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Edinburgh’s not the only city that’s going festival crazy. Anna Millar checks out this summer’s best combinations of cheap deals and great culture, from hip hop festivals in Oslo to cultural enlightenment in Copenhagen.
TRAVEL WEBSITES
I From cheap fllghts to lush holiday packages, here are the websites you can’t afford to ignore: www.expedia.co.uk www.teletext.co.uk www.flightcentre.co.uk www.|astminute.com www.statravel.co.uk www.visitscotland.com www.roughguides.com www.|onelyplanet.com www.kuoni.co.uk
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s Belgium‘s bilingual capital. lh'ussels
has long since lost its reputation as a
poor man’s l’aris. Brussels is a li\ing tnonument to art tiott\catl. as well as being home to surrealism. while al'l'ording an unriyalled drinking scene. stylish shopping emporia aplenty and incredible restaurants to boot. At its cosmopolitan core. its architectural styles range lrom (iothic cathedrals and churches to the classical lacades ol the l’alais des Nations. The greatest landmark. though. can be l'ound at Brussels‘ heart. the (irand Place ((it‘olc Markt). the city’s historic market square. complete with the imposing (iothic beauty ol‘ the Town Hall.
To get a true l‘eel lot this |()()()-year-old city a Visit to the \"illers Tower is highly recommended. As part ol' the Brussels” lirst wail. it was btiilt in the I Ith century to protect its inhabitants. A short walk away. the Hon Secours ('hurch continues your architectural education as a line example oi halo—Flemish baroque iron] the |7th century. At the corner ol the Rue de l'lituye stands the inl'amous l’ountain. the Manneken-l’is. Hes considered something ol' an honoured citi/en ol the tow n. and kings. presidents. and celebrities liaye giyen costumes [0 the little i‘cllow (wet the years. He‘s amassed a wardrobe oi more than 350 otltiits. II‘ that seems a little odd. check out the Musee ('ommunal lot prool positiye.
Near to the (Brand Sablon. the Royal Museums ol~ Fine Arts (y isitbelgitun.coin/ bxguil)2.lttin#brusselsi comprises both the Mttseum ol‘ Ancient Art tyisitbelgiuin.coin/ bxguil)2.htm#brusselsl and Modern Art l\‘isitbelgium.ct)m/bxguilll.htm#brusselsl. All the greats are well represented. including Robert (‘ampin. Rogier Van der Weyden. Hugo yan der (ioes. Dirk Bouts. Hans Memling and Peter Brueghel the lilder.
For culture ol‘ a slightly dil‘l‘erent Variety. the liuropean Rhythms Festival takes place l‘)—22 August iwhatsiinwhen.com/ey'ents/i. As a showcase l'or oyct' ()0 liuropean perl'ormers. this popular free l‘estiyal oi liuropean music. rhythms and cultures was born out of a desire to celebrate Brussels‘ cultural core. Better still. almost everything on the programme is free.
Flights from Glasgow to Brussels ("an be found on the ousylvt website starting from £72.99. See H‘lt'lt'.(Thy/(’11Witt/Ur (lentils.
6 me usr 12—19 Aug 2004