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Time of India
15 hours ago
- Time of India
10 famous chocolate factories in the world every choco‑lover must visit
This isn't your average candy bar tour — this is the VIP lounge of the chocolate world. From Swiss alpine ateliers to Belgian praline palaces , these famous chocolate factories offer luxury-level indulgence, five-star flavour, and behind-the-scenes access to the world's finest cocoa craft. Think: velvet-smooth tastings, bean-to-bar artistry, and chocolate fountains that look like they belong in Vogue. Whether you're planning a decadent detour, a chocolate tasting vacation , or just want to flex your sweet tooth in style, these top chocolate tours serve up the ultimate gourmet fantasy — no golden ticket required, just good taste. From bean to bar and continent to continent, these top 10 chocolate factories prove that the world takes its sweets seriously. These destinations offer the ultimate chocolate-tasting trips — and stories you can bring home in a box. 10 Most popular chocolate factories in the world Maison Cailler – Broc, Switzerland Source: Wik Established: 1819 (factory in Broc since 1898) Site: Maison Cailler is Switzerland 's oldest chocolate brand. The Broc facility features interactive museum exhibits, chocolate-making demos, tasting rooms, and workshops — a full sensory chocolate experience in the heart of the Alps. A must-visit for chocolate lovers touring Swiss confectionery history. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You To Read in 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Lindt Home of Chocolate – Kilchberg, Switzerland Source: Wiki Established: 2020 Site: A sleek, modern chocolate museum next to Lindt's production centre in Switzerland. It features the world's tallest chocolate fountain, interactive exhibits, hands-on workshops, and a retail hall filled with exclusive Lindt products. A luxury chocolate stop just 15 minutes from Zurich. Hershey's Chocolate World – Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA Source: Wikipedia Established: 1973 Site: Hershey's Chocolate World combines entertainment and education with chocolate-themed attractions. Enjoy ride-through tours, 4D shows, DIY chocolate bars, tastings, and the world's largest Hershey's store. Great for families, foodies, and fans of the iconic American chocolate brand situated in Pennsylvania, USA. Cadbury World – Birmingham, UK Source: Cadbury World Established: 1990 Site: Located in historic Bournville, Cadbury World delivers an immersive chocolate experience with interactive exhibits, chocolate history, live demos, and generous tastings. While not a full working factory, it's perfect for fans of the UK's most iconic chocolate label. Valrhona Cité du Chocolat – Tain-l'Hermitage, France Source: Wiki Established: 2013 Site: Valrhona's Cité du Chocolat is a gourmet chocolate exploration centre offering hands-on experiences, chocolate science exhibits, tastings, and workshops. It's located near their production site in France and caters to both amateurs and professionals looking for luxury-level, bean-to-bar chocolate craftsmanship. Ghirardelli Square – San Francisco, USA Source: Wiki Established: 1852 Site: Though the original factory has moved, Ghirardelli Square remains a chocolate landmark. Located in San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf area, it offers shops, cafes, sundaes, and rich chocolate history. A nostalgic visit blending heritage, sweets, and bay views. Toblerone Factory – Bern, Switzerland Source: Wiki Established: 1908 Site: Bern is home to the iconic Toblerone triangle. While public factory tours aren't available, visitors can explore Toblerone's history throughout the city, shop for special editions, and see the Matterhorn logo inspiration up close. A cultural and chocolate-rich stop. Neuhaus Chocolate – Brussels, Belgium Source: Neuhaus Chocolate Established: 1857 Site: Inventor of the praline, Neuhaus is a luxury Belgian brand known for refined craftsmanship. While the main factory isn't open for full tours, in-store tastings and chocolate masterclasses in Brussels provide a hands-on experience with gourmet chocolate at its finest. Fazer Chocolate Factory – Helsinki, Finland Source: Discovering Finland Established: 1891 Site: Fazer's visitor centre offers an engaging look at one of Finland's most iconic brands. Guests can explore exhibits, learn about sustainable sourcing, and sample a wide range of chocolates and confections. A local favourite with global-quality sweets. Guylian Chocolate Experience – Sint-Niklaas, Belgium Source: Wikipedia Established: 1958 Site: Famous for its seashell-shaped pralines, Guylian's visitor centre lets you watch expert chocolatiers at work. Enjoy exhibits, tasting counters, and a look into their signature hazelnut fillings in Belgium. A seaside chocolate experience that's both elegant and interactive.
