Well now that the title has caught your attention you can sit back and visualize yourself on one of the greatest adventures of your life, a trip into Chocolate land. What come's to mind when you think of traveling and Chocolate? Switzerland perhaps? or Belgian Chocolate truffles, whatever the preference is, you are about to embark on a grand tour of some of the worlds most famous chocolate destinations and indulge your taste buds for some very delicious treats.
Picture this, 2,130 chocolate shops, even though Belgian is a relatively small country about the size of Maryland , Brussel's the largest city is known as the Chocolate Capitol of the world. Never mind spending your hard earned cash on souvenirs, save it for chocolate. Also, the country rivals France for gourmet cuisine so after dinner, you can devour your favorite sweet dessert.
Granted most people would place Switzerland has one of the most famous countries for chocolate, however there is one place that does not always come to mind when the "C" word pops up.. the place where it all began, Oaxaca Mexico.In Oaxaca,located in the south-eastern part of the country,steeped in tradition and dated back centuries, the making of chocolate is still active today. It is estimated that around 5.5 pounds of the delectable treat is consumed each year.
Considered to be the drink of the gods, the term used for chocolate, it is equally popular in drinks as it is in food.
There numerous chocolate factories located throughout Oaxaca, most of them around Calle Mina, where you can observe the those hard at work mixing the chocolate and taste the condensed form of an ancient treat.
You won't want to miss the Abastos Market where artistsans have stalls of chocolate A favorite place of locals is the Chocolate Mayordomo at one of its two locations in town –Here's something new for you Chocolate Corn, yes corn.
Next door to Switzerland is another famous food country, and in the fall, usually in October in the region of Umbria is the well known Eurochocolate Festival of Perugia with exhibitions, cooking classes, tastings and and all sorts of celebrations related to anything a chocaholic would want.
Perugia is a stunning city with wonderful medieval architecture architecture, containing the splendid Piazza Quattro Novembre and its Great Fountain, for all you shopaholics the to go is Corso Vannucci.
Sicily is a place filled with Cocoa delicacies. Here you can detour and try something just a bit different. Go to the city of Noto, which is known as the golden city of the Sicilian baroque. Famous locally made chocolate is solely made of cocoa, sugar and spices.
A wonderful treat is the Gremolade, trickling with wild strawberries. Not only can you indulge in these fine delicacies, yet enjoy the breathtaking baroque architecture of this ancient town.
On the English Channel there is a resort town known as Bournemouth, here is a hotel run by Gerry Wilton, who owns the worlds only Chocolate theme hotel.
At this unique Grade II listed Chocolate Boutique Hotel , you can even learn how to paint a portrait of yourself in dark, milk and white chocolate; stay in chocolate-themed rooms; and indulge in the culinary art of making delicious Belgian truffles by hand s Chocolate Delight workshops.
Switzerland, a fairy tale country with it's charming chalet's, stunning alpine mountains and turquoise lakes could charm anyone from the standpoint of scenic wonders. Top it with several chocolate factories and you have the idea destination for a vacation to captivate your heart and your sweet tooth as well. During the summer months from Montreux in the French region, you can ride the Chocolate train usually on Wednesday's to the town of Bulle in the canton of Fribourg. On the rain take a quick pitstop in Gruyeres for some tasty cheese fondue, then wonder up to the castle for some amazing view. Hop back on the train to Bulle where you will connect with a cog train to the small town of Broc where the Cailler Chocolate Factory is located. Take the tour and enjoy the history, then leave with a packet of samples. This is a must trip, for the scenery as well as the chocolate.
Most people would not think of Boston when the world chocolate comes up. Chocolate trail, Boston. Yet if you are planning on heading in that direction in the month of September, there is a Chocolate Bar at the Lanham Hotel. Celebrating the diversity of Boston's neighborhood's with the annual Boston Chocolate trail. Wonderful creations are beckoning you to go for a taste.
Some of the desserts from the trail could include Bittersweet Chocolate Chestnut Mousse, an assortment of Italian Cookies and Zuccotto from the Italian North End.
Don't forget the Boston cream pie and chocolate paple pecan tartlets from Faneuil Hall; chocolate and green tea flavours as well as five spice chocolate soup and mango and white chocolate pudding from Chinatown; you can even sample Homemade crackerjacks with dark caramel, peanuts and sea salt, chocolate covered peanuts and ice cream sandwiches from Fenway Park.
So to get prepared for this sweet adventure you might want to hold off on any sweets before the trip so you can indulge in all this delicious treats on your next chocolate adventure.
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