As the popular saying goes, chocolate doesn’t ask silly questions, chocolate understands. And it seems true for many people; chocolate is here for us no matter the circumstances – when we need comfort, celebrate, spend romantic moments with significant others, or have fun with friends. It’s no wonder that chocolate is so widely enjoyed and appreciated; according to the World Cocoa Foundation, we consume 3 million tons of cocoa beans per year – chocolate is the indisputable favorite sweet treat in the world.
Though it is enough for most chocolate lovers to buy their favorite brands and enjoy the sweets in-between daily chores and entertainment, there are those who want to go beyond that. Such people might want to travel to places where their exceptional love for chocolate will be fully appreciated. And what destination would be better than a country famous for chocolate?
Belgium would be the obvious choice here; however, it’s hardly the only one. Swiss chocolate, just like the Belgian one, is regarded as one of the best in the world. Apart from these two countries, you can also organize a chocolate-themed trip to Ecuador, Costa Rica, or even the US and the UK!
Join us as we go through each of these destinations in detail.
Belgium
Belgium is well known for its chocolate, and it’s the perfect place to visit if you want to take your love for cocoa to a whole new level. The country may be small, but it has a lot to offer chocolate lovers: you can enjoy the best chocolate in Belgium’s finest hotels, indulge in an extensive array of chocolate desserts and sweets, try some of the most unique chocolate dishes, see chocolate museums, and even participate in chocolate-themed festivals. It doesn’t matter if you want to buy vegan dark chocolate, raspberry pralines, or a milk chocolate bar – Belgium won’t disappoint you.
What’s more, despite its tiny size, Belgium has a lot more to offer than just chocolate. The country is a popular tourist destination because of its architectural marvels, historic sites, and beautiful cities. Visit Belgium for a fun-filled, yet educational and enriching experience, an ideal holiday destination for chocolate lovers. And if all that wasn’t enough, it is also a paradise for beer lovers and cyclists!
Switzerland
The Alps, the chocolate factories, a rich cultural heritage – Switzerland has it all. Although Switzerland is not as famous for chocolate as Belgium, it makes up for it with charm, sophistication, impeccable cleanliness, and delicious Swiss chocolate.
Switzerland is not a budget destination, but if you’re looking for something beyond chocolate shops and tastings and you’re ready to pay a bit extra to get a luxurious experience, then this is the place for you. The country is known as a great choice for honeymooners and luxury travelers, but it also has much to offer in terms of culture, sightseeing, and food.
Costa Rica
A chocolate lover’s paradise, Costa Rica is one of the best countries to visit if you want to combine a chocolate-rich experience with lots of other opportunities, such as eco-tourism and adventure travel. Costa Rica is known as the Land of the Eternal Spring, and it’s a place of remarkable natural beauty known for its green, clean environment, tropical climate, and lovely beaches.
Costa Rica is yet another nation where a visit to a chocolate plantation is a must. Learn how cocoa beans are harvested and turned into chocolate, watch the process, and buy some of the best chocolate in Costa Rica (or make it yourself!).
Ecuador
Ecuador is home to some of the world’s best and extremely rare varieties of cacao, including the “Nacional” cacao that comes from the first trees ever domesticated by people, first harvested over 5,000 years ago.
Here, you can visit a chocolate plantation and learn how the beans are cultivated, processed, and turned into delicious treats. The chocolate shops, tasting rooms, and cafes here are a true treat to the senses – you won’t believe the quality of chocolate you can get in Ecuador.
Ecuador is one of the best chocolate countries you can visit because of its culture and traditions, but also because of its rich history, picturesque landscapes, and vibrant cities.
The United Kingdom
The UK is another popular destination for chocolate lovers. As if being the birthplace of Cadbury Chocolate and the world-famous British chocolate brands such as Rowntree’s, Montezuma’s, House of Dorchester and others wasn’t enough, it’s also a country with a rich culture of chocolate production, independent confectionery shops, and artisanal chocolatiers.
Whether you are hoping to learn more about the origins of your favorite sweets or just looking for some of the best chocolate sweets in the world, the United Kingdom is an excellent choice. Apart from chocolate, the UK will charm you with its lovely countryside dotted with picturesque villages and towns, as well as beautiful cities with ancient history, culture and rich heritage.
The United States
The United States is a vast country with all types of terrain and climatic conditions, which means that it can be a suitable destination for almost any type of activity. So, if you are planning to visit the US, or already live there but want to see other parts of the country, you should consider choosing a destination that would fit your passions and interests.
Good news for chocolate lovers: there are both huge chocolate manufacturers and small charming artisanal shops scattered around the country, so chocolate lovers can find what they want wherever they go. For example, you might want to visit Hershey’s Chocolate World in Hershey, Pennsylvania, where you can learn about the history of Hershey chocolate from a multimedia show and take a tour of their massive factory; or visit one of the numerous chocolate shops, bakeries and cafes in New York City. There are plenty of such places to choose from!
The Bottom Line
If you are feeling adventurous and want to explore new places and cultures, there is nothing better than combining your love for chocolate with a multi-day trip to a country that treats this delicious treat as something truly special. To take your love for chocolate to a whole new level, visit one of the countries famous for its chocolate. Belgium, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Ecuador, or the UK are all great choices, but you can’t go wrong with the USA either!
If you are dreaming about a chocolate-themed trip or want to visit a place where chocolate is king, there are plenty of countries (and cities) to choose from. Whether you’re a fan of Swiss chocolate, Belgian chocolate, or chocolate in general, there is a country for you!
