4 European Destinations for Chocolate-Lovers

As the weather turns and we get all cosy and festive, in sinks that feeling of ‘ooh, I could do with some chocolate’. Well, good news! If you’ve also got the itch to travel during these colder months, our chocolate-lovers’ guide to Europe could come in handy. And if you're not intending on getting out of chilly old Blighty, you may as well take this opportunity to sample as much chocolate from different countries as you can…

Switzerland

What better place to start this festive season than in Zürich, the home of Lindt! It’s a chocoholic’s paradise, known for having the world’s largest chocolate shop, a 30-foot chocolate fountain, and an interactive chocolate museum. Alternatively, head West and hop on the vintage-style Belle-Epoque - also known as the Chocolate Train. Complete the journey from Montreux to Broc-Fabrique with coffee, chocolate pastries, a stop in Gruyère, and the destination Cailler-Nestlé chocolate factory. Of course, these are but two suggestions in the home of Alpine chocolate! All over the country you’ll stumble along delicious independent chocolatiers and big names in the chocolate game, including Toblerone, Läderach, and Villars.

Belgium

For a more indulgent and less milky experience, Belgian chocolate is definitely the way to go (especially since they’re the ones who invented praline!). Belgian chocolate typically has a higher cocoa content than Swiss, meaning it’s generally richer and more intense - think Godiva, Guylian, or Côte d'Or. Belgium is a dream come true for chocoholics, with over 2,000 chocolate shops and a dozen factories spread across the country. Brussels is considered the chocolate capital of the world, with more chocolatiers per square foot than any other city in the world. There’s also an annual chocolate festival and the infamous Choco-Story museum/factory, where you’ll discover 4,000 years of chocolate-related history and the bean-to-bar process. So make sure to stroll through Belgium’s charming cobbled streets, experience gourmet chocolate shops, and get your fill of the original praline.

France

France’s capital Paris is truly a chocolate lover’s paradise, with over 300 chocolate shops and home to the iconic Angelina’s. Angelina’s - and really France in general - do hot chocolate differently, and if you thought it was indulgent in the UK, well, you’ve got another thing coming! Made traditionally from melted chocolate and chantilly cream, hot chocolate is a thick, rich drink to be sipped slowly of an afternoon in the colder months. Or to really get to grips with the history of le chocolat, head south to the port town of Bayonne, where the cocoa bean has been a staple since the 16th century. Embrace the chocolate bouquet, the Chocolate Academy, hundreds of different chocolate varieties, and tastings every Friday and Saturday. Truly,  a gourmet chocolate haven!

Italy

Ah, Italy… or more specifically, Piedmont. The birthplace of Nutella! Originally named Giandujot and sold as a semi-solid sort of loaf, this sweet paste was made from hazelnuts, sugar, and just a smidgen of scarce post-WWII cocoa. Piedmont’s capital city Turin is also responsible for a wonderful little drink called bicerin, which is made using cocoa, coffee, and cream. Another jewel in Italy’s chocolate crown is Perugia, where they take this sweet treat seriously. They host Europe’s biggest chocolate event, Eurochocolate, every year, which is a true immersion into all manner of chocolate dishes both sweet and savoury. Just 15 minutes from Perugia’s town centre, you’ll also find the Casa del Cioccolato - an all-in-one museum, factory, and classroom designed to show its visitors just how fascinating the origins and creation of chocolate truly are.

So, if you’re in need of a decent chocolate fix, you needn’t travel halfway across the world. Ready for a chocolate-filled adventure? Whether you’re in the mood for  Nutella in Turin, a rich hot chocolate in Paris, or pralines in Belgium, Europe has the perfect destinations to indulge your sweet tooth this season.

BY HOLLY GARWOOD, 4TH NOVEMBER 2024