{"id":10040,"date":"2025-06-29T07:00:14","date_gmt":"2025-06-29T07:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?p=10040"},"modified":"2025-06-11T23:58:02","modified_gmt":"2025-06-11T23:58:02","slug":"a-sweet-and-sparkly-day-in-antwerp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?p=10040","title":{"rendered":"A Sweet (and Sparkly) Day in Antwerp"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">We made a stop in Belgium on our way from Paris to Rotterdam. Even though it was short, it packed in a mix of fun, learning, and a little luxury. From indulging in the world of chocolate to dipping our toes (literally) into the hotel pool, it was a perfect quick trip.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-10040 gallery-columns-1 gallery-size-full'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=10057'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1774\" height=\"1330\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8570-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10057\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8570-1.jpg 1774w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8570-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8570-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8570-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8570-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8570-1-320x240.jpg 320w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8570-1-480x360.jpg 480w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8570-1-800x600.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1774px) 100vw, 1774px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10057'>\n\t\t\t\tAntwerp, Belgium\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=10056'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1774\" height=\"1330\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0191.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0191.jpg 1774w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0191-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0191-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0191-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0191-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0191-320x240.jpg 320w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0191-480x360.jpg 480w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0191-800x600.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1774px) 100vw, 1774px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=10058'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"998\" height=\"1330\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8629.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8629.jpg 998w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8629-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8629-768x1023.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8629-320x426.jpg 320w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8629-480x640.jpg 480w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8629-800x1066.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 998px) 100vw, 998px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=10059'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1774\" height=\"1330\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8665.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8665.jpg 1774w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8665-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8665-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8665-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8665-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8665-320x240.jpg 320w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8665-480x360.jpg 480w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8665-800x600.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1774px) 100vw, 1774px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=10060'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"748\" height=\"1330\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/9BB665D9-10CD-4EB8-AE7F-7D04CDF4B20D.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/9BB665D9-10CD-4EB8-AE7F-7D04CDF4B20D.jpg 748w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/9BB665D9-10CD-4EB8-AE7F-7D04CDF4B20D-169x300.jpg 169w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/9BB665D9-10CD-4EB8-AE7F-7D04CDF4B20D-576x1024.jpg 576w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/9BB665D9-10CD-4EB8-AE7F-7D04CDF4B20D-320x569.jpg 320w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/9BB665D9-10CD-4EB8-AE7F-7D04CDF4B20D-480x853.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 748px) 100vw, 748px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Lucas and Henry had Chocolate Nation circled on the calendar. This chocolate museum claims to be the largest Belgian chocolate museum in the world, and after visiting, we\u2019re inclined to believe them. It wasn\u2019t just a museum\u2014it was a full-on chocolate experience.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10043\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8575.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2364\" height=\"1330\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8575.jpg 2364w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8575-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8575-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8575-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8575-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8575-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8575-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8575-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8575-800x450.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2364px) 100vw, 2364px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">We walked through interactive exhibits explaining the journey of chocolate\u2014from cocoa bean to truffle. We talked about cacao farming and the global chocolate trade, tying it into some of the worldschooling topics we\u2019ve covered around geography and food production. It\u2019s always nice when learning tastes this good. The smells alone were enough to excite everyone, but the real winner was the tasting section (no surprise there). From milk chocolate to dark and even ruby chocolate&#8211;we were all in heaven.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-2' class='gallery galleryid-10040 gallery-columns-1 gallery-size-full'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=10044'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"998\" height=\"1330\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0176.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0176.jpg 998w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0176-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0176-768x1023.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0176-320x426.jpg 320w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0176-480x640.jpg 480w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0176-800x1066.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 998px) 100vw, 998px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=10055'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2364\" height=\"1330\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8580.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8580.jpg 2364w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8580-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8580-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8580-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8580-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8580-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8580-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8580-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8580-800x450.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2364px) 100vw, 2364px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=10045'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1774\" height=\"1330\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0178.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0178.jpg 1774w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0178-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0178-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0178-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0178-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0178-320x240.jpg 320w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0178-480x360.jpg 480w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0178-800x600.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1774px) 100vw, 1774px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=10046'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"998\" height=\"1330\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0180.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0180.jpg 998w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0180-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0180-768x1023.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0180-320x426.jpg 320w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0180-480x640.jpg 480w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0180-800x1066.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 998px) 100vw, 998px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=10047'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"998\" height=\"1330\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0181.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0181.jpg 998w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0181-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0181-768x1023.