Bruges & Belgian Chocolates

Answer the call of the cacao on this walking tour of the medieval wonderland that is Bruges, with a special visit to a chocolatier’s workshop. Even the sightseeing will be delicious as you explore the historic center of this exquisitely preserved Flemish city where time and progress have altered little over the centuries. Your guide will shepherd you through a labyrinth of cobbled streets, passing picturesque scenes of ancient buildings, tree-lined canals and intricately gabled facades. You’ll stroll bustling Grote Markt square, home to the famed 13th-century Belfry Tower and a Town Hall more opulent than most palaces. Admire the Chapel of the Holy Blood, a landmark steeped in religious legend and spectacular Renaissance details. And, best of all, feed your fascination for all things chocolate with a visit to a local chocolatier. They’ll demonstrate how the best, freshest, most carefully selected ingredients are masterfully transformed into the sweet – and semisweet – concoctions only Belgians seem to know how to make taste this good. After free time for self-directed exploring or shopping for lace and other Belgian delicacies, a stroll past the romantic Lake of Love leads you back to the coach and a short drive back to the ship.

• Wear weather-appropriate clothing; dress conservatively if you plan to enter the cathedral.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Bring a hat, light rain jacket or umbrella, and sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.