Secret’s out. Antwerp, in northern Belgium, is officially hip, boasting a solid oeuvre of renowned artists, fashion designers and diamond dealers and a wealth of local haunts and hangouts showcasing the best of Scandinavian design and Belgian artistry. Best of all, the ease of discovery and the walkability of Antwerp’s urban sites means all you need are 48 hours.
stay: Hotel Les Nuits, located smack-dab in the centre of Antwerp, is a boutique hotel done well: 24 uniquely designed rooms featuring beds that might as well be pillowy clouds of 600-thread-count heaven. Hotel Les Nuits, Lange Gasthuisstraat 12, 2000 Antwer, +32 3 225 02 04, www.hotellesnuits.be
sightsee: Antwerp is known as the fashion capital of Europe, so don’t deny yourself a visit to the Fashion Museum where, from early February to March, local (and internationally acclaimed) designer Dries Van Noten will be on display for the first time in the city’s history. Next, head to the FotoMuseum to see rotating exhibits and create your own photographic masterpiece in the interactive photobooth (these special editions are not for sale). FotoMuseum, Waalsekaai 47, 2000 Antwerp, +32 3 242 93 00, www.fotomuseum.be
shop: YOUR Premium Store was named the world’s Best Fashion Retailer in 2013 for a reason, offering a supermix of top labels and little-known brands and a range of jewelry, books, fashion, gadgets, shoes, bags, music and home accessories. Labels Inc. is an excellent destination for pre-loved women’s pret-a-porter, menswear, shoes and accessories from recent collections of international fashion houses and Belgian designers. Prada pants for 50 euros will have you asking, "Am I in heaven?" Labels Inc., Aalmoezenierstraat 3, 2000 Antwerp, +32 3 232 60 56, www.labelsinc.be
sip: Sightseeing and shopping can be exhausting. Luckily, Antwerp’s plethora of incredibly attractive cafes can help. Kafeenini is a large coffee and snack bar outfitted in cosy carpets, fresh foliage and lovely light fixtures serving fancy java, fresh bagels and free Wi-Fi. For something stronger, Verso—a bougie café in a beautiful former bank building—serves afternoon cocktails and Irish coffee pick-me-ups right across the street from the hotel. Verso, Lange Gasthuisstraat 9, 2000 Antwerp, +32 3 206 02 02, www.versocafe.be
sup: Fresh and local food and a fashionable crowd are found at Chez Fred in the antique district. Traditional Belgium with a modern twist, the menu includes a deliciously light tuna steak entrée and a lamb dish that’s cooked to perfection. The restaurant’s chill wave music contrasts with traditional décor in a way that seems standard not strained, and your final meal in Antwerp will make you a happy Canadian camper. Chez Fred, Kloosterstraat 83, 2000 Antwerp, +32 3 257 14 71, www.chezfred.be
Two days, done. —Ariella Starkman
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