, www.chr-mw.be

NAMUR CENTRE HOSPITALIER REGIONAL ÄÄ185 Avenue Albert 1, 5000 Namur, 081.72.61.11, www.chrn.be

OTTIGNIES CLINIQUE SAINT-PIERRE ÄÄ9 Avenue Reine Fabiola, 1340 Ottignies 010.43.72.11 *010.43.73.56 CENTRE HOSPITALIER NEUROLOGIQUE WILLIAM LENNOX ÄÄ6 Allée de Clerlands, 1340 Ottignies 010.43.02.11, www.cnwl.be

specialist treatment Aids Saint-Pierre University Hospital ÄÄ02.535.30.03 Hôpital Erasme ÄÄ02.555.31.11

Cancer Saint-Luc University Hospital, ÄÄ02.764.12.71 Institut Jules Bordet, ÄÄ02.541.31.11

Other Centre for hand surgery ÄÄSOS Mains Bruxelles, Clinique du Parc Léopold 02.287.50.50, 02.287.51.11 Digestive tract surgery ÄÄSaint-Luc University Hospital, 02.764.11.11 Saint-Pierre University Hospital, 02.535.30.03 European Homograft Bank ÄÄHôpital Militaire Reine Astrid, 02.264.40.66

best of belgium 2015 i 47

Fertility treatment ÄÄAcademisch Ziekenhuis Jette, 02.477.66.99 ÄÄHôpital Universitaire Saint-Pierre, 02.535.34.06 ÄÄSaint-Luc University Hospital, 02.764.96.04 ÄÄHôpital Erasme Clinique de la fertilité, 02.555.31.11 Gender reassignment ÄÄClinique Baron Lambert, 02.739.84.11

Health-related support groups ÄÄAdult ADHD Support Group, 02.305.90.30 adultadhdbelgium.blogspot.com Aide Info Sida ÄÄ02.514.29.65, Helpline 0800.20.120 (Monday to Friday 18.00-21.00, French-speaking)

ME or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ÄÄAcademisch Ziekenhuis Jette, 02.477.41.11

Aids -Telefoon Vlaanderen ÄÄ078.15.15.15 (03.236.55.55) Aids helpline (Dutchand English-speaking), aids.start.be

Neurology, post -trauma rehabilitation ÄÄSaint-Luc University Hospital, 02.764.19.62

Allergies ÄÄ02.642.55.18, airallergy@wiv-isp.be www.airallergy.be

Neuropsychiatry ÄÄClinique Sans-Souci, 02.478.04.33 Saint-Luc University Hospital, 02.764.19.62 CHU Brugmann, 02.477.21.11

Alzheimer Belgique ÄÄ02.428.28.19 (helpline), 02.428.28.10 (inquiries) www.alzheimerbelgique.be

Paediatry ÄÄReine Fabiola Hôpital Universitaire des Enfants 02.477.31.20.21 Spinal clinic ÄÄSainte-Elisabeth Hospital, 02.373.16.11 Therapeutic Centre for Adolescents ÄÄSaint-Luc University Hospital, 02.764.11.11 Menopause Centre ÄÄ02.340.14.14 Sleep Research Centre ÄÄBrugmann University Hospital, 02.477.27.76/77

family health & support CPAS BRUXELLES ÄÄ02.543.61.11, 02.543.63.66 (housing) www.cpas.bru.irisnet.be, www.socialsecurity.fgov.be KIND EN GEZIN ÄÄ078.150.100, www.kindengezin.be

Vlaamse Alzheimer Liga ÄÄ0800.15.225 (helpline), 014.43.50.60 www.alzheimerliga.be Foundation Against Cancer ÄÄ0800.15.800, www.cancer.be, www.kanker.be Cancer and Psychology Organisation ÄÄ02.735.16.97, www.canceretpsy.be

BRUSSELS SUPPORT FOR THE HANDICAPPED ÄÄContact Mike Waldron, 02.660.32.25 COMMUNITY HELP SERVICE ÄÄ02.647.67.80, 24hr helpline 02.648.40.14 www.chsbelgium.org DYSLEXIA INTERNATIONAL TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGIES ÄÄwww.dyslexia-international.org INFOR-HOMES CARE FOR THE ELDERLY ÄÄ02.219.56.88 (French), 02.511.91.20 (Dutch), www.inforhomes-asbl.be INFOR FEMMES ÄÄ02.511.47.06, www.inforfemmes.be OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS ÄÄ0486.57.64.26, oa.english.brussels@gmail.com SERVICE FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS AND STAGIAIRES ÄÄ02.511.69.43, users.swing.be/sese WOMEN’S SHELTER ÄÄBrussels: 02.539.27.44, Antwerp: 03.218.88.80

Mental health

Cancer helpline ÄÄ02.375.23.20, cancerhelp@scarlet.be

Mens Sana ÄÄwww.mens-sana.be

Cancer – We Care ÄÄ02.757.06.21, lamdm@attglobal.net

Similes ÄÄ02.644.44.04, www.similes.be

International Diabetes Federation ÄÄ02.538.55.11, www.idf.org

Schizophrenia 24x7 ÄÄwww.schizofrenie24x7.be

ME Association of Belgium ÄÄ016.57.09.83, www.me-cvs.be

Social support

Organisation for Early Childhood (ONE) ÄÄ02.542.12.11, www.one.be

AL-ANON ÄÄ02.216.09.08, www.al-anon.be www.aavlaanderen.org, 03.239.14.15 (NL and Eng) www.alcooliquesanonymes.be, 078.15.25.56 (Fr)

Erasmus Hospital Neonatologyservice ÄÄ02.555.34.30

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS EUROPE ÄÄwww.alcoholics-anonymous.eu

BRUSSELS CHILDBIRTH TRUST ÄÄ02.215.33.77, info@bctbelgium.org, bctbelgium.org

DRUG ABUSE ÄÄ078.15.10.20, www.druglijn.be

48 i best of belgium 2015

www.infordrogues.be, 02.227.52.52, 24hr (French)

Nursing care CONTINUING CARE ÄÄ02.743.45.90, www.continuingcare.be

Blood donation RED CROSS ÄÄ0800.92.245, www.transfusion.be

Alternative medicine ÄÄwww.homeopathy.be ÄÄwww.altermedica.be ÄÄwww.acupuncture.be ÄÄwww.osteopathie.be

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WIDEN YOUR WORLD

SOCIAL The melting pot of cultures within Belgium means there are always new and exciting hobbies and clubs to try out. You might want to act, learn more about vegetarianism or even join a choir. Read on to find plenty of social groups to consider joining

50 i best of belgium 2015

CLUBS & ASSOCIATIONS ACCUEIL DES FRANCAISES A BRUXELLES asbl ÄÄ02.347.02.17, accueilbruxelles@gmail.com www.accueil-bruxelles.be Expat organisation that welcomes French women and their families on arrival in Belgium. Organises regular events and activities in Brussels. AMERICAN CLUB OF ANTWERP ÄÄ0497.429.999, charles.westpheling@usa.net www.americanclubsandassociationsbelgium.be The American Club of Antwerp, founded in 1919, aims to cultivate social relations among American residents and travellers in Belgium and non-Americans with American interests. We are a mostly American expat group that meets every month for a casual inexpensive dinner at a 16thcentury restaurant in the heart of Antwerp and easy-going conversation. AMERICAN CLUB OF BRUSSELS ÄÄ0476.996.870, info@americanclubbrussels.org www.americanclubbrussels.org Founded in 1921, the American Club of Brussels is the pre-eminent social club in Brussels. With a membership representing more than 20 nationalities and offering unique opportunities for social and business networking in the capital of Europe, the ACB is the place to find friendly Americana in Brussels. It caters to new arrivals to Belgium seeking to sample different aspects of life here, and to those who have been in Belgium a long while. AMERICAN CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS BELGIUM ÄÄwww.americanclubsandassociationsbelgium.be Lists clubs and groups of interest to American expats in Belgium. AMERICAN OVERSEAS MEMORIAL DAY ASSOCIATION BELGIUM ÄÄcontact@aomda.org, www.aomda.org Since 1923, AOMDA has been responsible for the organisation each May of Memorial Day ceremonies at the three American cemeteries in Belgium. Check the website for ceremony details. AMERICAN WOMEN’S CLUB OF ANTWERP ÄÄmembership@awcantwerp.org www.awcantwerp.org A centre for social, cultural and philanthropic activities for American women in the Antwerp area.

AMERICAN WOMEN’S CLUB OF BRUSSELS ÄÄ1 Avenue des Erables, 1640 Sint-Genesius-Rode 02.358.47.53, awcb@awcb.org, www.awcb.org One of the few American women’s clubs overseas to own its own clubhouse, complete with library, English-language DVDs, gift shop and cafe. The club’s primary objectives have remained the same throughout the years: to organise a centre for philanthropic, social and cultural activities for its members, to engage in welfare and cultural activities which will contribute to closer BelgoAmerican understanding, and to foster fellowship for American women in Brussels and environs. AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL GROUP 81 ÄÄwww.aibfgroup81.com An international, English-speaking activist group affiliated to the French-speaking Belgian branch of Amnesty International. Meets once a month. ANTWERP BRITISH AND INTERNATIONAL WOMEN ÄÄwww.abiw.org ABIW is a friendly group of women of all ages and nationalities who get together regularly to take part in social and cultural activities. Our common language is English and we have been active in and around Antwerp for more than 40 years. We aim to provide a centre for expats and offer friendship and support to newcomers. ANTWERP BRITISH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION ÄÄContact Mary Ann Marinus, 0486.646.941 ABCA_Antwerp@yahoo.com www.abca-antwerp.be Promotes English language and cultural contact between all nationalities. It provides an opportunity for social contact for people living mainly in the greater Antwerp area, as well as friendship and assistance for elderly or sick members. ASSOCIATION FEMMES D’EUROPE ÄÄ1 Avenue de Beaulieu, 1160 Brussels 02.660.56.96, info@assocfemmesdeurope.org www.assocfemmesdeurope.org Multinational group raising funds to finance small-scale humanitarian projects, particularly directed towards education, training and health for women and children, who are frequently the first victims of poverty and exclusion. ASSOCIATION OF NATIONAL TRUST MEMBERS IN BELGIUM ÄÄwww.ntab.be

Multinational group founded in 1997 to support the work of the National Trust in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Organises one event most months such as visits to castles, historic buildings, towns and gardens, lectures and concerts, plus one visit a year to the UK. AUSTRALIA SOCIETY BELGIUM ÄÄaussiesocietybelgium@gmail.com australiansocietyinbelgium.blogspot.com www.facebook.com/groups/7038275708 A non-profit organisation run by volunteers primarily to benefit Australian citizens and their families living in Belgium. Club membership is open to all those with family ties with Australia, those who have strong links with the country, or those who are interested in Australia. BELGIJOS LIETUVIU BENDRUOMENE ÄÄ(Lithuanian Community in Belgium) belgliet@gmail.com www.belglietuviai.eu Organises regular social events and outings for Lithuanians living in Belgium. BELGIUM HONG KONG SOCIETY ÄÄ02.775.00.88, info@bhks.be, www.bhks.be Founded in 1986, the group’s objective is to promote commercial, social and cultural links between Belgium and Hong Kong through a variety of business and cultural activities. BELGIUM-JAPAN ASSOCIATION & CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ÄÄ02.644.14.05, info@bja.be, www.bja.be The Belgium-Japan Association & Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organisation that promotes business and cultural relations between Belgium, Europe and Japan. The BJA offers a unique combination of business and cultural events and services to its 650 Belgian, European and Japanese members. BESEDA (Czech Association) ÄÄspolek@beseda.be, www.beseda.be Association of Czech nationals resident in Belgium, founded in 1904, formerly called Beseda Volnost. Organises regular social events, concerts, dances, theatre performances and trips, weekend classes for Czech children and evening classes during the week for foreigners. Publishes a quarterly bulletin called Zpravodaj.

best of belgium 2015 i 51

BRITISH & COMMONWEALTH WOMEN’S CLUB OF BRUSSELS ÄÄ509 Rue au Bois, 1150 Brussels, 02.772.53.13 membership@bcwcb.org, bcwcb.weebly.com A friendly way to meet interesting people and discover new interests: language classes, book club, golf, bridge, art classes, cookery lessons, pilates and excursions. Regular lunches and tours to places of interest are organised. At the group’s clubhouse in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre you will always find a friendly welcome as well as an extensive library, coffee and food.

BRUSSELS BOOKSWAPPERS ÄÄbrusselsbookswappersclub@gmail.com Informal social network meets every 4th Wednesday of the month at Le Chapelier Fou (Boitsfort) to swap books, DVDs, CDs, (optional wining and dining downstairs) - regular concerts and themed events. Fiction/non-fiction for adults and kids available in English, French, German, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Swedish, Danish, Polish, Norwegian, Russian, Greek, Hungarian, Japanese and even Chinese! Email for information or just come along on the night.

BRITISH CHARITABLE FUND ÄÄContacts: David Humphreys 02.633.28.82, david@humphreys.be Colin Puplett, 02.767.47.26 bcf.info@telenet.be, www.bcfund.be The BCF is a registered charity in Belgium and was created in 1815 by the Duke of Wellington following the Battle of Waterloo. The fund assists people of British nationality and their children and spouses who are resident in Belgium and find themselves in need of help.

BRUSSELS CHILDBIRTH TRUST ASBL ÄÄ77 Mechelsesteenweg, 1970 Wezembeek-Oppem 02.215.33.77, info@bctbelgium.org www.bctbelgium.org A large social network for English-speaking families from all over the world. Volunteer run not-for-profit organisation offering information, help and support to families and expectant parents in Belgium. Runs prenatal courses throughout the year held by experienced antenatal teachers, postnatal peer-to-peer support, playgroups and interest groups, talks and a variety of family events as well as a twice-yearly very popular second hand sale for children items and clothes.

BRITISH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION BRUSSELS ÄÄwww.britishinbrussels.com The focal point for the British community in Brussels, linking the various associations, clubs, churches, chamber of commerce etc. Provides a useful source of information to British newcomers to Brussels and a point of contact between the British community and the British embassy and the Belgian authorities. BRITISH COUNCIL INFORMATION SERVICE ÄÄGeneral.enquiries@britishcouncil.org www.britishcouncil.org/Belgium Provides information on English language courses in the UK, undergraduate and postgraduate courses, au pair work, summer jobs, etc. BRUGES INTERNATIONAL CLUB ÄÄbrugesinternationalclub@gmail.com http://tinyurl.com/mzjq9tb A mixed group of people of all ages, from all walks of life and countries, including New Zealand, Fiji, Australia, Japan, Canada, South Africa, Malaysia, the UK and US. It’s a club for all expats from around the world who live in the area around Bruges and want to meet and socialise with other English-speaking people.

52 i best of belgium 2015

BRUSSELS PUJA COMMITTEE ÄÄpuja_brussels@yahoo.com www.puja-brussels.org A Vedic organisation promoting interfaith and intercultural dialogues. BRUSSELS SAMMELANI ÄÄ50/8Avenue Charles Brassine, 1160 Brussels 0497.41.95.79, info@brussels-sammelani.org www.brussels-sammelani.org Founded in 2002 and registered in 2005 as the only Indian Bengali Association of Belgium actively involved in promoting Bengali culture in Belgium. CALEDONIAN SOCIETY OF BRUSSELS ÄÄcontact@calsoc.be, www.calsoc.be Organises traditional events and regular informal get-togethers for Scottish people in Belgium and those with an interest in Scotland. Open to everyone. CANADIAN CLUB OF BELGIUM ÄÄinfo@ccbcanada.be, www.ccbcanada.be

Organises a variety of social activities and philanthropic events for Canadians living in Belgium. CERCLE ROYAL POLYGLOTTE DE BRUXELLES ÄÄ0471.43 03 89, www.polyglotbru.be Association of people who have linguistic knowledge and want to practise and develop it in a friendly and international atmosphere. Meeting every Wednesday evening (20.00-22.30) at swimming pool l’Espadon, salle Orca, second floor, 69 Rue des Champs, 1040 Brussels. The website contains information in French, Dutch, English, Spanish, German and Italian. CENTRE FEMININ D’EDUCATION PERMANENTE ÄÄ02.229.38.42, cfep@amazone.be, www.cfep.be Debates, seminars, courses in computer studies, economics, social and political topics, language, literature and the arts. Informal conversation groups in French, English and other languages. CESLOBE ÄÄceslobe@ceslobe.org, www.ceslobe.org Information for Czechs and Slovaks living in Belgium. CHARTERED INSTITUTE FOR IT BELGIUM SECTION ÄÄgordon@cutler.eu, bcs.org/category/9767 Belgium branch of the UK institution with regular meetings on topics of interest to IT professionals. Non-members welcome. DEN DANSKE FORENING I BELGIEN ÄÄdanklub@danklub.be, www.danklub.be Organises social activities and outings, including excursions, guided art exhibitions, lectures, films, traditional Danish events, activities for children, library and interest groups. EGALITE ÄÄinfo@egalite-online.eu, www.egalite-online.eu Organisation striving for equality for gays and lesbians working in the European institutions. ENGLISH-SPEAKING GAY GROUP (EGG) ÄÄContact Tom Hoemig, 02.537.47.04 tomhoemig@skynet.be, www.eggbrussels.be Started in 1986. Holds very informal Sunday afternoon parties each month (conversation, drinks, no music or dancing) for gays and lesbians of all nationalities and ages (no minors).

EGOW ÄÄegow11@gmail.com www.facebook.com/groups/egowbrussels www.meetup.com/EGOW-English-Speaking-GayOrganization-For-Women A Brussels-based non-political social group for lesbian and bisexual women of different nationalities, ages and backgrounds, to meet and socialise in a friendly atmosphere. At the moment the group has more than 350 members from about 20 countries around the world aged from 20 to 70+. It organises all sorts of social activities, ranging from laid-back Sunday afternoon brunches to parties, regular bar nights at the Rainbow House, sports, cultural excursions and outdoor adventures. ELZENHOF ÄÄ02.648.20.30, elzenhof@vgc.be elzenhof.vgc.be Community centre in Ixelles, Brussels. Organises art and culture courses, lectures and tours in English and in Belgium’s official languages, and hosts language classes and activities such as a knitting circle. Bar and cafe open on Thursday evenings. EVA (ETHICAL VEGETARIAN ALTERNATIVE) ÄÄ09.329.68.51, 0483.45.32.04 www.evavzw.be, www.facebook.com/evavzw With an attractive and positive approach, EVA encourages people to replace animal products by vegetarian products. EVA organises cooking workshops, works on education material, visit schools and publishes the EVA Magazine. It also lobbies governments, producers, retailers and caterers on all levels. The Thursday Veggieday campaign encourages people to have at least one vegetarian day a week. EUROPEAN JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTRE ÄÄ109 Rue Froissart, 1040 Brussels events@ejcc.eu, www.ejcc.eu Carries out a range of activities covering Jewish culture, identity, needs and information for members of the EU institutions and other professionals of EU and international affairs, including consultants, diplomats, journalists, government officials and their families. EUROPEAN YOUNG INNOVATORS FORUM ÄÄwww.eyif.eu An independent, non-profit, pan-European association dedicated to promoting youth innovation. 54 i best of belgium 2015

EXPAT CLUB (BRUSSELS) ÄÄwww.expatclub.org The international community club organises social networking events and day trips in Belgium and neighbouring countries. Most members are in their 30s and 40s, but older and (slightly) younger members also welcome. Aimed at expats or Belgians who have lived abroad or travel internationally, it numbers 3,468 members. In addition to coffee clubs and afterwork drinks, it offers trips to places as diverse as battlefield sites, Pairi Daizi animal park, Rotterdam Harbour, the Opal Coast and many of Belgium’s historic cities. EXPATS FOR UNICEF ÄÄexpats-for-unicef@unicef.be www.unicef.be/expats Supports Unicef in Brussels. Fundraising, volunteering and other creative ways to support Unicef are welcome. EXPATS IN BELGIUM ÄÄwww.facebook.com/groups/expatsbelgium A social group for people aged 20 to 40 whose interests include going out, dancing, movies, cultural and sporting events, trying new restaurants, exploring the city, taking road trips and more. FEDERATION OF AMERICAN WOMEN’S CLUBS OVERSEAS ÄÄwww.fawco.org Founded in 1931, FAWCO is an international network of independent volunteer clubs and associations. There are 64 member clubs in 33 countries worldwide, with a total membership of almost 12,000. FAWCO serves as a resource and channel of information among its members, promotes the rights of U.S. citizens overseas, and is active as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with special consultative status to the UN Economic and Social Council. FINNISH CULTURAL CENTRE ÄÄwww.minedu.fi Develops cultural, education and scientific cooperation between Finland and Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg and holds exhibitions, concerts and discussions and shows Finnish films. FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL CLUB ÄÄ02.767.26.05, fisocialclub@yahoo.com www.friendsinternationalclub.be

Friends International is a social club that emphasises diversity – of culture, language, age and interest. English is the main language, but as many nationalities are represented in the club you are bound to hear other languages too. We like to think age is irrelevant, but most of us are over 50. FRIENDS OF THE EARTH EUROPE ÄÄ02.893.10.00 info@foeeurope.org www.foeeurope.org Campaigning for sustainable societies and the protection of the environment. Part of the world’s largest grassroots environmental network, Friends of the Earth International. full circle ÄÄwww.fullcircle.eu Brussels-based international networking club that invites speakers, including political advisors, photographers, writers, scientists and language experts to social events and dinners. Membership is required to attend the full season; non-members can attend a couple of events before joining. INDO-BELGIAN ASSOCIATION ÄÄ0497.92.23.24, InBelg@live.be, See-EU@live.be www.inbelg.com, www.See-EU.info An organisation in Belgium with the motive of showing Europe to Indian expats and showing India and its culture to Europeans. With more than 3,000 members on its Facebook group and with more than 9,000 members, InBelg has emerged to be the largest India-oriented organisation in Belgium. Operating from Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp and Leuven. INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S CONTACT ANTWERP ÄÄ0483.02.02.50, membership@iwca.be www.iwca.be International club founded by women who have lived abroad. IWCA can help you understand Belgian culture and adapt to the way of life in this country. IRISH CLUB OF BELGIUM ÄÄ0487.73.61.95, info@irishclub.be www.irishclub.be Promoting Ireland and Irish culture in Belgium and serving the Irish-Belgian community. Non-Irish nationals are very welcome to join in activities.

