10 More Chocolate Destinations
10 More Chocolate Destinations
Our original list of the Top 10 Chocolate Holiday Locations in the World caused such a stir we thought we would showcase another ten!
10. Zurich
Switzerland has the highest rate of chocolate consumption per person which isn't surprising considering Swiss Chocolate tastes so good. The home of famous brands like Cailler-Nestle, Lindt, Toblerone, Sprungli, and Treuscher, Zurich is the epicenter of chocolates in Switzerland. For the ultimate experience, check out The Swiss Chocolate Train' that travels from Montreux to reach Broc where you can explore the Cailler-Nestle chocolate factory. If you buy Lindt chocolates directly from the factory you get a heavy discount too.
9. Tain L'Hermitage
This small French town located a short distance from Lyon is the base of the world famous chocolate manufacturer Valrhona. The major location here is the Valrhona Ecole du Grand Chocolat, a world class school that trains chefs, caterers, and chocolatiers. The school also offers a three day course to educate holiday makers on how to make great desserts.
8. Norma
Italians in general are passionate about chocolates and Norma, some 50 km from the capital city of Rome, is where this passion is arguably manifested the most. As well as being excellent factory the Museo del Cioccolato Antica Norba is also a museum. Some of the chocolates they make here are unbelievable and the nearby Giardino di Ninfa park is a stunning place for a stroll.
7. Cocoa Festival, St Lucia
The beautiful Caribbean island of St Lucia hosts the wonderful Jade Mountain Estate Cocoa Festival every December. Dating back to the early 1700s, the festival celebrates St Lucia's rich history of cocoa growth and production with activities throughout the festival featuring a prominent chocolate theme. The main activity of the festival is an actual exploration of Nick Troubetzkoy's Emerald Estate Cocoa Plantation which includes discovering an insight into the production of cocoa beans. Here you can try your hand at a bit of pod-picking or fermenting. If you would prefer to consume instead of cultivate there are such culinary delights as chocolate-inspired canaps and iced chocolate chai on offer.
6. Italian Chocolate Festival, Perugia
Chocoholics should head to the Italian region of Umbria between October 16th and 25th for the fantastic Eurochocolate Festival of Perugia. Here you can enjoy the exhibitions, cooking classes, tastings and celebrations of all things chocolatey. For those wanting a little more than chocolate, the medieval city of Perugia also boasts magnificent architecture, the splendid Piazza Quattro Novembre and its Great Fountain, and the chic shopping street, Corso Vannucci.
5. Bariloche
You might not consider Argentina as a chocolate superpower but if you are willing to try cocoa products from other countries you might want to spend a winter night or two in Bariloche, Argentina's premier winter ski resort. Bariloche's chocolate tradition began shortly after World War II when European immigrants, primarily from Germany and Austria who originally settled in the area in the 1800s, began making chocolate
from their homes. In 1928 the Swiss chocolatier Carlos Triberholn opened a small chocolate shop in the city center and it wasn't long before the town's inhabitants were converted into chocolate fanatics. Today Bariloche's city center has numerous small shops offering chocolate in every form imaginable. Turista is a chocolate mall of sorts, and there is the Del Fenoglio chocolate museum and Mitre Street, a chocolate wonderland lined with chocolate shops where you can watch the gourmet artisans at work. Chocolate lovers will also discover unique items like chocolate liquor and eggs, as well as chocolate bars of all flavors, and truffles filled with alcohol, or various exotic fillings.
4. Chocolate trail, Boston
Every year, the Chocolate Bar at the Langham Hotel celebrates the city's famously diverse neighbourhoods with the annual Boston chocolate trail. This year new pastry chef Jed Hackney will be making gourmet bite-size desserts from Chinatown, the North End, Faneuil Hall, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, the South End, and Fenway Park. Specific creations include Bittersweet Chocolate Chestnut Mousse, an assortment of Italian Cookies and Zuccotto from the Italian North End, chocolate croissant bread pudding, Boston cream pie and chocolate paple pecan tartlets from Faneuil Hall to name but a few. For lovers of chocolate a visit is a must.
3. Cocoa delicacies, Sicily
For something a little different, head to Noto, the golden city of the late Sicilian baroque. Noto was defined by the art historian Cesare Brandi as the "garden of stone" for the beauty and uniqueness of its churches and palaces. It is also home to a famous and unique local chocolate made solely of cocoa, sugar and spices. Also try the Gremolade with wild strawberries or almond from Ciaceri ice cream shop, or the Antica Dolceria Bonajuto.
2. Hershey World
Nick named as the Sweetest Place in the World'. The home of Hershey chocolates, whose popularity renamed the town from Derry Church to Hershey in 1906, contains such famous chocolate highlights as the Chocolate Spa, Hershey Story Museum, and the Hershey's Chocolate World. Visitors also get a healthy supplier of great Hershey Products to try and buy.
1. Chocolate-themed hotel, Bournemouth
Fancy being immortalised in chocolate? Then a chocolate-portrait painting session by top chocolatier Gerry Wilton is definitely for you. Gerry, who owns and runs the world's first chocolate-themed hotel, a unique Grade II listed Chocolate Boutique Hotel in Bournemouth, runs lessons on how to paint a portrait of yourself in dark, milk and white chocolate. At the hotel you can also stay in chocolate-themed rooms and indulge in yourself in the culinary art of making delicious handmade Belgian truffles at one of Gerry's Chocolate Delight workshops. There is also a chocolate fountain, a chance to learn all about the history of chocolate, and a Chocolate Bar, where you can treat yourself to a glorious handmade chocolate cocktail. You can even learn how to match chocolate with wine and spirits in a unique chocolate-tasting session inspired by the famous Laurent Gerbaud. A top class Belgian chocolatier, whose range of chocolates is designed to be eaten and tasted with wines such as Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc, as well as mulled wines, dessert wines and malt whisky. 10 Mexican Foods Tourists Should Try on Holiday in Mexico by:Orson Johnson 10 Luggage Tips for Travelers by:Alex Bayron 10 LONDON BUILDINGS THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN 10 Knitted Christmas Present Ideas 10 Knitted Christmas Present Ideas 10 Keys To Success For Your Handicapped Accessible Travel To Rome 10 Key Ingredients Of A Holiday 10 Italian Foods Tourists Should Try On Holiday in Italy by:Orson Johnson 10 Important Things to Remember Before You Travel! 10 Ideas for Family Holidays in Florida, USA by:Orson Johnson 10 Ideas for Family Holidays in Europe by:Orson Johnson 10 Green Travel Tips For The Holidays 10 Great Christmas Gift Thoughts for Cyclists - Special Gifts That each Cyclist Wants