5 destinations for a flavour-filled escape this world chocolate day
Celebrate World Chocolate Day in 2025 with a flavour-filled getaway. Discover 5 destinations—from Puducherry to Kyoto—where local culture meets handcrafted chocolate, curated by Booking.com for food-loving travellers.
There’s chocolate—and then there’s chocolate that tells a story. This July 7, on World Chocolate Day, why settle for a box of confections when you can follow the aroma to destinations where cocoa is more than a treat—it’s a cultural celebration? According to Booking.com, flavour-led holidays are increasingly on the radar, with 57% of Indian travellers and 45% of Asian travellers seeking out local culinary experiences during their travels. From coastal kitchens and rainforest retreats to heritage towns and tea-drinking capitals, these five destinations serve up chocolate with a local twist—layered with history, ritual, and unmistakable regional flair. Take a look... (AI Image)
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Puducherry, India – Where South Indian Cacao Meets French Craftsmanship A town steeped in quiet elegance, Puducherry marries Tamil Nadu’s bold cacao with French finesse. Artisanal chocolatiers in White Town are infusing dark chocolate with filter coffee, jaggery, chilli, and even moringa, creating flavour profiles as textured as the town’s colonial facades. Whether you're sampling single-origin bars in tucked-away boutiques, learning to temper cacao in hands-on workshops, or exploring the seaside stillness of Auroville, Puducherry offers a sweet escape for the mindful, the curious, and the slow traveller. (Image: Canva)
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Kyoto, Japan – Matcha, Minimalism, and a Touch of Ganache Kyoto doesn't shout; it whispers in green tea and fine chocolate. In this refined cultural heart of Japan, chocolatiers experiment with earthy matcha, silky black sesame, and yuzu-infused dark chocolate. A quiet visit to a traditional tea house may end with a handcrafted bonbon, while a stroll through Nishiki Market reveals unexpected cocoa curiosities. With ryokans tucked into quiet alleys and boutique stays overlooking bamboo forests, Kyoto offers an indulgent retreat without excess—a place where culinary creativity is folded into centuries-old traditions. (Image: Canva)
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Ubud, Indonesia – Cacao Under the Canopy Tucked among Bali’s rice terraces and jungle temples, Ubud is a place where chocolate comes straight from the forest. Local makers take you through the entire bean-to-bar journey, from hand-harvested pods to slow-roasted nibs. The result? Chocolate laced with coconut, sea salt, and spice—crafted with patience and purpose. Between tastings, dip into yoga sessions, wander through artist villages, or simply watch the rain slide off palm fronds from your thatched-roof villa. Ubud is a destination where chocolate feels natural, almost sacred. (Image: Canva)
Chiang Mai, Thailand – Heat, Herb, and Handmade Cocoa Northern Thailand’s culinary inventiveness finds bold expression in Chiang Mai’s growing chocolate scene. Here, you’ll find dark chocolate blended with tamarind, bird’s eye chilli, lemongrass, and even sticky rice. These aren’t novelties—they’re flavour maps rooted in tradition. Visit studios that double as cafes, where local artisans speak passionately about ethical sourcing and flavour balance. Whether you’re exploring temple ruins, sipping robusta over market stalls, or retreating into the hills for a slow-paced stay, Chiang Mai offers chocolate with soul and spice. (Image: Canva)
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Da Nang, Vietnam – Cacao by the Coast In Da Nang, chocolate takes on the rhythm of the sea. The city’s laid-back vibe meets a quietly thriving chocolate culture, with local creators drawing on Vietnam’s own cacao beans and infusing them with flavours like roasted cashew, cinnamon bark, and bold, earthy robusta coffee. Pair your tasting with a walk through ancient pagodas or the limestone corridors of Marble Mountains. Add in riverside stays or beachfront resorts, and Da Nang becomes a destination where chocolate feels both contemporary and deeply rooted. (Image: Canva)
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This World Chocolate Day, let your travel plans be led not by landmarks but by flavour. Because in these five destinations, chocolate is more than a treat—it’s a sense of place, waiting to be unwrapped.
