About the Author

Derek Blyth has lived in Brussels for more than 20 years. As a journalist, he has explored almost every corner of the city. He likes to drink coffee at Blomqvists and buy wine at Mig's. He cycles down the Rue de la Paix to buy croissants at Renard and drinks Poperings Homelbier at Les Brassins. Formerly editor of the Brussels English-language weekly The Bulletin, he has written several books on the Low Countries, including Brussels for Pleasure and Flemish Cities Explored. He is co-founder of the discussion forum Cafe Europa and contributes a regular column on Brussels life to Eurostar's Metropolitan magazine. In drawing up this list of 500 hidden secrets, the author has taken advice from friends, family, neighbours, Belgian journalists and local historians. He thanks Lucia Cabanova, Nathalie Piana and Anna Blyth for checking out places to go clubbing. He thanks the people of Brussels for creating a city that is like nowhere else.