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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/18298
So many people from the UK are going there to buy their chocolates and see the sights and it definitely is not too late to plan a trip. If I set off from London in my car I am in Bruges in less than four hours.

My wife and friends went to Simon Stevinplein as that is where the best selections of handmade pralines and figures are to be found.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18298 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/18178
Reputed to be a piece of cloth that was used to wipe the wounds of Christ by Joseph of Arimathea; the Count of Flanders brought it back home to Bruges.
Even if you are sceptical as to the orign of the relic - this is a great day out in Bruges with even more to enjoy than usual.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18178 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