A chocolate paradise

After deciding to give up chocolate for 40 days before Easter the only 'right' reward was a holiday to Belgium - home to the world's BEST chocolate - for Easter. A friend from home and I chose to travel by bus from London to Brussels return and we caught the overnight bus - something I admit I would never do again. We arrived in Brussels at 5am on Good Friday exhausted and with nothing to do but wait for our connecting train to Bruges at 7am where we were spending the next two days.

Rozenhoedkaai - the most photographed spot in Bruges and
one of many canals running through the city

Once we arrived in Bruges, it was simply splendid (despite feeling delusional from lack of sleep). After not being able to check into our hotel straightaway, we made our way to Markt Square to have breakfast in an alfresco cafe. The first and only choice for me in my mind was a strawberry and chocolate waffle - it was truly amazing and I will definitely return to Belgium one day for another of their famous waffles.

My amazing strawberry and chocolate waffle

We made our way through a mountain of chocolate, hot chocolate and Belgium frites (hot chips in a cone shaped holder with ketchup and mayo on top) during our visit to Bruges and explored Beguinage Church, Burg Square, Markt Square, Church of our Lady, the Choco Museum and Frites Museum, numerous canals and other monuments - all within walking distance.

Markt Square

Chocolate shop Easter displays

Next stop was Brussels where we spent a day before returning to London. By the time we reached Brussels we were all frite-d and chocolate-d out... it didn't stop me from ordering another waffle though!! We arrived around midday and explored all the sites by foot again - Grand Palace Markt (an amazing town square), St Michel Cathedral, Brussels Park, the Royal Palace, Grote Markt and Mannekin Pis.

Grand Palace Markt

Mannekin Pis

We ended our stay in Belgium with a lovely 3-course Easter dinner along a side street. The side streets were full of waiters enticing customers through the doors with free drinks and meal deals. We managed a free champagne cocktail and lovely meal of tomato and mozzarella, seafood paella and lemon cheesecake for 20 Euros. Easter in Belgium was truly wonderful and a must experience for every chocolate lover, like myself!

My delicious seafood paella

The home of time

With the sun shining and temps in the low 20s, it was a perfect Saturday outing when me and a couple of friends left the bustling London for a quieter Greenwich which seemed more like a country town than a suburb in London. Catching a Thames Clipper from the London Bridge pier for £5.50 for adults or £3.70 with an Oyster Travelcard, we were in Greenwich within 20 minutes. The ferry didn't end up being too much of a relaxing experience so on the way home we opted for the DLR.

The home of time and the meridian line, Greenwich has plenty to offer. First on the agenda was a walk through Greewich Market where an array of food, clothes, accessories and decor were for sale. We all took the opportunity to treat ourselves to some market food for lunch - my choice was a lamb and hommus souvlaki.

Greenwich Market

Other must-sees include the Royal Observatory Greewich, home to the world's prime meridian and Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). £10 pounds will take you in to Flamsteed House and the Meridian Courtyard where you can stand on the centre of time.

Meridian Courtyard

Other things to see include the clock tower, Greenwich Park (which on this particular sunny spring day was full of picnic goers and tanning enthusiasts), the National Maritime Museum, Queen's House and Old Royal Naval College.

Greenwich Park with Royal Observatory Greenwich up the top