The Chocolate Museum, Bruges, Belgium

For those with a serious sweet tooth, few pleasures in life are as great as really fine chocolate and for dedicated travelers little else is as thrilling as a really innovative museum. Combine the two, and you've got some people's idea of Nirvana. With this in mind, the members and editors of VirtualTourist.com have compiled a list of the "World's Top 10 Best Chocolate Museums."

1. THE COLOGNE CHOCOLATE MUSEUM, COLOGNE, GERMANY

Located right 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 members dip waffles in the hot liquid for salivating guests.

2. MUSEE LES SECRETS DU CHOCOLAT, GEISPOLSHEIM, FRANCE

Complete with theater, tearoom, 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, AUSTRALIA

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 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 brothers 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, PA.

This museum was started more than 30 years ago when the wife of the company president began collecting chocolate memorabilia at flea markets and antique shows. The 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.

 

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