Recent Dello Mano bride Tammy suggested that Brugges in Brussels was well worth a visit. So, in the name of chocolate  we ventured out on the hour long train trip  to Brugges which is the most quaint picturesque  medieval town with the added bonus of hosting some 53 chocolate shops! We were overwhelmedwith the long list of chocolate shops  so we made a selective choice based on the most innovative through to the oldest and of course had a keen interest in those that offered hand made chocolates. Noteworthy (and a little sad given our love of hand made food) is that  the Information people noted that only about 6 of the 53 stores actually hand made their chocolate. The Chocolate Line store was recommended as both hand made and the most innovative Belgian chocolate shop in Brugges.  A gorgeous little store with a double window chocolate display set on a cobble stone street in a petite tree lined square. The store itself is brim full of chocolate options and does offer some of the more unusual chocolate fillings including anything from herbs through to  vodka combinations. A most unusual choice of chocolate moulded in different shapes including dog poop in the front window -? ….perhaps shock value?

Excitingly this chocolate shop does offer authenticity with a large glass viewing window in the back and therefore the opportunity to watch Chocolatiers in action.

One additional and very unexpected highlight at Brugges was that the Cathedral houses a beautiful Michaelangelo sculpture. This is in fact one of the few Michelangelo pieces outside of Italy. Truly beautiful and with a very light crowd a pleasure to enjoy set amidst the grandeur of the Cathedral.