KIWANIS CLUB ÄÄ02.354.22.77, info@brusselslink.org www.brusselslink.org Belgian Kiwanis are a polyglot group, welcoming all visiting Kiwanis for social activities. KIWIS IN BELGIUM ÄÄkiwisabroad@laposte.net kiwisinbelgium.over-blog.com KIB (Kiwis in Belgium) is an informal network of New Zealanders using the blog as a networking platform. LIONS CLUB ÄÄsecretariat@lions.be www.lionsinternational.be International organisation devoted mainly to raising money for worthy causes. LIONS CLUB BRUSSELS HERALDIC ÄÄwww.lionsheraldic.net The English-speaking Lions Club serving the Brussels community with 26 members from a variety of nationalities and backgrounds. Working as volunteers, Lions Heraldic has raised over €1.4 million in the past 30 years. Contact lionsheraldic.net for more information about joining us. MENSA BELGIUM ÄÄinfo@mensa.be, www.mensa.be Mensa’s Belgian chapter organises gatherings and activities for people with high IQs. It has around 500 members. NEDERLANDSE VERENIGING TE BRUSSEL ÄÄ02.767.76.87 secretaris@nederlandse-vereniging.eu www.nederlandse-vereniging.eu The Nederlandse Vereniging (Dutch Club) based in Tervuren is a centre for Dutch-speaking people of all nationalities in Belgium. Social and cultural activities such as playing bridge, lunches, lectures, sports, visiting museums and cities are regularly organised. The club has its own library and is usually open on weekdays. For further information about the group, visit the website. NORWEGIAN ASSOCIATION ÄÄ0495.38.76.01, kari.onshus@gmail.com www.norske.be Gathers Norwegians living in Belgium and others with an interest in Norway to strengthen contact between Norwegian and Belgian society.

PEOPLE TO PEOPLE INTERNATIONAL EUORPE ÄÄ0478.48.20.23, chalks@ptpi.be, www.ptpi.be Founded in 1970 to promote international friendship, culture and travel among its members and to represent the larger parent organisation in Europe. Arranges regular social activities for members and guests. PROFESSIONAL WOMEN INTERNATIONAL (PWI) ÄÄwww.pwi.be A Brussels-based, non-profit, multinational networking organisation of women in business, and the Belgium chapter of the Global Professional Women Network. PWI Brussels promotes the professional progress of women in all sectors and industries and aims to enhance the value, image, competence, influence and careers of the professional and business women who are our members. ROTARY CLUB BRUSSELS CANTERSTEEN ÄÄwww.rotary-cantersteen.be The only Dutch/English-speaking club serving the international community in Brussels. A dynamic, open-minded club consisting of professional and business leaders of the wider Brussels community offering members and their family an integration platform in Brussels and Belgium and a link to the Dutch-speaking community. ROYAL INTERNATIONAL CLUB CHATEAU SAINTE-ANNE ÄÄ02.663.37.25, info@chateau-sainte-anne.be www.chateau-sainte-anne.be International meeting place where more than 35 nationalities gather in a friendly atmosphere. More than 2,000 members from 36 countries; half are Belgian. About 600 of the members are under 30. SCHOOL OF PHILOSOPHY ÄÄ02.649.07.27, info@practicalphilosophy.be www.practicalphilosophy.be We offer regular introductory evening courses for anyone interested in developing inner calm and peace of mind. The sessions explore the practical meaning of wisdom as applied to daily life, offering the tools to become more mindful and to live life more consciously.

SVENSKA KLUBBEN ÄÄ5 Square d’Argenteuil, 1410 Waterloo info@svenskaklubben.be, www.svenskaklubben.be Offers an extensive network, activities and information for Swedes to help them settle and integrate in Belgium. UNION DES FRANCAIS DE L’ETRANGER ÄÄ02.675.93.30, bruxelles@ufe.be, www.ufe.be Information and support for newly arrived French nationals and regular social events.

UNITED FUND FOR BELGIUM ÄÄ02.655.49.33, info@ufb.be, www.ufb.be UFB is an independent non-profit organisation that supports small and medium-sized charitable institutions in Belgium. It collects around €700,000 each year from companies and individuals, allocating 100% of these funds to about 80 carefully selected social projects. Donations can be made to BE71 9530 0000 0369 and are tax-deductible if they are over €40. WEDNESDAY CLUB ÄÄinfo@the-wednesday-club.org www.the-wednesday-club.org The Wednesday Club is an English-speaking social club without any religious affiliation for older men and women. The club, run by volunteers, provides a friendly and secure environment within which members can enjoy each other’s company and participate in a range of activities. Light refreshments are provided and there is no membership or entry fee. Transport can be arranged for those who need assistance. WELSH SOCIETY OF BRUSSELS ÄÄContact Rhodri Thomas 0486.07.63.53, thomasrhodri@yahoo.co.uk cymdeithas.blogspot.com Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/Welsh-SocietyBrussels Organises regular social and cultural events. Monthly meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month in one of the pubs near Schuman. Holds its annual Saint David’s Day dinner at the beginning of March and a summer BBQ each year in June.

SVENSK SAMLING I ANTWERPEN ÄÄsvesam1937@yahoo.se http://home.scarlet.be/svesam For Swedish people living in Antwerp. best of belgium 2015 i 55

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ARTS AND CULTURE THE AMERICAN THEATRE COMPANY ÄÄinfo@atcbrussels.com, www.atcbrussels.com Organises regular productions: American classics, drama, comedy, workshops… something for everyone. ANTWERP HERITAGE VOLUNTEER GROUP ÄÄgilberte.dubois@belgacom.net www.adfas.org Aims to help maintain and restore the cultural heritage of Antwerp. ART PERSPECTIVES INTERNATIONAL ÄÄ0484.05.78.64 apicontacts@gmail.com art-perspectives.org A group of English-speaking artists from a variety of backgrounds living and working in Brussels. Artistic disciplines of present members range from oil painting and watercolour to sculpture in willow. API’s main activities are sharing experiences, exchanging opinions on existing forms of art, exploring new trends, organising workshops, visiting exhibitions and taking part in other events related to art. BRITISH AMERICAN THEATRICAL SOCIETY (BATS) ÄÄ111 Paardenmarkt, 2000 Antwerp, 0495.31.76.87 bats_info@yahoo.com, www.batsantwerp.be The season includes four main productions, including a Christmas pantomime. Their clubhouse, The Belfry, is the venue for monthly open evenings (sketches, quizzes, games, theme evenings…) About half of members are native English speakers. Everyone, whatever their skills or experience, is welcome to join in, on stage or backstage. BRUOCSELLA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ÄÄinfo@bso-orchestra.be, www.bso-orchestra.be An international group of amateur, professional, ex-professional and student musicians. It was formed in 1996 by a group of friends who met to play chamber music and wished to expand their musical horizons, and rapidly expanded to become a full symphony orchestra. Gives around five concerts per year and is always seeking new members, particularly string players.

BRUSSELS AMERICAN COMMUNITY CHORUS ÄÄContact Susan at woodsonpipes@gmail.com The Brussels American Community Chorus calls the American community its home, but we heartily welcome members from the international and Belgian communities. All who enjoy singing are cordially invited to join. Each season we present varied programmes, ranging from Christmas presentations to Broadway hits. If you would like to form new friendships through music, come join us in the joy and fun which music offers. BRUSSELS BRONTE GROUP ÄÄContact Helen MacEwan helen.macewan@ec.europa.eu www.thebrusselsbrontegroup.org http://brusselsbronte.blogspot.be The Brussels Brontë Group is the Belgian branch of the Brontë Society based in Haworth, Yorkshire. It promotes interest in the Brontës, the Brussels places connected with Charlotte and Emily Brontë’s stay in the city (on which Charlotte based her novel Villette) and the history of Brussels. Organises talks, reading groups, social events and guided walks around Brontë places in Brussels. Brings together people interested in English literature, particularly the English ‘classics’. BRUSSELS CHORAL SOCIETY ÄÄmembers@brusselschoralsociety.com www.brusselschoralsociety.com Founded in 1979, this symphonic choir of 130 members representing over 25 nationalities welcomes experienced choral singers to join its weekly rehearsals. The choir has a diverse repertoire and performs regularly with leading orchestras and soloists, in Belgium and abroad. BRUSSELS CONCERT BAND ÄÄinfo@brusselsconcertband.com www.brusselsconcertband.com A concert band of 40 musicians playing a varied repertoire from jazz and Big Band to popular music. Line-up consists of saxes, trumpets, trombones and woodwind plus a full rhythm section, playing 4-6 concerts per year. Conducted in a mix of Flemish, French and English, the musicians are half Belgian and the rest are a broad mix of other nationalities. BRUSSELS DANCE SCOTTISH ÄÄscdbrussels@yahoo.com

www.bricksite.com/scdbrussels Organises weekly classes of Scottish Country Dancing for all levels, an annual event (workshop and dance featuring guest teachers and musicians) and visits to those organised by other groups in neighbouring countries and even further afield. With more than 10,000 existing dances and new ones being written all the time, most of them with their own specific music, there is always a great selection to choose from. BRUSSELS DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY (BRIDFAS) ÄÄwww.bridfas.org A forum where those interested in the arts can meet others with similar interests. From October to May, BRIDFAS arranges monthly illustrated talks by leading English-speaking experts on painting, sculpture, architecture, archaeology, music, antiques and more. Talks are held at the Maison Communale of Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, 2 Avenue Paul Hymans (metro Tomberg), and special study days are organised throughout the year. BRUSSELS LIGHT OPERA COMPANY ÄÄContact Paul Manterfield, 0477.62.85.15 010.40.05.58, www.bloc-brussels.be The Brussels Light Opera Company was founded in 1975 as the Brussels G&S Society. In 1992, the group was renamed to reflect the members’ wish to broaden the repertoire. Shows now alternate between Gilbert & Sullivan, other operettas and musicals, plus an annual revue or music hall. BRUSSELS MADRIGAL SINGERS ÄÄContact Bernard Mills, 0476.39.73.40 info@brusselsmadrigals.be www.brusselsmadrigals.be Enjoy the pleasures of singing mainly unaccompanied music in a friendly atmosphere. This international group working mainly in English has established a reputation for its wide and varying repertoire extending from the 15th century to the present day and covering both sacred and secular works. BRUSSELS SHAKESPEARE SOCIETY ÄÄwww.shaksoc.theatreinbrussels.com The Brussels Shakespeare Society has been staging plays by Shakespeare and other playwrights since 1975. It performs in English but draws its members, actors and audiences from the wide best of belgium 2015 i 57

range of nationalities living in Brussels. It puts on two main productions each year. BRUSSELS WRITERS CIRCLE ÄÄbrusselswriterscircle@gmail.com For English-language prose writers, poets, playwrights, non-fiction writers, screenwriters (and everything in between) based in Brussels. Meets three times weekly in Le Falstaff, 19 Rue Henri Maus, Brussels (Tuesday and Thursday, 19.00, Sun 15.00) for readings and discussions; all are welcome to join. CHORALE MA ’CHAKA ÄÄdenys.robyn@gmail.com www.facebook.com/choralemachaka Friendly gospel choir in Saint-Gilles (Brussels). You will be singing with us famous gospel songs but also African gospel and traditional African songs. Members come from more than 10 different countries and are having fun every Thursday evening when rehearsing. No experience needed just willingness to learn and share good moments together. We’re performing at several concerts, events and weddings every year. This is the only non-religious gospel choir in Brussels CHORALE PROTESTANTE AFRICAINE ÄÄgospelchoircpab@gmail.com Bass singers needed. ENGLISH COMEDY CLUB ÄÄinfo@ecc.theatreinbrussels.com ecc.theatreinbrussels.com The group performs a number of full-length theatrical productions each year as well as organising many other events. The membership currently stands at a little over 100 people from all walks of life, many nationalities and with a variety of interests onstage and behind the scenes. ETCETERA ÄÄ0493.07.24.38, info.etcetera2009@gmail.com www.europeantheatreclub.eu A non-profit-making organisation created in Brussels to give people of different nationalities the chance to see and participate in theatre in different languages. The group puts on European plays and other performances, including music, dance or poetry from different countries, with limited surtitling provided in many events. The lingua franca for other events such as meetings and workshops is normally English. 58 i best of belgium 2015

EUROPEAN UNION CHOIR ÄÄchantezavecnous.cue@gmail.com http://en.eusing.eu/ www.facebook.com/ChoeursUnionEuropeenne Founded in 1958, the choir promotes Europe through classical music. Eighty amateur singers of 22 nationalities perform throughout Europe. Rehearsals on Thursday evenings, 20.00-22.00 in the chapel of the Royal Military Academy in Brussels. FUN, FOOD AND ACTING ÄÄ02.510.05.10 www.ffact.be Monthly English-language comedy evenings at Théâtre de la Toison d’Or in partnership with Brusselslife. Combining entertainment and food, the evenings kick off with dinner before an interactive show targeted at Brussels’ expat community. The line-up includes well-known comedians and artists. IMAGINATION CLUB ÄÄ02.305.65.91/0478.549.428 www.imaginationclub.org jeffrey@imaginationclub.org The Brussels Imagination Club is an informal group that meets twice monthly to hold experimental workshops on a wide variety of subjects. For facilitators and trainers, it provides an opportunity to try out new ideas with a receptive audience. For everyone else, it is a chance to learn and meet new people. INTERNATIONAL CHORALE OF BRUSSELS ÄÄadmin@internationalchorale.com www.internationalchorale.com A multinational choir of about 50 singers. While originally British, the choir now has members of many nationalities, though the working language remains English. It performs twice a year with a repertoire of well-known masses and choral works as well as less familiar music including some modern works. IRISH THEATRE GROUP ÄÄ0475.58.54.62, admin@irishtheatregroup.com www.irishtheatregroup.com The group began in 1982 with a dedicated team working to celebrate Irish drama - through more traditional and modern playwrights alike, showcasing Irish culture and stories to an international audience. The ITG produces one or two studio

shows and/or a mainstage performance each year, and holds a traditional Bloomsnight party in honour of James Joyce in June. Actors, directors and backstage help are always welcome. RODE ART ÄÄinfo@rodeart.be, www.rodeart.be Group of artists resident in Rhode-Saint-Genèse organising various painting activities and an annual exhibition at the Cultural Centre of RhodeSaint-Genèse. STAND-UP BRUSSELS ÄÄinfo@standupworld.com www.standupworld.com English-speaking comedy circuit from the UK. Stand-up plus cabaret. Since 2002 they have been bringing over English-speaking comedians from the professional UK circuit. The comedy season runs from September to June. VIEWFINDERS PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB ÄÄwww.viewfinders.be An enthusiastic group of photographers with a wide range of backgrounds, nationalities and photographic abilities and interests. It’s the only English-speaking photography club in the Brussels area and membership is open to anyone with an interest in the photographic image.

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Faith Whatever faith you choose to practise, Belgium has plenty of congregations who will welcome you and give you the opportunity to meet new people. There is also a good selection of English-speaking congregations and churches and groups for all nationalities and religions

60 i best of belgium 2015

Antwerp

Brussels

ANTWERP CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Ä Ä36 Lange Lozanastraat, 2018 Antwerp 0471.06.56.24 www.antwerpchristianfellowship.org

ALL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF BRUSSELS ÄÄ7 Avenue Salomé, 1150 Brussels contact Matthias Tepper, pastor, 0487.45.85.99 pastor@alcb.be, www.alcb.be

ANTWERP INTERNATIONAL PROTESTANT CHURCH ÄÄ180 Veltwijklaan, 2180 Ekeren, 03.644.20.46 aipchurch@telenet.be, www.aipchurch.org

BELGIUM UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP ÄÄContact Sigrid Van Eepoel 02.245.01.56, svaneepoel@hotmail.com

BURCHT CHURCH OF CHRIST ÄÄKerkstraat 50, 2070 Burcht www.gemeente-van-christus.org

BETH HILEL SYNAGOGUE ÄÄ80 Rue des Primeurs, 1190 Brussels 02.2332.25.28, www.beth-hillel.org

HOLY FAMILY PARISH ANTWERP ÄÄDon Bosco Chapel, 79 Fortbaan, 2900 Schoten 03.232.25.46

BRUSSELS CHURCH OF CHRIST ÄÄShalom Centre, 5 Rue Madyol, 1200 Brussels www.brusselschurchofchrist.org

NORWEGIAN SEAMAN’S CHURCH IN BELGIUM ÄÄNoorse Zeemanskerk, 8 Italielei, 2000 Antwerp 03.201.19.90, www.sjomannskirken.no/belgia

BRUSSELS MOSQUE ÄÄ14 Parc du Cinquantenaire, 1000 Brussels 02.735.21.73, www.centreislamique.be

PAGAN FEDERATION ÄÄbe.paganfederation.org

BRUSSELS SYNAGOGUE ÄÄ32 Rue de la Régence, 1000 Brussels contact Rabbi Albert Guigui, 02.512.43.34

SAINT BONIFACE ANGLICAN CHURCH ÄÄ39 Grétrystraat, 2018 Antwerp chaplain@boniface.be, 03.239.33.39 www.boniface.be SWEDISH SEAMAN’S CHURCH ÄÄ72 Italielei, 2000 Antwerp 03.541.08.79, 0475.26.42.98 sjomansservice.antwerpen@sjofartsverket.se

Braine l’Alleud NORWEGIAN SEAMAN’S CHURCH IN BELGIUM ÄÄ2 Chaussée de Charleroi, 1420 Braine l’Alleud 02.387.56.50, belgia@sjomannskirken.no www.sjomannskirken.no/belgia

Bruges BRUGES BAPTIST CHURCH ÄÄ3 Bruggesteenweg, 8340 Sijsele brugge4Him@brugge.com, www.bgbrugge.com

BULGARIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH ÄÄ8 Rue Victor Hugo, 1030 Brussels, 02.734.57.89 CERCLE BEN GOURION ÄÄ89 Chaussée de Vleurgat, 1050 Brussels 02.648.18.59, www.cerclebengourion.be CHAPELLE DE LA RESURRECTION ÄÄChapelle Van Maerlant, 22-24 Rue Van Maerlant 1040 Brussels, 02.230.92.42 welcome@resurrection.be, www.resurrection.be CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS ÄÄ02.736.99.33, www.lds.org COMMUNAUTE ISRAELITE ORTHODOXE ÄÄ67A Rue de la Clinique, 1070 Brussels, 02.347.52.22 COMMUNAUTE ISRAELITE UCCLE-FOREST ÄÄSynagogue Maalé, Beth Midrach 11 Avenue Messidor, 1190 Brussels, 02.344.60.94 02.344.60.93, info@maale.org www.users.skynet.be/maale

DANISH CHURCH OF BRUSSELS ÄÄ27-29 Rue Washington, 1050 Brussels contact Pastor Mogens Bering Rasmussen 02.660.93.34, 0474.38.33.61, www.dankirke.be DEUTSCHSPRACHIGE EVANGELISCHE GEMEINDE ÄÄ7 Avenue Salomé, 1150 Brussels 02.762.40.62, www.egz.de FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST SCIENTIST ÄÄ35 Rue Montoyer, 1000 Brussels 02.647.64.56, cschurchbxl@yahoo.com HOLY TRINITY PRO CATHEDRAL ÄÄ29 Rue Capitaine Crespel, 1050 Brussels contact Canon Dr Robert Innes 02.511.71.83, www.holytrinity.be INTERNATIONAL PROTESTANT CHURCH OF BRUSSELS ÄÄ40 Avenue des Héros, 1160 Auderghem contact Dr Murray Frick, 02.673.05.81 pastor@ipcbrussels.org office@ipcbrussels.org, www.ipcbrussels.org INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN WOMEN’SCLUB OF BRUSSELS ÄÄ38 Avenue Brassine, 1640 Rhode-Saint-Genèse 0498.68.95.16, www.icwcb.org thearkpage@aol.com THE INTERNATIONAL JEWISH CENTER (IJC) ÄÄinfo@ijc.be, www.ijc.be KATHOLISCHE GEMEINDE DEUTSCHER SPRACHE BRUSSEL ÄÄ21 Avenue de Tervuren, 1150 Brussels contact Pfarrer Wolfgang Severin 02.737.11.40, www.sankt-paulus.eu LA NOUVELLE JERUSALEM ÄÄ296 Chaussée de Haecht, 1030 Brussels 0479.74.13.27, contact@lanouvellejerusalem.be www.lanouvellejerusalem.be LE CATALPA ÄÄ195-6 Berkendallaan, 1800 KoningsloVilvoorde, contact Nat Winston, 02.262.26.02 0486.02.80.09, www.lecatalpa.be MISSION CATHOLIQUE HONGROISE ÄÄ123 Rue de l’Arbre Bénit, 1050 Brussels contact Havas István Zoltan, 02.649.61.88 0487.61.40.63, havas@piar.hu best of belgium 2015 i 61

