When in Belgium, make sure to try not only their famous chocolates, but also their hot chocolate! During a tour of Bruges, Belgium, we became so enchanted with the medieval city that we decided to sneak away from our tour group and explore on our own - and I'm so glad we did! The streets are lined with shops selling quintessential Belgian wares and there seems to be a chocolate shop on every corner. The April chill was beginning to get to us, so we sought shelter at De Proeverie Tea Room just down the street from the entrance to the Church of Our Lady. This place had such character! It was very relaxed and the locals seemed to enjoy helping me with my French. We ended up ordering hot chocolate and the "assortment of chocolates" from the menu. Hot chocolate in Belgium is very different than what I'm used to. You are served hot, steamed milk with chocolate, sugar, and whipped cream on the side. You then melt the chocolate in the milk, sit back, and enjoy. Breaking away from our group ended in the most memorable experience of my trip!

Some locals call cuberdons “priest hats” and others refer to them as “little noses.” Hard on the outside and gooey on the inside, the conical, raspberry-flavored treats slow-cook for five days in a 131°F room. Stock up at Temmerman, Ghent’s oldest sweets shop, which has been in the same family of confectioners for eight generations. Kraanlei 79, 32/(0) 9-224-00-41. Photo by Andreea Gulacsi. This appeared in the September/October 2010 issue.

Jeu de Balles is a quintessential flea market set in the heart of the Marolles District of Brussels that runs daily through the morning. My favorite time to go is on Sunday when the square is filled with the most vendors who sell anything from bric-a-brac to antique furniture. Since it is one of the city's most well-known markets, it's not always easy to find steals, but you can still manage to haggle a decent bargain. One of my favorite finds was a dealer who specialized in vintage, ceramic figurines full of quirk and character.

In 1146 a dozen monks and some lay brothers, with the blessings of St Bernard (not the dog!) headed to what is now Belgium and founded the abbey. It had been neglected and then revitalized during its second golden age in the 1800s where some of the buildings were modernized. Now in ruins (but pretty ruins!), you can walk through over 800 years of history by visiting the abbey and its grounds and some "still standing" buildings for a few euros.

Located in a pair of centuries-old Flemish townhouses in the center of town, Hotel Julien epitomizes Antwerp today: traditional on the outside, cutting-edge modern on the inside. Antwerp has the chic feeling of a mini Paris. Korte Nieuwstraat 24, 32/(0) 3-229-0600. Photo by Cityzine.be. This appeared in the January/February 2013 issue.

One of the "must visit" places in Brussels is A la Morte Subite, which is a cafe that dates back over a hundred years. It has that real "Brussels" & "Jacques Brel" feel to it. I remember the old days when there was lots of beer being poured and lots of cigarette and cigar smoke making the air blue. Walking into the cafe once upon a time was like looking out the window of a Boeing 747 into the clouds! I don't got there too often any more, just when I have visitors, but when I do, this is my usual snack!

Said to be the most beautiful square in the world, the Brussels Grand Place or Grote Markt (since it is in a Flemish city) is a 223 by 360 ft square located in "the heart of Europe". The square is at its best in the summer's when it is turned into a giant flower carpet.

My sister is a modern dancer who lives in Brussels and is a great guide to the city. Last March, we were strolling the streets of Brussels searching for the perfect cup of hot chocolate when a sudden downpour of rain hit. We sought refuge in the nearby Bozar Museum, opting to wander through the free basement galleries to avoid paying the main entrance fee. We stumbled upon a small, red-lit side room near the auditorium, delighted to find it flooded with hundreds of playful hanging origami models. With the basement to ourselves, we partook in some sisterly fun and choreographed a dance inspired by our unlikely art find as we waited for the storm to subside.

Even if you aren't hungry, it's worth stopping for a drink at the stunningly beautiful De Foyer cafe in Antwerp. You'll feel like royalty under the magnificent dome of the the 19th century Bourla Theater . The stained-glass, rich velvet curtains and ceiling frescos all add to the atmosphere. Come watch Antwerp's trendy fashionistas and tourists alike, while you enjoy a Belgian beer or a cappuccino, or fill-up at their extensive Sunday brunch.

