Brugge

Re: chocolate. I like The Chocolate Line and Dumon. There are many other very good ones, one on about every corner. There was a thread on the Helpline about two weeks ago entitled "Chocolate and Beer" with some suggestions. You might want to check out that thread.

In 2009 we enjoyed the fantastic food and atmosphere of Tom's Diner which was filled with locals--no other tourists the two nights were ate there.
Finding chocolate won't be any problem!

I stayed at the Hotel Adornes several years ago, and it was a really lovely place, nicely situated on a canal, good breakfast, with clean and comfortable rooms. Good choice!

I was there 2 years ago from Dec. 27 - Dec. 29. We were there on a Sat. & Sun. night. There was a great Christmas market that weekend. Since you arrive on Sunday you might find they are having one that day.

My favorite chocolatier is Moeder Babelutte. If the adults want to splurge on a Michelin 3 star meal, check out De Karmeliet. The teenagers probably wouldn't appreciate it, though. I would say "Don't miss the Christmas Markets"... but you won't, because they are so prominent.

We were in Brugge in September and found two restaurants we really liked. Our favorite was the Flemish Pot (de Vlaamsche Pot). It's a tiny place with a cozy quaint atmosphere and excellent food. It's not a place to go if you are in a hurry, but if you want to settle in and enjoy the evening with excellent food and great beer, I would highly recommend it. My husband had Flemish stew, and I had a seafood soup; both were part of a three course meal. We both loved all three courses. We did not have a reservation, but I think we got the last table when we stopped by around 7:00 or so. It was on a week night. I can't remember the name of the second place, but if I can find it I'll post back with the name.

We enjoyed a great dinner at a small restaurant behind the fish market-think the name was Der Gouden or something similar. It was mainly seafood and the seafood stew was great-similar to Bouilliabasse. It appeared to be a very popular place with every table filled during the time we dined. Lunch at Carpe Diem was very good. The restaurant is near the Beguinage and Minnewater Park. Enjoy Brugge-we loved it!

We enjoyed Cambrinus, a bier brasserie. Over 400 beers to choose from, very overwhelming! I recommend the rabbit with prunes...quite delicious.

"The so-called fish market is not...just a tourist affair." Actually, yes it is, but only a few times a week, and not all year.

Just returned from three nights at the Adornes as part of my Europe trip. Lovely place. When you walk down to the square from the hotel, there is a chocolate shop on the right side (before you get to the square) with a nice display. Seemed to be about as inexpensive as any and quite good. The hotel recommended a nice place (also on the right) for a Belgian waffle. Fancyish, but not hugely expensive. I climbed to top of the clock tower, but would not do it again. The top was closed for construction so you couldn't get all the way up and the view was through some grating. The old, old beer place is just around the corner from the hotel. People are friendly. Adornes can recommend a local brewer/pub (name escapes me) which is down a teeny-tiny alley near the Christmas store. Nice atmosphere, careful, the local brew is 11% alcohol. The canal boat trip is very pleasant. The so-called fish market is not...just a tourist affair. Have fun! Dan