Happy Easter, Brussels!

Did you know there are four little falcons growing up in a Brussels church tower? Since 2004 the St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral is home to peregrine falcons. They are not exactly Easter biddies, but just as cute!

You can follow the development of those adorable little creatures yourself - the city has installed a live camera. Check out what the birds are up to here.

For more information visit the website of the Falcon Observation Post: Falcons for everyone.

A Sip of Summer

Can't wait for summer? This delicious fruity composition will already let you taste it. I  discovered it during a weekend at the Belgian seaside and just can't get enough! 

River Woods Beach Club

The bartender revealed me his magical mixture:

-Pimm's (unfortunately not that easy to find, try Delhaize or a liquor store)

-Canada Dry

-Pieces of cucumber, apples, oranges and strawberries

Enjoy it at home on your balcony or try it at the Riverwoods in Knokke - I must admit, it tastes even better with the wind in you hair and a view on the sea!

Address:

RIVER WOODS BEACH CLUB
Zeedijk 832b
8300 Knokke-Heist

Welcoming Spring

Forêt de Soignes

You are tired of the city smog and want to enjoy the first signs of spring in greener surroundings? Forêt de Soignes, the green lung of Brussels, is the perfect place for that. Which other city has a forest so close to the city center?  So hop on your bike, take Tram 44 in the direction of Tervuren or the metro to Hermann-Debroux station. The beautiful woodlands and lakes are definitely worth it.

Did you know...

...that Audrey Hepburn was born in Brussels?

The actress and fashion icon was born on May 4th 1929 in this house in rue Keyenveld 48 in the neighbourhood Ixelles under the name Audrey Kathleen Hepburn-Ruston.

"I'm half-Irish, half-Dutch and I was born in Belgium: If I was a dog, I'd be in a hell of a mess."

Her father, the banker John Victor Hepburn-Ruston, was British-Irish, her mother Ella van Heemstra a Dutch baroness.  Audrey got a British passport which she carried throughout her life. She only spent little time in Brussels as during her childhood she travelled between the Belgian capital, London and the Netherlands. Later she lived in New York and Switzerland.

"The best thing to hold on to in life is each other"

The house is not open to visitors  - but why not watch Breakfast at Tiffany's one more time...

Welcome to FEAR AND LOATHING IN BRUSSELS!

As probably every person outside Belgium I thought Brussels was boring and not much more than EU Politics, rainy weather, those omnipresent chocolates, granny laces and Manneken Pis. Until I met some "real Belgians" (yes, they do exist!) and discovered that the real picture was far from what I had had in mind.

Fear and Loathing in Brussels wants you to discover the hidden, the new, the cool, the hype, the fun, the stylish, the crazy, the surprising, the real Brussels - those diamonds that make this city worth living in.

For all Bruxellois, new arrivals, passers-by and everyone who loves the Belgian capital. Be wild!