For devoted chocolate enthusiasts, this delectable delight is more than just a sweet indulgence - it’s a genuine passion. With its vast array of varieties and flavours, the world of chocolate offers a captivating journey waiting to be embraced. Chocolate is crafted across the globe, utilising diverse techniques, cacao beans and unique flavour profiles, ensuring that every destination offers an entirely distinctive chocolate experience. In this article, we embark on a delectable journey to discover dream cruise destinations tailor-made for chocoholics.
Brussels, Belgium
Belgium is often regarded as one of the world’s chocolate capitals. Their unique style of creating milky truffles and ornate chocolates has given them a reputation worldwide. Belgium is easy to get to and is a stop on many of our mini cruises. When there, it would be wrong to leave without trying some chocolate but be warned, once you do you’ll want to pack your suitcase full of it to take home.
We spoke to Addie from Addie Abroad, who took a chocolate tour of Brussels whilst holidaying there in 2017. We asked Addie about that experience, “Belgian chocolate is widely regarded as some of the best chocolate in the world, which makes Brussels one of the dream cruise destinations for chocoholics. There are artisanal chocolate shops galore all over Brussels, which makes it very easy to spend an entire day sampling chocolate - be sure to try chocolate pralines from Neuhaus Chocolate, the inventor of the praline! Another great way to try Belgian chocolate is drizzled over a delicious Belgian waffle. And finally, to find out all about the history of chocolate in Belgium (and try copious samples), be sure to head to the Museum of Cacao and Chocolate, just off the Grand Place!”
Quito, Ecuador
Often regarded as some of the best in the world, Ecuador has been producing cacao for thousands of years. Thanks to its location on the equator, and diverse terrain, the growing conditions are perfect for cacao and the country grows it in abundance.
Max from Dame Cacao is a chocolate enthusiast who has travelled the world learning about the culture of chocolate - and sampled lots along the way. She has spent time working in the plantations in Ecuador, learning firsthand what chocolate means to them. We asked her about the experience, “In Ecuador, chocolate isn’t just another product, it’s a matter of heritage. The native varietal of cacao, called Arriba Nacional, has been an important crop in Ecuador for millennia. In fact, the first evidence of cacao consumption dates back about 7,000 years to modern-day Ecuador. So, the culture of chocolate making and chocolate consumption is now well-established there, but Ecuadorian use of the cacao fruit is certainly not limited to chocolate.
Paris, France
Known for their passion for food, France is a country that consistently gets added to lists like this. It’s their dedication to perfection and the care they take over every single product that makes them the best - their chocolate is no exception. Like Zurich, they tend to favour a milkier recipe but will provide you with intricate, beautiful designs, made with precision. Whilst there, we suggest sampling chocolates from a chocolatier for yourself or to surprise a loved one. There is no better gift than a delicious box of chocolates.
Lima, Peru
Similarly to Ecuador, Peru’s advantageous location on the equator means that chocolate here is also grown in the perfect conditions. Although you may think that a close location and similar position on the equator means that Ecuador and Peru’s chocolate would be similar, you’d be surprised just how much the taste can change over a small space, with every aspect of the environment making a difference to the flavour.
Kristel from The Tiny Travelogue has travelled South America extensively from her base in Costa Rica. We asked her about the chocolate in Peru, “A bit weird, a little fiery, but oh so tasty - that’s how I would describe the chocolate with the tiny blasts of chilli in. At the markets and in the many chocolate shops in Lima you can find all kinds of tastes; chocolates with flowers, salt and mint, but my favourite by far is the chocolate with chilli. The person who thought of this combination is a hero! Go try it out and brace yourself for a feisty treat. Don’t forget about the chocolate tea either, another great invention I often spotted in Peru.”
We also spoke to Alina, a blogger at The Happy Kid. Alina travels the world with her husband Andrei and son Eric. Alina and her family travelled to Lima in 2018 and we asked her about the chocolate there, “Peru is famous for its rich culture and history. But it is also well known all around the world for top-class chocolate. So, if you are a chocolate lover, Lima should be on your travel list. Peruvian cocoa beans have a distinct flavour and artisanal chocolate shops use indigenous recipes to make unique premium combinations.”
Zürich, Switzerland
As the home of Lindt chocolate, Switzerland’s distinctive milky style is known globally. However, the chocolate here is more than just Lindt. It is a point of pride for the country and perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth. When in Zürich, we suggest wandering the streets looking into the various cafes and chocolatiers to see the masters at work or even taking a chocolate tour and sampling a range.
