Travel and Chocolate - two of my favorite things!

I love to travel.  I love chocolate - everything about it, actually.  Try combining the two and I'm floating a few inches above ground.  So, how about a trip to Paris experiencing the world's greatest chocolates? Heaven!

Our friends, Pamela and Jay, a lovely couple we met through work, both love travel and food.  They are a bit more adventurous and experienced in both than my husband and me, but nonetheless, it's something we all share.  While over cocktails this weekend, they told us about plans to head over to Europe next year.  Initially for a family wedding in England, and then to Paris, France.

I couldn't help but tell them about the popular chocolate walking tours of Paris.  A few euros, a comfortable pair a shoes and you are on your way to a gastronomic experience of mega proportions!  France is widely known for creating the best dark chocolate in the world.  (one fantastic brand being Valrhona)  Luckily for us Edmontonians, if Paris is not in the budget,  we just head downtown to Sweetlollapalooza (http://www.sweetlollapalooza.com/ ) to taste a bit of France's phenomenal raw material!

But for Pamela and Jay, here are some links and information to get the planning started for your chocolate adventure!

First, take a look at the article in France Today on the best chocolatiers currently hanging their plaques in Paris:

http://www.francetoday.com/articles/2010/08/12/the_short_list_paris_chocolatiers.html

If your interested in those walking tours to cover the chocolate district in Paris, try:

http://www.paris-walks.com/chocolate-walk.html

or

http://www.viator.com/tours/Paris/Paris-Chocolate-and-Pastry-Food-Tour/d479-3234PCT?pref=02&aid=g3363

And, if you got a week to eat, try a Bovitz tour.  Yes, not only does he write food books, but will also guide you through the best gastronomic experiences France has to offer:

http://www.davidlebovitz.com/tours/

But why stop at chocolate?  France is known for so much more in the food world!  Take a look at Luxirare's article on the experiences of one blogger on a foodie stop to Paris:

http://luxirare.com/macarons-chocolates-scorpions/

So, have fun researching all the phenomenal things to do during your stay in Paris, Pamela and Jay!  I am very jealous!  A cooking lesson, countless French bakeries and chocolatiers, and don't get me started on those bistros!

Bon appetit!

K