OUR LADY OF MERCY PARISH RC ÄÄSaint-Anne’s Church, 10 Place de la Sainte Alliance, 1180 Brussels, Parish Office, 64 Avenue Reine Astrid 1410 Waterloo, contact Father Meaza or Marie MacCarthy, 02.354.53.43, information@olm. be, www.olm.be POLISH CATHOLIC MISSION ÄÄ80 Rue Jourdan, 1060 Brussels, 02.538.30.87 QUAKERS RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS ÄÄQuaker House, 50 Square Ambiorix 1000 Brussels, ÄÄ02.230.49.35, www.qkr.be SALVATION ARMY ÄÄ33 Place du Nouveau Marché aux Grains 1000 Brussels, 02.513.39.04 info@BEL.salvationarmy.org www.armeedusalut.be

Kraainem

contact Dr Murray Frick, 02.673.05.81 www.ipcbrussels.org

SAINT ANTHONY’S PARISH ÄÄ23-25 Oudstrijderslaan, 1950 Kraainem contact John Kealy, OFM, 02.720.19.70 stanthonyparish@telenet.be, www.saint-anthony.be

Tervuren

Lede

SAINT PAUL’S TERVUREN ÄÄ24 Hoornzeelstraat, 3080 Tervuren British School of Brussels 17 Leuvensesteenweg, 3080 Tervuren 02.767.34.35, www.stpaulstervuren.be

DHAMMAKAYA INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF BELGIUM ÄÄ25 Ronkenburgstraat, 9340 Lede, 053.39.49.09 dhammakayabenelux@hotmail.com www.dhammakayabelgie.be

Waterloo

Leuven

SLOVENIAN PASTORAL CENTRE ÄÄ206 Avenue de la Couronne, 1050 Brussels 02.647.71.06 www.catho-bruxelles.be/-Slovenes-

INTERNATIONAL CHURCH OF EVANGELICALS ÄÄ3 Hogeschoolplein, 3000 Leuven contact Kees & Toos Rosies, www.icel.be

SAINT ANDREW’S CHURCH OF SCOTLAND ÄÄ181 Chaussée de Vleurgat, 1050 Brussels secretary@churchofscotland.be www.churchofscotland.be

SAINT MARTHA AND MARY ANGLICAN CHURCH ÄÄ15 Minderbroedersstraat, 3000 Leuven contact Jack McDonald, chaplain www.anglicanchurchleuven.be

SAINT JOSEPH ROMAN CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ÄÄ201-203 Chaussée de Wavre, 1050 Brussels contact Fr Philip Sandstrom or Billy Lee 02.742.29.88, 02.726.56.56

Overijse

SAINT-NICOLAS ÄÄ1 Rue au Beurre, 1000 Brussels contact Fr Philip Sandstrom, 02.742.29.88

CORNERSTONE INTERNATIONAL CHURCH ÄÄ181D Frans Verbeekstraat, 3090 Overijse contact Gordon Williamson, pastor 02.304.34.66, Gordon@cornerstone.be www.cornerstone.be

SWEDISH CHURCH ÄÄ35 Avenue des Gaulois, 1040 Brussels 02.387.25.19, bryssel@svenskakyrkan.se THE WELL NON-DENOMINATIONAL ENGLISH CHURCH ÄÄ15 Place Van Meyel, 1040 Brussels 02.734.35.02, info@thewell.be www.thewell.be VINEYARD BRUSSELS CHURCH ÄÄ220 Boulevard du Souverain 1160 Auderghem 02.734.94.44, www.vineyard-brussels.be 62 i best of belgium 2015

ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH ÄÄ2 Chaussée de Charleroi, 1420 Braine l’Alleud contact Rev Sunny Hallanan, 02.384.77.80 info@allsaints.be, www.allsaints.be WAT THAI DHAMMARAM ÄÄ71 Chaussée de Louvain, 1410 Waterloo 02.385.28.55, 0479.29.74.65 www.watthaidhammaram.be

Wezembeek-Oppem EAST BRUSSELS CHURCH OF GOD ÄÄ2 Museumlaan, 1970 Wezembeek-Oppem contact Peter Benson, pastor, 02.230.82.25 0489.79.67.00, pastorpeterbenson@ymail.com www.eastbrusselschurchofgod.be INTERNATIONAL BAPTIST CHURCH ÄÄ78 Lange Eikstraat, 1970 Wezembeek-Oppem contact pastor Roland Eskinazi, 02.731.99.00 office@ibcbrussels.org, www.ibcbrussels.org

Sint-Genesius-Rode

Ypres

CHRISTIAN CENTER ÄÄ47 Waterloosesteenweg, 1640 Sint-Genesius-Rode contact Richard Dunn, senior pastor 02.358.18.71, www.christiancenter.be

SAINT GEORGE’S MEMORIAL CHURCH ÄÄ1 Elverdingsestraat, 8900 Ieper contact Reverend Brian Llewellyn, chaplain 057.21.56.85, Ricky.beets@orange.fr

INTERNATIONAL PROTESTANT CHURCH OF BRUSSELS ÄÄ1 Avenue des Erables, 1640 Sint-Genesius-Rode

FAMILY There is no lack of excellent daycare options in Belgium, but the best places fill up fast, so be sure to book your place early. In this section you will find associations who offer information concerning childcare and welfare, and lots of fun activities for youngsters. Details of language courses for children are also provided

64 i best of belgium 2015

ANTENATAL AND BABY Ä Ä0470.474.322, antenatalandbaby@gmail.com www.antenatalandbaby.org A website providing a prenatal education along with course and workshops. BOLLE BUIK Ä Äwwwbollebuik.be Offers guidance through all transitional periods of a woman’s life including pregnancy, birth and post natal help. BRUSSELS CHILDBIRTH TRUST ÄÄ02.215.33.77, info@bctbelgium.org www.bctbelgium.com English-speaking international organisation that supports young families in Belgium. FAMILIE HULP Ä Äwww.familiehulp.be A home care service that operates throughout Flanders and Brussels. OFFICE DE LA NAISSANCE ET DE L’ENFANCE (ONE) ÄÄAdministration Centrale 95 Chaussée de Charleroi, 1050 Brussels 02.542.12.11, info@one.be, www.one.be This public service, financed by Belgium’s French-speaking community, provides help and support to pregnant women, mothers and young children. It also runs free health clinics for young children. KIND EN GEZIN ÄÄ27 Avenue de la Porte de Hal, 1060 Brussels 02.533.12.11, info@kindengezin.be www.kindengezin.be Kind en Gezin is the Dutch-language counterpart of ONE. THE VILLAGE ÄÄwww.thevillage.be An English-language website explaining the admin side of pregnancy, parenthood and more. VROUW EN KINE/BGKVGPR ASSOCIATION ÄÄwww.vrouw-en-kine.be An association of physiotherapists who specialize in perinatal and gynecological pelvic physiotherapy and re-education. UPSfb ÄÄ0497.25.80.22, www.sage-femme.be/

An organisation which can help you find a midwife. Also offers information for midwives and free online courses.

Childcare COMMUNE Listed in the telephone book under Administration/Gemeentebestuur. Some communes provide lists of emergency babysitters and daycare during school holidays. DOUBLEDUTCH AU PAIRS ÄÄ8/01 Paul Housmansstraat 2050 Antwerp 03.772.18.85, 0472.745.616, info@ddutch.eu Helps families in Belgium find an au pair and deals with paperwork for work permits and visa applications. Also places Belgian and Dutch au pairs abroad via partner agencies worldwide. INTERNATIONAL MONTESSORI SAVOORKE ÄÄ24 Bergestraat, 3080 Tervuren, 02.767.02.76 02.767.63.60, montessoritervuren@online.be www.internationalmontessori.org Crèche and child development centre catering to the individual developmental needs of children aged 15 months to six years, open from 8.30 to 18.00. INTERNATIONAL MONTESSORI STERREBEEK ÄÄ79 Mechelsesteenweg, 1933 Sterrebeek 02.784.27.84, 02.767.63.60 www.international-montessori.org For children aged two to six, the bilingual crèche (English-French) is open from 8.30 to 15.00, with an after-school club until 18.00. INTERNATIONAL MONTESSORI WEZEMBEEK-OPPEM ÄÄ4 Molenweg, 1970 Wezembeek-Oppem 02.782.12.36, www.international-montessori.org Individual care and development for children aged two to six, the bilingual child development centre (English-French) is open from 8.30 to 18.00. KID FARWEST TEAM ÄÄVarious locations in Brussels Etterbeek and Wezembeek-Oppem 0495.88.36.30, info@kidfarwest.be www.kidfarwest.be, www.flexiday.be

Bilingual daycare centres. The new Flexi Day service allows parents to leave children aged between three months and six years old in one of the Brussels nurseries for one or more days, without a contract. KID’S ATTITUDE NURSERY ÄÄ10 Avenue C Montald, 1200 Brussels 35 Rue du Clocher, 1040 Brussels, 0495.55.22.58 info@kidsattitude.be, www.kidsattitude.be Mini nursery offering activities to develop motor, emotional, intellectual and social skills. KINDERCRIB PLAYGROUP (BSB) ÄÄ19 Leuvensesteenweg, 3080 Tervuren 02.767.04.30, admissions@britishschool.be www.britishschool.be A crèche for children aged from one to three years old, run by the British School of Brussels. LIGUE DES FAMILLES ÄÄ109 Avenue Emile de Béco, 1050 Brussels, 02.507.72.11, www.citoyenparent.be A non-profit family association which can provide a list of recommended babysitters. It publishes a weekly magazine, Le Ligueur, which includes information on holiday courses and activities for children over five. NANNIES INCORPORATED ÄÄLinen Hall, 162-168 Regent Street Suite 512, London W1B 5TF, England +44(0)207.0383.757, london@nanniesinc.com www.nanniesinc.com Private British company which places nannies in Belgium.

Kids’ activities ADEPS ÄÄ02.413.25.00, 02.413.28.23, www.adeps.be The administration for physical education, sports and outdoor life in French-speaking Belgium. ART BASICS FOR CHILDREN ÄÄ13 Gaucheretplein, 1030 Brussels, 02.502.00.27 mail@abc-web.be, www.abc-web.be ABC is a research and development lab for art and aesthetic education, allowing young minds to “discover the infinite world of arts in a seriously playful way”. best of belgium 2015 i 65

BLOSO ÄÄ5 Arenbergstraat, 1000 Brussels, 02.209.45.11 info@bloso.be, www.bloso.be Organises various sports and outdoor leisure activities for children and young people in Flanders. IDEJI ÄÄ11 Rue au Bois, 1150 Brussels, 02.772.70.20 ideji@ideji.be, www.ideji.be Publishes a series of annual directories of activities for children and youngsters, including courses in July and August. CAP SCIENCES ÄÄ61 Rue de la Terre Franche, 5310 Longchamps 081.63.55.18, 0473.73.87.23 info@capsciences.be, www.capsciences.be Organises science clubs, camps during school holidays etc for children aged between three and 14. THE LITTLE GYM ÄÄwww.thelittlegym.be Motor skill development programme and fun gymnastic classes that stimulate the development of young children from four months to 12 years. ÄÄUccle 82 Avenue De Fré, 1180 Uccle 02.374.40.07, uccle@thelittlegym.be ÄÄWezembeek-Oppem 110 Mechelsesteenweg 1970 Wezembeek-Oppem, 02.782.23.33 wezembeek@thelittlegym.be ÄÄWaterloo 78 Chaussée de Bruxelles 410 Waterloo, 02.387.55.05 waterloo@thelittlegym.be ÄÄNamur 651 Chaussée de Marche 5100 Wierde, 081.73.47.98 namur@thelittlegym.be ÄÄWavre 16A Avenue Lavoisier 1300 Wavre, Zoning Industriel Nord 010.68.19.69, wavre@thelittlegym.be TIPS ON TRIPS ÄÄwww.tipsontripsandcamps.com Voluntary parents’ association based in the US providing a service to help find placements in English-speaking summer camps. THE LITTLE EXPLORE ÄÄwww.the-little-explorer.be Website suggesting new and exciting places for parents to take their children. Location-specific. FAMIDOO ÄÄwww.famidoo.be 66 i best of belgium 2015

Offers a selection of kid-friendly places to visit, along with workshops and activities for children. BRUSSELS CITY MUSEUM ÄÄGrand-Place, 1000 Brussels, 02 279 43 50 musea@brucity.be www.museedelavilledebruxelles.be Inside you’ll find a chronological exhibition of art, artifacts and scale models of Brussels’ evolution from a swampy backwater to a sprawling European metropolis. And just when you think you’ve seen it all, the museum surprises you with a multimedia archive of 760 different Manneken Pis costumes. ROYAL BELGIAN INSTITUTE OF NATURAL SCIENCES ÄÄ29 Vautier Street, 1000 Brussels, 02.627.42.27 info@naturalsciences.be, www.naturalscience.be Offering something for both children and adults alike, visitors can explore the permanent and temporary exhibitions, including the spectacular Gallery of Evolution, every day except Monday. As a research institute, there are over 250 scientists and researchers covering topics including evolution, biodiversity and ecosystems. PLANETARIUM ÄÄ10 Avenue de Bouchout, 1020 Laeken 02.474.70.50, planetarium@planetarium.be www.planetarium.be A place to explore the secrets of the skies, the Planetarium is one of the largest in Europe. It has state-of-the-art technology and a database cataloguing over 100,000 stars.

Language schools KIDDY AND JUNIOR CLASSES ÄÄ73-77 Boulevard Clovis, 1000 Brussels 02.218.39.20, info@kiddyclasses.net www.kiddyclasses.net Provides residential and non-residential courses and activities for children from three to 18 years around Belgium in 10 languages (Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Russian and Spanish). LANGUES VIVANTES ÄÄ28 Rue de la Loi, 1040 Brussels, 02.230.01.90 info@lvi.org, www.languesvivantes.com Language programmes with sports activities for 10- to 18-year-olds all over the world. Programmes

include residential or family accommodation. SKITEN INTERNATIONAL ÄÄChâteau d’Emines, 5 Rue de Rhisnes 5080 La Bruyère, 081.21.30.51 martine@ski-ten.be, www.skiten.com Organises residential summer camps for youngsters in the grounds of a castle near Namur. TUTTI FRUTTI LANGUAGE SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN ÄÄ204 Rue de la Victoire, 1060 Brussels, 02.538.37.43, tuttifrutti@skynet.be www.tutti-frutti.be Small bilingual nursery classes for children aged three to six, combining French with English, Italian, Dutch or German.

Scouts and Guides 25th SCOUT GROUP SAINT BENEDICT ÄÄEuropean Catholic Foyer, 51 Rue du Cornet 1040 Etterbeek, 02.233.53.10, scoutisme@scarlet.be Scouts of various ages and from 10 nationalities. Cub scouts for eight- to 11-year-olds, Scouts for 12- to 15-year-olds and Pioneers for 16- to 17-year-olds. BELGIAN CATHOLIC GUIDES ÄÄ35 Rue Paul Emile Janson, 1050 Brussels 02.538.40.70, gcb@guides.be, www.guides.be Association organising scouting activities for French-speaking girls aged 11 and up. BELGIAN CATHOLIC SCOUTS ASSOCIATION ÄÄ21 Rue de Dublin, 1050 Brussels, 02.508.12.00 lesscouts@lesscouts.be, www.lesscouts.be Association organising scouting activities for French-speaking boys aged 12 and up. BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA ÄÄ0476.31.75.55, program@tac-bsa.org www.tac-bsa.org, For boys aged between six and 18 and co-ed programmes from 14 to 20. USA GIRL SCOUTS BRUSSELS ÄÄ5 Ridderspoorlaan, 1933 Sterrebeek 02.782.07.44, brusselsgirlscouts@usagso-na.org www.girlscouts.org Organises English-speaking scouting activities for girls.

education In Belgium there is a whole host of excellent schools, with many international schools located in and around the Brussels area. Here we provide you with information on some of the popular schools for expats, along with language school details, universities, colleges and business schools listings

68 i best of belgium 2015

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS BRUSSELS BEPS International School provides quality international education for children aged 2½ to 12. We strive to develop confident and independent learners in a caring and stimulating environment. Literacy and Numeracy are taught using the National curriculum from England. Other subjects are taught through the International Primary Curriculum. ÄÄ23 Avenue Franklin Roosevelt, 1050 Brussels 02.648.43.11, info@beps.com, www.beps.com The British International School of Brussels offers a British National Curriculum education to children aged three to 11. Facilities include interactive whiteboards throughout infant and junior departments, extensive libraries, computer suites, music rooms, French rooms, English support rooms and all-weather playgrounds. Teachers are all experienced in the British Curriculum and classes are kept small, producing a warm, friendly atmosphere. The school has more than 120 children representing over 30 nationalities. ÄÄ163 Avenue Emile Max, 1030 Brussels 02.736.89.81, schooloffice@bisb.org www.bisb.org The British Junior Academy of Brussels (BJAB) is an independent primary school for children aged three to 11 with “many examples of outstanding teaching” observed by the Independent Schools Inspectorate. In addition to its main school, the BJAB has a purpose-designed Early Years building where the school delivers a dynamic programme of foundation skills. The curriculum is based on the National Curriculum of England and a strong French-language curriculum. Executive member of the Council of British International Schools and a member of the Independent Association of Prep Schools. ÄÄ83 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 1040 Brussels 02.732.53.76, info@bjab.org, www.bjab.org Brussels International Catholic School (BICS) is an independent bilingual (English/French) Roman Catholic school near the European institutions. It incorporates pre-primary, primary and secondary departments and combines academic excellence with a caring family atmosphere based on Christian values. The school follows the cur-

riculum of the University of Cambridge and is a registered and fully approved test centre, offering (I)GCSE and the Cambridge Primary Programme. ÄÄ457 Chaussée de Wavre (secondary) ÄÄ86 Rue Général Leman (primary, pre-primary) 1040 Brussels, 02.230.02.18, info@bicschool.be www.bicschool.be The International School of Brussels (ISB) has a record of outstanding achievement in academics, arts and athletics. The school brings together more than 1,500 students from 70 countries, ages 3 to 18 years old; it is a place where traditions are valued and innovation is embraced. ISB is accredited by the Council of International Schools and the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges and was recently mentioned in a major report as one of six ‘schools of the future’ – the only one outside the US. ÄÄ19 Kattenberg, 1170 Brussels, 02.661.42.11 www.isb.be Lycée Français Jean Monnet is one of a network of 200 French schools worldwide using the official French syllabus and methods. It covers all grades from kindergarten through primary school to the baccalaureate. There is an Englishspeaking section, taught by native speakers, which prepares children for a GCSE (University of London) in English language and literature and enables access to British universities. ÄÄ9 Avenue du Lycée Français, 1180 Brussels, 02.374.58.78, inscription@lyceefrancais-jmonnet.be www.lyceefrancais-jmonnet.be The Japanese School of Brussels caters for children aged from six to 14 and follows the Japanese curriculum and school year (April to March). ÄÄ133 Avenue des Meuniers 1160 Brussels, 02.672.10.38 office@japanese-school-brussels.be www.japanese-school-brussels.be

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS BRUSSELS SUBURBS St John’s International School is accredited by the Middle States Association and the Council of International Schools. We are a close-knit, Christian values-based school with a rich history. Our values of integrity, companionship and respect help our students feel confident and cherished.

