A Belgian Culinary Adventure
From chocolates and waffles to beer and gin, this epic journey across Belgium will be a foodie’s dream. Discover what each region is famous for and learn how to work with the various flavours and ingredients to create a taste of Belgium you’ll never forget.
Trip highlights
- Visit the best beer cafes and estaminets in Brussels
- Explore the neighbourhood of Sablon with its chocolatiers
- Discover Bruges, Antwerp and Ghent on private walking tours
- Enjoy a Flemish cookery class in Bruges
- Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the brewery De Halve Maan
- Sample genever, the juniper flavoured national drink
Our bespoke trips include
We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- Privately guided tours
- Private transfers
- Meticulously selected experiences
- Expertise and support from your Jacada Concierge
Itinerary in detail
Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.
Days 1–3
A taste of Brussels
Brussels might be at the centre of European politics but it’s not all about policy and procedure. The Grand-Place is one of Europe’s most beautiful squares, four sides of magnificent baroque architecture. The spire of the Town Hall soars towards the sky, flanked by 17th century guildhalls with gilded facades and scrolled gables. Originally marshland, the square was drained in the 12th century and became a bustling centre for trade. The surrounding streets are a reminder of this past and are named after foods such as chicken, herbs and cheese.
As well as discovering the gourmet side of Brussels you’ll enjoy guided walking tours with an emphasis on history and architecture, exploring downtown Brussels (including Manneken Pis, Gallery Royal Saint Hubert, Central Station and Gallery, and Bozar), and the Royal district (including Royal square, Royal Palace and Royal Park).
Culinary delights
Belgian beer
Belgian chocolate
A beer tour of Brussels
This tour will take you to some of the bars regularly voted among the best beer cafes, where you’ll find a good selection of artisanal beers on tap, but also some hidden ones known as “estaminets”. Many of them date back to the 18th century and have remained unchanged since then.
Sablon district and chocolate workshop
Pay a visit to the Sablon, which is especially known for the numerous antique dealers who settled in the area, but is also associated with the many Belgian chocolate and confectionery stores you’ll find there. Enjoy a private chocolate workshop in the atelier of a true Belgian chocolatier in which you’ll learn to create mendiant, a traditional confection made of chocolate, nuts and dried fruit. The workshop will be followed by a chocolate tasting.
Days 3–4
Gastronomy in Belgium’s second city
Belgium’s second city and biggest port, Antwerp is a vibrant destination with a flourishing cultural scene and a sea of great restaurants, cafes and bars. The city fans out from the east bank of the River Scheldt and its pretty medieval centre is easily navigated along the cobbled streets. At the heart of the city is Grot Markt home to the town hall, its facades decorated by the flags of the 27 countries of the European Union, and an impressive statue of Brabo throwing the severed hand of Antigoon.
During your stay a private guide will introduce you to some of the most popular places in the city, from the medieval majesty of Market Square and the beautiful Baroque facades of the Cathedral of Our lady, to the outstanding architecture of Antwerp railway station. Visit the Museum aan de Stroom, which houses several temporary exhibitions, and enjoy panoramic views of the city from its rooftop. You can also visit Rubens House, where the famous painter spent most of his time.
Days 4–6
A flavour of Bruges
There are few medieval cities as beautifully preserved as Bruges, a picture-perfect scene of canals, bridges, secret gardens and colourful houses. Nestled in the top corner of Belgium, most people come to explore the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and Bruges’ imposing Gothic architecture (the City Hall arguably the finest example of all). The Belgians are also famous for their chocolate, chips, beer and lace, and Bruges has all bases covered with a museum for each.
During your stay you will enjoy a walking tour along its small streets, past green parks and picturesque houses, to take in city highlights like the Beguinage and Minnewater, the Burg and city hall, and the belfry (if you’re up to the challenge you can climb the 366 stairs to the top).
Culinary Bruges
flemish cooking
Chocolatiers
Breweries
A private cooking class
Head to the home of a Belgian interior designer where a private chef will teach you how to prepare a typical Flemish dish, the Carbonade Flamande with sweet-sour beef and onion stew made with beer, and seasoned with thyme, bay leaves and mustard. Then enjoy some local beers in the beautiful garden.
A chocolate city tour
Your guide will meet you at your hotel and take you on a delicious tour of some of the city’s many chocolate shops. There are over 46 of them in Bruges, so you will almost definitely find the chocolate you like. Probably one of the most famous amongst them is the rock ‘roll chocolatier Dominique Persoone, a close friend of the Brazilian chef Alex Atala, who became famous by creating “the snuff machine” for a party organised by Mick Jagger. Thanks to the chocolate shooter, you can get a few mg of his cocoa spice catapulted directly into both nasal cavities.
A brewery visit
Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the brewery De Halve Maan. For centuries the Maes family has been brewing beer in Bruges. Learn the history of the brewery and enjoy a tasting of their delicious world-famous beers: Brugse Zot or Straffe Hendrik.
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On the water
On two wheels
Boat tour
Bruges is the best-preserved example of medieval Flanders and similarly to Amsterdam, the heart of Bruges is surrounded by an almost continuous ring of canals. Therefore Bruges is also known as “the Venice of the North”. Enjoy a short boat tour along its waterways.
A cycle ride to Damme
Take an easy bicycle ride to the beautiful village of Damme. Your ride will take you through the countryside along canals and through polders.
Days 6–8
Old and new in Ghent
Ghent is a city that has succeeded where many others struggle. Beautiful medieval architecture sits alongside scores of bustling restaurants and quirky bars making this Belgian city the perfect blend of old and new. The architecture in the old city centre reflects nearly 1400 years of history and you will take a guided walking tour to see highlights like the new library ‘De Krook’ which has a specific contemporary architecture, St Peter Cathedral, the City Hall, the Patershol, the Castle of the Counts, the Beguinage, and St. Bavo’s Cathedral with the unique altarpiece ‘the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’.
In amongst all these Gothic gems, you’ll find a thriving restaurant and café scene with locals and visitors alike soaking up the atmosphere. And this is Belgium, so there is an abundance of watering holes to choose from to sample the mind boggling selection of local beers.
Make it mine
beer
sweet treats
gin
A guided beer walk
In the evening, head out on a beer walk, guided by a beer historian, and enjoy tastings at some of the city’s original beer cafes, including the bar of the city brewery which produces the Gentse Gruut. the tour will end with dinner at a brasserie.
A taste of traditional sweets
Your guide will meet you at your hotel and take you on a tour focussing on local delights. The first traditional sweet you will try is the Cuberdon. A typical treat from East Flanders, the Cuberdon or Gentse Neus (Noze from Ghent) has to be eaten fresh, otherwise the shell becomes too crispy. That’s why you only find it in Belgium. Then you’ll continue to the Etablissement Max, which was established in 1839 and served the very first Apple beignets and Brussels Waffles in Ghent. The traditional recipes from then are still being used today.
A genever tour
In Belgium, the genever was once so massively popular it threatened industrial production. As a consequence, in 1880, the ruling Catholic Party passed a law forbidding its sale in cafés. The law was not repealed until the 1980s, which was perhaps better for the wealth of the nation, but it had a disastrous effect on the Flemish gin industry. Where once Flanders had been home to hundreds of distilleries, by the 1990s only one remained. All that has now changed, with many micro-distilleries offering a wide variety of options served in the bars of the city.
Why book with Jacada
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your personal interests, tastes and preferences, providing honest advice based on first-hand knowledge.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant concierges are hand-picked for their ability to bring your destination to life with care and passion.
Positive Impact
We seek out unforgettable experiences that benefit both local communities and the environment.
