Brussels chocolate spots and German award‑winning chocolatier Astrid Thal

A guide to four days in Brussels highlights the Grand‑Place flower‑carpet show, the Magritte Museum, Delirium Café’s record beer list and several chocolate venues such as Neuhaus Atelier, Galeries Royales Saint‑Hubert and Maison Dandoy. The itinerary also mentions new food markets, rooftop bars and the reopening of the historic Grand Hotel Astoria as Corinthia.

In Hamburg, former lawyer Astrid Thal has built the boutique brand Chocanya, producing vegan and hand‑crafted pralines that have earned gold and silver at the German Chocolate Award. Working alone from her home in Tatenberg, Thal creates up to 25 flavours weekly, emphasizing no palm‑oil, artificial flavours or animal ingredients. Her prize‑winning items include a maracuja‑juzu caramel and a pumpkin‑seed nougat.