As the de facto capital of Europe, home to both the EU and the NATO headquarters, it's fair to say that Brussels plays a vital part in European society and global politics, and if you were asked to name something that makes Brussels famous then its role as the capital of European politics is bound to spring to mind.

Then again, you may decide to answer more 'diplomatically', and name the other thing that Brussels is world famous for: chocolate!

The image of the chocolate-obsessed Belgian also springs quickly to mind when thinking of Brussels - and with over 2,000 chocolate shops and factories around the country (many in Brussels itself), it is perhaps a stereotype that the Belgians would not only accept, but be very proud of too!

And yet, there is something rather strange about this relationship between Belgium - a European country - and chocolate, a sweet treat made from the plant of the cocoa tree; a plant native to South America. So where does this connection come from?

The story goes that the cook of 16th century French Duke Plesslis-Praslin one day accidentally spilled burned sugar over almonds, a mixture that the Duke found delicious, and later gave his name to - praline! The accidental discovery of this sweet, nutty paste and the way it complimented chocolate, led the Belgians to develop and perfect this delicious sweet.

This is a story that is kept very much alive in Brussels today, and is a heritage that they are only too happy to share with a chocolate-loving world. Shops in Brussels include the world-famous Lady Godiva chocolate facility, which bears the Royal stamp of approval, and La Fonderie, which offers tours for chocoholics. There is also the Chocolate Museum, which tells the history of Belgian chocolate; offers chocolate making lessons and perhaps more importantly, offers some delicious samples!

Brussels is also home to a wealth of cultural attractions, like the Lower Town, home to the Grand Place, which boasts gorgeous 17th century baroque guildhalls and is today used for huge open-air concerts, and the St. Michel cathedral - the construction of which took over three centuries! The architectural styles of this fabulous building shift from Romanesque to Renaissance before your very eyes!

And if you find yourself needing some sustenance that isn't chocolate, or you need a place to lie down and rest your legs (and stomach!), there are also a vast range of restaurants and hotels in Brussels to suit your financial taste.



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