Ice skating in Brussels

Conrad On Ice is back. Since last weekend and through January 31, 2008, the Conrad Hotel at Place Stephanie features its winter ice rink, located in the inner court (where all the shops are) where you can enjoy unlimited skating for about EUR 10 (including skates rental) and even have a drink at the hotel’s (pricey) Cafe Wiltcher, which is directly accessible from the rink.

The ice rink is open from Wednesday through Sunday, from 11h00 to 20h00 (best still to call ahead and check +32 02 542 42 76) and can be even rented for private parties.

If you prefer skating in a larger and more popular, dressed-down, and also cheaper location, you might want to try the ice rink at Place Sainte Catherine in the center, which is set up every year as part of the “Plaisirs d’hiver” winter fair and Christmas market in the Grand Place-Bourse-Sainte Catherine area.

Thalys EUR 10 sale to Germany

To celebrate its 10th anniversary in Germany, Thalys is having a special sale on its tickets from Belgium to Aachen and Cologne. Tickets are EUR 10 each way in second class and EUR 29 in first (roundtrip not mandatory). You can buy the tickets online now through next Thursday,  November 29 for travel between December 15, 2007 and February 29, 2008.

This offer is not as great as the one Thalys had last year (EUR 10 to Paris) but it’s still a good offer, especially if you were thinking of visiting one of the famous Christmas markets in either destination.

Mam Mam – authentic Thai food

Mam Mam is an understated Thai restaurant on Rue du Marche au Charbon 72, one of the streets running from the Grand Place (south, I think). The owners are Thai and the food authentic, at really good prices (around EUR 10-12 for much larger portions than elsewhere in Brussels). You will find the traditional pad thai and curries (although they are missing a good non-spicy yellow curry), as well as other rice and noodle dish combinations. The service is fast and friendly.

Le 2eme Element is a better bet if you care more about ambiance, as Mam Mam is just a generic, no-frills Thai restaurant in a part of town that lends itself to less people watching than the popular St. Boniface (also with many decent restaurants).

Mont Liban

Mont Liban is referred to by some as the best and most authentic Lebanese restaurants in town (despite the not-so-authentic and even less skilled belly dancers they occasionally have in the evenings).

The restaurant is only a 3-4 minute walk from Place Stephanie (on rue de Livourne 30, 1050 Brussels, 02/ 537 71 31). The decor is nothing remarkable, but the food is good (try the hot mezze, especially the sfiha lahmeh).

Dinner will cost at least EUR 25 per person without any drinks, so it’s probably not a place you would want to dine at every day, and the quantities seem to have gotten smaller in past years. They also deliver food to your home through the remarkably slow and unreliable RestoPresto service (order way before you start getting hungry).

Expo Italia 2007

A fair of all things Italian will take place from November 22 through November 25 at the exhibition center in Heysel. Although technically designed to attract investors and promote the “Made in Italy” brand, Expo Italia is open to the public on November 23-25 to the general public (EUR 5 entrance) from 10h00 to 20h00 (23h00 on Saturday, November 24).

For more detailed information about the fair, which will include cultural, gastronomic, touristic and other stands, check out the official website.

Things to do when it’s raining in Brussels

Just a few ideas:

1. Go to the movies (ok, not very original, but it works). If you go to either of the UGC movie theaters, get a 5-movie card which allows you to watch movies at a slightly discounted rate (but watch out – the card expires within a couple of months, so if you don’t go often enough, stick to single tickets. The card, by the way, can be shared with other people.)

2. Pick up a book and have a coffee at Filigranes – Filigranes is a large (for Brussels standards) French language bookstore that in a very un-Brussels like fashion opens 365 days a year. Inside the bookstore, you will also find a coffee area (they also have wine and some sweet and salty snacks, like cakes and quiches). There is a small English books section as well. If you prefer an English-only bookstore, you can also go to Waterstone’s, which is not as cozy and has no cafe inside, but is also open on Sundays. This Thursday it opens late, until 23h30.

3. Visit a museum. If it’s Sunday, consider getting a Mont des Arts pass, which will give you access to seven museums around the Place Royale / Mont des Arts area for just EUR 11 (for adults. Children pay half the price). The Coudenberg site is worth a visit, as well as the Museum of Musical Instruments.

4. Go to the theater, concert or some other show. If you decide to do so on a whim and don’t know what to see, you might want to check out Arsene50, which is a service that offers same-day tickets for shows at a 50% discount. You can check the available shows online, but you have to go to one of the two box offices (Cinema Arenberg – Galerie de la Reine 26, next to the Grand Place; or the Flagey box office – Place Sainte-Croix) to purchase your tickets between 12h30 and 17h30 from Tuesday through Saturday.

Shops open this Sunday 4 Nov.

Most large shops in Brussels will be open in Brussels this Sunday, 4 November (from around 10h00 or 12h00 (depending on the shop)  to 18h00). Shopping malls like Woluwe Shopping Center and City 2 will be open, although not all stores participate in the special Sunday openings (larger ones do, small ones sometimes don’t).