Let’s go on a chocolate hunt!

As a self-proclaimed chocoholic, Belgium is one of my favorite places to visit when I’m in the mood for a chocolate tour. 

Whether it’s exploring Bruges (the town of 50+ chocolate shops) or it’s getting lost in Ghent and taking in the medieval cobblestone streets and amazing hot cocoa’s, or it’s exploring Antwerp with not only its diamond district but also the delicious chocolate museum and shops…it’s a dream come true for any chocolate addict like myself!

Let’s go on a chocolate tour together!

• Chocolate. Chocolate. Chocolate.
• Participate in a chocolate hunt
• Don your apron for a hands-on Belgian waffles  workshop
• Delve into the fascinating world of chocolate at  the Chocolate Nation museum in Antwerp
• Embark on a guided tour meeting of Antwerp’s diamond district meeting  artisans crafting hand made  jewellery with a glass of champagne in hand.
• Learn the secrets of chocolate making  with the renowned chocolatier Laurent Gerbaud
• Follow the trail of  the skilled female lace makers on a guided tour of Bruges
• Admire the works of Belgian surrealist artist, René Magritte,
• Savour Belgian beer in a historical brewery

Every time I travel, I always try to do a little ‘chocolate tour’…so why not do a trip dedicated to chocolate! There’s no better place than Belgium!

NOTE: Please note when booking your flights that most flights from Canada/US will need to depart the day before our tour begins in order to arrive in time. For example, if you are joining us on Monday, September 22 – your flight will need to leave your location (if flying from Canada or the USA) September 21st (or sooner if you want to spend some extra days).

Day 1 – Monday, September 22   WELCOME TO BRUSSELS

Our Belgian chocolatetour will begin with transfers from Brussels airport to settle into our home away from home for the week at  5 star boutique hotel, @Amigo nestled in the vibrant heart of the city. Join me for 6pm where myself and Emma Gely, Absolutely’s tour escort, will host a meet & greet cocktail at the elegant Magritte Bar of the hotel. Dinner will follow at the iconic Aux Armes de Bruxelles, a renowned restaurant since 1902.

Day 2 – Tuesday, September 23   CHOCOLATE HUNT  & BELGIAN WAFFLES  – BRUSSELS 

Our day will begin with a private guided tour of Brussels Town Hall, a stunning Gothic masterpiece located in the heart of the city at the Grand-Place main square, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Following this, we will  head on a chocolate hunt that I’m really excited about!  We will have lunch @Cook and Book, a restaurant and cooking school located in a stylish library setting. After the main course, we’ll make mouth watering Beligum waffles in a workshop led by a skilled pastry chef .   Dinner will be quite the experience as we make our way through an exquisite royal alleyway for a fine dining experience @Marmitan.

Day 3 – Wednesday, September 24   CHOCOLATE & DIAMONDS – ANTWERP 

Today, we will board a coach to Antwerp for a special day starting with a self guided tour of the Chocolate museum showcasing chocolate traditions, history and innovations (I had a chocolate coma by the time I was done). The tour will be followed by a bean-to-bar workshop led by a chocolatier who will take us behind the scenes for an immersive experience to smell, taste and learn more about cocoa beans. During lunch @Octave, we will enjoy a special fusion menu combining chocolate and gastronomy. After lunch, we will head on a walking tour to explore Antwerp’s 16th century historical center and learn about the jewelry and diamond heritage, meeting skilled artisans dedicated to preserving the traditions of handmade jewelry. We will have some free time in the afternoon before heading back to Brussels for dinner @The Brasserie.

Thursday, September 25   CHOCOLATE & CANAL CRUISE  – GHENT

Ahh Ghent… a picturesque Belgian city known for its charming canals and medieval castle. We will start our day with a guided walking tour through Ghent’s historical center, visiting three small family-owned chocolatiers. We’ll end our walking tour with a visit to a very special bookshop – @Book and Booze, an unconventional bookshop where Yves pairs each book with a special drink.
After a leisurely lunch, we’ll board a hop-on-hop-off boat to cruise Ghent’s canals, and then end our day in Ghent with a sweet afternoon treat @Aux Merveilleux de Fred (one of my favorite treats), savoring delicate meringue prepared with artisanal expertise.
Dinner will be @Vincent in Brussels.

Friday, September 26  CHOCOLATE & BEER  – BRUGES  

Bruges – my favorite town! It’s a fairytale city renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture and charming cobblestone streets – not to mention it’s full of delicious chocolate shops! We will indulge in a hot chocolate break at a small family-run tearoom offering over 30 different hot chocolate options. We’ll learn about Bruges’ world-renowned lace tradition during a guided tour. After a delightful lunch @Duc de Bourgogne with a scenic view of the canals, we’ll be have a fun afternoon learning about Belgium beer, from malt and fresh hops to Genever spirit production followed by a unique beer and chocolate pairing experience.  We will have some free time before heading back to Brussels.

