October 19, 2009
SYDNEY (Reuters Life!) - For people who love chocolate with travel, what could be better than a chocolate museum.
The members and editors of VirtualTourist.com (http:\\www.virtualtourist.com) have compiled a list of the World's Top 10 Best Chocolate Museums. Reuters has not endorsed this list.
1. The Cologne Chocolate Museum; Cologne, Germany
Located on the Rhine River, this futuristic building gives visitors three floors of chocolate history to ponder, but the real center of attention here is the famous chocolate fountain. Museum staff dip waffles in the hot liquid for salivating guests.
2. Musee les Secrets du Chocolat; Geispolsheim, France
Complete with theater, tea room, and gift shop that sells chocolate pasta, chocolate vinegar, chocolate beer and decorative antique chocolate molds, this museum is every bit as elegant as the country it represents.
3. Pannys Amazing World of Chocolate, Phillip Island Chocolate Factory; Newhaven, Phillip Island, Victoria, Canada.
This facility houses such tongue-in-cheek exhibits as statue of David replicas, a Dame Edna mural and an entire chocolate town. Aside from the eye candy, visitors are treated to real candy with a chocolate sample upon arrival.
4. Choco-Story Chocolate Museum; Bruges, Belgium
In addition to dedicating a section of the museum to the health benefits of chocolate, this museum also houses a quirky collection of chocolate tins that pay tribute to the Royal family.
5. Museu de la Xocolata; Barcelona, Spain
The sculptures at this museum are so impressive, you'll forget you're looking at chocolate. Subjects range from copies of serious religious works to whimsical cartoon characters.
6. The Chocolate Museum (Musee du Chocolat); St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada.
This museum pays tribute to the Ganong Bros who were candy makers in the area and who have the distinction of introducing the world to the iconic heart-shaped chocolate box, many of which, not surprisingly, are on display here.
7. Choco-Story Chocolate Museum; Prague, Czech Republic
Chocolate may be a feast for the palate, but this museum is truly a feast for the eyes. With collections of stunning antique chocolate wrappers and demonstrations of the chocolate making process, it's hard to know what to look at first.
8. Candy Americana Museum, Wilbur Chocolate; Lititz, Pennsylvania
Started when the wife of the company president began collecting chocolate memorabilia at flea markets and antique shows, this now over-30-year old museum still admits visitors for free.
9. Chocolate Museum; Jeju-do Island, South Korea
While the chocolate workshop, "Bean to Bar" showroom, and art gallery are all impressive, perhaps this museum's biggest draw is their working San Francisco-style trolley car.
10. Nestle Chocolate Museum; Mexico City, Mexico
Known more for its modern design and the speed with which it was built (by most estimates 75 days from start to finish), this futuristic building is an exhibit in itself.
(Editing by Sugita Katyal)
