Chocolate lovers, you’re in for a real treat. We’ve put together a list of 15 of the best locations in the world for you to visit. There’s something for people of all ages and backgrounds: chocolate theme parks for kids, quaint chocolate cafés for those who enjoy quiet time, interesting chocolate museums for the history buffs, and even chocolate spas. You’ll have some serious cravings after reading this. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!
Cadbury World, England
You can’t think of chocolate without thinking of Cadbury. And if you love everything Cadbury—from their classic dairy milk bars to those addictive mini eggs— there’s one delightful place you must visit in your lifetime called Cadbury World. Located south of Birmingham, England, Cadbury World is more than your average chocolate factory. There’s so much to do: see chocolate-making in action, experience a 4D chocolate movie, learn about the history of chocolate, go on chocolate-themed amusement rides, stroll through the world’s largest Cadbury store, and much more! It’s pretty much a real-life Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. If you have kids, you should plan to spend the entire day here as there’s lots of entertainment aimed at children. And of course, you can expect lots of free samples during your visit.
Brussels, Belgium
Brussels, Belgium is called the “Chocolate Capital of the World” with good reason. The city has more chocolatiers per square foot than any other city in the world! It’s also the birthplace of the famous brands, Godiva and Leonidas, as well as many local, artisan chocolatiers that pride themselves in using the finest ingredients. While there, you can attend the workshops at the “Chocolate Academy” of Zaabär, take a guided group tour of one of the many factories or visit the Musee du Cacao et du Chocolat (Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate) where you can watch chocolate-making and learn about the history of your favorite delicacy while enjoying delicious samples. There are so many chocolate-related things to do and places to visit in Brussels that numerous websites offer chocolate tours of the city.
Halloren Chocolate Factory, Germany
Via: static.panoramio.com
Germany’s oldest chocolate factory, Halloren Chocolate Factory, was founded in 1804 in the city of Halle. Though it’s no Cadbury World, it’s still an amazing location to visit if you’re a chocoholic or even a history buff, as the factory has an interesting story behind it due to World War II. You can overlook the production process while tasting samples of their famous soft and creamy Halloren Kugeln, or Halloren globes. There’s even a museum, which has chocolate sculptures and exhibits about the history of chocolate, particularly in Germany. But, perhaps the coolest part of the entire place is the chocolate living room (known as the Chocolate Chamber) in the museum, which is made entirely of chocolate (it even contains life-sized chocolate furniture)! How cool is that?
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Via: hersheys.com
Hershey, Pennsylvania has been dubbed the “sweetest place on Earth.” It was there that Hershey created a huge amusement park, called Hersheypark, based around chocolate. There are tons of roller coasters and rides for people of all ages. Nearby Hersheypark is Hershey’s Chocolate World, where you can enjoy a state-of-the-art chocolate tour that follows the transformation of cocoa beans to the world-famous Hershey’s chocolates and features singing animated figures. There’s also a 4D Chocolate Mystery movie and the opportunity to create your own chocolate bar (including the wrapper design). Hershey’s Chocolate World obviously couldn’t be complete without a gigantic Hershey’s store where you can purchase everything from the “World’s Largest Hershey Chocolate Bars” to the “World’s Largest Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups!” There’s also a food court fit for any chocolate-lover, featuring Hershey’s Cocoa Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Chicken Skewers with Reese’s Thai Peanut Dipping Sauce, and Hershey’s milkshakes.
Montreaux-Broc-Gruyeres, Switzerland
We might think of fancy sports cars as “sweet rides,” but there is literally no sweeter ride than the Swiss Chocolate Train. No, it’s not a train made of chocolate; rather it’s a train that takes you from one chocolate hotspot to the next. First, you board the train in Montreaux, which is not far from Nestle headquarters. Then, the train takes you to Maison du Gruyére, where you can experience the production of cheese and enjoy delicious cheese samples. Gruyere is a magical region with castles, cobble-stoned streets, quaint stores, and chocolate shops. Finally, the best part of your journey brings you to Maison Cailler in Broc, a chocolate factory that offers interactive tours. Cailler claims to be the oldest chocolate brand in the business, so this place is legendary.