We have a welcoming, engaging community where diversity is celebrated. ÄÄ146 Drève Richelle, 1410 Waterloo 02.352.06.10 admissions@stjohns.be www.stjohns.be St Paul’s British Primary School was founded in 1975. It aims to enable every pupil, from the age of three, to reach their potential in an environment where children, parents and staff can learn and work together in an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect. Roughly 60% of pupils speak English as their first language and approximately 20 nationalities are represented. St Paul’s follows the UK National Curriculum and takes advantage of the many opportunities that living in the heart of Europe brings. ÄÄ3 Stationsstraat, 3080 Vossem Tervuren 02.767.30.98, info@stpaulsbps.com www.stpaulsbps.com The British School of Brussels (BSB) is accredited by numerous associations including the Council of International Schools, IB World Schools, and the Council of British International Schools. With an outstanding reputation, it is an international school offering a British-based curriculum up to the age of 16 (GCSE/(I)GCSE) to 1,350 students from ages one to 18. For ages 16 to 18, it is the only school in Belgium to offer three pre-university routes: A Levels, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma and BTEC vocational courses in business, sports and hospitality. ÄÄ1 Pater Dupierreuxlaan, 3080 Tervuren 02.766.04.30, admissions@britishschool.be www.britishschool.be Internationale Deutsche Schule Brüssel prepares students for top international careers while following a German curriculum. Children aged three to six are welcome at the innovative bilingual pre-school (German, English, French), students from six to 10 can join at primary and up to 19 at secondary level. More than 30 nationalities are present among 650 students who benefit from modern educational concepts, extensive individual tutoring, vocational guidance, a stimulating after-school programme as well as a clear focus on sciences and languages. ÄÄ71 Lange Eikstraat, 1970 Wezembeek-Oppem 02.785.01.30, info@idsb.eu, www.idsb.eu Ecole Internationale Le Verseau delivers a high quality academic education in French (Belgian best of belgium 2015 i 69

curriculum) with excellent English language provision at native speaker level for English mother-tongue pupils. Secondary pupils take the IGCSE English language examination and the Belgian school-leaving certificate (CESS) which allows them to study at universities in Belgium, the UK, France, Holland, USA, Canada. ÄÄ60 Rue de Wavre, 1301 Bierges, 010.23.17.17 ÄÄ(primary), 010.23.17.27 (secondary) fundamental@eiverseau.be, secondaire@eiverseau.be www.eiverseau.be International Montessori ‘ Hof Kleinenberg’ and IB World School is an international school situated in a unique renovated historic farm with extensive fields, sports area and playgrounds close to the city. Open-space workrooms for interrelated subject teaching, an historic library, theatre facilities, visual arts opportunities, musical instrument for every child, playgrounds, gardens, ponies and fields for Preschool, Primary, International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme students and Diploma Programme students. ÄÄ97-99 Kleinenbergstraat 1932 St. Stevens-Woluwe 02.721.21.11 montessori-woluwe@skynet.be www.international-montessori.org The Scandinavian School of Brussels has approximately 350 students aged from two to 19 from both Scandinavia and the rest of the world, and 65 teachers from 14 countries who offer lessons in the Nordic languages plus English and French. Students can also study Spanish, Mandarin and German. Upper secondary students can follow the International Baccalaureate programme and live in our Chateau Boarding. ÄÄ5 Square d’Argenteuil, 1410 Waterloo 02.357.06.70, scandinavian.school@ssb.be www.ssb.be ISF Waterloo International School is a vibrant and friendly school for children aged two and- ahalf to 18 years and is the first Google for Education school in Belgium. With 160 students from 38 different nationalities its hallmark is differentiated instruction and small classes (maximum 18 pupils). The recently renovated campus includes a new sports arena, climbing equipment and a zone for quiet reflection. There is also a large purpose-built sports hall and a new pre-school. ÄÄ280 Chaussée de Waterloo 70 i best of belgium 2015

1640 Rhode-Saint-Genèse, 02.358.56.06 office@isfwaterloo.org, www.isfwaterloo.org Bogaerts International School offers an international education and is open to local and international families. Primary school students follow the Cambridge Primary Programme while secondary school students follow the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme for which Bogaerts International School is currently undergoing the full certification process. Bogaerts International School is located on the greenest campus in the Brussels area. ÄÄ5 Square d’Argenteuil, 1410 Waterloo 02.3526.556, info@bischool.com www.bischool.com

EUROPEAN SCHOOLS European schools were set up to cater for the children of EU officials but now all interested parents can apply. The curriculum is common to all 14 European schools in Europe and is written and quality-assured by ministries of education of the 28 EU member states. There are three categories of pupils: Category I are children of European officials, Category II are pupils with whom an individual school has contract with a local employer for school places and Category III are children of private individuals. The schools in Brussels mainly cater for Category I pupils while the school in Mol caters for all three. The schools have various language sections, from four in Mol (English, Dutch, French and German) to 12 in some of the Brussels schools. Teaching is in the language of the section and mother tongue in the case of Category I and II students. Brussels i ÄÄ46 Avenue du Vert Chasseur, 1180 Brussels 02.373.86.11, www.eeb1.eu Brussels ii ÄÄ75 Avenue Oscar Jespers, 1200 Brussels 02.774.22.11, www.eeb2.eu Brussels iii ÄÄ135 Boulevard du Triomphe, 1050 Brussels 02.629.47.11, www.eeb3.eu The European School in Mol (Antwerp province) provides a multilingual and international education to 800 pupils and caters for children aged from three to 18. From the age of three, all children

receive tuition in the language of their section (English, Dutch, French or German), and from the age of six, children can learn a second language. ÄÄ100 Europawijk, 2400 Mol 014.56.31.80 (nursery/primary) 014.56.31.11 (secondary), www.esmol.net

OTHER OPTIONS Acacia School and Alpha School (Groupe Scolaire Agnès School) are Catholic schools with a strong international dimension. They offer English-French and Dutch-French bilingual education by immersion at nursery/pre-primary (two to six) and primary level (six to 12), with a high-quality education that extends the family education ethos into the school. Individual tutoring for each pupil. ÄÄAcacia School, 143 Avenue Louis Hap 1040 Brussels, 02.736.13.86; ÄÄAlpha School, 101 Boulevard Louis Schmidt 1040 Brussels, 0473.60.73.16 www.agnes-school.be Schola Nova is a private primary and secondary school with emphasis on learning Greek and Latin. The secondary curriculum lasts five years instead of six, with a maximum of 15 pupils in each class, and prepares pupils for national or international examinations. The school offers boarding facilities. Some courses are in Dutch and some in English. ÄÄ100 Chaussée de Namur, 1315 Incourt 0474 53 96 31, scholanova@belgacom.net www.scholanova.be Jewish schools in Brussels include the Athénée Gaprogramme with nursery, kindergarten, primary and secondary education. English is offered from primary school onwards. The school has high academic standards. ÄÄ3 Rue du Melkriek, 1180 Brussels, 02.376.11.76 info@ganenou.com, www.ganenou.com Vlaams-Nederlandse Basisschool Prinses Juliana, the oldest foreign school in Brussels (1901), offers the standard Dutch curriculum adjusted to Flemish law for primary school, for children aged from two-and-a-half to 12. The school has a caring atmosphere and the teachers (Dutch and Flemish) pay special attention to Dutch-speaking pupils with special needs.

ÄÄ19 Rue d’Oultremont, 1040 Brussels 02.733.86.16, administratie@julianaschool.be www.julianaschool.be Agnes School offers a bilingual education with a Catholic ethos to girls and boys from two to 11. After-school care is available and a variety of extracurricular activities are offered, including speech and drama, instrumental clubs and creative workshops. ÄÄ143 Rue Louis Hap, 1040 Brussels , 02.736,13.86, info@agnesschool.be, www.agnesschool.be

MONTESSORI SCHOOLS AC Montessori Kids offers bilingual EnglishFrench education for children from 18 months to 12 years old within four age groups. The school is

in a large villa in rural Lasne with a vast garden and playground. There are five sections: one toddler, two Children’s Houses and low and high elementary. ÄÄ4 Route de Renipont, 1380 Ohain-Lasne 02.633.66.52, info@acmontessorikids.com www.acmontessorikids.com The European Montessori School, established in 1981, ranks as the first Montessori school in greater Brussels. In a beautiful country setting, the school provides a bilingual education (English- and French-speaking teachers) for children aged 0 months to 16 years. The curriculum is enriched by programmes in computing, art and drama as well as music, gym, swimming and martial arts. ÄÄ12 Avenue Beau Séjour, 1410 Waterloo 02.354.00.33, info@europeanmontessorischool.be www.europeanmontessorischool.be

Montessori House Brussels is located in a beautiful 19th-century townhouse with a large, walled garden just off Square Montgomery, close to the European institutions. It was the city’s first bilingual (English-French) Montessori school and caters for children from two-and-ahalf to six. ÄÄ195 Avenue de Tervuren, 1150 Brussels 02.733.63.55, info@montessoribrussels.org www.montessoribrussels.org Children’s House Montessori is a bilingual French and English school which teaches children between the ages of two and a half and six. The school encourages individuality and also believes that children of this age can absorb information easily and without effort, and should therefore be exposed to as many important topics and cultural interests as possible. ÄÄ458b Avenue Dolez, 1180 Brussels, 02.375.61.84

The Antwerp International School

AIS has been a leader in international education since 1967. With over 35 nationalities represented within our student population, academics and learning beyond the classroom are our top priorities. Experience AIS today.

inspiring successful futures! www.ais-antwerp.be best of belgium 2015 i 71

Opening Up

The International Montessori School

Is opening up a beautiful learning environment for children aged 2 to 6 Historic farm – ‘Hof ten Berg’ – Woluwe St. Lambert Enrolments accepted for children starting the 2015-2016 school year. For information please phone: 02-721 21 11

Hof ten Berg 22, 1200 Woluwe Saint Lambert

www.international-montessori.org 02-721 21 11

EXPAT-HOF-DEN-BERG-2015.indd 1

17/02/15 17:12

catherine.vigreux@gmail.com www.maison-des-enfants-montessori.be

02.767.02.76, montessori-tervuren@online.be www.international-montessori.org

Montessori House Belgium is in the Waterloo/ Braine l’Alleud area and takes children from ages two to nine. The school has three classes: nursery, primary and elementary. The school offers a bilingual programme (English-French) and follows a modern Montessori curriculum. The child/teacher ratio is approximately 8:1 with two Montessori trained teachers in each class to ensure a high academic standard. ÄÄ117 Rue Pergère, 1420 Braine l’Alleud 02.385.15.03, info@montessorihouse.net www.montessorihouse.net

International Montessori School and IB World School offer an international and bilingual curriculum to children aged two-and-a-half to 16. It is an accredited IB World School at the MYP level. Middle school students are exposed to a programme offering individual mentorship, with academic success based on their level and pace and personal development, helping them constructively through their early adolescence. ÄÄ1 Rotselaerlaan, 3080 Tervuren, 02.767.63.60 montessori-tervuren@online.be www.international-montessori.org

International Montessori School offers a multilingual curriculum to Preschool and Primary aged children. Young children are in an attractive and stimulating environment helping develop independence and self-esteem and laying the academic foundations in all subjects. All classes are fully bilingual English-French with a low child-to-teacher ratio. Knowledge is developed and used in skill-based learning. Annual fees from €9,725 to €25,640. Reduced fees available for parents who pay privately. ÄÄ1 Rotselaerlaan, 3080 Tervuren, 02.767.63.60 montessori-tervuren@online.be www.international-montessori.org

International Montessori Wezembeek-Oppem offers a bright, open and purpose-built environment to preschool children. It comprises two classes, gym room and playground in a quiet culde-sac. The school is staffed by an international group of teachers offering English and French at all times; children live and work in both languages. Activities in rich classrooms stimulate interest, concentration and motivation. Door to door school bus service available. ÄÄ4 Molenweg, 1970 Wezembeek-Oppem 02.767.63.60, 02.782.12.36 montessori-tervuren@ online.be www.international-montessori.org

International Montessori ‘Hof ten Berg’ offers a unique learning environment for children aged two to six. This new location is housed in a historical building that is newly renovated. It offers workrooms, a music room, quiet room, playground and gardens. When children are ready for Primary they move to ‘Hof Kleinenberg’, which is only 500 metres up the hill and caters to students up to age 19. ÄÄ22 Hof ten Berg, 1200 Woluwe-Saint-Lambert 02.721.21.11, montessori-woluwe@skynet.be www.international-montessori.org International Montessori ‘Savoorke’ caters to children from when they can walk to six years in a beautifully renovated 200-year-old farmhouse with gardens and play area. The teachers create a relaxed, familiar, child-friendly atmosphere and treat each child with respect and dignity. It is not the schedule that guides the day, but the children’s needs. ÄÄ24 Bergestraat, 3080 Tervuren, 02.767.63.60,

ANTWERP, GHENT AND LEUVEN Antwerp international School (AIS) offers a student-centred, comprehensive Englishlanguage education (International Primary Curriculum, IGCSE, International Baccalaureate diploma) to students aged two-and-a-half to 18, with extracurricular activities in arts, theatre, sports and more. The school has a fine arts centre with a 350-seat theatre, a gymnasium complex, kitchen and cafeteria, library, three playgrounds and a large multipurpose area on its 10-acre WiFi-enabled campus. ÄÄ180 Veltwijcklaan, 2180 Ekeren, 03.543.93.00 ais@ais-antwerp.be, www.ais-antwerp.be DYP International School was founded in 1979 and is part of a group of almost 180 schools, universities and institutes globally. It offers an internationally recognised curriculum for ages

2.5 to 18, including a unique approach to the IB Diploma programme. Education is delivered predominantly in English although Dutch and French are also offered. The school also provides career coaching, learning support, extension programme and co-curricular activities. ÄÄ40 Kontichsesteenweg, 2630 Aartselaar 03.271.09.43, info@dypisbelgium.be www.dypisbelgium.be Approved by the French Education Department, the Lycée Français International of Antwerp is under the pedagogical supervision of the AEFE (French education system abroad). It welcomes pupils from nursery to the end of secondary school, in a pleasant and friendly environment, and is in the city centre. ÄÄ168A Lamorinièrestraat, 2018 Antwerp 03.239.18.89, lfanvers@online.be www.lfanvers.org Da Vinci International School is an examination centre for the University of Cambridge International Examinations educating children aged two-and-a-half to 18. Students come from more than 40 countries and follow the Cambridge International Primary and Secondary Curriculum and sit (I)GCSE, AS and A-level examinations, which are recognised worldwide. ÄÄ67 Verbondstraat, 2000 Antwerp, 03.216.12.32 info@da-vinci.be, www.da-vinci.be International School Ghent (ISG) is the only school in East and West Flanders with English as its official language. Teaching is according to the International Primary Curriculum and the Cambridge Primary Goals are being used as a guideline to develop a personalized learning package for each child. ISG is conveniently located in the heart of Ghent, next to the Citadel Park. ÄÄ2 Gaspar de Craeyerstraat , 9000 Gent, 09 221 23 00, info@isg-ghent.org The International School of Leuven (ISL) is a new school offering offer international education in English for children of expats and foreign employees in Belgium. ISL welcomes children aged from two-and-a-half to 12 years old. Quality is at the core of ISL’s educational programme, with programmes and practices combined with its own modules and integrated into a unique design. ÄÄ46 Celestijnenlaan, 3001 Heverlee, 0497.02.70.60, www.isleuven.org best of belgium 2015 i 73

ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS Several alternative schools follow the teaching methods of Célestin Freinet, who in 1920 started a school in France in which children were involved in their surroundings and village life, studying nature and organising cooperatives. The method is learning through work and activity, experience and projects. These schools usually offer kindergarten and primary-level education (to age 12). L’AUTRE ECOLE ÄÄ1 Place Félix Govaert, 1160 Brussels 02.660.72.38, www.autre-ecole.org CLAIR-VIVRE ÄÄ40 Avenue Notre-Dame, 1140 Brussels 02.247.63.65, 02.247.63.66, www.clairvivre.be LES BRUYÈRES ÄÄ11 Avenue des Arts, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve 010.45.16.66, www.bruyeres.be Similar to Freinet, the Decroly method is named after a Belgian pedagogue who stressed the importance of initiative, personal and collective responsibility, respect, tolerance, creativity and pleasure. Ecole Decroly, founded by Decroly himself, is the oldest and probably best-known of the alternative schools. The school offers education from kindergarten to secondary level and is state-subsidised. Teaching is in French. ÄÄ45 Drève des Gendarmes, 1180 Brussels 02.374.17.03, info@ecoledecroly.be, www.ecoledecroly.be Ecole Hamaïde was founded in 1934 by Amélie Hamaïde, a disciple of Decroly, but the school provides only for kindergarten and primary level. Education is along similar lines, with mornings devoted to academic work and afternoons to creative activity. Teaching is in French and the school is state-subsidised. ÄÄ31 Avenue Hamoir, 1180 Brussels, 02.374.78.90 hamaide@freegates.be L’Ecole Ouverte also follows the Decroly system. It is in green surroundings with trees and fields all around. The school is state-subsidised and runs kindergarten and primary-level classes for two-and-a-half to 12-year-olds. Mornings are 74 i best of belgium 2015

devoted to academic work in French and afternoons to creative and sports activities. ÄÄ6 Chemin de Strins, 1380 Ohain, 02.653.34.32 ecole.ouverte@prim.cfwb.be, www.ecoleouverte.be Belgium has several Rudolf Steiner schools. Run collectively, they aim to turn out ‘complete and well-balanced’ children with a strong inner moral sense. Great importance is attached at kindergarten and primary levels to music, the visual and manual arts and rhythmic activities. STEINER SCHOOL BRUSSEL ÄÄ14 Sintjanskruidlaan, 1070 Brussels 02.521.04.92 www.steinerschoolbrussel.be DE ZONNEWIJZER ÄÄ7 Privatweg, 3018 Leuven-Wijgmaal 016.20.29.54 (nursery, primary) 016.22.65.78 (secondary) www.steinerschoolleuven.be KRISTOFFEL STEINER SCHOOL ÄÄ29 Pater Dupierreuxlaan, 3080 Tervuren 02.688.14.80, lieve.daem@skynet.be www.kristoffelschool.be LIBRE ECOLE RUDOLF STEINER ÄÄLa Ferme Blanche, 18 rue de la Quenique 1490 Court-Saint-Etienne 010.61.20.64, secretariat.steiner@scarlet.be www.ecole-steiner.be

BELGIAN UNIVERSITIES Non-denominational and comprehensive, the French-language Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) covers all disciplines and all levels of study from bachelor’s degree to doctorate. Courses are provided mainly in French at BA level but in postgraduate studies several programmes and courses are taught in English. ULB admits 24,000 students every year, a third of whom come from abroad. ÄÄ50 Avenue FD Roosevelt, 1050 Brussels 02.650.36.36, infor-etudes@ulb.ac.be www.ulbruxelles.be The Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) has produced famous scientists including Leo Apostel (philosopher), Jean Bourgain (Fields Medallist

in mathematics), Ingrid Daubechies (founder of the mathematical theory of wavelets) and Pattie Maes (leading researcher in intelligent software agents). The university combines top-notch education and research on American- style green campuses and is listed in the top 200 QS World University Ranking. ÄÄ2 Pleinlaan, 1050 Brussels, 02.629.21.11 02.629.22.82, info@vub.ac.be, www.vub.ac.be/en The Institute for European Studies (IES) is an autonomous department of VUB. It teaches advanced master’s programmes in European law, politics and economics and focuses on interdisciplinary research in European studies, specifically on the role of the EU in an international setting. ÄÄ5 Pleinlaan, 1050 Brussels, 02.614.80.01 ies@vub.ac.be, www.ies.be Hasselt University is an independent university with an international focus; the International Office offers a Buddy Programme to help foreign students settle in to Belgian life. The university has two campuses (Diepenbeek and Hasselt) and seven research institutes. ÄÄMartelarenlaan 42, 3500 Hasselt Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek 01.126.81.11 info@uhasselt.be, www.uhasselt.be The University of Antwerp has approximately 19,000 students, which makes it the third largest university in Flanders and 16% of the student population comes from abroad. UAntwerp offers programmes in Dutch and in English within nine areas and is characterised by its high standards in education, internationally competitive research and entrepreneurial approach. The university is ranked 14th worldwide in the QS University Ranking Top 50 Under 50 (2014). ÄÄPrinsstraat 1, 2000 Antwerpen, 03 265 41 11 www.uantwerp.be The University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium’s largest, oldest and highest-ranked university, is dedicated to research, higher education and service to society. The university welcomes more than 50,000 students, of whom 14% are international students from more than 140 nations. ÄÄ13 Oude Markt, 3000 Leuven, 016.32.40.10 info@kuleuven.be, www.kuleuven.be/english

Founded in 1425, the Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL) is one of Europe’s oldest universities, with 28,739 students on six sites: Louvain-la-Neuve, Brussels (Woluwe and Saint-Gilles), Mons, Tournai and Charleroi. In the 2013 QS World University Rankings, UCL was ranked 138th, making it Belgium’s leading French-speaking university. ÄÄ1 Place de l’Université, 1348 Louvain-La-Neuve 010.47.27.06, www.uclouvain.be/internationalstudent Founded in 1831 by the Jesuits, the University of Namur (UNamur, formerly FUNDP) carries on the values of the humanistic tradition through teaching and research: universality, quality, ethical commitment and solidarity. It comprises six faculties including medicine, offering 40 academic programmes, welcomes about 5,000 students and carries out research covering the main fields of knowledge, from ethics to nanotechnology, linguistics to computer science, human rights to veterinary science. ÄÄ61 Rue de Bruxelles, 5000 Namur, 081.72.40.17 service.inscriptions@fundp.ac.be, www.unamur.be Ghent University (UGent) offers high-quality research-based educational programmes in virtually every scientific discipline. UGent distinguishes itself as a socially committed and pluralistic university in a broad international perspective. The university’s appeal is growing every year, with about 41,000 students in 2014, of whom 11% (students) and 35% (PhD students) are international. UGent is a Dutchspeaking university but English is widely spoken by students and staff and international students can choose a wide variety of English courses and programmes. ÄÄ25 Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat, 9000 Ghent 09.331.01.01, GUIDe@UGent.be, www.UGent.be/en The University of Liège (ULg) has a student body of 20,000 and 4,300 staff, 2,800 of whom are teachers or researchers. The public university is a member of the Wallonia-Europe University Academy, together with the leading agricultural college Gembloux Agro Bio Tech. ULg prides itself on a pluralistic vision and excellence in teaching, research and innovation. ÄÄ7 Place du 20-Août, 4000 Liège, 04.366.21.11 info.etudes@ulg.ac.be, www.ulg.ac.be

INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITIES The Open University, which incorporates the Open University Business School, is Britain’s largest state-chartered university, with more than 240,000 students, including more than 9,000 in mainland Europe and about 500 in Belgium. It specialises in supported distance learning for part-time adult study. ÄÄ0477.43.43.37, m.s.carolan@open.ac.uk www.openuniversity.edu The University of Kent’s Brussels School of International Studies (BSIS) is an English-speaking postgraduate school specialising in international studies. Accredited in both Belgium and the UK, it offers MA degrees in international relations, international development, international conflict and security, international political economy, international migration, political communication and strategy and EU external relations. ÄÄ2 Boulevard Louis Schmidt, 1040 Brussels 02.641.17.21, bsis@kent.ac.uk www.kent.ac.uk/brussels Maastricht University Campus Brussels is right in the heart of the city, close by to several European institutions. With almost 40% of its students and 30% of its teaching and research staff coming from overseas, UM is a highly internationally-oriented university. ÄÄ10 Avenue de l’Armée, 1040 Brussels 02.732.50.76 campusbrussels@maastrichtuniversity.nl www.maastrichtuniversity.nl Centre Européen de Recherches Internationales et Stratégiques (CERIS) is a postgraduate school established in 1985 that provides advanced education for professionals: Brussels-based diplomats, EU or Nato officials, corporate or NGO executives and journalists. Ceris offers a master in international politics or in governance and development policy (60 ECTS credits). Courses are organised in partnership with the Collège d’Etudes Interdisciplinaires de l’Université Paris Sud 11 and are conducted in English by experts from leading universities and international organisations. ÄÄ1 Rue Defacqz, 1000 Brussels, 02.537.40.75 info@ceris.be, www.ceris.be

CAD College of Advertising and Design is a higher education college of art specialising in interior architecture, design, advertising, web design and 3D. It is the only college of art in Belgium and France to provide an English/ American-style education. Courses are largely practice-based and taught in English and French by eminent professionals. ÄÄ25 Rue Robert-Jones, 1180 Brussels 02.640.40.32, cad@cad.be, www.cad.be Erasmushogeschool Brussel offers an international programme in English called Class Communication and Languages as Strategic Skills), which includes lectures, tutorials and group work combined with study visits, projects and activities. Class contains six key modules in communication, journalism, hotel management, tourism and recreational management, social work and office management. ÄÄCampus Dansaert, Rue des Six Jetons 1000 Brussels, 02.523.37.37 (general information) 02.213.61.10 (Class) www.erasmushogeschool.be The College of Europe, in Bruges (Belgium) and Natolin/Warsaw (Poland), is a unique postgraduate institute, combining highly specialised interdisciplinary European studies. Each year, the college admits more than 400 university graduates with a background in law, economics, politics and administrative studies or other related fields, representing more than 55 nationalities. One academic year leads to a master of arts degree in European studies. Working languages are English and French. ÄÄ11 Dijver, 8000 Bruges, 050.47.71.11 info@coleurope.eu, www.coleurope.eu European Communication School (ECS), part of MediaSchool Group, is one of the largest communication schools in Belgium and part of an international network that includes schools in Paris, Strasbourg, Toulouse, Marseille, Nice, London, Barcelona and Shanghai. ECS offers a bachelor’s degree in communication and various masters’ programmes. ÄÄ935 Chaussée de Waterloo, 1180 Brussels 02.345.91.66, info@ecs-bruxelles.com www.ecs-bruxelles.com SupDeWeb (l’école supérieure des métiers du web) part of MediaSchool Group, is the first fully best of belgium 2015 i 75

dedicated school to the digital world. It is part of an international network that includes schools in Paris, Strasbourg, Toulouse, Marseille, Nice, London, Barcelona and Shanghai. A bachelor degree in multimedia & Digital communication in Paris and various masters’ programmes in all other cities, covering every aspect of the digital world from e-marketing and SEO to e-commerce and social media and everything in between. ÄÄ935 Chaussée de Waterloo, 1180 Brussels 02.345.91.66, info@supdeweb-bruxelles.com www.supdeweb-bruxelles.com The Hogeschool-Universiteit Brussel, as the result of a merger of three Brussels colleges and a university, is a multifaceted institute of higher education. Programmes are organised by two educational divisions: professional bachelor, and academic bachelor and master. The professional programmes are geared towards professional

The really warm and positive atmosphere, coupled with a variety of in and outdoor activities, makes it the ideal place for Benjamin to feel happy among his new friends and to be cared for in the most optimal way by the wonderful BSB staff.” Lysanne and Benjamin (who chose BSB’s Early Learning & Development Centre - Kindercrib)

76 i best of belgium 2015

practice and aim to prepare students for the independent exercise of a profession. The academic bachelor and master programmes are geared towards further studies at master level and have a solid basis in research, with a strong practical relevance. ÄÄ26 Warmoesberg, 1000 Brussels, 02.210.12.11 info@hubrussel.be, www.hubrussel.be Versalius College Brussels aims to educate its students in an open and tolerant environment, within a multi-disciplinary curriculum to prepare them for academic, professional, and personal success. The campus is easy to reach by bus, train, tram, or metro, and it has everything to meet students’ needs including affordable housing, two on-campus cafeterias, libraries, banks, shops, markets, restaurants, bars, live entertainment venues, organized athletic activities, and state-of-the-art sports facilities.

• 1,350 students fro m ages 1-18 years • 70 nati on alities • British-based curr iculum up to age 16 • Students aged 16-1 8 years - on ly sc hool to offer A Levels, IB Diploma and BTEC French/English bilin gu al education avail able for ages 4 -14 years • Outstanding academ ic results • Wide choice of extr a-curricular activities

ÄÄPleinlaan 5, 1050 Brussels, 02.614.81.70 vesalius@vub.ac.be, www.vesalius.edu The Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Brussels was founded in 1711 and provides a very high level of education. The academy builds its reputation by allying tradition and contemporary research. ÄÄ144 Rue du Midi, 1000 Brussels, 02.506.10.10 info@arba-esa.be, www.arba-esa.be

INTERNATIONAL COLLEGES The University of Maryland offers bachelor of science, arts and master’s programmes in counseling, management information systems, IT and public administration. Only students holding

For more information visit

www.britishschool.be

Nato, Shape or US ID cards can apply. ÄÄ13 Chaussée de Louvain 1932 Sint-Stevens-Woluwe, 02.717.97.65 studentservices-europe@umuc.edu www.ed.umuc.edu

BUSINESS SCHOOLS BBI School for Hospitality Business offers a choice of two campuses: Brussels in Belgium and Wiltz in Luxembourg, both with two programmes: bachelor (three years) and master (two years) in international hospitality and tourism management comprising double diploma with Savonia University of Applied Sciences (Finland) and Girona University (Spain). BBI offers international internships (managerial and operational) through the Erasmus+ programme, practiceorientated programmes and student exchanges, job placement worldwide after graduation and further options with partner universities in Europe and the US. ÄÄ77 Avenue Marcel Thiry, 1200 Brussels Château de Wiltz, 9516 Wiltz, info@bbi-edu.eu www.bbi-edu.eu The Centre for Creative Leadership (CCL) is an educational institution with a focus on leadership research and development around the world. CCL helps clients in the public, corporate and not-for-profit sectors accelerate their strategies and business results by unlocking leadership potential through an array of programmes, products and services. ÄÄ270 Avenue de Tervuren, 1150 Brussels 02.679.09.10, info@ccl.org, www.ccl.org/europe The Louvain School of Management (LSM), the business school of the Louvain Academy (UCL, FUCaM, UNamur and FUSL), is spread over four campuses (Louvain-la-Neuve, Namur, Mons and Brussels). The school has 200 teachers or equivalent full-time staff and researchers, including 61 core professors. LSM is an international business school in a university setting. In 2010, it was recognised by the Financial Times’ ranking as the best Belgian business school. ÄÄwww.uclouvain.be/en-lsm The Open University Business School, a faculty of the Open University, offers management and

professional development programmes. Studies build on work experience and learning can be applied immediately. Programmes suit different levels of management and development needs, from short courses taking no more than 30 hours to professional certificate in management and MBA. Courses are in English and offered via supported distance learning. The school is one of an elite group to hold AACSB, Aquis and AMBA accreditation. ÄÄ02.644.33.73, m.s.carolan@open.ac.uk www.open.ac.uk/belgium Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management is the latest faculty of the Free University of Brussels (ULB). It was created through the merger of Solvay Business School with the economics department of the ULB. It has more than 3,700 students (bachelor and master) split almost equally between postgraduates and undergraduates, making it the largest school of its type in the French-speaking Community. ÄÄ42 Avenue Franklin Roosevelt, 1050 Brussels www.solvay.edu Institut Supérieur du Management Public et Politique (ISMaPP) trains students to take up management positions in the European public sphere. ISMaPP is an establishment of higher education with a curriculum comprising taught classes and a fulltime internship for total professional immersion. ÄÄ22 Rue d’Arlon, 1050 Brussels, 02.343.90.94 ismapp.europe@ismapp.com, www.ismapp.com Vlerick Business School is a top-ranked European business school that belongs to a select group of schools worldwide to hold triple international accreditation: the American AACSB, the British AMBA and the European Equis quality label. It has a career service that creates opportunities via job fairs and web recruitment for its students and has 18,000 active alumni in more than 100 countries. ÄÄReep 1, 9000 Gent ÄÄVlamingenstraat 83, 3000, Leuven ÄÄAvenue du Boulevard 21, 1210 Brussels 09. 210.97.11, info@vlerick.com www.vlerick.com United Business Institutes (UBI), established in 1992, offers a BA in business studies validated and awarded by the University of Wales, and

an MBA degree in academic cooperation with Clark University’s College of Professional and Continuing Education, Massachusetts. UBI welcomes students from more than 50 countries and provides a range of services: placement and career guidance office, follow-up training programme and yearly in company internships for BA students. ÄÄ20 Avenue Marnix, 1000 Brussels, 02.548.04.80 info@ubi.edu, www.ubi.edu Antwerp Management School is a top-ranked, AACSB-accredited business school. In its mission it strives to help individual professionals, companies and organisations to create sustainable value by becoming skilled in decision-making and management, with the goal of becoming global citizens. The school offers executive PhDs, master degrees and master classes as well as management master degrees for recent graduates. It differentiate itself via 10 focused competence centres. ÄÄ9-13 Sint-Jacobsmarkt, 2000 Antwerp info@antwerpmanagementschool.be www.antwerpmanagementschool.be

LANGUAGE SCHOOLS This list is by no means exhaustive but should help you choose the right language class. Further listings can be found online, in the main phone directories or in the small ads section of www. thebulletin.be. Online courses are another option. See Linguanet, Armchair Languages and the BBC website. ÄÄwww.linguanet-worldwide.org ÄÄwww.armchair-languages.com ÄÄwww.bbc.co.uk/languages Europa Language School is a non-profit-making organisation (ASBL) that offers spoken French with daily, twice-weekly or weekend sessions. Total immersion courses (20 to 60 hours) over a period of one or two weeks, with manuals provided. French, Dutch and English taught in small groups or tailor-made private one-to-one tuition. All other EU languages plus Russian, Swedish, Polish, Chinese and Croatian taught as private one-to-one tuition. Tailored in-company courses, all languages, focusing on business language. ÄÄ717A Chaussée de Waterloo, 1180 Brussels 02.347.44.11, www.elsb.be best of belgium 2015 i 77

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"Come and see why our children love learning in this stimulating environment where they feel safe, cared for and valued" - Brett Neilson, Head Teacher Assisted Places Programme: We have some Assisted Places available for families who do not receive any subsidy from an employer or where the employer's subsidy does not cover all of the Tuition Fees. Please contact us for more information. Scan and experience

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stpaulsbritishprimary

info@stpaulsbps.com

Alliance française de Bruxelles-Europe offers standard and tailor-made courses, all levels, collective or individual, general or specific French. French at your pace, official diplomas (worldwide recognition) and teacher training. Also offers specific courses including professional language training and free courses for Perm Rep diplomats under special conditions. ÄÄ46 Avenue des Arts, 1000 Brussels 02.788.21.60, www.alliancefr.be

ÄÄ306-310 Avenue Louise, 1050 Brussels ÄÄ265, Avenue de Tervuren, 1150 Brussels 02.649.61.75, 02.763.14.14, www.berlitz.be Call International offers general and business programmes (group courses, face-to-face, distance learning, blended e-learning, professional vocabulary, crash courses, residential immersion courses, preparing for certification), auditory training, translation and communication seminars. ÄÄ25 Rue des Drapiers, 1050 Brussels 02.644.95.95, www.callinter.com

Berlitz offers an extensive range of programmes and languages, including private and group lessons and intensive total-immersion classes. Courses are made up of authentic content delivered by native speakers as well as through multimedia materials. Classes can be tailored to individual needs and use the Berlitz method. All classes are taught exclusively in the target language. Besides face to face, Berlitz offers various types of online programmes.

since 1981

• Daycare 3 months to 15 months • Ages 15 months to 13 years • High academic standards • Bilingual Education : English and French

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CCLM is a communal school that offers classes in French, Dutch, English, Spanish and Italian at various levels. Specialised courses for professionals can be arranged. Conversation tables are organised in evening classes.

Amira Language School teaches French conversation in lively, small groups in evening classes and daily intensives. Also offers tailored schedules for private lessons in French, English, Dutch, German, Italian and Spanish. ÄÄ14 Rue du Trône, 1000 Brussels, 02.640.68.50 02.640.89.54, www.amira.be

Armchair Languages provides flexible, personalized French tuition via Skype and other electronic means, at a time and frequency to suit you. In this way, you can start learning before you move to Belgium and ensure continuity by keeping the same tutor once you’re here. (Spanish and English also available.) ÄÄlanguagetuition@gmail.com

• More than 35 years’ experience • Beautiful country setting • Small classes • Door to door bus service

We are a caring school set in the heart of an International community 12 Avenue Beau Séjour, 1410 Waterloo Tel : 02/354.00.33 - Fax : 02/351.21.27 E-mail : info@europeanmontessorischool.be - www. europeanmontessorischool.be best of belgium 2015 i 79

ÄÄ29 Rue Abbé Jean Heymans, 1200 Brussels 02.761.75.28, www.cclm.be Centre d’Etudes du Français offers a wide range of programmes in French as a foreign language: activities and theatre in French, private lessons (flexible schedule), morning and evening group lessons and conversation sessions at all levels. ÄÄ88 Avenue Albert, 1190 Brussels, 02.344.15.15 info@cefr.be, www.cefr.be Ceran Group offers a comprehensive and customized solution in complete immersion to your language needs: lessons in one-to-one tuition, lessons in small groups, a linguistic helpdesk, inhouse or in-company courses and coaching. ÄÄ27 Avenue des Petits Sapins, 4900 Spa 087.79.11.22, www.ceran.com Created in 1984 by the University of Louvain (UCL), CLL Language Centres provide language training for adults, teenagers, children and companies. CLL offers a dynamic approach, based on oral and interactive communication. The team of 500 highly qualified native-speaker trainers provide a professional teaching service in 37 languages. Courses in Brussels, Woluwe, Louvain-la-Neuve and Namur. ÄÄcommu@cll.ucl.ac.be, www.cll.be Cosmolingua specialises in Dutch language courses and offers one-to-one lessons, tailored to individual needs, intensive and less intensive group lessons, total immersion classes with accommodation in Antwerp, general and business programmes and tailor-made courses for English, French, German and Spanish. ÄÄNensi de Heer, 10, Spillemansstraat, 2140 Antwerp, 03.235.97.20, www.cosmolingua.be CPAB teaches French, Dutch, English, German (private), Spanish (private) and Italian (private): intensive, individual, group or business courses. Computer courses during the day and in the evenings. ÄÄ113 Avenue Louise, 1000 Brussels, 02.511.01.09 02.511.03.31, www.cpab.be Crea-Langues is a residential school organising immersion French courses in Provence for adults, for all levels but beginners. Lessons in small groups with a focus on communicative skills. Special programmes for interpreters, teachers of 80 i best of belgium 2015

French as a foreign language and for expats. ÄÄ38 Boomforeeststraat, 8870 Izegem 051.31.97.42, info@crealangues.com www.crealangues.com CVO-Brussels Education Centre is a long-established and popular language school within VUB. French, Dutch, English, German, Italian and Spanish taught at seven levels. ÄÄ2 Pleinlaan, 1050 Brussels, 02.629.39.08 www.cvo-bec.net CVO Meise-Jette is a state-subsidised language school for adults, offering Arabic, Dutch (also available in intensive courses), French, German, Polish, Italian, Portuguese, English, Greek, Spanish, Chinese and Russian (at seven levels). ÄÄ329 Leopold I Straat and 121 Laarbeeklaan 1090, Brussels; 15 Stationsstraat, 1861 Meise 02.269.55.46,www.cvomj.be CVO Tervuren-Hoeilaart offers Dutch, French, Spanish, Italian, German and English courses (five to seven levels), starting from September, with further intake in January. ÄÄ106 Brusselsesteenweg, 3080 Tervuren 02.767.04.30, www.cvoth.be Dialogue provides intensive one-to-one immersion courses (private lessons only) for adults in locations where the language is spoken. French is taught in Spa and Brittany, Spanish in Barcelona, Dutch in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, German in Meersburg, English in Rye (near Hastings) and Italian in Todi (Umbria). ÄÄHead office: 55 Route de la Source du Tonnelet 4900 Spa, 087.79.30.10, info@dialogue.com www.dialogue-languages.com Easylanguages is a Study Abroad Programme agency that organises language courses for adults as well as residential courses with sports and activities for 10- to 18-year-olds in Bruges, England, Germany, Spain, France and the US. Supervised trips from Brussels organised at Easter and during summer. ÄÄ28 Rue de la Loi, 1040 Brussels, 02.230.01.90 www.easylanguages.com Eurospeak Language Schools offers conversation classes in Dutch, French, German, Spanish, Italian and English throughout the year and intensive group courses during the summer.

ÄÄBrussels: 02.511.89.12; Antwerp: 03.230.17.27 Ghent: 09.222.19.52; Namur: 081.22.40.76 www.eurospeak.be As a leading language training and translation agency in Belgium, ElaN Languages knows how to handle language training for expats, before and after relocation. ÄÄ14B Wetenschapsstraat, 1040 Brussels 011.49.04.68, customerservice@elanlanguages.com www.elanlanguages.com EU English teaches English with specialised lessons for people working in EU affairs; individuals or small groups. ÄÄ265 Chaussée Saint-Pierre, 1040 Brussels 02.733.93.31, programmes@eu-english.com French Class offers a wide range of services including language teaching, translation, interpreting services and newcomer coaching. ÄÄ0479.61.65.43, frenchclass@skynet.be www.french-class.com GLTT is a centre for adult learning recognized by the Ministry of Education. From basic to advanced courses spread over one year in 14 languages. ÄÄ2 Schoolstraat, 1640 Sint-Genesius-Rode; 40A Demaeghtlaan, 1500 Halle, 02.358.28.97 02.361.60.96, www.gltt.be Huis van het Nederlands offers free advice on where to learn Dutch in Brussels and Flanders. Find the right Dutch class, internship or conversation group. ÄÄ0800.12300, www.huisvanhetnederlands.be Instituto Cervantes teaches Spanish language and other aspects of Spanish and Latin American cultures. All levels taught in standard, intensive or special courses, plus online. Official diplomas awarded and enrolment is open all year round. ÄÄ64 Avenue de Tervuren, 1040 Brussels 02.737.01.90, secbru@cervantes.es www.brussels.cervantes.es Kids’ Computer Club offers French, English, Dutch, German, Spanish and Chinese courses using a fun method for children aged from three to 18. Through role-playing, art projects, cooking, ecology and games, students become familiar with all aspects of the language as well as its culture.

ÄÄ31 Avenue René Gobert, 1180 Brussels 02.374.27.08, www.kidscomputer.be Kiddy and Junior Classes provides residential and non-residential courses and activities for children from three to 18 years around Belgium in 10 languages (Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Russian and Spanish). ÄÄ73-77 Boulevard Clovis, 1000 Brussels, 02.218.39.20, info@kiddyclasses.net www.kiddyclasses.net Languages Unlimited teaches English, French, Dutch, German, Russian, Croatian, Italian and Greek to small groups and individuals. In-company business courses and specialised business communication courses also offered with qualified, native-language teachers. ÄÄ204 Avenue de Tervuren, 1150 Brussels 02.534.76.84, info@languages-unlimited.be www.languages-unlimited.be

immersion courses for adults, teenagers and children (from age three). French, Dutch, Spanish, English, Luxembourgish, Portuguese and German. ÄÄ228 Rue de l’Eglise, 6717 Thiaumont 063.22.04.62, www.prolinguis.be The Scandinavian Language School is the only school in Belgium that offers languages courses in the five Nordic languages. Teachers are native speakers and the school is close to Central station. ÄÄ35 Rue Royale,1000 Brussels, 02.230.73.26 www.scandinavianschool.be Skiten International (Château d’Emines) organizes residential summer camps for youngsters in the grounds of a castle near Namur. Children aged seven to 15 take a daily two-hour language course (French or English), with two hours of cooking or sport.

