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