Spend a Weekend

Arriving on Friday evening, head straight for the Grand'Place, considered one of - if not the - most beautiful squares in Europe. Pick a cafe, any one (though Le Roy d'Espagne is well-known for the inflated pigs' bladders that hang from the ceiling), order a Belgian beer and simply sit back and admire the view. Follow this up with a large plate of traditional moules-frites (juicy mussels and chips) at the Art Deco Aux Armes de Bruxelles (13 rue des Bouchers) or Vincent (8-10 rue des Dominicains), which has been popular since it opened in 1905 thanks to its great food and unique tiled walls.

Be sensible and have an early night so you are up bright and breezy on Saturday, but if you do want to head out for a few drinks, try A La Morte Subite, Goupil le Fol or La Fleur en Papier Dore (all character packed, traditional Belgian bars - try the fruit wines in Goupil). And if you smoke, head for Le Greenwich, where artist Rene Magritte used to play chess.

On Saturday morning, stroll along rue Antoine Dansaert, where most of the local fashion designers are to be found. After all, it's always nice to take something back that can't be bought at home! After a light lunch at Le Pain Quotidien (16 rue Antoine Dansaert) or, if you want something a little more upmarket, Bonsoir Clara a couple of doors down, it's time to hit the sights.

Wander the medieval streets around the Grand'Place, pay a visit to the Manneken Pis, Brussels' famous little peeing boy, just to say you've seen it and then head up to the Mont des Arts where the main museums are located. The Museum of Musical Instruments is a favourite, because it has the largest collection of musical instruments in the world (you get head phones that play samples of each instrument), it's housed in the most beautiful Art Nouveau building and it has a café on the top floor with great views over the city - perfect for an afternoon cup of tea!

Having done the Belgian thing on Friday evening, go glam on Saturday night. Book a table at Belga Queen, one of the trendiest restaurants in town, which is housed in the most amazing old bank building. A huge vaulted ceiling of stained glass and a cigar bar in the basement, housed in the original safe deposit box room, are two of the highlights. After dinner, head for Place St Géry, where - when the weather's warm - the crowds in the many bars (Zebra, Metro, etc) spill out onto the street.

Sunday morning should be spent perusing the stalls of the flea market and the antiques market on place du Grand Sablon, as well as the streets (rue Haute and rue Blaes) in between that are packed with interiors and lifestyle shops. You may well find a bargain: just make sure you've got enough luggage allowance to get it home! But if you prefer culture to shopping, then head to the Mont des Arts, where you can buy a special ticket for 11 Euros (per adult, kids' tickets are half price) that gives you access to the five museums (in addition to the Musical Instruments Museum, you have a couple of Royal palaces and the arts museums, worth visiting for the Magrittes and Brueghels) on the Mont, as well as entry to a morning musical recital and any other temporary exhibitions that are taking place.

Enjoy a leisurely Sunday lunch at Lola overlooking the very pretty place du Grand Sablon or BrasserieMuseum, the restaurant in the arts museum, which is in an Art Nouveau building that was once the headquarters of a British life assurance company, but do book ahead as both can be busy.

Before returning home, make sure you pay a visit to one or both of the great chocolatiers in town - Pierre Marcolini and Wittamer, both with shops on the Sablon - to take home to friends and family.