Brussels Art Nouveau Tour

Travel to Brussels (Thursday)

Take the short sea ferry crossing to Calais.  Continue to Brussels and to your hotel for the next 4 nights.

Brussels Tour (Friday)

Meet up with a local guide for a ‘Welcome to Brussels’ city centre guided coach tour, see the Royal Palace, Royal Courts of Justice and European Parliament Buildings.

Optional light lunch snack at the beautiful Art Nouveau restaurant L’Ultieme Hallucinatie (cost not included)

Continue to view the Art Nouveau houses in Palmerston Street, the exquisite Maison Saint Cyr and visit Cauchie House (interior visit included) one of the most exceptional Art Nouveau masterpieces in Brussels. Built in 1905 it was originally the home to Paul Cauchie and Caroline Voet, a couple of artists and decorators. The majestic Sgraffito on the façade and the opulent decorations of ‘Bel-étage’ served as a manifesto for their artistic skills.

The rest of the day and evening is at leisure.

Horta Museum and Art Nouveau in Saint-Gilles (Saturday)

Enjoy a private tour of the Horta Museum, a museum dedicated to the life and work of the protagonist of Belgian Art Nouveau Victor Horta. The museum is housed in his former town house and studio.

Continue with a guided walking tour in the footsteps of architects who so boldly revolutionised the art of building at the end of the 19th century. Their buildings are striking manifestoes of Art Nouveau, an art which spread with such felicity in this country, which is evidence of their extraordinary creativity both in the mansions themselves and in their decoration.

Rest of the day free to explore this vibrant Brussels District and perhaps sample one of the many local independent restaurants.

Comic Strip Center and Belle Époque Pubs Tour (Sunday)

First stop, the Flea Market and antique shops in the Marolles District selling all types of antiques, art, vintage clothing and general bric and brac. Continue to the Belgian Comic Strip Center, this museum is a masterpiece of Art Nouveau and also designed by Victor Horta. Unlike many Art Nouveau architectural works, this is not a private residence, but a ‘trade temple’ inaugurated in 1906, the building once housed the stores of textile wholesaler Charles Waucquez.  Also recommended is a visit the former The Old England department store, now home to the Musical Instruments Museum. This is notable Art Nouveau building was constructed in 1899 by Paul Saintenoy out of girded steel and glass.

Continue with walking tour of pre-war Brussels pubs (2 drinks included) that offer a wide variety of atmospheres and some of them have kept their Art Nouveau or Art Deco decoration. The stained glass windows, elegant curved woodwork, precious fabrics, mirrors and shining counters are still witnesses of the Belle Époque, the Roaring Twenties and Jazzy Thirties. They also tell about the evolution of the trends and tastes: from the well-lit, big & noisy brassieres of the turn of the century to the more discreet, cosy and intimate bars of the interwar period.

Enjoy a farewell dinner in Restaurant Greenwich Modern, a magnificent Art Nouveau Brassiere with authentic Belgium Cuisine, friendly and unique atmosphere in Brussels.

Return to the UK (Monday)

After breakfast depart Brussels and return to the UK.