Lifestyle Feature Summer in the city

Beach resorts? Tacky. Rural France? Snore. Stop feeling sorry for yourself! Brussels in August has more going for it than many a tourist destination. It's all out there, and here's our guide to finding it. Whether you want to play the tourist or play hooky, we've got 50 ideas to keep you amused. Enjoy! Botanique in the city centre. August is one of the best months to visit. There are champion trees, medicinal plants and the pretty Boechout castle. Cool off in the Temple of Diana, a recently restored icehouse and a bat hibernation place. If it's not such good weather out, get sticky in the greenhouse and experience the climate of a tropical rainforest – you'll be glad of temperate Belgium afterwards. Get a glimpse of the Appalachian mountains by studying magnificent sugar maples, silverbells, tulip trees and red and white oaks. Browse in the excellent bookshop. Get a plant or two and head for your own garden full of enthusiasm. Check out www.bf.fgov.be for more information. Action stations 35. Get your skates on. If you liked the look of all those people roller-blading about town during King Albert's jubilee celebrations two weeks ago, but were just too hot to contemplate joining them, now's your chance to do so. Fewer people in town means it's easier to steer around, and less embarrassing when you fall over. Rollerday is every Friday, but you can practise to your heart's content every Saturday and Sunday from 11.00 to 17.00 at the open-air roller-blading school in the Bois de la Cambre. See the comprehensive site www.belgiumrollers.com for info. 36. Cycle to work. Or, if you've never dared to cycle in Brussels' heavy traffic, now's the time to practise. Streets and parks are deserted and even if you don't have a bike, that's no excuse. Every Sunday between noon and 18.00, you can rent a bike in three Brussels parks: at the entrance to the Parc Roi Baudouin on Avenue de Wemmel, Carrefour des Attelages in the Bois de la Cambre or in Parc de Woluwé on Avenue du Parc de Woluwé. 37. You might not be on holiday in the Alps, but you can still learn to rock-climb. Scale the climbing walls at the Terre Neuve gym near Place Rouppe. Call 02.512.18.15. 38. On August 16, discover which city animals are sharing the town with you and marvel at some marvellous trees. Start at the Hilton hotel and wind up at Toone's for a cool beer. The tour will take you through nature and the history of hidden paradises from the Egmont gardens to Warande park. The English tour starts at 14.00 in front of the Hilton (Boulevard Waterloo), takes two-and-a-half hours and costs €7, kriek beer at Toone's café included. You can't beat that. Full-fat fun 39. Try a new beer every Friday night. By September, you should be fat, merry and have an encyclopaedic knowledge of the golden stuff. Good place to start? Le Bier Circus, 89 Rue de l'Enseignement (Madou). 40. If all your friends have deserted you for holiday homes in France or beaches in Greece, see if any of your neighbours are still in town. Invite them over for a glass of wine or a barbecue – you'll fill an empty night and widen your social circle. 41. Relive your childhood at the Kermesse (or Foire du Midi), which runs until August 24. Load up on greasy oliebollen; scream on stomach-churning rides or float up to the sky on the big wheel; and have a tantrum after eating too much sugar. Ah, bliss. Rides are around €3 each. August 5 and 24 are special cheap-ride days, so offer to take your neighbours' kids then if you don't want to come back broke. 42. With the expense-account crowd away, you can finally book a table at that top-notch restaurant – provided they're not closed for congé, that is. Brussels' three-star landmark is Comme Chez Soi on Place Rouppe.