Visit Antwerp for the perfect fusion of vintage and modern with some seriously strong beer on tap

ANTWERP is the diamond capital of the world and a hidden gem for tourists.

Before I boarded the Eurostar train at St Pancras, my impressions of Belgium were super-strength beer, posh chocolates and a hit-and-miss football team.

But Antwerp, its stylish port city, has so much more to offer.

Just three hours from London via Brussels, it oozes opulence but still maintains a gritty, industrial edge.

Getting there will be even easier when it becomes a stop on Eurostar’s direct route to Amsterdam.

As I step off the train at central station I am greeted by a spectacular cathedral-like building.

From here it is a short taxi ride to our hotel in the trendy south west of the city, Zuid.

The perfect fusion of vintage and modern, dark surroundings and bare concrete corridors give HotelO Sud a rough industrial feel.

But my room still packed two 37in televisions into the comfortable surroundings.

Lunch at nearby restaurant The Glorious set the tone for what was to come.

Based in a converted warehouse, it was a great blend of the old and the new.

The food and service are very formal and have won the owners a Michelin star but styling lends a more chilled-out vibe.

Having devoured three courses of wonderful seafood, we headed across the road for a spot of gin tasting.

Forest Spirits is made and distilled just outside Antwerp and prides itself on being created using local produce.

After enjoying a drink in the sunshine, we made our way to the port in the northern area of the city, which has undergone renovation in recent years.

While many port cities have sadly fallen into ruin, Antwerp — like the Big Apple and The Glorious’s menu — has found a balance of the old and the new.

Empty dockside buildings have been replaced by luxury apartments, trendy bars and restaurants.

At just after 5pm on Friday, the port is buzzing and bathed in glorious sunshine.

We set out on a boat trip drifting around the beautiful harbour before visiting the MAS museum, which offers breathtaking views of the city for free, while also giving an insight into its rich history.

Opened in 2011, it contains 470,000 art exhibits that tell the history of Antwerp.

But you’d have to book three months in advance to try its resident Michelin-starred restaurant, ’t Zilte. Still, don’t despair if you haven’t the cash to splash — or the foresight to book ahead.

There are plenty of attractions on a budget.

A beer is two euros while bikes can be rented for 3.80 euros a day.

On Saturday morning we toured the city, led by local outfit Cyclant.

Within a few minutes, fears I would be crushed by a van were eased and I started to enjoy taking in the sights.

We rode down the beautiful streets and parks, aided by 700km of cycle lanes.

We passed smart stores in the fashion district.

The city is the home of the Antwerp Six — a group of designers.

The city is awash with boutiques to rival Paris and Milan.

Still on the fashion theme, we made our way to a great pop-up club-cum-restaurant, Plein Publiek.

Surrounded by high-rise apartments, lasers beamed from the windows of the concrete estate while a DJ pumped out dance music.

As we finished the fantastic food, staff cleared away tables to make space for late-night revelry.

Thankfully, our Sunday morning wasn’t an early start.

We visited the city’s last remaining brewery — De Koninck — which I had heard described as the Disneyland of brewery tours.

It was hard to disagree — good fun if slightly cheesy.

As I got stuck into the test beers I was reassured by the barman that 11am is the best time to try out the lagers as it is when taste buds are most receptive.

Not that I needed any encouragement.

From pale ale to strawberry-infused pilsner, there was every type imaginable.

But be warned, there are some seriously strong beers on tap.

As my three-day weekend came to an end I could not understand why I had never been before.
It certainly won’t be long before I make a return.