ÄÄ5080 La Bruyère, 081.21.30.51, www.skiten.com Thema Language School organises English, French, Italian and Dutch classes covering all levels. For beginner, intermediate and advanced learners, classes are combined with themeoriented conversation classes given by specialists in the arts, politics, culture, business and other topics. ÄÄ64 Rue Tabellion, 1050 Brussels, 02. 640.59.82 www.themalingua.be Vzw de Rand offers offers tools for those learn learning Dutch. Check out the free online magazine at www.taalblad.be, ask for the little books with Dutch words or join one of the Dutch conversation nights. ÄÄKaasmarkt 75, 1780 Wemmel, 02.456.97.80 welkom@derand.be, www.derand.be www.taalblad.be

Lerian NTI Languages provides a range of options for learning French, Dutch, English, German, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Chinese and Spanish. ÄÄ15 Rue de la Charité, 1210 Brussels, 02.217.37.47 www.lerian-nti.be Phone Languages teaches all the main EU languages by telephone; 30-minute lessons (cycles of 30 or 50) can be scheduled any day between 8.00 and 20.00, weekends included. ÄÄ02.647.40.20, www.phonelanguages.com MAB Lingua offers private courses and onsite classes for small groups, in companies or at private homes: French, English, Dutch, German, Spanish, Russian. Programmes are tailor-made and teachers are native speakers. ÄÄ37 Boulevard Louis Schmidt, 1040 Brussels 0477.48.09.20, mablingua@mablingua.be www.mablingua.be Millefeuille Provence Château Correnson provides French courses for adults in a Provençal castle near Avignon. Two programmes for small groups (two to four students) with lessons and activities such as wine-tasting are organised. ÄÄ30150 Saint-Geniès-de-Comolas, France, +33.466.50.22.05, www.millefeuille-provence.com

TASTE THE CULTURE

DISCOVER THE REGION

MEET THE PEOPLE

SPEAK THE LANGUAGE

Film, concerts, theatre in the neighborhood

Clubs and Activities for children and adults

Randkrant and local information

Dutch courses, workshops, practice opportunities

www.derand.be

Check out our English, French and German pages or pay a visite to our community centres in the Vlaamse Rand around Brussels ‘de Rand’, Kaasmarkt 75, 1780 Wemmel T. 02 456 97 80 - info@derand.be

Pro-Linguis offers a flexible alternative to add-BernadetteAckroydENGELS.indd 1

best of belgium 2015 i 81 17/03/2014 12:22:28

BUSINESS If you plan to set up your own business in Belgium, all the rules and regulations can make it seem quite off-putting at first. In this section we list the contact details of organisations who will advise and help you in your new venture. We also provide you with information on EU institution offices, relocation agencies, banks and accountants

82 i best of belgium 2015

STARTING UP BRUSSELS BE BRUSSELS ÄÄwww.brussels.irisnet.be FEDERATION OF ENTERPRISES IN BELGIUM ÄÄwww.vbo-feb.be UNIZO ÄÄwww.unizo.be UCM ÄÄwww.ucm.be

FLANDERS AGENTSCHAP PONDERNEMEN ÄÄwww.agentschapondernemen.be INVEST IN FLANDERS ÄÄwww.investinflanders.be UNIZO ÄÄwww.unizo.be

WALLONIA INVEST IN WALLONIA ÄÄwww.investinwallonia.be UCM ÄÄwww.ucm.be

INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS, EMBASSIES & COMPANIES 11.BE ÄÄwww.11.be ACODEV ÄÄwww.acodev.be BRUSSELSJOBS ÄÄwww.brusselsjobs.com EURACTIV ÄÄwww.euractiv.com

EUROBRUSSELS ÄÄwww.eurobrussels.com JOURNAJOBS ÄÄhttp://journajobs.eu JOBS IN BRUSSELS ÄÄwww.jobsinbrussels.com

BELGIAN JOB SITES AND EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES ACTIRIS ÄÄwww.actiris.be EUROPEAN PERSONNEL SELECTION OFFICE ÄÄwww.europa.eu/epso/index_en.html FOREM ÄÄwww.leforem.be MANPOWER ÄÄ10 Boulevard Anspach, 02.500.09.00, www.manpower.be RANDSTAD ÄÄ4 Place de Brouckère, 02.229.14.00 www.randstad.be START PEOPLE ÄÄ9-13 Place De Brouckère, 02.218.83.70 www.startpeople.be STEPSTONE ÄÄwww.stepstone.be TEMPO TEAM ÄÄ7 Place de Brouckère, 02.250.32.31 www.tempo-team.be THE BULLETIN ÄÄwww.xpats.com/jobs ÄÄ

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS ALLIANCE FRANCAISE ÄÄwww.alliancefr.be

ÄÄwww.britishschool.be GOETHE INSTITUTE ÄÄwww.goethe.de/belgien INSTITUTO CERVANTES ÄÄhttp://bruselas.cervantes.es INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF BRUSSELS ÄÄwww.isb.be SECRETARY GENERAL OF EUROPEAN SCHOOLS ÄÄwww.eursc.eu THE BULLETIN NEWCOMER & EDUCATION GUIDE ÄÄwww.xpats.com/shop

ARTISTIC PROFESSIONS CREATIVE CLUB ÄÄwww.creativeclub.be SMARTBE ÄÄwww.smart.be

GOVERNMENTS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT & PARLIAMENT FEDERAL INFORMATION DEPARTMENT ÄÄwww.belgium.be FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, FOREIGN TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION ÄÄ15 Rue des Petits Carmes, 1000 Brussels 02.501.81.11, www.diplomatie.belgium.be FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF THE ECONOMY, SMES, SELF-EMPLOYED AND ENERGY ÄÄ50 Rue du Progrès, 1210 Brussels, 0800.12033, 02.277.51.11, http://economie.fgov.be FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ÄÄ115 Boulevard de Waterloo, 1000 Brussels 02.542.65.11, 02.542.71.64, http://justice.belgium.be FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE ÄÄ12 Rue de la Loi, 1000 Brussels, 02.572.57.57 http://ﬁnancien.belgium.be

BRITISH SCHOOL OF BRUSSELS best of belgium 2015 i 83

FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT, LABOUR & SOCIAL DIALOGUE ÄÄ1 Rue Ernest Blerot, 1070 Brussels, 02.233.42.57 info@employment.belgium.be www.employment.belgium.be FEDERAL DEPT OF MOBILITY & TRANSPORT ÄÄ56 Rue du Progrès, 1210 Brussels, 02.277.31.11 www.mobilit.belgium.be FEDERAL PUBLIC SERVICE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY ÄÄ50 Boulevard du Jardin Botanique, 1000 Brussels 02.528.60.11, http://socialsecurity.fgov.be CHAMBER OF REPRESENTATIVES ÄÄ1 Place de la Nation, 1008 Brussels, 02.549.81.11 www.lachambre.be BELGIAN SENATE ÄÄ1 Place de la Nation, 1009 Brussels, 02.501.70.70 www.senate.be

REGIONAL & COMMUNITY EXECUTIVES & COUNCILS FEDERATION WALLONIE-BRUXELLES ÄÄ44 Boulevard Léopold II, 1080 Brussels 02.413.23.11, 0800.20000, www.cfwb.be GOUVERNEMENT DE LA REGION WALLONNE ÄÄ25-27 Rue Mazy, 5100 Jambes, 081.33.12.11 www.gouvernement.wallonie.be Executive of the Walloon Region. VLAAMSE REGERING/MINISTERIE VAN DE VLAAMSE GEMEENSCHAP ÄÄ30 Boudewijnlaan, 1000 Brussels, 02.553.17.00 www.vlaanderen.be CONSEIL DE LA REGION DE BRUXELLES-CAPITALE - RELATIONS PUBLIQUES ET DOCUMENTATION ÄÄ1005 Brussels, 02.549.62.00, 02.549.62.97 02.549.62.04, 02.549.62.11 www.parlbruparl.irisnet.be PARLEMENT DE LA FEDERATION WALLONIEBRUXELLES ÄÄ6 Rue de la Loi, 1000 Brussels, 02.506.38.11 www.pcf.be PARLEMENT WALLON ÄÄParliament of the Walloon region. 6 Square Arthur Masson, 5012 Namur, 081.23.10.36 84 i best of belgium 2015

ÄÄService Documentation 24 Rue Saint-Nicolas, 5000 Namur, 081.23.10.36 www.parlement.wallonie.be

KBC BANK ÄÄ2 Avenue du Port, 1080 Brussels, 02.429.11.11 or 07.815.21.53, www.kbc.be

RAT DER DEUTSCHSPRACHIGEN GEMEINSCHAFT DOKUMENTATIONSABTEILUNG ÄÄ8 Kaperberg, 4700 Eupen, 087.59.07.20 www.dgparlament.be

NATIONAL BANK OF BELGIUM ÄÄ14 Boulevard de Berlaimont, 1000 Brussels 02.221.21.11, www.nbb.be

VLAAMS PARLEMENT ÄÄNatie Paleis , 86 Leuvensesteenweg 1000 Brussels, 02.552.11.11, www.vlaamsparlement.be

ACCOUNTANTS

BANKS

AXAS CONSULTING ÄÄ486 B5 Avenue Louise, 1050 Brussels 02.639.69.10, www.axas.be

ARGENTA ÄÄ49-53 Belgiëlei, 2018 Antwerp, 03.285.51.11 www.argenta.be

BDO ÄÄBlue Tower Bus 30, 326 Avenue Louise 1050 Brussels, 02.640.07.96 www.bdo.be

AXA BANK BELGIUM ÄÄSiège Social Banque AXA Bank Europe S.A. 25 Boulevard du Souverain, 1170 Bruxelles 02.678.61.11, www.axa.be

BRUSSELS ACCOUNTANTS ÄÄ96 Gulledelle (5th Floor Val d’Or) 1200 Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Brussels 0477.92.34.95, www.brussels-accountants.be

BANCA MONTE PASCHI ÄÄ24 Rue Joseph II, 1000 Brussels, 02.220.72.11 www.montepaschi.be

FIDELIUM ÄÄ65/6 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 1040 Brussels 02.770.06.19, http://fidelium.be/en

BELFIUS ÄÄ4 Boulevard Pachéco, 1000 Brussels 02.222.12.01, www.belﬁus.be

FIDUTAX CONSULT CVBA ÄÄBus 2, 14 Dorpstraat, 1701 Itterbeek 02.461.38.34, www.fidutax.com

BEOBANK ÄÄwww.beobank.be BNP PARIBAS/FORTIS ÄÄ3 Rue Montagne du Parc, 1000 Brussels 02.565.11.11 or 0800.96040 Expat Centre 02.433.41.00 www.bnpparibasfortis.be/expatinbelgium DELTA LLOYD ÄÄ23 Ave de l’Astronomie, 1210 Brussels 02.229.76.00, www.deltalloydbank.be DEUTSCHE BANK ÄÄ13-15 Avenue Marnix, 1000 Brussels 02.551.65.11, www.db.com ING EXPAT CONTACT CENTRE ÄÄ02.464.66.64, expat@ing.be, www.ing.be

BUSINESS-RELATED ORGANISATIONS AMCHAM EU ÄÄ53 Avenue des Arts, 1000 Brussels 02.513.68.92, www.amchameu.eu AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN BELGIUM (AMCHAM) ÄÄ60 Rue du Trône, 1050 Brussels 02.513.67.70 www.amcham.be AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS IN EUROPE (ABIE) ÄÄBelgium, 0475.41.17.61 abiebelgium@gmail.com www.abie.be

BELGIUM-JAPAN ASSOCIATION ÄÄ287 Avenue Louise, Box 7, 1050 Brussels 02.644.14.05, www.bja.be

UEAPME ÄÄ4 Rue Jacques de Lalaing, 1040 Brussels 02.230.75.99, www.ueapme.com

BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN BELGIUM ÄÄ11 Boulevard Bischoffsheim, 1000 Brussels 02.540.90.30, www.britcham.be

VLAAMSE ECONOMISCH VERBOND ÄÄ154-158 Koningsstraat, 1000 Brussels 02.229.81.11, 12 Markgravestraat, 2000 Antwerp 03.232.22.19, www.voka.be

EUROPEAN TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION ÄÄ5 Boulevard du Roi Albert II, 1210 Brussels 02.224.04.11, www.etuc.org EUROPEAN CENTRE OF PUBLIC ENTERPRISES ÄÄ26 Rue des Deux Eglises, 1000 Brussels 02.219.27.98, www.ceep.org EUROPEAN WOMEN’S MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT NETWORK ÄÄEruditi, 254 Rue de Noyer , 1030 Brussels 0496.59.86.74, www.ewmd.org FEDERATION OF ENTERPRISES IN BELGIUM ÄÄ4 Rue Ravenstein, 1000 Brussels, 02.515.08.11 www.vbo-feb.be FEDERATION OF BELGIAN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ÄÄ500 Avenue Louise, 1050 Brussels, 02.648.50.02 www.ccib.be HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE ÄÄ118 Rue d’Arlon, 1040 Brussels, 02.775.00.88 www.hongkong-eu.org INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS BELGIUM ÄÄ02.639.45.60, www.iod.com/belgium

EU INSTITUTIONS & INFORMATION OFFICES COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION ÄÄ99-101 Rue Belliard, 1040 Brussels, 02.282.22.11 www.cor.europa.eu COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION ÄÄ175 Rue de la Loi, 1048 Brussels, 02.281.61.11 www.consilium.europa.eu EUROPEAN COMMISSION ÄÄ1049 Brussels, 02.299.11.11 http://ec.europa.eu/index_en.htm EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ÄÄ60 Rue Wiertz, 1047 Brussels, 02.284.21.11 www.europarl.europa.eu EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT INFORMATION OFFICE FOR BELGIUM ÄÄ60 Rue Wiertz, 1047 Brussels, 02.284.20.05 www.europarl.be

INTERNATIONAL CLUB OF FLANDERS ÄÄ11 Sint-Pietersplein, 9000 Ghent, 09.222.96.68 www.cluboﬄanders.com

EUROPEAN & INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS

THE CONFEDERATION OF EUROPEAN BUSINESS ÄÄ168 Avenue de Cortenberg, 1000 Brussels 02.237.65.11, www.unice.org

AGE ÄÄ111 Rue Froissart, 1040 Brussels, 02.280.14.70 www.age-platform.org

UNION DES ENTREPRISES DE BRUXELLES ÄÄ500 Avenue Louise, 1050 Brussels, 02.648.50.02 www.ueb.be

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL EUROPEAN UNION OFFICE ÄÄ35 Rue de Trèves, Box 3, 1040 Brussels 02.502.14.99, www.amnesty-eu.org

UNION WALLONNE DES ENTREPRISES ÄÄ3 Chemin du Stocquoy, 1300 Wavre, 010.47.19.40 www.uwe.be

ASSOCIATION OF EUROPEAN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ÄÄ19A/D Avenue des Arts, 1000 Brussels

02.282.08.50, www.eurochambres.be BENELUX ECONOMIC UNION ÄÄ39 Rue de la Régence, 1000 Brussels 02.519.38.11, www.benelux.int BRUSSELS-EUROPE LIAISON OFFICE ÄÄ63 Avenue d’Auderghem, 1040 Brussels 02.280.00.80, www.blbe.be CEPS CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN POLICY STUDIES ÄÄ1 Place du Congrès, 1000 Brussels, 02.229.39.11 www.ceps.be CLIMATE ACTION NETWORK EUROPE ÄÄ26 Rue d’Edimbourg, 1050 Brussels 02.894.46.70, www.climnet.org COUNCIL OF EUROPE ÄÄ85 Avenue des Nerviens, 1040 Brussels 02.230.41.70, www.coe.int COMMITTEE OF AGRICULTURAL ORGANISATIONS ÄÄ61 Rue de Trèves, 1040 Brussels, 02.287.27.11 www.copa-cogeca.be EUROPEAN ANTI-POVERTY NETWORK ÄÄ18 Square de Meeûs, 1050 Brussels 02.226.58.50, www.eapn.org EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON REFUGEES & EXILES ÄÄBrussels Oﬃce, 146 Rue Royale (1st ﬂoor) 1000 Brussels, 02.234.38.00 www.ecre.org EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENTAL BUREAU ÄÄ34 Boulevard de Waterloo, 1000 Brussels 02.289.10.90, www.eeb.org EUROPEAN FORUM FOR CHILD WELFARE ÄÄ1-2 Avenue des Arts, 1210 Brussels, 02.511.70.83 www.eurochild.org EUROCOMMERCE ÄÄ85 Avenue des Nerviens, 1040 Brussels 02.737.05.98, www.eurocommerce.be EUROPEAN FREE TRADE ASSOCIATION ÄÄBrussels Secretariat, 12-16 Rue Joseph II 1000 Brussels, 02.286.17.11, www.efta.int EUROGROUP FOR ANIMAL WELFARE ÄÄ6 Rue des Patriotes, 1000 Brussels best of belgium 2015 i 85

02.740.08.20 www.eurogroupforanimals.org

RELOCATION AGENCIES

EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK ÄÄ227 Rue de la Loi, 1040 Brussels, 02.235.00.70 www.eib.org

ASSOCIATION OF BELGIAN RELOCATION AGENTS ÄÄ0478.53.68.96, www.abra-relocation.com

MAP RELOCATIONS ÄÄ321 Brusselsesteenweg, 3090 Overijse 02.658.80.80, www.map-relocations.com

AM & PM ÄÄ25 Naamsesteenweg, 3001 Leuven 016.58.94.90, www.am-pm.be

NOVA RELOCATION ÄÄ120 Bosdellestraat Box 8, 1933 Sterrebeek 02.785.09.85, www.nova-relo.com

ART OF LIVING ÄÄContact Marc van Zuylen, 59 Avenue Ernest Solvay 1310 La Hulpe, 02.653.00.37, www.artoﬂiving.be

RKS RELOCATION & HOMESEARCH ÄÄ28 Rue Chapja, 1457 Walhain, 02.387.41.76 www.rksrelocation.be

BE WELCOME ÄÄEurocam Media Center, 38 Fabriekstraat 2547 Lint, 03.449.56.98, www.bewelcome.be

SETTLER INTERNATIONAL RELOCATION ÄÄ72 Avenue Gustave Demey, 1160 Brussels, 02.662.17.66, 02.663.10.40 www.settlerinternational.com

EUROPEAN POLICY CENTRE ÄÄResidence Palace, 155 Rue de la Loi 1040 Brussels , 02.231.03.40, www.epc.eu EUROPEAN SMALL BUSINESS ALLIANCE ÄÄ3A Clos du Parnasse, 1050 Brussels 02.274.25.04, www.esba-europe.org EUROPEAN WOMEN’S LOBBY ÄÄ18 Rue Hydraulique, 1210 Brussels 02.217.90.20, www.womenlobby.org EUROPEAN VOLUNTEER CENTRE ÄÄ10 Rue de la Science, 1000 Brussels 02.511.75.01, www.cev.be GREENPEACE INTERNATIONAL EUROPEAN UNIT ÄÄ199 Rue Belliard, 1040 Brussels 02.274.19.00, www.greenpeace.org INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION FOR MIGRATION ÄÄ40 Rue Montoyer, 1000 Brussels 02.287.70.00, www.belgium.iom.int INTERNATIONAL SAVE THE CHILDREN ALLIANCE EU LIAISON OFFICE ÄÄ1-2 Avenue des Arts, 1210 Brussels 02.512.78.51, www.savethechildren.net/brussels LAWYERS WITHOUT BORDERS ÄÄ72 Rue de Namur, 1000 Brussels,02.223.36.54 www.asf.be NATO ÄÄBoulevard Leopold III, 1110 Brussels 02.707.41.11, www.nato.int UNICEF ÄÄ66 Boulevard de l’Impératrice, 1000 Brussels 02.230.59.70, www.unicef.be UNITED NATIONS INFORMATION CENTRE FOR BENELUX AND EU ÄÄLiaison Oﬃce, Résidence Palace, Block C2 155 Rue de la Loi, 1040 Brussels 02.788.84.84, www.unric.org 86 i best of belgium 2015

BRC BRILLIANT RELOCATION CENTER ÄÄ23 Belcrownlaan, 2100 Antwerp, 03.605.06.50 www.brc-relocation.com BRUSSELS RELOCATION ÄÄ34 Clos du Vieux Moulin, 1410 Waterloo 02.353.21.01, www.brussels-relocation.com CORPORATE RELOCATIONS ÄÄ5 Avenue Guillaume Macau, 1050 Brussels 02.646.05.86, www.movingtobrussels.be DE ROCKER-GOFFIN VAN HAVRE & PARTNERS ÄÄ119 Chaussée de Waterloo, BP 43 1640 Rhode-Saint-Genèse, 02.358.24.64 www.g-vh.com EZ-RELOCATION ÄÄ221 Miksebaan, 2930 Brasschaat 0475.27.67.64, www.ez-relocation.com FOREIGN RELOCATION SERVICE ÄÄ15b Avenue Hermann Debroux, 1160 Brussels 02.253.20.05 www.frs-relocation.com GOSSELIN ÄÄ23 Belcrownlaan, 2100 Deurne, 03.360.55.00, www.gosselingroup.eu