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0181-320x426.jpg 320w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0181-480x640.jpg 480w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0181-800x1066.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 998px) 100vw, 998px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=10052'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1774\" height=\"1330\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8604.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8604.jpg 1774w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8604-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8604-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8604-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8604-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8604-320x240.jpg 320w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8604-480x360.jpg 480w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8604-800x600.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1774px) 100vw, 1774px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=10049'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1774\" height=\"1330\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0186.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0186.jpg 1774w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0186-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0186-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0186-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0186-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0186-320x240.jpg 320w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0186-480x360.jpg 480w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0186-800x600.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1774px) 100vw, 1774px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=10051'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1774\" height=\"1330\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8595.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8595.jpg 1774w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8595-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8595-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8595-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8595-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8595-320x240.jpg 320w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8595-480x360.jpg 480w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8595-800x600.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1774px) 100vw, 1774px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=10048'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1774\" height=\"1330\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0182.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0182.jpg 1774w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0182-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0182-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0182-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0182-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0182-320x240.jpg 320w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0182-480x360.jpg 480w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0182-800x600.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1774px) 100vw, 1774px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=10050'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2364\" height=\"1330\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0188.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0188.jpg 2364w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0188-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0188-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0188-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0188-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0188-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0188-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0188-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0188-800x450.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2364px) 100vw, 2364px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=10053'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1774\" height=\"1330\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8611.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8611.jpg 1774w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8611-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8611-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8611-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8611-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8611-320x240.jpg 320w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8611-480x360.jpg 480w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8611-800x600.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1774px) 100vw, 1774px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">After Chocolate Nation, we headed to DIVA, Antwerp\u2019s diamond museum, which showcases the city\u2019s long history in the diamond and jewelry trade. The exhibits were beautifully curated, with historical pieces, interactive displays, and multimedia storytelling.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10054\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8635.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"998\" height=\"1330\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8635.jpg 998w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8635-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8635-768x1023.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8635-320x426.jpg 320w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8635-480x640.jpg 480w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8635-800x1066.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 998px) 100vw, 998px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Lucas and Henry? They lasted about 15 minutes before asking when we were going back for more chocolate. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">To be fair,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> diamonds don\u2019t sparkle quite as bright when you\u2019re 12 and 14.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Still, they stuck it out and gave us a few \u201cWow, that\u2019s shiny\u201d moments, which we\u2019ll count as a win.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-3' class='gallery galleryid-10040 gallery-columns-1 gallery-size-full'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=10061'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1774\" height=\"1330\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0195.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0195.jpg 1774w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0195-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0195-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0195-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0195-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0195-320x240.jpg 320w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0195-480x360.jpg 480w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0195-800x600.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1774px) 100vw, 1774px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=10063'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1774\" height=\"1330\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8646.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8646.jpg 1774w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8646-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8646-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8646-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8646-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8646-320x240.jpg 320w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8646-480x360.jpg 480w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8646-800x600.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1774px) 100vw, 1774px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=10064'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1774\" height=\"1330\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8652.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8652.jpg 1774w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8652-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8652-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8652-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8652-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8652-320x240.jpg 320w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8652-480x360.jpg 480w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8652-800x600.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1774px) 100vw, 1774px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=10062'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1774\" height=\"1330\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0198.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0198.jpg 1774w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0198-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0198-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0198-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0198-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0198-320x240.jpg 320w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0198-480x360.jpg 480w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0198-800x600.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1774px) 100vw, 1774px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Michael and I appreciated the craftsmanship and the history was fascinating. We especially enjoyed learning how Antwerp became a global hub for diamond cutting and trade.