The Boucan by Hotel Chocolat, St. Lucia
Via: q-ec.bstatic.com
If a half day tour of a chocolate factory isn’t enough for you and you’d prefer to eat, sleep, and breathe chocolate, you’ll be pleased to know that you can. The Boucan by Hotel Chocolat in St. Lucia is built on a cocoa estate. It offers a chocolate tour experience like no other—one in which you can pick your own cocoa pods and make your own chocolate. The tour also includes a look at all of the stages of chocolate production as well as tastings. At the end of your day, you can relax at the Cocoa Juvenate Spa, which makes use of all of the antioxidant properties of cocoa. Then, you can enjoy a meal at the hotel’s restaurant, which has a menu filled with cocoa.
World of Chocolate Museum, United States
Via: todaysorlando.com
If you’re ever in Orlando and need a bit of a break from Disney or the beaches, take a trip to The World of Chocolate Museum and Café in Orlando, Florida. One of the main attractions is their fantastic display of chocolate replicas of famous landmarks—Eiffel tower, the Great Wall of China, Statue of liberty, and more. And while you won’t get to eat any of the sculptures, you can visit the sweet gift shop where you’ll be able to purchase chocolate that you won’t find anywhere else. The museum offers guided tours, has a collection of chocolate bar wrappers from all over the world, and teaches you about the different processes for making solid and hollow chocolate and the proper way to pronounce “cacao.”
Graycliffe Chocolatier Factory, Bahamas
Nassau, Bahamas is famous for its white-sand beaches, but did you know that this paradise is also home to a chocolate factory, located on the property of a historic and unique hotel (which The Beatles and Winston Churchill stayed at)? The Graycliff Chocolatier Factory produces hand-crafted truffles, bars, and other products, which are available for purchase at the Graycliff Chocolatier Boutique. The interactive tour also teaches visitors about how cacao beans are processed, the history of chocolate, and the importance of fair trade and organic farming. Like other chocolate factories, you’ll receive samples of a variety of chocolates. You can also head to the kitchen to create your own chocolate masterpiece complete with fresh Bahamian fruits such as mango, lime, coconut, grapes, and tropical genips.
Chocolate Valley, Italy
Via: turismo.intoscana.it
The picturesque Italian region of Tuscany may be well-known for its wine, but it’s also home to Chocolate Valley, an area with a high concentration of world-class chocolatiers. Starting from the Province of Pisa, in Pontedera, there’s Amedei (winner of numerous international awards, including Best Dark Chocolate Bar). Head to Pisa, where you’ll find the famous De Bondt chocolate. You can also visit Fillipo, an ice cream parlour in Monsummano Terme, which produces a variety of chocolate-based flavours. Many great chocolate festivals and exhibits are also held in Tuscany each year. Choccolandia Livorno, held in March, is just one of the chocolate-y events that draws the best chefs from all over Italy to showcase their latest chocolate creations. The Chocolate Valley sure gives “La Dolce Vita” a whole new meaning.
Museu de la Xocolata, Spain
Via: static.barcelona.com
Located in Barcelona, Spain is the Museu de la Xocolata. Take a guided tour and you’ll learn about the origins of cocoa, the evolution of chocolate, the manufacturing process, and other interesting chocolate facts. You can also participate in a chocolate tasting, which shows you how the type of cocoa affects the taste of chocolate. Xocolating is a fun workshop that allows you to become a chocolatier for a day, making anything you’d like, from chocolate lollipops to chocolate rocks. The attraction also gives you the option of choosing one of four exciting Xocoexperiences: Chocolate & Lollipops (in which you can incorporate nuts and spices into your creations), Chocolate & Xocolating, Chocolate & Wine, and Chocolate & Tasting (in which you’ll go on a memorable sensory journey).