The Star
5 days ago
- The Star
World Chocolate Day 2025: Choc fans will love these travel ideas
So beloved is this cocoa-based confectionery that it's been conferred its very own day of celebration. World Chocolate Day, falling on July 7 annually, is a day that gives anyone with a sweet tooth the excuse to relish the gooey goodness of the saccharine snack. If you are a chocoholic, however, chances are you'd want every day to be one that's chock-full of chocolate. You might even dream of having a chocolate-themed trip. Should that be the case, here are some fun chocolatey things to do and places you can visit to eat, explore and enjoy your favourite treat. Chocolat Express travels from Bern to the chocolate factory in Broc. — Chocolat Express website Chocolate trains As if Switzerland isn't already tempting enough with its Alpine scenery and quaint villages, it also has to be home to numerous premium, high-quality chocolate brands as well. Don't miss the opportunity to sample all the Swiss chocolate you possibly can while visiting the picturesque European country. In fact, you should do so in the most unique way possible – by pairing it with a vintage train ride through scenic Swiss landscapes. Train Du Chocolat (Chocolate Train) is a round-trip transportation service that runs from the picturesque resort town of Montreux to the medieval town of Gruyeres. It's a day excursion that includes a stop at Maison Cailler factory and museum, where you'd gain knowledge about chocolate and eat plenty of sweet treats. There is another train service that offers a direct journey from Bern to the same Maison Cailler in Broc. Chocolat Express, as it's called, takes just an hour and 18 minutes. This train departs from Bern four times a day. Chocolate Museum Kota Damansara is the largest of its kind in South-East Asia. — Chocolate Museum/Facebook Chocolate museums While you're in Switzerland, pay a visit to the world's largest chocolate museum: Lindt Home of Chocolate. Opened in 2020, it also houses the world's largest chocolate fountain. Measuring over 9m tall, the fountain takes the shape of the brand's iconic round truffle with a giant whisk hovering above it, dripping 1,400kg of real chocolate. If you wish to explore only within Asia, then head to the second largest chocolate museum in the world. Located in South Korea's largest (and arguably most famous) island, Jeju, the chocolate museum is also unique in that it is made with the volcanic rock that gives Jeju its distinct look. If you do not wish to venture outside of South-East Asia, luckily we have the largest chocolate museum in the region right here in our backyard! Well, if you live in the Klang Valley, that is. Chocolate Museum Kota Damansara is definitely one we Malaysians cannot forget when talking about such museums. You can have a go at making your own chocolate bars here. Chocolate theme parks Usually when Hokkaido's capital, Sapporo, is mentioned, the food-associated word that comes next is 'beer'. Not at Shiroi Koibito Park, though. The chocolate-themed attraction is dedicated to the eponymous confectionery brand that has become synonymous with Hokkaido – anyone visiting this mountainous region in Japan will count Shiroi Koibito chocolate cookies as must-buy souvenirs. Offering attractions that range from cute cafes to adorable photo spots, the park also has what it dubs the Gulliver Town. It's basically a 'small' town for kids, as in the buildings here are shrunk to around their size. Another fun attraction is the park's Shiroi Koibito Railway Site, though this one doesn't open in winter. If you're more into trains that go around in twisty loops – aka roller coasters – then Hersheypark might be more your speed. The 119-year-old theme park is located in Pennsylvania, United States. Or, you can wait for the upcoming Cacau Park in Brazil. Occupying 700ha of land near Sao Paulo, it will open in 2027 with 35 attractions, one of which will be a 55m-high roller coaster – the largest in South America. The fashion show at Salon du Chocolat is one of its key attractions. — Salon du Chocolat/Facebook Chocolate festivals Eurochocolate is to chocophiles as Eurovision is to music fans. Held annually in Perugia, the capital of Italy's Umbria region, it is the largest chocolate festival in Europe – some say the world – as it draws roughly one million visitors every year. This year, Eurochocolate holds its 31st edition from Nov 14 to 23. Guided by the theme 'clouds/chocolate', visitors can expect to see fluffy cloud installations and cloud-shaped treats at the festival. Salon du Chocolat is another well-known chocolate festival. If you go to this, you'd get to experience something no other chocolate festival would have: A fashion show – as expected from an event born in the world's fashion capital. First held in Paris in 1995, the festival has since expanded to Lyon in south-eastern France as well as cities in other countries, such as Shanghai (China), New York City (US), and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). Each city has its own date, and the main festival in Paris is set to hold its 30th edition this year from Oct 29 to Nov 3. It also recently made its Malaysian debut in Kuala Lumpur earlier this month, as the key highlight of the Foods & Drinks Malaysia B2B trade show by Salon International de l'alimentation. Malaysia also has its own fairly new chocolate festival. Specifically, it is the Chocolate Festival in Johor. While the 2025 edition has already taken place recently in May, you can always watch out for next year's edition. The festival doesn't feature just sweet treats. It also has art workshops, special appearances by local actors and performances by local bands, DJs and singers.
