Brussels Chocolate Tour Review: Is it Worth the Sweet Trip?

Thinking about taking a Brussels Belgian Chocolate Tasting Tour? Well, it’s almost like everyone knows Belgium for a certain couple of things, very delicious fries and some truly special chocolate. I figured I should probably write something that shines a light on whether one of these chocolate tours is genuinely a good use of your time, very enjoyable, and worth the money. A lot of times these things look amazing in the photos but don’t really come through when you experience them firsthand. I’ll tell you all about my experience, what I thought was cool, what wasn’t so cool, and, too it’s almost like if you should add it to your Brussels itinerary.

What Exactly is a Brussels Chocolate Tour?

Alright, so in some respects, it sounds just how it is! Usually, these tours take you on a guided adventure that’s usually walking to several chocolatiers in Brussels, really hitting the ones that are pretty special and historic. These tours typically include tastings at each spot. You get to discover about how chocolate is crafted, could be learn a bit of the history of Belgian chocolate (which, honestly, is quite interesting), and very have a guide to walk you through the nuances of flavor. Now, some tours, those are pretty awesome, very include workshops where you get a chance to make your own treats, which is just a whole new experience.

My Personal Experience: A Sweet Story

When I decided to try one of these tours, I chose one that had fairly amazing reviews and promised a mix of history and hands-on learning. I didn’t exactly know what I was in for. So, it turns out that our guide, she’s an extremely cheerful local with what seems like a real passion for chocolate (and consuming it!), really began our tour in the Grand Place. She just quickly started telling stories about Brussels’ chocolate past, too it’s almost like pointing out certain buildings that were important to the rise of the city’s chocolate fame. What seems like a fascinating history lesson that kept me really interested.

The first stop, and actually what I would consider my first stop, more or less, was at a chocolatier that’s famous for their pralines. Very there, we sampled a selection of different flavors, the guide explaining the different ingredients and methods used to create each one. Then, so it was amazing! After that, that’s really we ventured on, in some respects, to a few other shops. Each one had a distinct specialty, you know, such as truffles, chocolate-covered fruits, and super handmade bars. Then again, that tour ended with us visiting this little workshop where we were very taught how to create our own chocolate mendiants. Very getting to pick your own toppings from this big selection of dried fruits, nuts, and sprinkles was rather awesome and rather creative. You just sort of make it personal.

What I Loved (and Didn’t Love) So Much

The Good Stuff

• The Chocolate, Of Course! Now, is that it wouldn’t be a great chocolate tour if the chocolate wasn’t the star, would it? The high-quality and uniqueness of what we tried was excellent, and you know, with a few types of chocolate I might not normally have picked out myself.
• Local Insights: I’m only saying this because I loved listening to all those tidbits and stories that only a local person would actually know. Really adding a ton of depth to the experience.
• The Workshop: Making our own chocolate was lots of fun.

The Not-So-Good Stuff

• Pace: I thought, at some points, it seems like we rushed. Spending longer at certain chocolatiers would, really, have been appreciated.
• Crowds: Now, sometimes, there’s shops can be so crowded, especially on weekends. A bit limiting to really appreciating all the flavors when I’m jammed between a lot of tourists, I thought.

Is it Worth the Cost? Considering the Value

Alright, so now, the big question, might be! Are these chocolate tours worth it? It’s actually based upon a couple of things, and for the tasting experience, some of the insider info, very even that little workshop, I would say it’s a big “yes,” in a way. Still, now, weigh it against your travel style, and what your budget is! In fact, are you the kind of traveler who just wants to wander around and just see for yourself, or one that typically likes a little bit of an informative adventure that gets you a whole lot closer to the culture and food of Brussels? It all adds up when I think about the value for the adventure seeker.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Tour

• Book Ahead: Then again, these tours are very popular, but sometimes, they’re known to sell out. Booking early is one of my bigger travel tips, in the meantime.
• Come Hungry: That is that you will actually be tasting tons of chocolate, so probably best to come with an empty stomach!
• Ask Questions: In fact, don’t be afraid to just go ahead and ask your guide about chocolate and Brussels itself. They actually are usually big encyclopedias of super fun info!
• Check the Inclusions: Before I went to pay for it, you see if you’re finding out the itinerary, or even that this thing includes. Making sure they’re providing all kinds of experiences that line up to what you just want from the tour itself is also quite important.