My name is Giselle and I’ve been searching for the ultimate hot chocolate for a few decades now (and share my findings on my blog). The search has brought me to over 50 countries, 14 of which I have lived in.  

While chocolate is often the focus of my many travels, there is just so much chocolate one can have in a day. So, I balance this chocolate exploration with a bit of culture, lots of walking and tons of tasty food. 

I spend a lot of time organising these unforgettable journeys and after years of being asked to share more details about my trips, I’ve finally decided to share them! 

Over the past few years in particular, I've had the chance to take some amazing, chocolate fuelled trips in the name of research. I have a book coming out in 2026 all about, you guessed it, chocolate and have been interviewing hundreds of farmers, chocolate makers, chocolatiers and chocolate lovers around the world to piece together the fascinating and tasty story of chocolate. This means I have lots of fantastic chocolate and travel tips to share. I’m also a longtime judge of international chocolate awards and include many award winners as stops on my trips.

I know there are a lot of great chocolates and must try foods in many places around the world. What I want to know is which ones I absolutely need to try, what to order once I’m there, and how to build those stops into a walk that explores the local neighbourhood over a few hours (or more). That’s what these guides are all about. They are itineraries ready for you to explore. They don’t cover everything, just what you need to know to get the most out of your trip.

1. Be a local. Try to blend in. Do what they do, not what you’d do at home. 
2. Try everything. Eat and drink like a local. 
3. Don’t compare, celebrate. Differences are what makes travel delicious.
4. Leave a positive mark. Support local. Be kind. Say thank you, in the local language.
5. Learn something. Ask questions, join in, be curious.
6. Notice details. The little things, smells, sights, sounds, make it memorable.
7. Don’t waste time on bad chocolate. Life is too short. 

Tasty chocolate! When it comes to chocolate, I prioritize those that are good quality (good for my health, my taste buds, the people who make it, and the planet.) These are chocolates with minimal ingredients, so the focus is on the cacao (the main ingredient in chocolate). 

 Depending on the location, you’ll explore

• Chocolate makers producing chocolate from beans that are sustainably sourced from around the world. These chocolates have a remarkable variety of flavours inherent in the different beans used and don’t rely on added flavours or excessive sugar to be delicious. 
• Chocolatiers who source couverture chocolate from other companies and transform it into exquisite bonbons. 
• Cafes serving exceptional hot chocolates, local bars mixing chocolate cocktails, bakeries offering must try chocolate pastries, and even the occasional restaurant serving savoury dishes made with chocolate. If the country has cacao farms, I’ll include those too. 
•  Local chocolate specialties that one must try when visiting and yes, a candy or two (chocolate products made primarily of sugar). 

A little bit for everyone!

You can absolutely use these guides even if chocolate isn’t your thing. That said…maybe you just haven’t met the one yet. These suggestions might help you discover a chocolate worth falling for. 

Many of my trips have been with my kids, so while there aren’t specific “kid-only” options, everything is designed to be flexible and fun for anyone willing to give it a go, young or young at heart. 

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I’d love for more people to enjoy these guides! Instead of forwarding the file, please share the website link so your friend can purchase the full map and guide combo. That way, they get the complete experience, it supports the work that went into creating it, and allows me to create more guides. 

Yes! Stay tuned for more by signing up to the email list. You can also follow on Instagram @ultimatehotchoc or signing up to my newsletter SIPS for regular updates.  (Secret: Japan, Thailand, Korea, France and Australia are in the works...)

Yes, please do! Any suggestions or feedback are very welcome. Please email me at giselle@ultimatehotchocolate.com. If you are local chocolate lover and want to collaborate on a guide, just let me know!