A Chocolate-Lover’s Guide to the World’s Sweetest Escapes

For today’s traveller, chocolate is no longer just a treat; it’s a taste of local identity. With over half of Indian travellers keen to explore a destination through its food, flavour-led holidays are taking centre stage. According to Booking.com, around 57 per cent of Indian travellers and 45 per cent of Asian travellers are keen to explore local food culture on their trips, making flavour-led escapes a growing trend this year.

Whether it’s sipping on a spiced hot cocoa in Chiang Mai or discovering bean-to-bar craftsmanship in Bali, here are five global destinations on World Chocolate Day, where chocolate tells its own delicious story.

Puducherry, India – French Charm with a South Indian Twist

The pastel-hued streets of Puducherry offer more than just colonial beauty. This seaside city has quietly emerged as a craft chocolate hub, where organic cacao from Tamil Nadu is paired with local flavours like jaggery, filter coffee, and chilli. In White Town’s vibrant lanes, travellers can attend chocolate-tasting sessions, unwind in beach cafés or explore the spiritual haven of Auroville. Boutique homestays and heritage villas add a laid-back charm, perfect for slow travel and indulgent escapes.

Kyoto, Japan – Where Matcha Meets Chocolate

In Kyoto, centuries-old traditions meet culinary innovation. Here, chocolate takes on a subtle sophistication, infused with earthy matcha and delicate green tea. Visitors can stroll through serene bamboo forests, explore ancient temples, and enjoy curated tea-and-chocolate pairings. Tranquil ryokans and chic boutique hotels make this a chocolate retreat that nourishes both palate and soul.

Ubud, Indonesia – Bean to Bar in the Balinese Hills

In the lush heart of Bali, Ubud tempts travellers with tropical chocolate delights. From coconut cacao bars to chocolates laced with sea salt and mangosteen, the region’s farm-to-table approach is both sustainable and soulful. Between chocolate tastings, visitors can rejuvenate with yoga, visit cascading rice terraces, or unwind in eco-conscious jungle villas offering spa rituals and organic breakfasts.

Chiang Mai, Thailand – A Spicy Cocoa Surprise

Chiang Mai adds its own punch to chocolate. Expect bold infusions of lemongrass, tamarind, and Thai chilli in every bite. Local chocolatiers lead the way in innovation and ethical sourcing, while the city’s rich tapestry of temples, markets, and elephant sanctuaries create a cultural backdrop as warm and vibrant as its flavours.

Da Nang, Vietnam – Cocoa with a Coastal Soul

Da Nang’s artisanal chocolate scene is quickly making waves, offering bars blended with salted cashews, cinnamon, and Vietnamese coffee. Between indulgent bites, discover the Marble Mountains, night shows on Dragon Bridge or a short getaway to Hoi An. With beachfront resorts and riverside cafés, this coastal city adds a dose of seaside serenity to your sweet escape.

This World Chocolate Day, let your travels be as rich and layered as the chocolate you taste, because every bite tells a story, and every destination adds a flavour of its own.