Travel
02 February 2010
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| Bruges, Belgium. |
BITING into an exquisite chocolate is one of life's little pleasures, and for generations master chocolatiers have been tempting us with their creations.
Belgium is famed the world over for its chocolate, but the pretty medieval city of Bruges probably takes the crown when it comes to crafting the sticky stuff into works of art.
Bruges has been dubbed "the world's chocolate capital", and with a chocolate shop around every corner and even a chocolate museum, it's not difficult to see why.
Chocolate aside, Bruges is a great place to visit at any time of the year with its quaint cobbled streets, grand architecture and network of canals.
There are countless bars, cafes and restaurants, from authentic pubs to trendy eateries and gourmet restaurants, and accommodation to suit all pockets.
There are famous landmarks to visit as well as offbeat and more traditional museums and great shopping. And so many designer names have shops in the city that some parts feel like a pricey corner of London's West End.
Bruges boasts no fewer than 47 chocolate shops, including that of the renowned Dominique Persoone, who designed The Chocolate Shooter.
At The Chocolate Line, chocolate aficionados can use the device to send a blast of cocoa powder up the nose - a unique way to get a chocolate high!
All things chocolate are found at Choco-Story, the museum devoted to the history of the cocoa bean and its byproduct, where chocolates are made by hand and sampled on the premises.
Belgium is also reckoned to have invented the chip, and there is even a museum dedicated to that other dietary essential when visiting Bruges. The Frietmuseum claims the title of the first and only museum dedicated to chips.
Here you see how the potato originated in Peru more than 10,000 years ago, and learn just about all there is to know about chips. A necessary part of this learning experience is to sample some - complete with a generous dollop of mayonnaise in true Belgian style.
Belgian beer is widely regarded as among the best, so many visitors are keen to tour the De Halve Maan family brewery and museum.
There are steep stairs to negotiate as the brewing process is explained, but the reward is a panoramic view of Bruges from the roof and a glass of the house brew, Brugse Zot (Bruges Fool), in the family's tavern afterwards.
With calories mounting at an alarming rate from chocolates, mayonnaise-smothered chips and the occasional tipple, you may feel a need for exercise.
My solution was a gentle cycle ride from the city centre to the nearby town of Damme. After a ride of about half an hour beside the Damse Vaart canal, taking in the peaceful Belgian countryside, picturesque Damme comes into view.
The town hall dominates the main square, and a stroll through the streets reveals some interesting architecture.
Damme is renowned for its gastronomy and boasts 25 restaurants, including the Taverne De Spieghel. It serves the traditional Flemish dish of waterzooi, a delicious chicken stew, washed down with a glass of the local brew - the nine per cent Damse Tripel.
The town is also a favoured haunt for book lovers, with a dozen or more shops selling everything from novels to comic strips and antiquarian books.
The leisurely option for the return to Bruges is a boat ride on board the Lamme Goedzak, which gently plies its way along the Damse Vaart.
With our bikes safely returned to the rental firm - ours from Koffieboontje in Hallestraat cost 12 euros a day - we took a final stroll around the city.
Although many explore Bruges on foot, those who go by boat are guaranteed an alternative vantage point from the city's many canals.
Another advantage is that they are not exposed to the dangerous temptation involved in walking past so many chocolate shops!
Belinda Szonert
STAY
The four-star Oud Huis De Peellaert has doubles from 178 euros (£160) a night including breakfast.
TRAVEL
P&O Ferries' Dover-Calais crossings start at £30 each way for a car and up to nine passengers, regardless of length of stay. Call 08716 646 464 or go online to www.POferries.com
Find out more
Get information on Bruges or Damme from Tourism Flanders and Brussels on 020 7307 7738 or visit www.visitflanders.co.uk.
Also see www.brugge.be; www.toerismedamme.be.