The Nutcracker Suite always comes to mind when one thinks of taking a child to the ballet - it’s magical, it’s holiday-related, and for some families, attendance can even become a tradition. While the beauty of the Nutcracker can’t be denied, there are other ballets, performed year-round, that are equally as suitable for children, meaning you don’t have to wait for December to roll around to introduce your child to - or reacquaint them with - the beautiful world of the ballet and the classical music that accompanies it. Certainly with a tween or teen, the choices are even more plentiful, and the vibrant world of ballet combines dance, music and storytelling in often breathtaking performances that this age group can appreciate. Although the ballet season is coming to a close, here are some final performances worldwide (stay tuned for more on the 2007-2008 season in the months to come): (more…)

Okay, we know it has been a few days since our last post and we are deeply sorry. Our only excuse is that we’ve been gorging ourselves on Easter candy, specifically the chocolates (we throw the peeps in the garbage - they look cute but they’re horrid.)

And you should be happy our faces are smeared in chocolate, because it really inspired us. As we were sitting, happily licking our fingers and feeling the sugar high rush through us, we thought, wouldn’t it be even better if these were really good chocolates? All due respect to Hershey (and we did mention their hotels last week) but if these were really divine chocolates of the gourmet kind, no kid would have had a chance of getting their hands on any. It almost turned into a fistfight as it was.

And so, today we take you to Belgium, whose city of Bruges has a chocolate museum, God bless them, called Choco-Story. While we unhappily note that they enforce some silly rule about looking with your eyes, not your hands, blah, blah, blah, we still think it’s worth a visit.

Unfortunately we have to inform you that, unless you are already in Belgium or really desperate or spontaneous, you will have just missed Bruges’ 2nd Annual Chocolate Festival, which ends tomorrow. But now that you know it exists, you can make plans for next year. In the meantime, there are enough chocolatiers and chocolate tours in Brussels and Bruges to satiate your chocolate fix.

Where to stay? We recommend the Hotel Amigo in Brussels, a Rocco Forte hotel and member of The Leading Hotels of the World, which has a Children at the Amigo package that includes:
-up to 50% off the children’s room
-a welcome basket in your room filled with “goodies and sweets”
-full buffet breakfast in the restaurant or breakfast in your room
-a Bvlgari amenity for the children

Hotel Amigo entrance, copyright Rocco Forte Hotels

Hotel Amigo also offers a family lunch menu and has a special play area with TV, DVDs and art materials for the children. Of course, you’ll probably be busy enough outside, exploring the wonderful culture of Brussels. Kids or no, you’ll have to find a way to sample some world-renowned Belgian beer, and the country’s beautiful lace is definitely worth examining (and bringing home).

Just don’t forget to bring us some chocolate.

Hotel Amigo’s Children at the Amigo package is available on weekends until April 30 2007 at a rate of 375 Euros a night (approximately $494) for two adjoining or connected Classic rooms for 2 adults and 2 children. The package is for one night; additional nights may be added. For more information or to check availability and/or book this package, click here.

copyright Rocco Forte Hotels