Saturday, September 27    CHOCOLATE & ART – BRUSSELS 

What’s better than a hands-on chocolate workshop led by the renowned chocolatier, Laurent Gerbaud, where we will taste various cocoa flavors and make our own chocolates to take home. Afterwards, we will explore the captivating surrealist masterpieces of René Magritte at The Magritte Museum. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure for lunch, last-minute purchases and preparing for our farewell dinner with bubbles and a gastronomic experience @La Maison du Cygne.

Sunday, September 28    FAREWELL

It’s time to have that last hot chocolate and to bid farewell to our new friends.  Transfers to Brussels Airport will be arranged.

Alternately, if you would like to extend your trip, we can help to make those arrangements.

I can’t wait to explore the Easter Markets and Vienna together! Vienna has always been on my ‘travel wishlist’ – for the music, the coffee and desserts and for…well, let’s face it…I’m really excited for the coffee and cakes Vienna is known for!

NOTE: Please note when booking your flights that most flights from Canada/US will need to depart the day before our tour begins in order to arrive in time. For example, if you are joining us on Saturday, April 12 – your flight will need to leave your location (if flying from Canada or the USA) April 11th (or sooner if you want to spend some extra days).

Day 1 – Monday, September 22         WELCOME TO BRUSSELS

Our Belgian chocolatetour will begin with transfers from Brussels airport to settle into our home away from home for the week at  5 star boutique hotel, @Amigo nestled in the vibrant heart of the city. Join me for 6pm where myself and Emma Gely, Absolutely’s tour escort, will host a meet & greet cocktail at the elegant Magritte Bar of the hotel. Dinner will follow at the iconic Aux Armes de Bruxelles, a renowned restaurant since 1902.

Day 2 – Tuesday, September 23   CHOCOLATE HUNT  & BELGIAN WAFFLES  – BRUSSELS 

Our day will begin with a private guided tour of Brussels Town Hall, a stunning Gothic masterpiece located in the heart of the city at the Grand-Place main square, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Following this, we will  head on a chocolate hunt that I’m really excited about!  We will have lunch @Cook and Book, a restaurant and cooking school located in a stylish library setting. After the main course, we’ll make mouth watering Beligum waffles in a workshop led by a skilled pastry chef .   Dinner will be quite the experience as we make our way through an exquisite royal alleyway for a fine dining experience @Marmitan.

Day 3 – Wednesday, September 24   CHOCOLATE & DIAMONDS – ANTWERP 

Today, we will board a coach to Antwerp for a special day starting with a self guided tour of the Chocolate museum showcasing chocolate traditions, history and innovations (I had a chocolate coma by the time I was done). The tour will be followed by a bean-to-bar workshop led by a chocolatier who will take us behind the scenes for an immersive experience to smell, taste and learn more about cocoa beans. During lunch @Octave, we will enjoy a special fusion menu combining chocolate and gastronomy. After lunch, we will head on a walking tour to explore Antwerp’s 16th century historical center and learn about the jewelry and diamond heritage, meeting skilled artisans dedicated to preserving the traditions of handmade jewelry. We will have some free time in the afternoon before heading back to Brussels for dinner @The Brasserie.

Thursday, September 25   CHOCOLATE & CANAL CRUISE  – GHENT

Ahh Ghent… a picturesque Belgian city known for its charming canals and medieval castle. We will start our day with a guided walking tour through Ghent’s historical center, visiting three small family-owned chocolatiers. We’ll end our walking tour with a visit to a very special bookshop – @Book and Booze, an unconventional bookshop where Yves pairs each book with a special drink.
After a leisurely lunch, we’ll board a hop-on-hop-off boat to cruise Ghent’s canals, and then end our day in Ghent with a sweet afternoon treat @Aux Merveilleux de Fred (one of my favorite treats), savoring delicate meringue prepared with artisanal expertise.
Dinner will be @Vincent in Brussels.

Friday, September 26  CHOCOLATE & BEER  – BRUGES  

Bruges – my favorite town! It’s a fairytale city renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture and charming cobblestone streets – not to mention it’s full of delicious chocolate shops! We will indulge in a hot chocolate break at a small family-run tearoom offering over 30 different hot chocolate options. We’ll learn about Bruges’ world-renowned lace tradition during a guided tour. After a delightful lunch @Duc de Bourgogne with a scenic view of the canals, we’ll be have a fun afternoon learning about Belgium beer, from malt and fresh hops to Genever spirit production followed by a unique beer and chocolate pairing experience.  We will have some free time before heading back to Brussels.

Saturday, September 27    CHOCOLATE & ART – BRUSSELS 

What’s better than a hands-on chocolate workshop led by the renowned chocolatier, Laurent Gerbaud, where we will taste various cocoa flavors and make our own chocolates to take home. Afterwards, we will explore the captivating surrealist masterpieces of René Magritte at The Magritte Museum. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure for lunch, last-minute purchases and preparing for our farewell dinner with bubbles and a gastronomic experience @La Maison du Cygne.

Sunday, September 28    FAREWELL

It’s time to have that last hot chocolate and to bid farewell to our new friends.  Transfers to Brussels Airport will be arranged.

Alternately, if you would like to extend your trip, we can help to make those arrangements.