Bask in the sunshine on the ship’s deck and savour the salty tang of the breeze as you glide across the North Sea, searching for one of Belgium’s most prized delicacies: grey shrimp. A quintessential element of local cuisine like both waffles and frites, for centuries they’ve been a key ingredient on Belgian seafood menus, usually in the form of classic kroketten (croquettes)or tomaat-garnalen (tomatoes stuffed with shrimp). Ideal for foodie families: hop aboard an authentic shrimping boat as part of this gastronomic getaway offered by Hotel Amigo and learn about this proud Belgian tradition.
On the day of your trip, you’ll be presented with iconic yellow Petit Bateau raincoats to take with you to the port of Ostend, where you’ll be welcomed by the captain and crew of the Crangon. Step aboard, slip on your coats and admire picture-perfect views of the coast as the trawler pulls out into the open sea. Keep an eye out for tell-tale ripples below the surface and watch the crew in action as the ship’s trawling nets start to swell. As the catch is reeled in and spills onto the deck, you’ll learn the tricks of the trade first-hand from the crew as together you sort, rinse, boil and cool your haul.
Once you’ve caught your fill, it’s time to return to Ostend and then back to Brussels. Hotel Amigo’s chefs are experts in the art of transforming fresh ingredients into succulent delicacies, and once handed over, your catch will be expertly rolled and cooked into croquettes for you to sample. Then, settle in to your stylish Classic King Room at Hotel Amigo for a wonderful night’s sleep and dreams of the open sea.
Experience includes:
One night in a Classic King Room with breakfast
One classic Petit Bateau raincoat per person
Transfers to and from the port of Ostend
A shrimp fishing trip in Ostend, lasting up to 4hrs
A shrimp croquette tasting session at Hotel Amigo
To book your culinary adventure or find out more, email
To book your culinary adventure or find out more, email reservations.amigo@roccofortehotels.com or call +32 2 547 4707.
One of the great things about golf is that it is a sport you can play anywhere around the world. It doesn’t matter what country you’re visiting in Europe, you’re never too far away from a relaxing 18 holes at some of the continent’s premium golf venues with Rocco Forte Hotels. Here are a few suggestions.
Paris is always a good idea. Except, perhaps, when it’s hosting the Olympic Summer Games, and the usual tourist throng looks set to multiply almost prohibitively. Of course, the Games are exciting, but if wading through crowds feels like a marathon effort, try a cultural relay around one of these stunning European cities instead.
The name Bernardo Buontalenti might not mean much to those outside of Florence, but it should. A prestigious Florentine architect and artist favoured by the Medici, he is also widely credited with inventing gelato. This frozen delight is now as synonymous with Italy as pizza and is deeply intertwined with Florence’s heritage. Take a tour of the city’s most celebrated gelaterias, curated by the expert concierge team at Hotel Savoy.