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-4' class='gallery galleryid-10040 gallery-columns-1 gallery-size-full'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=10070'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1774\" height=\"1330\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8644.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8644.jpg 1774w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8644-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8644-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8644-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8644-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8644-320x240.jpg 320w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8644-480x360.jpg 480w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8644-800x600.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1774px) 100vw, 1774px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=10069'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"998\" height=\"1330\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8636.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8636.jpg 998w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8636-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8636-768x1023.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8636-320x426.jpg 320w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8636-480x640.jpg 480w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8636-800x1066.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 998px) 100vw, 998px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=10068'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"946\" height=\"1330\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0203.jpg 946w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0203-213x300.jpg 213w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0203-728x1024.jpg 728w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0203-768x1080.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0203-320x450.jpg 320w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0203-480x675.jpg 480w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0203-800x1125.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 946px) 100vw, 946px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=10065'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"946\" height=\"1330\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0200.jpg 946w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0200-213x300.jpg 213w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0200-728x1024.jpg 728w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0200-768x1080.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0200-320x450.jpg 320w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0200-480x675.jpg 480w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0200-800x1125.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 946px) 100vw, 946px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=10066'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"946\" height=\"1330\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0201.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0201.jpg 946w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0201-213x300.jpg 213w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0201-728x1024.jpg 728w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0201-768x1080.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0201-320x450.jpg 320w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0201-480x675.jpg 480w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0201-800x1125.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 946px) 100vw, 946px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=10067'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"946\" height=\"1330\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0202.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0202.jpg 946w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0202-213x300.jpg 213w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0202-728x1024.jpg 728w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0202-768x1080.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0202-320x450.jpg 320w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0202-480x675.jpg 480w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0202-800x1125.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 946px) 100vw, 946px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">After a full day of walking, learning, and eating chocolate, we indulged at the Crowne Plaza Antwerp. The boys were thrilled to discover the indoor pool, and we appreciated the gym. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Best of all<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u2014 <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">there <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">is<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> a <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">sparkling water dispensers on every floor<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">A<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> small<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> detail, but one I loved. The rooms were comfortable and modern, and it was the perfect place to wind down before continuing our travels.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-5' class='gallery galleryid-10040 gallery-columns-1 gallery-size-full'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=10071'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"998\" height=\"1330\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0172.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0172.jpg 998w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0172-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0172-768x1023.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0172-320x426.jpg 320w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0172-480x640.jpg 480w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0172-800x1066.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 998px) 100vw, 998px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=10072'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1774\" height=\"1330\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0205.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0205.jpg 1774w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0205-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0205-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0205-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0205-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0205-320x240.jpg 320w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0205-480x360.jpg 480w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_0205-800x600.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1774px) 100vw, 1774px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=10073'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1802\" height=\"1070\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Screenshot-2025-06-12-015554.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Screenshot-2025-06-12-015554.png 1802w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Screenshot-2025-06-12-015554-300x178.png 300w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Screenshot-2025-06-12-015554-1024x608.png 1024w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Screenshot-2025-06-12-015554-768x456.png 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Screenshot-2025-06-12-015554-1536x912.png 1536w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Screenshot-2025-06-12-015554-320x190.png 320w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Screenshot-2025-06-12-015554-480x285.png 480w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Screenshot-2025-06-12-015554-800x475.png 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1802px) 100vw, 1802px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> The contrast between Lucas and Henry\u2019s chocolate-fueled excitement and their <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">polite endurance<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> through the diamond museum gave us a few laughs and reminded us that not every stop has to be a hit with everyone\u2014but it all adds up in the end. Antwerp may be known as the diamond capital, but for our crew, the real gem was the chocolate.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We made a stop in Belgium on our way from Paris to Rotterdam. Even though it was short, it packed in a mix of fun, learning, and a little luxury. From indulging in the world of chocolate to dipping our toes (literally) into the hotel pool, it was a perfect quick trip. Lucas and Henry [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10041,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[166],"tags":[334,335,151,15],"class_list":["post-10040","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-europe","tag-antwerp","tag-chocolate-nation","tag-worldschool","tag-worldschooling"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10040","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10040"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10040\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10074,"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10040\/revisions\/10074"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/10041"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10040"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10040"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10040"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}