Chocolate For Your Body, United States
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If you love chocolate so much that you sometimes wish you could just jump into a pool of it, the Chocolate For Your Body spa in Chicago, can help you. This unique spa offers chocolate body treatments such as a chocolate body wrap, chocolate massage, and chocolate facial! If you’re feeling the need to indulge, you can order the Chocolate Day package which includes three services, plus a chocolate martini. Can you imagine how relaxing and surreal that would be? The sweet smell of chocolate is said to release endorphins (your “happy” hormones) and since chocolate is an antioxidant, it helps to slow down the skin’s aging process. Specifically, cocoa beans improve circulation in the skin, reduce swelling, and there’s even evidence that it may accelerate the burning of fat.
Le Maison du Chocolat, France
Founded in 1955, Le Maison du Chocolat is a luxury chocolatier with locations all around the world. But, it all started in the beautiful city of Paris, France. Le Maison du Chocolat creates artisan chocolates and pastries by hand, displaying them in glass cases in their boutiques. On their menu, you can find pralines, fruited chocolates, ganaches, éclairs, cakes, and mouthwatering macarons, of course. The chocolates here are known to be smooth and high quality; even the boxes that they pack them in are a sight to behold. What makes this boutique unique is the divine fruits, spirits, and spices that they combine with chocolate. If Paris is too far for you, you can also visit their locations in New York, Japan, or Canada.
Oaxaca, Mexico
Via: 1.bp.blogspot.com
Oaxaca is the center of chocolate production in Mexico. Chocolate is embedded into this region, and its residents take their chocolate very seriously. Every morning, Oaxaca residents drink hot chocolate instead of coffee and it may be surprising to know that hot chocolate is known as an adult beverage there. Oaxacans even present cacao beans on their family altars each year on the Day of the Dead, as nourishment for their ancestors. There’s even a street in Oaxaca called Mina Street, which is also known as Chocolate Street. It’s home to some of Mexico’s biggest names in chocolate, as well as small family-owned shops. At the chocolate stores, visitors can watch as workers pour cacao beans, sugar, and cinnamon into grinding machines. Chocolate clearly isn’t just a dessert to Oaxacans—it’s a magical food that’s embedded into their culture. It really doesn’t get any better than that.
Max Brenner, United States
Via: maxbrenner.com
If you’d like to sit down and have a chocolate dining experience like no other, we suggest a visit to a Max Brenner chocolate bar. While there are several locations around the world, including Japan and Paris, its headquarters are in New York City. One look at their menu and you’ll be drooling, guaranteed. They offer a wide selection of crepes (such as s’mores, strawberry hazelnut, and more), waffles (the dark chocolate cherry waffles look good right about now), cakes, ice cream, and even chocolate pizzas (bring a few friends if you’re ordering that, though)! You can even wash some of that down with a chocolate cocktail (yes, they actually contain chocolate and alcohol) or a thick chocolate milkshake. This chocolate bar is also a romantic hotspot where you and your date can take up their offer of fondue for two or s’mores for two. How sweet!
Lindt, South Africa
Via: shesaid.co.za
You may not think of South Africa as a top-notch chocolate location, but it definitely is! Lindt, the Swiss giant, has an official studio in Johannesburg and Cape Town. You can indulge in chocolate tastings and take fun classes, including the Art of Cupcakes, Art of the Macaron, and The Ultimate Lindt Chocolate Cake Making Décor. The popular brands, Nestle and Cadbury, also have factories in Cape Town. But, if you want something a bit more local and authentic, Cape Town is home to numerous chocolate shops and cafés. One that you should visit is Honest Chocolate Café, whose chocolates are handcrafted in Cape Town and made from the finest raw, organic cacao (which is higher in antioxidants than regular dark chocolate). They’re also dairy-free and preservative-free, making it a guilt-free option.
Sources:
maxbrenner.com, chocolateforyourbody.com, hotelchocolat.com, wocorlando.com, nassauparadiseisland.com, bahamas.com, turismo.intoscana.it, museuxocolata.cat, lamaisonduchocolat.com, chocolatestudio.co.za, canada.com, myswitzerland.com, myswitzerland.com, halloren.de, visitbelgium.com, cadburyworld.co.uk
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