Belgium Tourist Traps

This is, for me, the tourist trap n°1 while visiting Belgium: food. I include there the products but also the sense of tradition, hospitality and quality. Most of times, quality products that are sold to both locals and tourists alike are the results of decades of commitment in quality. Indeed, locals really enjoy quality food and tend to make some extra whenever possible: a delicious ballotin, some special beer, the cookies, the vast arrays of cheese and cooked meat..etc... This quality thing is backed by the locals' requirements in what they are ready to pay. Belgians are not greedy, know about quality and enjoy making the little effort to afford the products for special events. That's Belgium, food is taken seriously.

Plus, products as chocolate sell well in windowdisplay. To the latter are applied the themes of seasons, no wonder tourists visiting the country in summer would know a running-off while returning here in, say, September. Windowdisplays have changed. Then follow Xmas season, the plain wintery mood.. till you reach Valentine's day with a profusion of red hearts and Peynet figurines.. then Easter with its tons of rabbits, eggs sold and displayed everywhere.

The trap lies in the piling up of kilos on the hips, belly (watch out that beer !!)...

Either treat yourself everyday then tackle with a severe diet once home. Either you organize yourself a little bit, alternate the fastuous days with the more strict ones.
Belgium salads are not that bad. lol

OK, I can also advise to walk and drink water a lot.. but I'd rather say, when weather permits. Walking long enough while soaking wet is not fun. It is a great possibility, however.

Well, once you follow my advices :-) the only thing that makes one think of fooding in Belgium as a trap is ... the wallet.

In this case, one can always look for the brasserie cuisines. They are far cheaper than fancy restaurants but would give you an overview of local specialties. I am talking about waterzooi, stoemp, lapin aux pruneaux (rabbit & plums), carbonnades flamandes (beef in beer sauce + fries), beer cuisine in general...etc...

For chocolate (not pralines !!), supermarkets sell good products at reasonable price as well: from box with fillings to chocolate box at 70-80% cocoa. The one which is known for such high percentages is Côte d'Or. Besides, I like in supermarkets Galler (for the orange cream-filled chocolate bar). Meurisse and Callebaut are good brands for Whole nuts chocolate as well.

OK, the other alternative is to bring products home. There, you would have to share with family and friends so you wouldn't eat much. You'll see! It's a pleasure to offer something and there seems to be an interest in doing so, too. :-)

Belgium Tourist Traps

Visiting Belgium?

Visiting Belgium?