Nowadays everyone seems to have a bucket list or wander list if you will. But among the many unbelievable places to see, road trips to take and experiences to have, I have a chocoholic bucket list – chocolist! As a self-anointed chocolate connoisseur, I have made it my life’s mission to taste chocolate from around the world.
So far I have sampled bars from Japan, Thailand, Vietnam (which tastes remarkably like soy sauce), South Africa, England, Austria, Venezuela, Kazakstan (surprisingly good), Canada, USA and the Dominican Republic, among many others. But beyond my ongoing sampling of these sweet treats from around the world, there are a few key experiences any true worshipper of the cacao bean needs to tick off their bucket list.
1.Chocolate Train
The GoldenPass Line in Switzerland runs between Montreux-Broc-Gruyère. Not only is this a journey to see and taste exquisite chocolate but is the very epitome of the Swiss experience. As you sit in complete luxury sipping hot chocolate and champagne on a 19th-century train, passing by the some of the most iconic Swiss scenery like Lake Geneva and dreamy meadows. The train’s first stop is in the village of Gruyère, for a tour of a cheese factory and a fondue while the journey concludes at the Cailler-Nestle Chocolate Factory.
2. The city of all things sweet and delicate
Paris, the city of delicate pastries and quaint cafes. When I finally make it to Paris, my top priority is to work my way through the confectionery stores sampling fragrant macaroons and then stopping by the ever so sophisticated Angelina’s for their famed hot chocolate and trademark pastry, The Mont-Blanc.
3. Chocolate Capital
The cobbled streets of the capital city of Belgium – Brussels is renowned for its chocolatiers. With more chocolate shops per square foot than in any other place across the globe, this quaint city should definitely be on a chocoholics bucket list. The best way to get well acquainted with this delicious city would be a chocolate walking and tasting tour.
4. Surrounded by Chocolate
Hotel Chocolat is a luxury hotel and spa situated on the Caribbean island of St Lucia and is built amongst a cocoa grove. The hotel’s entire focus is to celebrate this magical bean. With a wellness spa offering massages, full body exfoliate, detox wraps and facials all using the key ingredient, cacao. Self-guided walks through the luscious plantation and a ‘bean to bar’ experience where guests get to hand-pick their very own beans and take them through the whole process until finally creating your very own chocolate bar. Hello my heaven!
5. Chocolate Fountain
To marvel (more like drool) at the world’s largest chocolate fountain at the entrance to the Jean Philippe Pâtisserie in the Bellagio Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas. This floor to ceiling masterpiece funnels three types of chocolate through a glass fountain.
6. Smashing Dessert
Uncle Julio’s is a Dallas-based Tex-Mex food chain that serves up this rather fun looking dessert, a Chocolate Pinata. A hanging ball of chocolate filled with treats and fruit to dip into an array of sauces. I think this is a smashing way to end a meal!
Let me know what other mouthwatering experiences I need to add to my chocolate bucket list?
