The Belgian Beer Weekend

4 days / 3 nights from £166 per person Valid from 4 – 7 Sep 2009 Travel options: • Eurostar™ direct to Brussels • scheduled flights direct to Brussels Why choose this break: • sample some of the largest selection of beers worldwide • meet well-known and specialist brewers from all over Belgium • discover the imposing Grand’Place and cheeky Mannekin Pis • hand-picked, centrally-located hotels Read on for full details and prices Short Breaks The Belgian Beer Weekend in Brussels Charge your glasses and raise a toast to Belgium’s annual beer festival, a veritable treat for beer enthusiasts and culture vultures alike. Each year, over the first weekend in September, Brussels’ Grand’Place is transformed into a beer lover’s paradise with processions of historical brewery carts and wagons arriving from the Fish Market and over 400 different Belgian beers available to taste, including the well-known names such as Stella, Jupiler, Leffe and Maes alongside the lesser-known trappist, abbey and fruit beers. Stay three nights in a hand-picked, centrally-located hotel and travel direct to Brussels by high-speed Eurostar™ or by air. The Belgian Beer Weekend Arranged by the Belgian Brewers’ Assocation, the Chevalerie du Fourquet des Brasseurs and the City of Brussels, this annual event, now in its 11th year, brings together the very best beer that Belgium has to offer, set against the stunning backdrop of Brussels’ Grand’Place. Smaller, specialist breweries will stand alongside their larger, more well-known contemporaries to offer visitors a chance to sample and enjoy the huge array of beers that are brewed in the country. Whether you are a fan of the classic pils and amber varieties or you prefer to try something more specialist, there’s really something here for everyone. Other varieties on offer include white beer, gauze/ lambiek, strong pale, strong brown, red brown and specialist beers from particular Belgian regions and towns. The event kicks off on Friday evening when the stalls in the Grand’Place open to the public. On Saturday, historical brewery carts and beer wagons gather at the Fish Market, then proceed through the cobbled streets of Brussels, whilst the stalls in the Grand’Place open again on both Saturday and Sunday. Entrance to the event is completely free although, unfortunately, the beer is not! Payment is via special tokens which can be purchased at dedicated points. There is also a beer shop selling the beers from participating brewers, special glasses and other memorabilia. 2009 programme to be confirmed in due course. Which one to choose? Just a few of the many varied beers on offer The main event on the Grand’Place Brussels Of course, the Grand’Place is without a doubt the best place to soak up the late summer sunshine and absorb the beautiful Flemish architecture, but there is plenty more to discover in this fascinating city, which also boasts culture, shopping and nightlife aplenty. Stroll through the cobbled streets and you’ll reach the Sablon district with its smart boutiques and antiques shops; discover the countless examples of Art Nouveau architecture for which Brussels is so famous; or head slightly further afield and you’ll be rewarded with the unique shape of the Atomium and impressive Royal Greenhouses. Why not visit one of the city’s many museums, such as the Royal Museums of Fine Arts, housing some of the greatest works from the Lowlands; or the Museum of Musical Instruments, boasting one of the world’s largest collections of musical instruments and housed in the Art Nouveau Old England store. Between feasting the eyes, be sure to visit any one of Brussels’ many restaurants (it has over 130 per square mile and boasts the highest density of Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe, no less!) and enjoy a feast of a different kind. Whether you opt for tasty moules-frites or a more sophisticated menu, you’re sure to be very pleasantly surprised. Reservation line 01452 716 831 www.vfbholidays.co.uk NH Hotel du Grand Sablon HHHH NH Hotel Atlanta HHHH Situated just off the main shopping circuit, the NH Atlanta offers comfortable and tranquil accommodation in a bustling part of the city. The hotel boasts a large lobby, attractive bar and Adagio restaurant, with 241 airconditioned bedrooms featuring satellite TV, minibar, safe and tea/coffee-making facilities. An extensive fitness centre with sauna is available free of charge to guests, and buffet breakfast is served on the ninth floor, offering panoramic views over the city. Hotel Carrefour de l’Europe HHHH Just 50 metres from the Grand’Place, this Best Western Premier hotel cannot be beaten for its prime location in the heart of the city. There is a small seating area in reception as well as a basement breakfast room. The 65 air-conditioned and recently-refurbished rooms are decorated in contemporary tones and facilities include flat-screen satellite TV, minibar, trouser press and safe. Guests can also enjoy a 10% discount at the Chocopolis chocolate shop next door! Formerly the Jolly, this welcoming four-star hotel is located on the place du Grand Sablon, a small square where you’ll find bars, restaurants and a weekend antique