Fashion and beauty

Stay: Hemelhuys Hotel
More like staying in a private home than a hotel, this townhouse is a neat reflection of its stylish owners, who mix Provençal vintage pieces, Belgian linen and lime-washed walls in the eight bedrooms. 3500 Hasselt

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Head to: Maasmechelen Village
To make every part of the day seamless, swing by Concierge Services for help with everything from reservations to recommendations, Gift Cards to Village visits with dogs. 3630 Maasmechelen

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Shop: Essentiel Antwerp
Inge Onsea and Esfan Eghtessadi’s playful designs have made Essentiel Antwerp one of Belgium’s best-known fashion brands – the mix of edgy design and prints with classic tailoring is winning. Maasmechelen Village

BE INSPIRED

Shop: G-Star
G-Star made its name in the 1990s with untreated denim and pioneering 3D-cut jeans that transformed how they fit the body. The utilitarian ethos remains in play, as does a committed focus on sustainable materials. Maasmechelen Village

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Lunch: Le Petit Belge
At Le Petit Belge, the brief is clear: moules, waffles, fries, washed down with a bottle of Duvel. Belgian brasserie favourites delivered with efficiency. Maasmechelen Village

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Shop: Under Armour Athletics kit is now firmly rooted in the daily wardrobe, whether you’re working out or not, but those who are exercising will find the lightweight, performance-tech base layers that are of brilliant quality. Maasmechelen Village

VISIT UNDER ARMOUR

Shop: UGG®
From tiny sheepskin-lined baby shoes to sandals, sliders and sneakers, UGG® has it all covered. The original boots and slippers are extremely hard to beat. Maasmechelen Village

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Refuel: Churros and More
Before diving into Coach, make a pitstop at the vintage Citroën van parked outside. The hot churros, crisp outside, soft within, sugar-dusted or dipped to order, will hit the sweet spot. Maasmechelen Village

WHET YOUR APPETITE

Shop: Coach Coach was founded in the 1940s and its all-American heritage look endures as well as its buttery, glove-tanned leather and signature brass hardware. These are bags that will really last. Maasmechelen Village

VISIT COACH

Shop: PINKO More is often more at PINKO, where statement blazers and fun dresses take top billing, but that doesn’t mean you can’t sniff out more pared-back styles with longevity too. Maasmechelen Village

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Dinner: Bocca Nera Buzzy and bright, Bocca Nera has a sparky Italian after-hours energy. Huge sharing dishes – pizzas, carpaccios, rich burratas – give the experience heaps of theatre. 3500 Hasselt

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Brunch: Boulebaar
Mid-mornings here are fuelled by warm-from-the-oven cinnamon rolls, eggs royale and spicy laksa noodle bowls. Grab a seat by the window or on the pavement terrace to watch the steady stream of bicycles pedalling by. 3500 Hasselt

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Fashion fix: Modemuseum
Small but influential, this fashion museum punches above its weight with immersive, intellectually rigorous exhibitions and a clear point of view on Belgian design. Even non-fashion obsessives will find plenty to engage with. 3500 Hasselt

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Beauty shopping: Blos
An independent beauty boutique championing niche skincare and under-the-radar brands you won’t see everywhere else. Staff are deeply knowledgeable, so it’s worth asking for recommendations. 3500 Hasselt

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Beauty bar: Beleving at La Bottega
The beauty bar inside La Bottega concept store is a great stop for browsing new finds and properly trying them out with the help of an expert – book one of the make-up application sessions in advance. 3500 Hasselt

VISIT LA BOTTEGA

Lunch: Les Mecs
A funky brasserie that works just as well for a quick plate as it does for a proper settle-in. The menu moves deftly between Flemish and French fare, shrimp croquettes alongside escargots and a Dame Blanche for dessert. 3500 Hasselt

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Street art: Walking tour Follow the city’s murals through backstreets and squares for a more contemporary view of Hasselt, with works ranging from large-scale commissions to smaller surprises that offer a different read on each neighbourhood. Hasselt

Nature immersion: Japanese Garden
The largest Japanese garden in Europe, designed around traditional landscaping principles and seasonal planting. Plan for a proper stroll – it’s more expansive than you might expect. 3500 Hasselt

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