As if we need an excuse to eat chocolate but seeing as some kind-hearted person has dedicated a whole week to the lovely, sweet and luxurious brown stuff – it would be rude not to indulge in a bite or two, wouldn’t it? With this in mind, we thought we’d take a look at some of those wonderful places across the world where you can hop on Door2Tour coach holidays and indulge in a girl’s best friend (second only to diamonds) – chocolate. See if we can tempt you with some of these delectable destinations and if we’ve missed one, tell us about it…
Bruges
When chocolate is the thought of the day, there is perhaps only one destination that immediately springs to mind and that is the wonderful European city of Bruges – have you been? If not, you’re certainly missing out on a treat especially if you’re a chocoholic. Bruges is undoubtedly THE place to visit especially if you have a sweet tooth. Just take a look at the city’s temping sugar-coated waffles with any topping of your choice to dark chocolate truffles all vying for your attention. No visit to Bruges can be complete without a visit to their famous chocolatiers where you will soon discover that the city is the World’s Capital of Chocolate. Chocoholics will be heaven: 49 chocolate boutiques, the Chocolate Museum, a chocolate trail and a chocolate fair. The only way to discover this tasty universe is by eating and sampling chocolate – of course!
York
If you’re a chocoholic you won’t want to miss out on a trip to the historical city of York. The city has a huge chocolate-
making history with familiar names such as Rowntree’s and Terry’s starting out there but did you know that you also have the chance to create your own chocolate concoctions too? The York Cocoa House is partly a shop selling the best chocolatey treats but is also a café, ditching the classic Afternoon Tea of scones with jam in favour of Afternoon Chocolate. All of the dishes here from pizza breads to vegetable tarts – have the sweet stuff in them! Has anyone been to experience Afternoon Chocolate? As soon as the qualified chocolatiers take a break, visitors can have a go at designing their own chocolate treat filling them with a wide concoction of ingredients from raspberries and ginger to pistachios and lemon – whatever takes your fancy really! Whilst on your chocolate tour, head over to the city’s newest attraction ‘York’s Chocolate Story’ where you can find out more about the history of chocolate and how they were once handmade before machines took over the process. Conclude your visit with a tempting five-course chocolate menu at the Dean Court Hotel’s restaurant. This really is chocoholic heaven and I think I need to pay a visit there sooner rather than later.
Bournemouth
You maybe thinking that I’ve gone completely mad, featuring Bournemouth as a destination for chocoholics but did you know that the seaside town is home to the only Chocolate themed hotel in the world? They hold Chocolate Weekends on the last weekend in Jan, Feb, Mar, Sept, Oct and Nov and they cost from £259 per person. You will enjoy a 2 night stay in one of the 13 themed rooms at this Chocolate Boutique Hotel with daily chocolates provided in your room. During your weekend here, you will learn about the history of chocolate and the production process from bean to bar as well as discovering the art of tempering chocolate. There will be plenty of opportunities for chocolate tasting as well as immortalising yourself in milk, white or dark chocolate with the Chocolate Portrait Painting. Have a go at Belgian chocolate truffle making, enjoy a demonstration of chocolate moulded shapes and sample the range of ‘Choctails’ on offer in the Hotel Chocolate Bar (£7.50 per choctail). Might be wanting to head to the gym afterwards though – ha ha!
So which one of these do you fancy? Perhaps you have already been to one of them, if so, let us know the must-sees and must-dos!