03.665.42.40, www.livingabroad.be

TEAM RELOCATIONS ÄÄ518 Leuvensesteenweg, 1930 Zaventem 02.253.25.50, www.teamrelocations.com TRANSWORLD INTERNATIONAL ÄÄ78 Clement Vanophemstraat, 3090 Overijse 02.687.50.90, info@transworld.be www.transworld.be WORLD WIDE RELOCATION SERVICES ÄÄ23 Belcrownlaan, 2100 Deurne, 03.360.55.00 www.gosselingroup.eu XP RELOCATION ÄÄ46 Avenue de l’Ecuyer, 1640 Rhode-Saint-Genèse 02.381.26.52, www.XP-relocation.be

BUSINESS FLATS ADAGIO APARTHOTEL ÄÄ02.212.93.00, www.tinyurl.com/kbv9qpx AEDIFICA ÄÄ02.626.07.71 www.aedifica-furnished-apartments.com

HOUSING SERVICE ÄÄ155 Avenue de Tervuren, 1050 Brussels 02.732.99.20, www.housing-service.be

APARTMENTS APART BRUSSELS ÄÄinfo@apartmentsapart.com www.apartmentsapart.com

LIVING ABROAD ÄÄ13 Kraaieheuvel, 2950 Kapellen (Antwerp)

B-APART HOTELS ÄÄ02.743.51.11, www.b-aparthotels.com

BRUSSELS BUSINESS FLATS ÄÄ02.705.05.21, www.bbf.be CITADINES APART’HOTEL ÄÄ(+33)01.41.05.79.05, www.citadines.com RESIDENCE D’ICI D’AILLEURS ÄÄ02.739.42.40, www.flats-hotels.com SMARTFLATS ÄÄ02.640.72.40, www.smartflats.be VILLA PRIMAVERA ÄÄ0475.50.18.56, www.eu-brussels.be

REAL ESTATE AGENCIES AEDIFICA ÄÄ02.626.07.70, www.aedifica.be

TELECOMMUNICATIONS ÄÄ02.223.09.09, www.mediateurtelecom.be

CONSUMER GROUPS & SERVICES ECONOMIC AFFAIRS MINISTRY CONSUMER INFO SERVICE ÄÄCity Atrium, 50 Rue du Progrès, 1210 Brussels 0800.12.033, economie.fgov.be TEST ACHATS /TEST AANKOOP ÄÄ13 Rue de Hollande, 1060 Brussels 02.542.35.55, www.test-achats.be

HEALTH SERVICES

THE LOFT ÄÄ367 Avenue Louise, Ixelles 0470.044.828, co-working brussels.com FACTORY FORTY ÄÄ40 Rue des Anciens Etangs, Forest 0497.94.34.74, www.factoryforty.be THE LIBRARY ÄÄ4 Rue de l’Aurore, Brussels 0497.94.34.74, www.thelibrarygroup.be

NETWORKING BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ÄÄ02.540.90.30, emma@britcham.be www.britcham.be

BELGIAN HEALTH MINISTRY ÄÄwww.health.belgium.be

AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ÄÄ02.513.67.70, gchamber@amcham.be www.amcham.be

BRUSSELS REAL ESTATE ÄÄ02.534.24.52, www.brusselsrealestate.eu

ALLIANCE NATIONALE DES MUTUALITES CHRETIENNES ÄÄ0800.10.987, www.mc.be

BRUSSELS ENTERPRISES COMMERCE AND INDUSTRIES (BECI) ÄÄ02.648.50.02, info@beci.be, www.beci.be

DOMOXIM ÄÄ02.669.05.30, www.domoxim.be

UNION NATIONALE DES MUTUALITES NEUTRES ÄÄ02.538.83.0, www.mutualites-neutres.be

PROFESSIONAL WOMEN INTERNATIONAL ÄÄmembership@pwi.be, www.pwi.be

RED IMMOBILIER ÄÄ02.660.70.80, www.redimmobilier.be

UNION NATIONALE DES MUTUALITES SOCIALISTES ÄÄ02.506.96.11, www.mutsoc.be

ENTERPRISE EUROPE NETWORK ÄÄ02.422.00.21, bene@abe.irisnet.be www.brusselsnetwork.be

OPTIMA ÄÄ02.482.83.84, www.oge.be

UNION NATIONALE DES MUTUALITES LIBERALES ÄÄ02.542.86.00, www.mut400.be

CONSUMER ASSOCIATIONS

UNION NATIONALE DES MUTUALITES LIBRES ÄÄ02.778.92.11, www.mloz.be

ALLFIN ÄÄ02.227.22.22, www.allfin.be

OMBUDSMAN ÄÄwww.ombudsman.be ASSURALIA ÄÄ02.547.56.11 FEBELFIN ÄÄ02.507.68.11, www.febelﬁn.be POST ÄÄ02.221.02.30 (French), 02.221.02.20 (Dutch), www.smspo.be

CO-WORKING BETACOWORK ÄÄ4 Rue des Pères Blancs, Etterbeek 02.737.67.69, www.betacowork.com OFFICE BRUSSELS ÄÄ34 Boulevard du Souverain Watermael-Boitsfort 0470.044.828, www.office-brussels.com

SERVE THE CITY ÄÄ02.734.35.02, info@servethecity.be www.servethecity.be EXPATS NETWORKING IN BRUSSELS ÄÄwww.linkedin.com JUMP ÄÄ02.346.32.00, info@jumpeu.com www.jump.eu.com BELGIAN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION ÄÄcontact@belgianbusinessassociation.be www.belgianbusinessassociation.be IMAGINATION CLUB ÄÄwww.imaginationclub.org Twitter @imaginationclub best of belgium 2015 i 87

travel Belgium has excellent connections to the rest of Europe, but getting around the country is also easy thanks to its public transport system. In this section you can find information on airports, national rail services, buses and coaches, cycling organisations and carsharing schemes

88 i best of belgium 2015

Brussels Airport Call 0900.700.00 (+32.2.753.77.53 from abroad) or text TR and your flight number to 3880 for live flight information, or see www.brusselsairport.be Airport Administration ÄÄHead Office, 02.753.42.00 Air Traffic Control ÄÄ02.206.21.11, www.belgocontrol.be Brucargo (cargo terminal) ÄÄ02.753.72.00

Car Rentals Avis ÄÄ02.720.09.44, www.avis.be Europcar ÄÄ02.721.05.92, www.europcar.be Budget ÄÄ02.730.62.11, http://budget.be/ Hertz ÄÄ02.720.60.44, www.hertz.be Sixt ÄÄ02.753.25.60, www.sixt.com

Lost & Found AIRPORT AUTHORITY (BIAC) ÄÄ02.753.68.20 AMERICAN AIRLINES ÄÄ02.753.20.66 AVIAPARTNER ÄÄ02.723.07.07, www.aviapartner.aero BRUSSELS AIRLINES ÄÄ070.35.11.11, baggageservice@brusselsairlines.com lostproperties@brusselsairlines.com SWISSPORT ÄÄ02.788.33.44, www.swissport.com SKYROAD INTERNATIONAL ÄÄ02.753.77.08, lostandfoundbru@sba60.fr United Airlines ÄÄContact Brussels Airlines

Airlines Brussels Airport (Zaventem) AER LINGUS ÄÄwww.aerlingus.com

AEROFLOT ÄÄwww.aeroflot.ru AIR ALGERIE ÄÄwww.airalgerie.dz AIR BALTIC ÄÄwww.airbaltic.com AIR CANADA ÄÄwww.aircanada.com AIR FRANCE ÄÄwww.airfrance.com AIR INDIA ÄÄwww.airindia.com AIR LITUANICA

ÄÄwww.jetairways.com KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIRLINES ÄÄwww.klm.com LOT POLISH AIRLINES ÄÄwww.lot.com LUFTHANSA ÄÄwww.lufthansa.com ROYAL AIR MAROC ÄÄwww.royalairmaroc.com RYANAIR ÄÄwww.ryanair.com SAS SCANDINAVIAN AIRLINES ÄÄwww.flysas.be

ÄÄwww.airlituanica.com AIR MALTA ÄÄwww.airmalta.com ALITALIA ÄÄwww.alitalia.com AMERICAN AIRLINES ÄÄwww.aa.com AUSTRIAN AIRLINES ÄÄwww.austrian.com BMI REGIONAL ÄÄwww.bmiregional.com BRITISH AIRWAYS ÄÄwww.britishairways.com BRUSSELS AIRLINES ÄÄwww.brusselsairlines.com BULGARIA AIR ÄÄwww.air.bg CSA CZECH AIRLINES ÄÄwww.csa.cz CROATIA AIRLINES ÄÄwww.croatiaairlines.hr DELTA AIRLINES ÄÄwww.delta.com EASYJET ÄÄwww.easyjet.com EGYPTAIR ÄÄwww.egyptair.com EL AL ISRAEL AIRLINES ÄÄwww.elal.co.il ESTONIAN AIR ÄÄwww.estonian-air.ee FINN AIR ÄÄwww.finnair.com GERMANWINGS ÄÄwww.germanwings.com IBERIA ÄÄwww.iberia.com ICELANDAIR ÄÄwww.icelandair.com JET AIRWAYS

SWISS INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES ÄÄwww.swiss.com TAP PORTUGAL ÄÄwww.tap.pt THAI AIRWAYS INTERNATIONAL ÄÄwww.thaiairways.com TUNISAIR ÄÄ02.627.05.50-53, 02.720.36.78 www.tunisair.com TURKISH AIRLINES ÄÄ02.512.67.81, 02.720.34.68 www.turkishairlines.com UNITED AIRLINES ÄÄwww.united.com US AIRWAYS ÄÄwww.usairways.com VUELING ÄÄwww.vueling.com

Brussels South (Charleroi) JETAIRFLY ÄÄwww.jetairfly.com PEGASUS AIRLINES ÄÄwww.flypgs.com RYANAIR ÄÄwww.ryanair.com THOMAS COOK ÄÄwww.thomascook.be WIZZ ÄÄwww.wizzair.com

Antwerp CITYJET ÄÄwww.cityjet.com FLYBE ÄÄwww.flybe.com JETAIRFLY ÄÄwww.jetairfly.com best of belgium 2015 i 89

VIZION AIR ÄÄwww.vizionair.aero VLM AIRLINES ÄÄwww.flyvlm.com

Liege AIR CORSICA ÄÄwww.aircorsica.com BMI REGIONAL ÄÄwww.bmiregional.com JETAIRFLY ÄÄwww.jetairfly.com NOUVELAIR ÄÄwww.nouvelair.com THOMAS COOK AIRLINES BELGIUM ÄÄwww.thomascookairlines.be TUNISAIR ÄÄwww.tunisair.com VLM AIRLINES ÄÄwww.flyvlm.com

Ostend-Bruges FREEBIRD AIRLINES ÄÄwww.freebirdairlines.com JETAIRFLY ÄÄwww.jetairfly.com THOMAS COOK AIRLINES BELGIUM ÄÄwww.thomascookairlines.be TUNISAIR ÄÄwww.tunisair.com TAILWIND AIRLINES ÄÄwww.tailwind.com.tr

Ferries DIRECT FERRIES ÄÄ+44.8718.900.900, ÄÄwww.directferries.co.uk/belgium DFDS SEAWAYS ÄÄ+44.871.522.99.55, www.dfdsseaways.co.uk P&O NORTH SEA FERRIES ÄÄ070.70.77.71, www.poferries.be

Trains DEUTSCHE BAHN ÄÄ+49.180.510.11.11, www.bahn.be 90 i best of belgium 2015

EUROSTAR ÄÄ070.79.79.89, www.eurostar.com LE SHUTTLE ÄÄ070.22.32.10, www.eurotunnel.co.uk VOYAGES -SNCF ÄÄ02.787.42.00, www.voyages-sncf.com SNCB/NMBS ÄÄ02.528.28.28, www.b-rail.be SWISS RAILWAYS ÄÄ+41.512.25.37.552 or 00800.100.200.29 (international freephone number) http://myswitzerland.com THALYS ÄÄ070.66.77.88, www.thalys.be

Tram/metro/bus DE LIJN ÄÄ070.22.02.00, 0242.069.537 02.526.28.20, www.delijn.be Flanders’ public transport operator. Information on services from Brussels. EUROLINES ÄÄ02.274.13.50, www.eurolines.be International bus service. STIB/MIVB ÄÄ070.23.20.00, www.stib-mivb.be Brussels’ public transport service. TEC ÄÄ010.23.53.53, www.infotec.be Wallonia’s public transport operator.

Coach transport IDBUS ÄÄ070 300 042, www.idbus.com EUROLINES ÄÄwww.eurolines.be MEGABUS ÄÄ+44 14.135. 44.44, www.megabus.com

Road transport BELGIAN TRANSPORT MINISTRY ÄÄ56 Rue du Progrès 1210 Brussels, 02.277.31.11 ÄÄinfo@mobilit.fgov.be, www.mobilit.belgium.be BRUSSELS INFO TRAFFIC CENTRE

ÄÄ0800.94.001, www.bruxellesmobilite.irisnet.be Online traffic information in Brussels.

Bicycles EUROPEAN CYCLISTS ’ FEDERATION ÄÄ28 Rue Franklin, 1000 Brussels 02.880.92.74, www.ecf.com Promotes the use of bicycles Europe-wide and seeks to change attitudes, policies and budget allocations. EURPEAN UNION CYCLISTS’ GROUP ÄÄmail@eucg.info, www.eucg.eu Encourages the daily use of bicycles by staff of the institutions of the EU in Brussels. FIETSERSBOND ÄÄ63 Oude Graanmarkt, 1000 Brussels, 02.502.68.51 22 Boomgaardstraat, 2600 Berchem 03.231.92.95, www.fietsersbond.be FLEMISH CYCLISTS’ LEAGUE Gracq ÄÄ15 Rue de Londres, 1050 Brussels 02.502.61.30, www.gracq.org Promotes safe cycling in Belgium. PROVELO ÄÄ15 Rue de Londres, 1050 Brussels 02.502.73.55, www.provelo.org Association of cyclists.

Car dealers AUDI ÄÄ02.756.86.33, www.audi.be BMW BELUX ÄÄ03.890.50.02, www.bmw.be CITROEN ÄÄ02.206.68.00, www.citroen.be MASERATI ÄÄ0800.710.30, 0800.710.31, www.dealers.maserati.com/dealers/be MERCEDES -BENZ ÄÄ00800.1.777.77.77, www.mercedes-benz.be MINI BELUX ÄÄwww.mini.be NISSAN ÄÄ0800.173.11, www.nissan.be RENAULT ÄÄ07.805.11.15, www.renault.be TOYOTA ÄÄ0800.999.55, www.toyota.be

VOLKSWAGEN ÄÄ02.756.86.33, www.vw.be VOLVO ÄÄ02.482.51.11, www.volvocars.com/be

Car registration DIV (VEHICLE REGISTRATION SERVICE) ÄÄ56 Rue du Progrès, 1210 Brussels 02.277.31.11 (general), 02.277.30.50 www.belgium.be/fr/mobilite/vehicules/immatriculation/bureaux_de_la_div/ ROYAL AUTOMOBILE CLUB DE BELGIQUE ÄÄ53 Rue d’Arlon, 1040 Brussels 02.287.09.11, www.racb.be TOURING ASSISTANCE ÄÄ44 Rue de la Loi, 1040 Brussels, 02.233.22.02 www.touring.be 24-hour breakdown service 070.34.47.77 VLAAMSE AUTOMOBILISTEN BOND ÄÄ03.253.61.11 24-hour breakdown service 070.22.40.30

Carpooling & Car sharing CARPOOL.BE ÄÄwww.carpool.be BLABLACAR ÄÄwww.blablacar.com SCHOOLPOOL ÄÄwww.schoolpool.be VAP ÄÄwww.vap-vap.be CAMBIO ÄÄwww.cambio.be ZENCAR ÄÄwww.zencar.eu

Motorbikes MOTORCYCLE ACTION GROUP ÄÄ13 Hoek, 2850 Boom, 03.888.41.63, www.mag.be GOCA ÄÄBodies, 21/25 Rue de la Technologie, 1082 Brussels 02.469.09.00, www.goca.be Group of Accredited Motor Vehicle Inspection

Road safety BELGIAN INSTITUTE OF ROAD SAFETY ÄÄ1405 Chaussée de Haecht 1130 Brussels, 02.244.15.11, www.ibsr.be Organisation promoting road safety and a better quality of life.

Taxis UBER ÄÄwww.uber.com/cities/brussels Book your Uber car using their app or online. TAXIS AUTOLUX ÄÄ02.411.41.42, www.taxisautolux.be Taxi, car hire and limousine service. TAXIS BLEUS ÄÄ02.268.00.00, www.taxisbleus.be Book your taxi, minibus or limousine online or by phone. TAXI hendriks ÄÄ02.752.98.00, www.hendricks.be Taxi service for disabled people. TAXIS VERTS /TAXIS ORANGES ÄÄ02.349.49.49 (people), 02.349.46.46 (parcels) www.taxisverts.be Taxi, van, minibus and limousine service.

Carpooling TAXISTOP ÄÄ7A/C Rue Thérésienne, 1000 Brussels 070.22.22.92, www.taxistop.be www.cambio-carsharing.com Organises carpooling, home-sitting, home exchanges and bed and breakfast stays. CAMBIO ÄÄ02.227.93.02, www.cambio.be Car-sharing service available throughout Belgium.

Belgian tourist offices VISIT BRUSSELS ÄÄ2-4 Rue Royale, 1000 Brussels 02.513.89.40, www.visitbrussels.be

FLANDERS TOURIST OFFICE ÄÄ61 Rue de Marché aux Herbes, 1000 Brussels 02.504.03.00, www.toerismevlaanderen.be ONTHALEN PROMOTION BRUSSEL ÄÄ6 Munt, 1000 Brussels 0800.13.700, www.uitinbrussel.be WALLONIA OPT ÄÄ30 Rue Saint-Bernard, 1060 Brussels info@opt.be, www.belgique-tourisme.net

International tourist offices BRITISH TOURIST AUTHORITY ÄÄ140 Avenue Louise, 1050 Brussels 02.646.39.86, www.visitbritain.com CZECH REPUBLIC ÄÄ150-152 Avenue Adolphe Buyl, 1050 Brussels 02.641.89.48 ÄÄwww.czechcentres.cz/brussels FRANCE ÄÄ21 Avenue de la Toison d’Or, 1060 Brussels, 0902.88025, Info.be@franceguide.com www.france.com GERMANY ÄÄ92 Gulledelle, 1200 Brussels, 02.240.45.80, www.germany.travel.en HUNGARY ÄÄ365 Avenue Louise, Box 17, 1050 Brussels 02.346.86.30, www.hungary.com IRELAND ÄÄ66 Avenue Louise, 050 Brussels 02.643.21.21, www.tourismireland.com ITALY ÄÄ12 Place de la Liberté, 1000 Brussels 02.647.11.54, www.enit.be LUXEMBOURG ÄÄ75 Avenue Cortenbergh, 1000 Brussels 02.646.03.70, www.visitluxembourg.be MALTA ÄÄ20 E-3 Asterweg, 1031 HN Amsterdam 00.31.206.20.7223, www.malta-last-minute.nl NETHERLANDS ÄÄ89 Avenue Louise, 1050 Brussels, 02.543.08.01 www.nbtc.nl PORTUGAL ÄÄ15-1 Rue Blanche, 1050 Brussels, 02.230.96.25 www.portugalglobal.pt

best of belgium 2015 i 91

SPORTs Joining a sports club is a great way of getting to know other people in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Continuing with a sport which you enjoyed back home can help you settle in to the country, or perhaps you should think about trying something completely new. We have sports galore in the following pages

92 i best of belgium 2015

AMERICAN FOOTBALL Ghent Gators ÄÄinfo@ghentgators.be, www.ghentgators.be American football junior and senior teams, with practice on Sundays and Wednesdays.

BADMINTON Brussels International Badminton Club ÄÄwww.brusselsbadminton.com BIBC is an English-speaking badminton club and welcomes players of all standards, both recreational and competitive. It has eight teams playing in the Flemish League. Irish International Badminton Club ÄÄ0495.12.47.79, carraig20@yahoo.ie The club plays every Thursday from 21.00 - 22.00 in Woluwe-St-Lambert Sports Centre. There is a good mix of men and women of various nationalities and players of all levels are welcome. Kraainem Badminton Club ÄÄ0475.50.07.68, www.kraainembc.be The club opens three times a week: Monday and Thursday evening and Sunday morning, at Kraainem sports centre. The club offers the possibility to participate in competitions. Social badminton ÄÄ3 Heurkstraat, Overijse, Meera: 02.652.21.94 Judith: 016.49.03.05, Sarah: 02.731.44.14 We run a fun, social badminton gathering twice weekly at the sports centre in Overijse, on Tuesdays from 10.00 to 12.00 and Thursdays from 9.30 to 11.30. No membership fee; shuttles are provided.

BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL Brussels Kangaroos Baseball and Softball ÄÄAvenue JF Debecker 64, 1200 Brussels secretary@brusselskangaroos.org www.brusselskangaroos.org The Kangaroos have baseball and softball activities for men, women and children (aged four and up) distributed into seven teams in the Belgian Championship. Both recreational and competitive baseball are enjoyed in the club.

LLN Phoenix Baseball & Softball Club ÄÄ9 Rue de la Brasserie, 1450 Villeroux 010.65.14.39 info@llnphoenix.be www.llnphoenix.be The club has two fields only 25km from Brussels and welcomes players and coaches, both boys and girls, from the age of eight. Four teams competing in the National Championship (March to September). Practices are held during the week and games take place every weekend. The Merchtem Cats ÄÄlucdenys@yahoo.com, www.merchtemcats.be The senior baseball team and the ladies’ softball team play in the second division of the Belgian competition. There are five youth baseball teams, starting from age seven, and a recreational softball team. Practices are held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 17.45.

