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