Accompanying Person Tours
The accompanying person package includes two half-day tours (entrance fees included). You will have to select your preferences when registering.
Brussels, the Upper Town & Chocolate Workshop at Laurent Gerbaud’s – Wednesday, 4 October 2023 – Half Day (AM)
Walking tour in the upper town and the noble district; Chocolate workshop at Laurent Gerbaud’s Manufacture.
Duration
4 hours
Number of people per group
Maximum 20 participants
Included
Maximum 4h tour, the Chocolate Workshop (the Chocolate Creation Workshop + 1 drink)
Story
After the Dukes of Burgundy settled in Brussels, the nobility of Brabant, followed by several provinces of the Burgundian Netherlands, gradually started building urban dwellings near the Duke’s palace, at the expense of Brussels’ old Jewish quarter and part of the popular neighbourhood of la Putterie. At the end of the Middle Ages, when the marriage of Maximilian of Habsburg to the last descendant of the Dukes of Burgundy turned Brussels into one of the main centres of imperial power, several European noble families moved here.
They took advantage of the city’s expansion to create a new noble neighbourhood: the Sablon.
Chocolate workshop at Laurent GERBAUD’S Atelier
Creation of chocolates “mendiants”: We take an apron, a spreading knife, and molds. We get acquainted with the language of the chocolate universe and the workshop can start. Coached by an apprentice of the chocolatier Laurent Gerbaud, the guests will make the chocolates “mendiants” themselves. It is all about 16 small chocolates “mendiants” for which dried fruit and nuts such as grilled and salted almonds, Persian red currants – all selected worldwide by the chocolatier himself – will be used. Afterwards the chocolates will be put into the fridge for 20 minutes. Next step is to unmold and wrap the chocolates so the guests can take them home. During the cooling process, a degustation and explication about the 4 original types of chocolates: Forastero-Trinatario-Criollo-Mélange Gerbaud will take place.
If fewer than 15 participants register for this tour, it will not take place.
Brussels, the Cradle of Art Nouveau – Visit of the Horta Museum (lunch included) – Wednesday, 4 October 2023
Walking tour in the Art Nouveau district and visit of the Horta Museum; three course-lunch in an Art Nouveau restaurant.
Duration
4 hours
Number of people per group
Maximum 15 participants
Included
Maximum 4h tour, the tickets and guided visit of the Maison Horta, the three-course lunch (drinks included) in an Art Nouveau restaurant
Story
During the nineteenth century Brussels became a particularly wealthy crossroad for Europeans because of Belgium’s reputation as a nation at the forefront of the metal industry, as one of the first countries to produce cars, with engineers being invited across the world to build railways. Belgium attracted some of the world’s great minds. At the invitation of one of our brilliant captains of industry, Ernest Solvay, Nobel Prize winner, including Einstein, would gather, for example, at the Metropole Hotel. The best example of this expansion is the birth of Art Nouveau thanks to the brilliant Brussels architect, Victor Horta.
If fewer than 10 participants register for this tour, it will not take place.
Gourmet Tour – Wednesday, 4 October 2023 – Half Day (PM)
Walking tour in the historical centre of Brussels from the Grand-Place to the old port (Sainte-Catherine area). The visit focuses on the theme of « gourmandise ». The guide will show the participants the architecture of the gourmet houses. They will learn about the history of the markets, of the port and of the gourmet specialties.
Gourmet break
One drink in a typical “small café”, tasting of a chocolate praline
Duration
4 hours
Number of people per group
Maximum 25 participants
Included
Maximum 4h tour & 2 tastings
Meeting point
To be determined
Story
For centuries Brussels has been associated with fine dining. During Brueghelian fairs, during the so-called “Joyous Entries”, during the lavish banquets of the Belle Epoque, or even in today’s restaurants, in a pleasant setting with a varied menu: visitors have always associated Brussels with the art of fine dining, for which it is so well-known. This is a tour for people who enjoy fine dining and love art. They will discover the gastronomy of Brussels from a sensual, an artistic and an economic point of view.
If fewer than 15 participants register for this tour, it will not take place.
Brussels, City of Fashion – Thursday, 5 October 2023 – Half Day (AM)
Walking tour in the city centre of Brussels exploring the main addresses of the fashion district, the jewelries, the history of the Belgian fashion protagonists. Guided tour of the Fashion and Lace Museum.
Duration
4 hours
Number of people per group
Maximum 10 participants
Included
Maximum 4h tour, the visit of the Fashion and Lace Museum
Meeting point
The lobby of the hotel or Mont des Arts
Story
A colourful evocation of the places where the evening gowns or dresses of yesteryear were manufactured and where the fashion of tomorrow will be created. Telling the story of fashion plus its materials, colours and designers also means describing the lives of men and women who have helped to shape the city.
If fewer than 10 participants register for this tour, it will not take place.
Brussels, the City Centre: Visit of the BELvue Museum – Thursday, 5 October 2023 – Half Day (AM)
We invite you to discover the “must-sees” of our capital. The Grand-Place, Unesco world heritage site, described as “the world’s richest theatre” by Jean Cocteau; the St.Hubert Royal Galleries and its technical achievement will immerse you in a real Kaleidoscope of Brussels.
Duration
4 hours
Number of people per group
Maximum 20 participants
Included
Maximum 4h tour, the walking tour, and the visit of the BELvue Museum
Meeting point
To be determined
If fewer than 15 participants register for this tour, it will not take place.
This is not a Realist Itinerary: Magritte, Delvaux and the Others, Surrealism in Brussels – Thursday, 5 October 2023 – Half Day (AM)
Walking tour in the historical Centre of Brussels from the Royal Place to the Bourse. History of the surrealism art and its artists. Places where the surrealists used to meet, and places decorated with surrealist masterpieces. Guided tour of the Magritte museum.
Duration
4 hours
Number of people per group
Maximum 15 participants
Included
Maximum 4h tour, the guided visit of the Musée Magritte
Meeting point
To be determined
Story
“To be or not be, that is the question?” So, what did Magritte really mean when he painted the famous words, “Ceci n’est pas une pipe”, on his canvas? To better understand Belgian surrealism, we will explore the places that Belgian surrealists frequented, painted and lived in. We will also tell the participants why Brussels is considered surreal! Is it strange to be an angel?
Extra info: The Magritte Museum accepts maximum 5 groups – limited group access during the weekend.
If fewer than 15 participants register for this tour, it will not take place.