traditional chocolate drink and cacao pod ()
Dark and bitter, smooth and creamy, in its purest form or with crunchy bits mixed in - no matter how you like yours, chocoholics the world over tend to agree: chocolate is some seriously yummy stuff.
In the depths of a damp, dark winter an outing dedicated to cocoa-y goodness could be just what’s needed to lift flagging spirits and energy levels. Here is a directory of chocolate museums, attractions, and self-guided tours to get you on your chocolatey way.
CHOCOLATE MUSEUMS
Schokoladen Museum Lindt. This is one of Cologne, Germany’s top attractions. The museum is based in an old customs office prettily perched on a harbor along the Rhine. In a glass-walled facility constructed to look like the deck of a ship, visitors can take in a showcase production facility, exhibitions revealing 5000 years of chocolate history, old machinery and a palm house. The facility includes a café and a shop. A chocolate-spouting fountain is the museum’s visual highlight.
Choco-Story. Here in Brussels one can learn about how the Maya and Aztecs cultivated cacao, the bean’s arrival in Europe and how cocoa is made into chocolate. Demonstrations by master chocolatiers and generous sampling are included with your admission.
Museu de la Xocolata. this museum in Barcelona finds its home in the premises of an old convent and is promoted by the city’s guild of pastry makers. Exhibits trace the port city’s relationship with chocolate dating as far back as the 15th century and the cultural, economic and symbolical significance of chocolate. Chocolate models of city landmarks, symbols of Andalusian culture and cartoon characters are one of the facility’s more unique touches. With advance reservations, visitors can enjoy themed dinners or pastry-making workshops.
Cacaomuseum. This museum in Amsterdam has only been around since 2017. Its exhibition space explores cacao’s eventful journey from South America to theNetheerlands. In addition to single-origin, “bean to bar” chocolates, its shop sells unusual products containing cacao like beer and sausages. Entry is free, but with advanced booking you can participate in tastings, praline-making workshops and themed dinners.
Les Secrets du Chocolat Musee. This museum in the outskirts of Strasbourg, France traces chocolate’s history from the Mayans to the present day There are also tasting experiences and workshops offering the chance to work side-by-side with a professional chocolatier. Be sure to book a workshop in advance and understand that instruction will be in French!
Chocolate Nation. The world’s largest museum devoted to Belgian chocolate opened in January 2019 in Antwerp. A virtual journey commences deep in the jungle and ends at the port of Antwerp; the world’s largest storage site for cacao beans. An imaginary chocolate machine adds a touch of fantasy to the visit, and the numerous chances to sample throughout the tour ensure visitors leave full-bellied and happy.
BRAND ATTRACTIONS
Cadbury World. One of the U.K.’s most popular family attractions in Birmingham offers a ride through a chocolate wonderland, 4D cinema with seats that move to create the sensation of riding a roller coaster, self-guided tour with video stations illustrating the manufacturing processes, the recreation of a circa-1824 London shop in which the first Cadbury products were sold, old advertisements and more. Also on site is the world’s biggest Cadbury shop, which is possible to visit without an entry ticket.
Lindt Home of Chocolate. This attraction in Kilchberg, Switzerland pays homage to the universe of Swiss chocolate through interactive exhibits from the cultivation of cacao beans to a praline tasting room. The chocolate fountain in its foyer, at some 26 feet high, is the tallest in the world. In addition, chocolate courses give visitors the chance to make their own treats. Cap off your visit in the worlds largest Lindt chocolate shop.
Perugina House of Chocolate. This iconic Italian brand based in Perugia, the captital of Umbria showcases its 100-year history and product range in a small museums. Perugina is the producer of starred and silver-wrapped Baci kiss candies. The museum also offers chocolate-making courses and a gift shop. Reservations are recommended.
Ritter Sport. Two facilities, one in Waldenbuch and one in Berlin, offer the chance to get to know this German chocolate bar that delivers on its motto: square, practical and good. The ChocoWorld exhibition tells the brand’s history while contemporary geometric and abstract art is displayed in modern surroundings. A café serves chocolate-infused specialties and a shop offers the chance to stock up. With advance bookings, visitors can make their own chocolate bars in a chocolate workshop.
WAWI Schoko-Welt. While this brand can’t boast of the name recognition of the previous powerhouses, its Pirmasens, Germany location puts it within easy day-trip range for readers in the KMC. Visitors can enjoy a glimpse into the final stages of production, as detail is applied to its range of products. Visit the small museum with displays about the brand’s history, then enjoy some coffee and cake in the café. Entry is free.
SELF-GUIDED CHOCOLATE TOURS
Brussels. A fine place to start your self-guided tour through one of the undisputed greatest chocolate cities on earth is the Les Galeries Royales de Saint-Hubert, a soaring, glass-covered shopping arcade designed back in 1847. The district of Sablon, also known as Zavel, is an upscale area full of restaurants and boutiques, and here too, you’ll find plenty to feast on. Planete Chocolat and Passion Chocolat are amongst the city’s most lauded shops, while Laurent Gerbaud is famed for additions of fruit and spice, resulting in unique and fabulous flavors. Choose your favorites with the advice of Big Seven Travel.
Paris. It is rumored that there are more gourmet chocolate shops in Paris than in any other city in the world. With more than 300 shops offering everything from designer, high-end products to smaller, independent makers, there is no end of taste sensations to discover. The Paris tourist bureau has a list of chocolatiers to get you started.
Turin. The city considered by many to be the chocolate capital of Italy has a long association with cacao. Elegant cafes were already serving hot chocolate to their customers as far back as the 17th century, and the combination of hazelnuts from the surrounding Piedmont region gave the chocolate world one of the city’s specialty products, gianduiotto. Turin can still boast of a number of grandiose cafes serving decadent treats. Don’t miss the chance to sample a Bicerin: a hot, layered beverage consisting of drinking chocolate, espresso and milk. Design your own tour with the help of Italy Magazine’s evaluation of the 5 best places to try chocolate in Turin.
Zurich. Although dozens of fabulous chocolate shops dot the city and you’d hardly go wrong at any of them, a good place to start a tour is at the Coffee House Sprüngli, a café that’s been delighting its patrons since 1836. Try a hand-poured chocolate bar brimming with hazelnuts or opt for the truffle du jour before moving on to the next stop. Other musts on your quest should include Confiserie Teuscher and Max Chocolatier. Big 7 Travel can guide you to the best shops in Zurich.
