Excited about the upcoming release of Wonka, the hotly anticipated prequel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? We are, too! The musical movie all about the eccentric chocolate maker and his fantastical creations has us dreaming about sweet treats around the world.
Whether you’re a chocoholic, want to buy a loved one an indulgent souvenir, or are interested in learning more about the history of the rich delicacy, there are plenty of chocolate locations around the world where the sweet treat can play a key part in your adventures. From the capital of chocolate and the place that is thought to have given Roald Dahl his passion for the sweet stuff, to the birthplace of chocolate, here are some of the best chocolate locations to travel to.
Kilchberg, Switzerland
While you’re unlikely to bump into an Oompa Loompa at Lindt Home of Chocolate, you will be able to visit the biggest Lindt chocolate shop in the world and see a chocolate fountain that’s nearly 30 feet tall. In Kilchberg on Lake Zurich, next door to a historic chocolate factory that’s been open since 1899, you can book a tour to learn about the origins of chocolate, discover how cocoa beans are transformed into the treat and gain an insight into the workings of a real chocolate factory. As an extra bonus, Lindt chocolatiers lead unlimited chocolate tasting.
The Swiss are the biggest consumers of chocolate in the world and there are lots of other chocolate experiences throughout the country. That’s why it’s a perennial top chocolate location.
Take a look at our Switzerland tours and trips to try some for yourself.
Oaxaca, Mexico
Mexico is considered to be the birthplace of chocolate so it’s a must-visit for foodies. Around 4,000 years ago, locals discovered the first cacao plants and the Olmec (the first major civilization in Mexico) turned them into a drink. Later, the Mayans also drank chocolate concoctions, often with water and chilli, and they believed that the gods gifted them chocolate.
The best place to buy chocolate in Mexico now is perhaps Oaxaca, where you’ll never be far away from a chocolate shop or stall. But this is chocolate with a difference as it’s not just about the bars or boxes of treats that you’ll find in other destinations. Specialties to try in the city are a hot chocolate drink either with water or milk and sweetened with sugar, almonds and cinnamon, or a savory mole sauce that can take days to make. You will be able to buy handmade chocolates and bars too.
Delve deeper into the history of chocolate on a Mexico tour.
Saint Lucia, the Caribbean
Fancy staying on a working cacao farm in the rainforest? Popular brand Hotel Chocolat allows you to do just this at its Rabot Hotel in St Lucia. With 25 private lodges, a spa overlooking the UNESCO-listed Piton Mountains, an outdoor restaurant and a bar, it’s a luxurious chocolate lovers’ dream and a top chocolate travel destination.
Away from your swish accommodations, you’ll be immersed into life on the estate via Project Chocolat’s agri-tourism immersive experience. A tree-to-bar experience includes a rainforest tour of the cacao groves, making your own chocolate bar and more.
To make sure your stay is extra special, there are also chocolate and rum tastings, poolside yoga and a hotel boat to explore the nearby coast and wildlife. Non-hotel guests can book its Project Chocolat experiences, tours and spa treatments, too, so you can dip into Mr. Wonka’s dream hotel for a day.
Brussels, Belgium
Known as “the capital of chocolate” due to its long history with chocolate making, we reckon Mr. Wonka would have sussed out the competition in Brussels. Its association with the sweet stuff dates back to the 19th century when pharmacist Jean Neuhaus covered medicine in a layer of chocolate to mask its taste for his customers. His grandson went on to replace the medicine with a sweeter filling in 1912 and created the praline before Jean Neuhaus Jr.’s wife, Louise Agostini, invented the ballotin, an elegant gift box to protect the chocolates in 1915. You can still buy Neuhaus chocolates around the world today or snag some pralines and truffles in Brussels.
On your trip to the capital of Belgium, you’ll also be able to visit the Belgian Chocolate Village where you can follow an interactive trail, see chocolate sculptures of famous monuments in Brussels and step into a tropical greenhouse filled with exotic plants connected to the cocoa bean.
If you see yourself as a budding Mr Wonka, there are also a huge selection of chocolate making workshops across the city, as well as chocolate walking tours, chocolate workshops with matched wine or beer and—of course—plenty of places to buy chocolate.
Enjoy an organized adventure in Brussels on one of our tours.
Birmingham, England
Apparently, in his school days, Cadbury sent new products to Roald Dahl and his classmates to taste test before they went on general sale. This is thought to have given the author his love of chocolate, hence his story featuring Charlie, Willy Wonka and the Oompa Loompas.
So, Cadbury World in Birmingham should be high up on your list of chocolate travel destinations to visit if you’d like to try the confectionary that inspired Dahl. On a trip here, you can watch interactive videos to see how Cadbury brands are made, go on a 4D-adventure on a Crunchie rollercoaster diving into liquid chocolate, travel back in time on a Victorian street to discover where the Cadbury business started, see how Cadbury chocolate used to be made before tasting a sweet treat yourself, and learn about the arrival of chocolate in Europe through a theater presentation.
York is another chocolate-filled destination in England. Terry’s, Craven’s and Rowntree’s chocolate factories were based in this handsome walled city. You can learn about these brands as well as chocolate’s origins in its York’s Chocolate Story attraction.
See some of the best bits of England on a tour.
Cusco, Peru
While Africa is the worldwide leader in chocolate production, the Peruvians have perfected the art of cocoa and craft some of the best chocolate in the world. It’s also said to be the birthplace of the sweet treat. While indigenous communities were the first to cultivate the bean, legend has it the Incas were the first to transform it into something else entirely.
Today, you can expect intense flavors and aromas thanks to 12 major cacao growing regions that are as diverse as they are unique. Head to Cacaosuoyo in the Andes for fruit- and honey-forward dark chocolate. At the Chocolate Museum in nearby Cusco, learn about the history of the decadent dessert, take chocolate cooking classes or embark on a workshop from bean to bar. The country boasts a wealth of culinary tours and organized adventures all around the chocolate bean.
Pennsylvania, USA
You can step into a fun-filled world of candy at Hershey’s Chocolate World in Pennsylvania. On its chocolate factory ride, discover how Hershey’s turned cocoa beans into its sweet creations then head to a train station for an immersive theater experience. You can even create your own candy bar, choosing your own ingredients and designing a wrapper for it.
Still not enough chocolate? You’ll love creating your own one-pound Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup with your own individual additions. Will you choose pretzels, marshmallows, cookie bits or candies? For more entertainment, you can also head out into the town of Hershey on a trolley tour with a charismatic conductor.
