NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELER: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELER: The World's Most Widely Read Travel Magazine
Subscribe Now! NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELER
  Subscriber Services
    Customer Service


    Back Issues


    Frequently Asked Questions


    Subscription Renewals


    Slipcase Orders
  Advertise with Us
    Print Edition


    Online Edition
  About Us
    E-mail Us


    Writers Guidelines


    Photographers Guidelines


    Press Contact


    Mission Statement


    Masthead
  From Our Publications
    In the Current Issue


    In the Next Issue


    Free Travel Information


    Traveler Magazine Index


    NGS Publications Index


    Site Archive


Taste of Travel
Pierre Marcolini's shop in Brussels features a variety of international chocolates. Photograph by Brooks Walker

Brussels, Belgium: Kids in a Candy Shop

By Sheila Buckmaster

Strolling the streets of a city that's seen centuries of life tops my list of travel pleasures. I do it in Paris, Madrid, London, and elsewhere, but nowhere is this proposition tastier than in Brussels. Chocolate is the reason why. Small, handsomely appointed shops selling freshly crafted chocolates—some with heavy-cream fillings—are everywhere. So I walk, I window-shop, I people-watch, I nibble: white-chocolate-covered coffee-cream bonbons...hazelnut mousse enrobed in rich dark chocolate...old-favorite milk chocolate caramels. And I am not alone. I watch and smile as people young and old stop to buy little bags of personally picked little treats, then munch while in motion. We are all like kids in a candy shop, enjoying chocolates so satisfying that two or three are plenty. At least for the moment.

<< Previous


SUBSCRIBE NOW AND SAVE 62%. Get a Free Gift! CLICK HERE >>

The A List: Best travel deals. Delivered free to your in-box. Sign up now
  Web Exclusives
Taste of Travel
Travel News
Traveler Magazine Articles
U.S. National Parks
  Travel Planning
A-List: Deals of the Week
Africa Travel Planner
Challenge on Denali
Romantic Places to Stay & Dine
TravelWise:
Plan and book your trip
  Community
Ask the Travel Doctor
Get Travel Advice
Tourism Forum
Message Boards
  Also on Nationalgeographic.com
Sustainable Tourism Center
Books, Maps, and More
Expert-Led Expeditions
MapMachine