http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19235
The hot chocolate was literally hot milk with pieces of chocolate for you to melt in yourself. Sickly, maybe, but definitely delicious – you’ll find it hard to go back to instant stuff when you return…]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19235 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19233
With a range of cheap, fresh and tasty offerings like rotisserie chickens, olives, cheese and international dishes, it’s the perfect place to bag a picnic or stock up on self-catering ingredients.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19233 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19234
‘Frites’ stalls around the city centre do them cheap, along with meatballs and sausages for a good snack.

Across the road, waffle stands and bakeries sell dessert dripping with chocolate and cream. What more to say except 'yum'.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19234 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18376
On the other hand factory-made Belgian chocolates will not be as subtle in their flavours nor as delicious.

The master chocolatier that created these fresh ones will have used all his skill to ensure the chocolate coating is as thin as possible so that the filling becomes the hero!

Having said that, you should not be afraid to order hand-made chocolates through mail order delivery. They travel well (except to hot climates) and will not last long enough to be kept in storage when you receive them!

Two shops in particular come to mind in offering a mail order delivery. Dumon - through his web site contact Chocobong - and The Old Chocolate House where you will deal directly with the owner Francoise.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18376 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18179
Bruges is great at any time of the year but Easter is one of the best for the window displays and unusual, for us in the UK, chocolate gifts.

The nearby Simon Stevinplein and Mariastraat have the best chocolate shops in town.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18179 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18177
With the opening of the Dumon shop at the corner of Mariastraat (20 metres from The Old Chocolate House and across the square from The Chocolate Line), visitors to Bruges need look no further than this central area to find something excellent to take home with them for Easter.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18177 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18176
They have a fab Easter display at the moment full of hippy CND campervans and chocolate figures. Buy a unique piece of chocolate art here as a surprise gift.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18176 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17894
I enjoy my visits here as they always help in choosing just the right selection for my daughter Joanna.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17894 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17423 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17423 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16043
Forget the churches and canals, just wander among the hundreds of bric-a-brac, car boot-type stall holders who cover the parkscape. Odd coins, objects, books, collectables, everything is there! What a treat!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16043 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16025
Enjoy some ice-skating on the main square followed by a rich Belgian hot chocolate to warm you and soothe any bruised knees/egos if you fell over.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16025 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16008 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16008 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14608 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14608 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14597
This is great for clearing the head before another dose of retail therapy.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14597