Chocolate Touring in Belgium
Here’s an itinerary that will tantalize the tastebuds of all you chocoholics out there, courtesy of Wicked Campers (this company, based in the United Kingdom, rents self-drive camper/vans).
Famed for its great tasting chocolate, it’s estimated that Belgium has more than 2,000 chocolate shops, plus museums, factories and demonstrations dedicated to this sweet temptation.
They suggest starting at the Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate in Brussels. A short walk from Brussels’ central market square, the Grand Place, this museum is a must-see for chocolate lovers visiting the capital city. Learn the history of chocolate plus some tricks of the trade as master chocolatiers show off their skills with live demonstrations and offer samples of their treats.
Then, drive 55 km west of Brussels to the medieval canal city of Ghent. It’s home to Bouchard chocolatiers (be sure to buy some pralines). Also worth a visit is the old-fashioned, family-run sweet shop, Temmerman, Kraanlei 79, Patershol, famed for its traditional Belgian sweets, chocolates and biscuits.
Continue another 50 km west from Ghent to Roose’s Chocolate World on the outskirts of Bruges, another medieval canal town. Not only is there a chocolate shop, but visitors can watch a “short and sweet” demonstration of candymaking.
Renting a van is as easy as renting a car, but you get both wheels and accommodations. Wicked Campers offers Toyota camper/vans with automatic transmission (oh, so important for us American Road Trips Foodies!), electric windows, double bed, table, basic built-in kitchen with sink and essential cooking equipment, camping stools, CD player or iPod/MP3 connection and storage space (for all that chocolate you’re gonna buy and munch on along the way). Best of all: you can pick up your van in one city and drop it off in another.
(Photo courtesy of Best Belgian Chocolate of the World)