market. Features include a lobby and public areas resplendent in marble, a small business centre and Il Cortile restaurant. Each of the 193 rooms is air-conditioned with satellite TV, minibar and bath/wc with hairdryer. Prices Friday arrival only 4 – 7 Sep 2009 Hotel Royal Windsor HHHHH This luxury hotel enjoys a very central location, just minutes from the Grand’Place with restaurants, museums and the main shopping areas within easy strolling distance. The 266 air-conditioned rooms are tastefully decorated in subtle, relaxing tones and feature all the facilities you’d expect of a five-star hotel. The hotel also boasts Chutney’s brasserie, a piano/cocktail bar and Duke’s nightclub, in addition to a sauna and fitness centre. NH Hotel du Grand Sablon HHHH 3 nights by Eurostar™ from 3 nights by air from Single supplement from £166 £283 £84 NH Hotel Atlanta HHHH 3 nights by Eurostar™ from 3 nights by air from Single supplement from £166 £283 £84 Hotel Carrefour de l’Europe HHHH 3 nights by Eurostar™ from 3 nights by air from Single supplement from £219 £336 £153 Hotel Metropole HHHHH Dating back to 1895, the Metropole is the only 19th-century hotel in Brussels and exudes character, charm and tradition. The stunning lobby provides a dramatic first impression, further enhanced by the Alban Chambon gastronomic restaurant (closed weekends), Le 19ème bar, Café Metropole and Jardin Indien, where buffet breakfast is served. The 298 well-appointed rooms offer TV, minibar, safe, Wi-Fi and trouser press. There is also a fitness room and business centre. Hotel Metropole HHHHH 3 nights by Eurostar™ from 3 nights by air from Single supplement from £236 £353 £135 Hotel Royal Windsor HHHHH 3 nights by Eurostar™ from 3 nights by air from Single supplement from £239 £356 £138 Prices are per person based on two sharing a twin or double room with bath/wc or shower/wc. We make every effort to show accurate prices that are readily available to you for the date bands shown. However, occasional supplements (or reductions) may apply to some bookings and, for this reason, all prices are subject to availability and confirmation at the time of booking. Single room supplements are per person per stay. Extra nights are not possible with this offer. Travel must be completed by 7 September 2009. Eurostar ™ supplements Eurostar™ fares now operate in much the same way as those of Supplements per person per SINGLE journey: ‘no frills’ airlines. Your package includes Eurostar’s lowest fare (A), which Eurostar™ Standard Leisure has limited availability. Once seats at this level have sold out, further seats class Select are available at progressively higher fares (B, C, D, E and F) for which we Fare A NIL n/a quote supplements on your base price. We will always reserve seats at the Fare B £8 £69 Fare C £29 £83 most competitive fare and advise you at the time of booking if any supplement is applicable – Fare D £42 n/a outward, homeward or both. Fare E £56 £110 Leisure Select travel: Travel in style! In addition to wider, more comfortable seating, you will Fare F £62 n/a receive complimentary newspapers, tea/coffee and drinks plus a full hot meal served at your table (meals are appropriate for the time of day – any special meals must be requested through VFB in advance). Wine and aperitif are included when lunch or dinner are served. Please note: Transfers between the station and your hotel are not included. A taxi should cost approximately 15F, depending on the location of your hotel. Our short break includes: • ither return standard-class travel from St Pancras or e Ebbsfleet International by Eurostar™ direct to Brussels • r return scheduled flight with British Airways from London o Heathrow direct to Brussels • hree nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation t • Friday arrival only Insurance, for complete peace of mind For added flexibility, and to suit those with alternative cover, this short break is exclusive of personal travel insurance. However, we do insist that you have adequate cover and offer our tailor-made policy as an optional extra. Holiday Insurance Prices Adult Child (4-13 years) Up to 5 days five days £16 £15 £8 Nil-excess Nil excess upgrade £5 £5 Child under 4: free Child and infant premiums apply only if at least one accompanying adult takes VFB insurance. Air supplements As with Eurostar™, the flight-inclusive price quoted is based on the lowest fare available for scheduled flights with British Airways from London Heathrow. Once seats at this level have sold out, further seats are available at progressively higher fares. Scheduled flights by other carriers are also available from a number of regional airports. Please call us for details, timings and price supplements. Please note: Transfers between the airport and your hotel are not included. A taxi should cost approximately 35F. There is a direct train service which runs every 15 minutes from the airport to Brussels central station costing 2.90F and the regular shuttle bus costs 3F (4F if bought on board). www.vfbholidays.co.uk Reservation line 01452 716 831 All holidays are subject to our booking conditions Issue date March 2009 VFB Holidays Limited, PO Box 2130, Gloucestershire, GL2 9WA.