Bruges

Bruges has a long history of diamond polishing, going back to 1450 when local goldsmith Lodewijk van Berquem invented the modern technique of using diamond powder on a rotating disk. The Bruges Diamond Museum (Diamantmuseum Brugge) has a variety of exhibits on this craft, as well as mining and setting diamonds.The museum also offers live polishing demonstrations each day and often hosts temporary exhibitions with famous stones and jewellery. The gift shop stocks rough and synthetic diamonds, as well as more reasonably-priced souvenirs.

Address : Oude Gentweg

Website : www.diamondmuseum.be

Chocolate lovers can't take a holiday to Bruges without stopping at the Choco-Story Museum, which details the history of chocolate dating back to the Mayans in 250 BC, and also demonstrates how the raw ingredients of cocoa are turned into the sweet treats everyone loves.Of course, each tour includes a tasting session and plenty of time in the gift shop. It's tempting to buy right then and there, but keep in mind that Bruges has more than 40 chocolate shops throughout the city!

Address : Wijnzakstraat 2, Sint-Jansplein

Website : www.choco-story.be

Telephone : +32 506 1 2237

Opening times : 10am - 5pm. 10am - 6pm in July and August. Closed on Christmas, New Year's Day, and from 8 January to 12 February.

Admission : €8. €5 for children between 6 and 11 years old. Other concessions available.

Considered one of Bruges' best museums, the Groeninge Museum houses a large collection of fine art going back to the 15th century, including works by famous Flemish painters Jan van Eyck, Hieronymus Bosch, Rogier van der Weyden, and Hans Memling.Though some of the works are from recent years, the museum's collections focuses exclusively on works with classical techniques and has some beautiful pieces. For fans of classical art and those wishing to gain an insight into Belgian and European life in the past, this is a museum not to be missed.

Address : Dijver 12

Website : bezoekers.brugge.be/nl/groeningemuseum