Top 10 Chocolate Holiday Locations in the World

People love to travel. And people love to eat Chocolate. But have you ever thought of combining the two? Below is a list of our Top 10 Best Chocolate Locations in the world. How many have you been to?

1. London

England's recent rise to prominence in the culinary world has brought with it a glowing reputation for gourmet chocolate as well. Based on Elizabeth Street, The Chocolate Society in London is a haven for connoisseurs who widely recognise this impressive purveyor of handmade luxury chocolates as one of the best in the city.

1. Oaxaca

The home of the former Mesoamericans who gave the world the gift of chocolate. As you would expect chocolate is an important part of the tradition, culture and life in this Mexican city and all visitors are welcomed with some form of chocolate. As a tradition, chocolates are produced using centuries old handmade recipes. Any visit here is not complete without an exploration of the street 20 de Noviembre where the largest producers of chocolate – La Soledad, Moyordomo, and Guelaguetza - are based.

1. San Francisco

The San Francisco Bay area is lavished with a number of great chocolatiers. The Ghirardelli Square, a massive expansion of the ancient Ghirardelli chocolate factory is must to a visit.

1. Villajoyosa

Spain's ‘Chocolate City' where the history of chocolates dates back to the 18th century. This is the home town of Valor, Spain's oldest known producer of chocolate, who established a practice here in 1881. Do not miss a visit to the world-class chocolate museum which represents not only the history of chocolate in the town of Villajoyosa but also the process of making chocolates is shown live right in front of you.

1. Broc

The Maison Cailler chocolate factory in Broc, Switzerland is a veritable "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" experience. Now a property of Nestlé, the 45 minute tour includes an overview on the history of chocolate, production techniques and of course loads of great samples.

1. Cologne

The chocolate capital of Germany, Cologne is home to the Stollwerck Chocolate Company, which in its prime was the world's second largest supplier of chocolates to the United States. The Imhoff Stollwerck museum also known locally as the 'Chocolate Museum' celebrates the history of chocolate around the world, and has interactive exhibits, samples and a giant chocolate fountain. La Maison du Chocolate, Tortchen Tortchen, Weibler Confectionery, Demnitz Chocolaterie, Mama Chocolate and Leonidas Chocolates are also great places to visit.

1. Barcelona

As the first European nation to taste chocolates Spain and in particular Barcelona has become a real hub of chocoholics. This was where the original chocolate producing machine was made during the 18th century. Its rich heritage of chocolate is celebrated in 'The Museo de La Xocolata', a museum of chocolate that is packed with a wide range of chocolate items such as chocolate figurines and hot chocolate. Gourmet Brands like Antoni Amatller and Simon Coll originated here. A visit here is not complete without a browse through the shops of Chocolates Amatller, Chocolate a la Taza, Fargas, Dulcinea, and Pasteleria Escriba.

1. New York

New York is home to some of the best chocolate shops in the world including MarieBelle, Chocolate Bar, Richart Design et Chocolat, and Li-Lat. The most renowned, arguably The Jacques Torres Chocolate, offers rich hot chocolates, champagne truffles, chocolate pastry and chocolate-cloaked almonds. In addition The Luxury Chocolate Tour or the New Cuisine Chocolate Tour are well worth doing if you would like to trace the history of the chocolate shop.

1. Paris

As a notable culinary hub, Paris has a rich pedigree with chocolate. The arrondissements of the glamorous French capital teem with world class chocolatiers. One of the best is Christian Constant, a certifiable master who won Europe's Grand Prix Chocolate Award in 2001. Constant's shop in the 6th arrondissement is one of the major highlights to any visit to Paris.

1. Brussels

Regarded as the ‘Chocolate Capital of Earth', Belgium is quite literally a chocolate fantasy land due to its 16 chocolate museums and over 2000 shops. This is the city where the world's two popular chocolate firms, Godiva and Leonidas, reside. Among all the chocolate treats, pralines are most popular. The Musee du Cocao et du Chocolate is worth a visit if you want to know how to make chocolates and to buy the best of them visit the Grand Sablon square.