Flanders

Day 1 BRUSSELS
Brussels is without a doubt a culinary center. It is reputed to have more restaurants per capita than even Paris. It is here, in this old, yet vibrant city that you can find some of the best food in the world. Start on Beenhouwersstraat, or Street of the Butchers. This was in medieval times the center of the city’s meat trade. Today it is sometimes referred to as “The Belly of Brussels”. Literally every house in this narrow and winding street houses a specialty restaurant. There are the famous ones such as Aux Armes De Bruxelles, Chez Leon or Vincent and others where you can relax below the awning and gaze at the marvelous seafood displays. Menus include Belgian specialties such as Fries and Mussels, rabbit Cooked in Beer, Flemish Stew or Grey Shrimp. The choice in endless. The area in the immediate vicinity of Beenhouwersstraat, is Brussels’ old town, here streets that bear the names of food merchants from medieval times lead to the city’s masterpiece – The Grand' Place. Walk along the Butter Street to visit Maison Dandoy, one of the most famous cookie shops in the world, stroll along The Cheese Merchants Street to visit some of the best Greek and Mediterranean dishes around or explore the area around the Bourse, the old stock exchange, to visit Falstaff, the Victor Horta designed historic café and bar. It does not really matter where you go, eventually you will arrive at the Grote Markt, or Grand' Place. This is the center of Brussels, and one of the most beautiful squares in the world. Sit outside on one of the café terraces, relax and enjoy one of Belgium’s many famous beers.

For seafood lovers the neighborhood known as Vismarkt is a haven. Here numerous seafood restaurants line the street along what used to be once a canal and the city’s old port. On the charming square known as Grand Sablon, you will find some of the most famous cafes and chocolate shops. This is the place for all the chocoholics among us. Just sit back and enjoy a cup of coffee with “whatever chocolate”.

The Marolles , once the middle class neighborhood of Brussels, today features many cozy restaurants, bistros and cafes. This is the place to enjoy an unusual meal, a fusion of traditional Belgian food and modern creations.

Day 2 GHENT
In the world of cuisines Ghent has a special place: this is the birthplace of waterzooi, perhaps the most famous of all Flemish dishes. This simple stew, traditionally made with fish, but more recently popular with chicken, has been prepared here since the middle ages. Many restaurants in town serve a wonderful waterzooi, cooked with fish or chicken and vegetables with potatoes. But Ghent is more than just waterzooi. Patershof, once the city’s “slum” and poor neighborhood, was developed into a hip and happening culinary center. Stroll down the narrow and winding streets, then choose from an upscale, modern and innovative fish restaurant, an ethnic food haven or a cozy bistro. This area is truly a wonderful gastronomical experience. On one of Ghent’s squares, and a stone throw from its beautiful cathedral, enjoy a Belgian Waffle in a historic café, or explore the ancient quays along the River Lis and settle into one of the elegant eateries overlooking the canals.

Day 3 BRUGES
Yes, Bruges is known for its well preserved medieval buildings, its lace and The Beguinage. But Bruges is also known as being Belgium’s chocolate center. Chocolate is more than a dessert here, it’s a way of life. Hundreds of chocolate shops line the busy streets. Some shops are touristy, some not; Some sell gaudy, colorful chocolate in various shapes; Others are truly upscale purveyors of the best cocoa products in the world. The combination of medieval atmosphere, narrow streets, picturesque canals and chocolate will elate anybody’s heart. Here, you can even visit the Choco-Story museum, depicting the history, manufacture and distribution of Chocolates. Beyond this famous sweet, Bruges also offers a variety of restaurants. There is no more romantic way to end the day than sitting in a sidewalk café on the Grote Markt, Bruges’ main square or on The Burg Square across from the beautiful city hall and enjoy a truly Flemish meal!

Holland

Day 4 ZEELAND
Zeeland has a rich history. The historic buildings which the wealthy traders built in the 16th and 17th centuries, give the centres of cities such as Middelburg, Zierikzee and Veere a distinguished appearance to this very day. Zeeland is not only proud of its cities, but its regional products, such as oysters, lobsters and mussels, wine produced from fruit, and farm cheese made from cow’s, sheep’s and goat’s milk, are also becoming increasingly popular. The Zeeland mussels and oysters (mostly from the Oosterschelde) are world famous. Yerseke forms the centre of the shellfish culture. The mussel culture dates back to the fifteenth century. In the spring and autumn, the seed mussels are collected especially out of the Waddenzee. They are then planted on special parcels in the Waddenzee or Oosterschelde.

Day 5 GOUDA
Gouda has been a market town from time immemorial. The most well-known commercial product from this South Holland city is Gouda cheese. This cheese owes its name to the fact that it is brought onto the market in Gouda.

Cheese weighing house

There is a walking tour available through the VVV (Tourist Information Office) in Gouda that takes you along the most picturesque spots in town, including the Markt, City Hall, the St. Janskerk church and naturally the Cheese Weighing House, where they used to weigh the cheese. Nowadays, visitors can have their weight measured in cheese, test their knowledge of cheese and naturally sample some cheese. The Cheese Museum is also located here. The tour takes around 2 hours.During the summer, it is definitely worth your while to combine a walking tour with a visit to the farm cheese and trade market. This market takes place from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Thursday from mid-June to August. The cheese is sold at the market in the traditional manner.

Day 6 MAASTRICHT
Travel to Maastricht to have lunch or dinner in an amazing restaurant. Maastricht counts several well-known restaurants, including four restaurants with 1 Michelin Star and one restaurant even with 2 Michelin Stars, Beluga. This top restaurant is located in the Céramique complex on the Meuse river and has a glass-and-steel exterior. Beluga manages that delicate balance of cuisine, tone, service, decor, fine wine and convivial atmosphere like few other places. If you rather dine in a more relaxed atmosphere there are plenty of options in Maastricht to enjoy a wonderful dinner. www.rest-beluga.com/

In a historic building in the old quarter of Maastricht, Annaline welcomes her guests as friends. The kitchen of Mes Amis is Dutch/French. www.mesamis.nl

The restaurant Pieke Potloed is located in the center of Maastricht and serves traditional food of Maastricht. Sporenstraat 5, Maastricht. Tel +31 (0) 43-32159 68 www.piekepotloed.nl/ (in Dutch only)