| Perugia's Eurochocolate Festival, an annual event that | | | | this delectable favourite and afterward you will have |
| is famous throughout the world, is the most popular | | | | no doubt about chocolate's distinct nutritional and |
| chocolate festival in Europe. Chocolate is big business | | | | dietary benefits. |
| in Umbria and Italy, with annual sales of 350 million | | | | You can also take part in informative and lively forums |
| euros. Consumption has doubled over the past 10 | | | | that highlight the production of cocoa as a sustainable |
| years, rising from two to four kilos per year, per | | | | industry for third world nations. The festival has a |
| person - and is still growing! | | | | special area that features certified Fair Trade cocoa |
| This year's festival, ChocolAge, runs from 13-21 | | | | products, made from cocoa that was bought from |
| October 2007. Each year a new theme is developed, | | | | Third World farmers at a fair price. This cocoa was |
| and commercial, educational and cultural activities are | | | | produced with full respect for workers' rights and |
| planned around the theme. For nine delightful days, | | | | grown in an environmentally friendly way. Most Italian |
| Perugia in Umbria is transformed into a chocolate | | | | artisan chocolate makers use cocoa with the Fair |
| lovers dream - a fantastic occasion to discover and | | | | Trade certification. |
| enjoy the highly celebrated Umbrian hospitality. | | | | If you need some exercise to work off all that |
| More than a million chocoholics visit this beautiful city | | | | overindulgence, there are excellent tennis courts in the |
| each year, to sample chocolate delights from all over | | | | city and plenty of places to walk and cycle. Around |
| Europe. You can scramble with the locals for free | | | | Perugia, you will see some of the region's most |
| trimmings as chocolate artists carve huge sculptures | | | | innovative architecture - the Renaissance-era Rocca |
| out of the massive metre-high blocks of dark | | | | Paolina Fortress, the Priori Palace and beautiful |
| chocolate placed around Piazza IV Novembre. Join | | | | churches such as the Duomo San Lorenzo and the |
| special guided tours of the city, peruse the many | | | | Basilica of San Domenico. For the more adventurous, |
| exhibitions and live demonstrations, and enjoy the | | | | there is plenty of climbing, trekking, rafting, canoeing and |
| numerous and generous free tastings, when samples | | | | kayaking in the hills nearby. |
| of chocolate from all over the world, including Vietnam, | | | | If you are more into relaxation, you will enjoy the |
| Cuba, Bolivia and Papua New Guinea, are handed out | | | | aromatherapy sessions that utilise cocoa and |
| on special trowels. | | | | chocolate facemasks. The Eurochocolate festival also |
| If you enjoy shopping, the city's charming promenades | | | | showcases the latest in chocolate beauty treatments - |
| are filled with vendors - more than 700 booths offer | | | | and some are free. What a fantastic way to top off |
| an incredible array of goodies made with chocolate - | | | | nine days of celebrating the 'food of the gods'. |
| pasta, salami, liquors, cheeses, desserts, drinks and a | | | | Perugia is Umbria's capital city, known as the 'green |
| vast array of pastries, cakes and candies, and much | | | | heart of Italy', and the area, with its fascinating array of |
| more. | | | | mediaeval towns and hilltop villages, is a popular tourist |
| During the festival, Perugia also hosts numerous | | | | destination. The city is 175 km from Rome and 150 km |
| educational and cultural events - cooking classes, | | | | from Florence and is easily accessed by road and |
| banquets, chocolate theatre, a chocolate cooking | | | | train. Inexpensive flights are also available from Rome |
| competition by top chefs, and finally the | | | | and Florence. You can hire a car at the airport and |
| much-anticipated Eurochocolate Awards. The many | | | | train station, but be sure to book well in advance as |
| seminars and talks will increase your knowledge about | | | | this is a very popular festival. |