Happy Valentine’s Day! I’m not a huge promoter of this day, but as long as you celebrate with some chocolate, it’s all good.

This day of love, I was whisked off to Bruges. It wasn’t exactly the smoothest of whisking away, as the whisker realized at the Dover port he had forgotten his passport! After a quick 2 hour drive back to the house, then 2 hours back to the port – we were finally on the ferry. We arrived in Calais and drove straight to Bruges.

It felt as if I had been taken back in time as we wandered the cobble stone streets. There’s quite a lot to see considering the town is so tiny. Its small size made it perfect for our day trip and we spent a majority of the day wandering down alleyways and in and out of chocolate shops. In the main square was a delicious food market with the smell of mulled wine heavy in the air. After sampling some Belgian treats, we took an obviously fascinating tour of the chocolate museum, complete with chocolate demonstration and samples.

After hours of exploring and tripping on cobblestone streets in freezing weather, I needed food. We asked locals where we could get our hands on the best Belgian food, but no one seemed to give the best recommendation. My Belgian hunger and the whipping wind was starting to get the best of me, until we stumbled upon the most perfect place ever to be stumbled upon: De Vlaamsche Pot. We stepped through the old, wooden door and my face lit up. The cosy dining room was dripping with tacky Valentine’s decorations that you’d find in your grandmother’s attic, creating a strangely comforting atmosphere. The room seats no more than 25 and is warmed by an intimate fireplace. I barely glanced over the menu before deciding I must have Moules in White Wine with Parsley and Garlic and a large plate of Frites. I couldn’t have made a better choice. A steaming pot of mussels and pile of frites satisfied my belgian hunger – almost. After dinner, although completely full, we had to order a Belgian waffle. It was definitely worth it as it was the best waffle I have ever had, topped in vanilla bean ice cream and drowned in chocolate sauce.

Make sure you select some chocolates to savor on the ferry ride back.

What did you do for Valentine’s Day?