BASKETBALL & NETBALL

CRICKET Antwerp Cricket Club ÄÄ0499.94.36.24, 0498.22.58.78 info@antwerp-cc.be, www.antwerp-cc.be Founded in 1892, Antwerp Cricket Club is the oldest cricket club in Flanders. It is also the most active, fielding teams in the national Belgian Cricket Federation league, T20 Cup and youth tournaments. The club is also closely linked to the development of the game in Belgium by coaching its own youth section. Arcadians Cricket Club Ghent ÄÄ0484.29.50.16, info@arcadians-cricket.net www.arcadians-cricket.net Offers locals and expats the opportunity to enjoy cricket in Ghent. We welcome enthusiasts of all ages and nationalities to build a centre of cricket in East Flanders.

BOWLS

Brussels Intl 12 Stars Cricket Club ÄÄ12starscc@gmail.com www.12starscricketclub.com Call Anthony 0485.47.74.12 or Amit 0494.057.491 The club has existed since 1989 and aims to cater to all cricket enthusiasts and all standards of cricketers. Over the years we have established a reputation as a friendly, welcoming, multinational and very sociable club. Each year we organise weekend tours to play cricket across Europe. Winners of Belgium 1st Division 2014, we have 2 weekend teams and also a junior U13 section which plays in the Belgium junior league.

Curve Bowls ÄÄ125 Kempenstraat, 3590 Diepenbeek 011.32.38.62 Promotion of British bowls (flat green and crown green) in Belgium. There are several pockets of bowlers scattered around Belgium, mostly short mat bowlers.

Mechelen Eagles Cricket Club ÄÄ0473.55.46.34, rodney.benn@gmail.com A small, friendly club with a mix of locals and expats. One senior men’s team, U11, U13 and a ladies’ team. The aim is to enjoy cricket in a not-too-big club atmosphere, where families can enjoy Mechelen’s beautiful Vrijbroek park, 15 minutes north of Brussels.

Brussels Netball Club ÄÄbrusselsnetballclub@gmail.com www.brusselsnetball.be Formed in 2001 and now has around 75 members, male and female. Meets on Monday evenings at the British School in Tervuren and participates in various international tournaments with expat clubs across Europe.

CLIMBING Belclimb ÄÄwww.belclimb.net Provides information about climbing in Brussels and elsewhere around Belgium.

Pakistan Cricket Club Belgium ÄÄChairman: Javaid Siddiqi, 0494.12.41.51 mhb.siddiqi@skynet.be, Secretary: Imran Rath, 0473.39.33.01 Imran@synergieseu.com PCCB was formed in 1978 and is the first Pakistani club on the Belgian cricketing scene. It is also one of the founding members of the Belgian best of belgium 2015 i 93

Cricket Federation. We are competitive at the league level, participate in T20s and have fun playing friendly games. All nationalities are welcome. Indoor winter practices are also held. Royal Brussels Cricket Club ÄÄ0477.43.39.87, Gregg.hawson@sappi.com www.rbcc.be Celebrating our 150th Anniversary. RBCC plays league and friendly matches, with ladies and colts teams too. 2015 celebrations also include games against the Guards and MCC to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the first game played at Waterloo. All welcome to nets, to play or simply to watch over a drink at the bar.

CROQUET Brussels Croquet Club ÄÄ0478.58.56.46, johnswabey@gmail.com www.centrepeg.org Croquet in all its varieties, from strictly for fun to the very serious. The Croquet Federation of Belgium stages open tournaments each year and sends players to European and world championships. The playing season normally runs from mid-April to the end of October, on the lawns in front of the Chateau du Lac at Genval, with occasional indoor games in winter.

DIVING Bubbles diving centre ÄÄ0477.59.89.42, bubbelsbelgium@hotmail.com www.divewithbubbles.com Nemo 33 ÄÄ333 Rue de Stalle, 1180 Brussels www.nemo33.com

FOOTBALL British United Football Club ÄÄBritish United Football Club bufc@bufc.org, www.bufc.org https://www.facebook.com/BritishUnitedFC?fref=ts Formed in 1972, BUFC now has 8 teams (7 Men’s 94 i best of belgium 2015

and 1 Ladies’) comprising over 150 active members from over 30 countries. We play competitive league football each week during the season September to April, and our weekly training sessions continue during the close season. Brussels Celtic supporters’ club ÄÄwww.brusselscsc.be Established in 1998 to provide a forum for Brussels-based supporters of Celtic Football Club to meet, watch matches on TV and organise trips to see the Bhoys in action in Glasgow. Brussels European Indoor Football (BEI) ÄÄContact Pascal Bell 0471.46.94.80 Ecopa@telenet.be, or President@Brussels-european.be www.brusselseuropean.weebly.com www.facebook.com/pages/Brussels-EuropeanIndoor-Football Indoor Football competition with mainly expats. These Five-a-side football games are played in Wezembeek-Oppem sports hall .(near stockel square Metro). The official competition goes from late August until May and during the summer we have friendly games and tournaments. We will be hosting our own yearly tournament around June 6 to celebrate 25 years of existence. This team started already in 1989. The yearly contribution fee is +/-100 € . Players are between 18 and 45 years old. Playing Home games every other week on Friday evening 7 pm. FC Irlande ÄÄinfo@fcirlande.org, http://fcirlande.org www.facebook.com/fcirlande An expat team formed in 1989 who are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. Now running seven teams (six men’s and one ladies’ (KBLVB League)). The club was champions of ABSSA in season 2010-2011 and has around 160 members from more than 25 countries. Royal Brussels British Football Club ÄÄ0492.96.47.82 recruitment@rbbfc.org www. rbbfc.org www.facebook.com/groups/RBBFC Established in 1933, our club has become a cornerstone of the Brussels expat community. Our six teams play at various levels in the ABSSA amateur league, including two veterans’ teams (38+). The 150 members come from all corners of the world and are aged from 16 to 60. You are welcome to meet us at training on Mondays or Wednesdays at the ISB in Watermael-Boitsfort.

GENERAL Brussels Sports Association ÄÄ19 Kattenberg, 1170 Brussesl office@bsasports.org, www.bsafamilies.org A non-profit organisation offering team sports programmes to more than 800 children a year. Friskis & Svettis ÄÄwww.friskis.be Activities range from Nordic walking and jogging to more intense cross-training workouts. The most popular is Jympa, a Swedish version of aerobics. Fees vary depending on age and activity. English speaking. Free outdoor sessions during summer.

GOLF ASSOCIATION FRANCOPHONE BELGE DE GOLF ÄÄwww.afgolf.be Royal belgian golf federation ÄÄwww.golfin belgium.be PREMIUM BENELUX GOLF COURSES ÄÄwww.pbgc.be VVG –GOLF IN FLANDERS ÄÄwww.golfvlaanderen.be International Golf Club Belgium ÄÄigcbelgium@gmail.com, www.igcbe.be You like your golf. You want to play at your leisure. You are looking for a relaxed and cosmopolitan setting. You like to experience different courses. Then you will certainly find it all at the International Golf Club: a diverse programme of events, a friendly and international environment, an affordable membership and flexible pay-as-you-play formula. HULENCOURT GOLF CLUB ÄÄ067.79.40.40, info@golfhulencourt.be www.golfhulencourt.be Located just 30 minutes outside of Brussels, Huelencourt Golf Club is one of Belgium’s finest golf courses, built on historic grounds dating back to 930AD. As a private members club, open to visitors, it welcomes international guests, families and golfers of all levels.

GOLF DU BERCUIT ÄÄ1 Les Gottes, 1390 Grez-Doiceau www.golddubercuit.be Bercuit was built according to an American design by world-renowned architect Robert Trent Jones Sr in the 1960s. In 1983 the club was separated from its surrounding property development after a buy-out by members. The 27-hole course is set in a wooded, hilly terrain. RAVENSTEIN: ROYAL GOLF CLUB OF BELGIUM ÄÄChâteau de Ravenstein, 3080 Tervuren 02.767.58.01, www.rgcb.be This Tervuren club in the Forêt de Soignes/Zonienwoud owes its title to King Leopold II and being set on land which was a royal donation. The clubhouse, formerly Ravenstein Manor Farm, dates from the 18th century. Facilities include a professional shop and club house restaurant. ROYAL ANTWERP GOLF CLUB ÄÄ1a Torenlei, 2950 Kapellen, 03.666.84.56 www.ragc.be The oldest golf club in Belgium was inaugurated in 1888 and re-located to the Kapellenbos north of Antwerp in 1912. Originally laid out by Willie Park, it was re-designed by Tom Simpson in 1930. The flat course is in a wooded heathland setting with pine and silver birch trees, heather and shrubs. ROYAL OSTEND GOLF CLUB ÄÄ2 Koninklijke Baan, 8420 De Haan, 059.23.32.83 www.ragc.be The 18-hole course lies on a narrow strip of dune besides the North Sea. Founded in 1903 and designed by Seymour Dunn, the course and clubhouse were badly damaged in both world wars but each time were rebuilt to maintain a links course in Belgium. It was renovated in 1990 by Martin Hawtree. ROYAL WATERLOO GOLF CLUB ÄÄ50 Vieux Chemin de Wavre, 1380 Lasne (Ohain) 02.633.18.50, www.rwgc.be Founded in 1923, the club consists of two 18-hole and one nine-hole course plus a pitch and putt and various training areas. The Marache greens were renovated ten years ago to comply with US golf standards, making it one of Belgium’s few championship courses. It is an undulating course with tricky woodland features. Waterloo prides itself on being a family club and has a nursery and crèche and activities for children aged eight to 18.

GYMS

HOCKEY

ASPRIA ÄÄwww.aspria.com One of the most popular spa and health clubs in Belgium with three locations in Brussels. Here you can indulge in a spot of pampering, try your hand at some sports and relax in beautiful surroundings. Families are welcome and there are indoor and outdoor play areas for the little ones.

Daring Hockey Club ÄÄ1 Avenue du Chateau, 1080 Brussels 02.414.29.16, daring@skynet.be www.royaldaring.be Brussels-based men’s and women’s hockey club, playing in the 1st national division among other levels. Also offers youth and veteran teams.

BASIC FIT ÄÄwww.basic-fit.be A cheap and cheerful gym, for an extra few euros each month you can train at any location you fancy throughout the whole of the country. DAVID LLOYD BRUSSELS ÄÄ41, Drève de Lorraine, www.davidlloyd.be Upmarket club with activities for all the family as well as full gym and spa facilities. Plus outdoor swimming pool, indoor and outdoor tennis courts. HEALTH CITY ÄÄwww.healthcity.be Offers group classes, personal training and a selection of its own form of training: ‘primal moves’. JIMS FITNESS ÄÄwww.jimsfitness.be A flexible and modestly priced membership that also offers free day passes. STADIUM ÄÄwww.stadium.be Stadium Kinetix in Brussels is one of the largest sports clubs in Europe and boasts a sizable swimming pool.

HANDBALL GBSK ÄÄinfo@gbsk.be, www.gbsk.be The handball club was founded 25 years ago and is still going strong. The sporting element is the main reason the club exists, but the social side is not forgotten. Every year there are dinner evenings, parties, an international tournament and many other things that make life more agreeable.

HTC Oranje International ÄÄ83 Joseph Kumpsstraat, 1560 Hoeilaart 02.657.53.06, info@htc-oranje-international.be www.htc-oranje-international.be The only Dutch-speaking hockey club in the Brussels area but also with a large number of English-speaking players in both the men’s and ladies’ teams. The club has two men’s, two ladies’, one veterans’ and numerous teams at all levels for children from five to 18. Ombrage ÄÄOmbrage81 Avenue E Parmentier, 1150 Brussels secretariat@hockey-ombrage.be www.hockey-ombrage.be French-speaking hockey club with some expats; with 18 adult and 37 children’s teams. La Rasante ÄÄ0475.36.03.54, president@rasante.be www.rasante.be A friendly hockey club with approximately 400 young players and 400 adult players, in about 50 teams. The adult teams cover all levels, including Veterans and Gentlemen and Ladies’ club for those who get the hockey bug later in life. There are a fair number of expat members. Royal Antwerp Hockey Club ÄÄinfo@rahc.be, www.rahc.be A well-established field hockey club for players of all ages and abilities.

HURLING & GAELIC FOOTBALL Brussels Hurling and Camogie GAA Club ÄÄ0472.51.70.38, hurling.belgium@gmail.com www.belgiumgaa.com

best of belgium 2015 i 95

MARTIAL ARTS Action Reaction ÄÄ010.41.65.00, 0475.49.52.13 A self-defence school that teaches you to be prepared for all situations and to respond through the appropriate techniques. Aikido School Ban Sen Juku ÄÄ02.230.58.30, 0477.67.32.51 18 Rue de la Glacière, 1060 Brussels info@bansenjuku.org, www.bansenjuku.org A traditional Japanese martial arts school founded in 1988 by Tomita Seiji Shihan. The school has around 15 dojos, most of them in Belgium. Aikido and iai (the art of drawing the Japanese sword) classes every evening of the week. Director is Japanese master Tomita Seiji (8th dan) who teaches in English. ITF Brussels Tae kwon-do school ÄÄComplexe Palais du Midi 3 Rue Roger van der Weyden, 1000 Brussels 0486.59.02.34 itfbrussels@gmail.com, www.itfbrussels.org Tae kwon-do is a modern Korean martial art, characterised by fast, high, jumping, spinning kicks, and quick footwork. It is an all-around programme that offers self-defence training, physical exercise, and artistic expression, all taught by an experienced professional team of instructors. Naginata Fencing ÄÄ0475.46.03.05, apnaginata@gmail.com www.naginata.be Naginata is the art of Japanese fencing. We practise Naginata with a spear, a special dress (named hakama and keikogi) and armour (named bogu). Naginata is based on a philosophy of mutual respect for each other, the weapon and the dojo. The teachers are prizewinners in European and world championships. Lessons are for everybody each Monday at 19.00 in Hoeilaart. Taoist Tai Chi Society of Brussels ÄÄ0472.30.84.29 – 0498.74.66.50 secretariat.ttcbelgium@gmail.com www.taoiste-org.be Taoist Tai Chi is taught to everyone. It is a Chinese art that emphasises the restoring and maintaining of good physical and mental health. It brings practitioners relaxation and release of 96 i best of belgium 2015

tension throughout the body, ensures good blood circulation, reduces stress and allows practitioners to develop strength and flexibility. Zhen Wu Belgium ÄÄ25 Marnixstraat, 2060 Antwerp 0499.36.53.68, michaonzia@gmail.com www.zhenwu.be Zhen Wu offers daily classes in traditional Chinese martial arts. The focus is on relaxation, development of internal strength, self-defence and good health. Every year a summer camp is held in Europe or China, where various masters share their extensive knowledge of their styles.

MOUNTAIN BIKING Brussels International Group of Mountain Bikers ÄÄbigM@bigM.be, www.bigM.be BigM is an English-speaking social group with members of all nationalities having a common interest in exploring Belgium’s mountain bike culture. The club’s excursions are a mixture of organised VTT rides, rides in the Foret de Soignes, and day trips to investigate trails in the Ardennes.

ORIENTEERING ASUB Orientation ÄÄ02.675.75.95.90, Christophe@amerijckx.eu www.asub-orientation.org Founded in 1966, the club is a member of the Belgian Orienteering Sports Association.

PILATES Go Pilates ÄÄ0484.69.09.42, www.go-pilates.be Classes are held each Sunday at 12pm at the Centre Sportif de la Woluwe, Avenue Emmanuel Mounier 87, 1200 Woluwé-Saint-Lambert - room P2. Corpus Studios Pilates ÄÄ02.513.07.66, info@corpusstudios.com www.corpusstudios.com Studio 1: 33 Rue Borrens, 1050 Ixelles

Studio 2: 33 Rue Caroly, 1050 Ixelles Studio 3: 10 Rue Blockmans, 1150 Woluwe-St-Pierre

POLO La Chatta Polo Club ÄÄ0478.88.10.91, bvandeynze@hotmail.com Polo school, stabling, training track – stick and balling all year round. Located between Brussels and Antwerp.

ROLLER DERBY Brussels Derby Pixies ÄÄinfo.derbypixies@gmail.com www.rollerderby.be Multinational all-female roller derby team that trains every Thursday and Sunday evening in Brussels. English, French and Dutch speaking. Other teams based in Antwerp, Charleroi, Ghent, Mons, Liège, Namur and Tournai.

RUGBY BBRFC-Celtic ÄÄ0486.36.98.03, president@bbrfc-celtic.be secretary@bbrfc-celtic.be, www.bbrfc-celtic.be Brussels’ most international rugby club, with a history dating back to 1968. We have three full Men’s XVs squads, a Women’s XV, a mixed Touch Team, and our own Rugby School for all ages. The result of the amalgamation of Brussels’ two preeminent expat rugby clubs. We have a great mix of international and Belgian members, superb pitch and bar facilities and are centrally located in Brussels! Rugby Club of La Hulpe ÄÄ0479.34.37.77, secretaire@rugbylahulpe.be http://rugbylahulpe.be The club has senior, ladies, youngsters and veterans teams and a strong family ethos. It nurtures and supports its youngest players and encourages them to enjoy the game, to respect the rules of fair play and to take pride in wearing the club colours, as generations before them.

Rugby Club Leuven ÄÄ0476.44.27.23, 016.23.47.21 info@rugbyclubleuven.be, www.rugbyclubleuven.be As a member of the Flemish Rugby Union, the club participates in Belgian competition organised by the Belgian Rugby Union. The club has a senior team, a cadet team and a ladies’ team. Every year the team organises an international seven-a-side tournament, played in the middle of May.

RUNNING & WALKING Brussels Hash House Harriers ÄÄhttp://users.skynet.be/bruh3 Informal running group. Brussels Walk s ÄÄ0493.50.40.60, info@brusselswalks.be www.brusselswalks.be Tours in English for groups. Reservations required. Irish Club of Belgium Hillwalking Group ÄÄwalks@irishclub.be The ICB hillwalking group organises monthly rambles in Belgium and neighbouring countries. Newcomers are welcome to join.

SAILING & ROWING Belgian Surfboat League ÄÄ52 Oostvaartdijk, 1850 Grimbergen 0475.22.05.65, chd@arenborg.com www.surfrowing.be Formerly known as the Akhenaton RS. A club started by a dedicated group of rowers and their coach. It runs surfboat rowing at the coast or Olympic rowing on calm, flat waters, and participates in many international events. Brussels Royal Yacht Club ÄÄ1 Chaussée de Vilvorde, 1020 Brussels 02.216.48.28, info@bryc.be, www.belgi.net/bryc Established since the early 20th century, the yacht club has a dinghy coaching centre among other facilities. Brussels International Sailing Club ÄÄinfo.bisc@gmail.com, www.bisc.eu.com

Royal Sport Nautique De Bruxelles ÄÄRSNB@ROYAL1865.be, www.royal1865.be 02.268.12.36 The Royal is the oldest rowing club in Brussels and the third-oldest in Belgium; celebrating its 150 year anniversary this year. It has a diverse membership, ranging from the current Belgian champion in men’s single sculls to a large and enthusiastic group of leisure rowers of both sexes, all ages and many nationalities.

TAI CHI Taoist Tai Chi Society of Brussels ÄÄ0472.30.84.29 – 0498.74.66.50 secretariat.ttcbelgium@gmail.com www.taoiste-org.be Taoist Tai Chi is taught to everyone. It is a Chinese art that emphasises the restoring and maintaining of good physical and mental health. It brings practitioners relaxation and release of tension throughout the body, ensures good blood circulation, reduces stress and allows practitioners to develop strength and flexibility.

YOGA

Spa and massage serendipspa.com www.waerwaters.com www.thermae.com www.dolcelahulpe.com www.aspria.com www.relaxationmassage.eu www.longitudezen.be www.massagegiunta.be www.aquaheaven.eu www.vitala.be saunaopale.be www.vitacuzzi.be www.facebook.com/EsthetiqueCentreMieuxEtre www.santemagic.be

Bikram Hot Yoga Brussels ÄÄinfo@bikramyogabrussels.com www.bikramyogabrussels.com Several locations around the city: 7 Avenue Louise, 1050, 02.644.12.24 8 Avenue de Tervueren, Etterbeek, 02.732.42.16 Berlaymont Building, 200 Rue de la Loi 1040 0495.999.541 Namastess Yoga ÄÄ0493.18.34.75, www.namastessyoga.com Namastess Yoga is an enchanting new yoga studio in the heart of Brussels offering private and group Vinyasa classes, pre/postnatal yoga, children’s yoga and meditation. Owner and founder Tessa Buon Viso is a seasoned instructor who has taught all over the globe. Together, Tessa and her team of teachers focus on guiding students towards relaxation via the use of steady breath, proper safe alignment, and dynamic sequencing.

www.spaduquartierlatin.be www.leriad.be www.douniazad.be www.tsomotibetanhealing.com wellnessbrussels.wix.com/tibetanhealthcenter www.coremassageandpersonaltraining. eu massagesinbrussels.wordpress.com

best of belgium 2015 i 97

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