As Canadian expat in Belgium, one thing I miss is the sea (and good lobster), so when I saw "Lobster Six Ways" on the menu at the House of Eliott in Ghent, I had to try it. Far from the traditional 'crack it open and dig in' style lobster I was used to, this was still a wonderful meal. The varieties included a curry lobster and a more traditional herb and garlic sauce. Even if lobster isn't your thing, this quirky restaurant is worth visiting. It's a bit like dining in your crazy Aunt Nelly's attic. The homage to Coco Chanel in the lady's room is worth the trip on its own.

these are just some of the famous Belgian chocolates that make it worth your while to visit the Grand Place market square in Brussels. Tucked in a cellar in a corner of the square is t'Kelderke a fabulous "mussels in Brussels" place not to be missed. The chocolate shops line the main square along with cafes where one can sit in the sunshine and imbibe in another Belgian treat Chimay a beer that can be aged for five years in a cellar (but have at least one while you visit!)

Recyclart is an collective space that partially inhabits subway station at Gare Bruxeles-Chapelle. It's a fun place to check out underground art and the group also runs a fun bar and organizes concerts.

This loft style guesthouse is a hidden gem in a vibrant part of Ixelles. It is in the African neighborhood of Matongé, surrounded by funky restaurants and shops that are walking distance to the bus and the Porte de Namur metro. Longue Vie is tucked back in a gated, quiet courtyard away from the noise and can be a little challenging to find if you don't know to locate the big, black iron gate. Rooms are sparsely but comfortably decorated with a mix of modern and antique touches and feature quirky artwork by local Belgian artists. Rates include free wi fi and tasty European style breakfasts served with gourmet coffee or thick smoothies. The manager, Olivier, has helpful recommendations of local sites to see and collects fascinating pieces of African art.

I went to visit Ghent in March. The warm spring weather brought students to the canal for lunch and socializing. I'm surprised Ghent isn't as popular as Antwerp or Bruges, it has such a funky, youthful vibe.

I love the National Botanic Garden of Belgium. We went there last summer when the daisies were in bloom and it looked so beautiful. This year I am looking forward to the Magnolia walk which takes place from March 30th till April 30th. It's a great, cheap way to spend your day.

Centrally located, the sumptuous Hôtel Verhaegen is a mine of local history. Formerly a private mansion inhabited by barons and counts, the five room hotel has been carefully restored by its current owners, a pair of interior designers. Original details include ornate fireplaces and canvases by the 18th century Ghent painter Pieter Norbert van Reijsschoot. From $240, Oude Houtlei 110, 32/(0) 9-265-07-60. Photo courtesy of Hotel Verhaegen. This appeared in the September/October 2010 issue. 

Waterzooi (VAT-ter-zo-ey) is a traditional Flemish stew made with chicken, vegetables, cream, and egg yolks. (In years past, chicken was omitted in favor of fish plucked from the city’s waterways.) In the trendy Patershol quarter, order a much-lauded version of waterzooi at Bij den Wijzen en den Zot, a restaurant housed in a guildhall built in the 16th century. Hertogstraat 42, 32/(0) 9-223-42-30. Photo courtesy of JTB Photo/Age Fotostock. This appeared in the September/October 2010 issue.

Waterloo, BELGIUM - No guide book will ever to tell you this but be sure to bring along a great pair of walking shoes when planning your visit to the town of Waterloo, home to the historical 'Butte de Lion', built in 1823-1826 on the site of the allied front line at the Battle of Waterloo. This photo taken above was only 1000 ft away from this landmark.

Hallerbos (Flemish) or Bois de Halle (French) is a beech forest just south of Brussels. It's a popular spot for walking, cycling and horseback-riding. Every spring, for a few short weeks, the forest makes a magical transformation into a blue carpeted wonderland. Millions of tiny bluebell flowers bloom under the shade of the beech trees and people flock to the forest to catch a glimpse. Timing is everything, too soon and the bluebells aren't out yet; too late and you've missed the show for another year. But that's what makes seeing it so special.