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Top 5 cities for chocolate lovers

 

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  • Decadent thoughts of chocolate aren't just reserved for Valentine's Day. The deal experts at Travelzoo suggest five chocolate-indulgent escapes, beginning with Spain's capital city, Madrid.
  • Madrid's known around the globe for its fountains, world-class art -- and chocolaterias.
  • At Madrid's Churreria San Gines, your waiter can indulge your sweet tooth with a plate of churros and accompanying chocolate cups for dipping.
  • When in Madrid, eat like the locals, with fresh churros and a generous side of thick, hot chocolate.
  • The Travelzoo folks suggest two U.S. cities on our global chocolate tour, beginning with San Francisco.
  • New York City has Times Square, London has Trafalgar Square. But only San Francisco has transformed an old chocolate factory into Ghiradelli Square, where this cable car is turning around near Fisherman's Wharf.
  • The winner of 2012's Daytona 500, Matt Kenseth, celebrates by making himself a post-victory sundae at the San Francisco's Ghirardelli Chocolate Co.
  • At the Bi-Rite Creamery in San Francisco, spicy Mexican chocolate is one of the soft-serve flavors. Others include vanilla, of course, but also balsamic strawberry.
  • Our second U.S. chocolate destination is the Wisconsin town of Burlington, named Chocolate City, USA, by the state in 1987, in honor of the Nestle Chocolate and Confection Co.'s 20-year anniversary there.
  • These goodies are from Burlington's annual Chocolate Extravaganza, a chocolate baking competition the town holds in March for amateur bakers.
  • Another treat from Burlington's Chocolate Extravaganza. The town also holds ChocolateFest each May during Memorial Day weekend, with music, children's activities and the
  • Then there's Burlington's Chocolate Experience Museum, including chocolate carvings, creations made of Nestle candy and Farfel, the original Nestle mascot.
  • We take our chocolate sojourn north of the border, then head west to Vancouver. Like Atlanta, the Canadian city is a former host of the Olympic Games.
  • Douglas Coupland's Digital Orca sculpture greeting you at Vancouver's harbor. National Georgraphic has called the city's Sutton Place Hotel the best place in the world for chocolate because of the Chocolate Buffett at the hotel's Fleuri Restaurant. The feast of cakes, pies, cookies, pastries, ice cream and crepes has two seatings Thursday-Saturday nights.
  • For our fifth and final chocolate stop, let's head south to Mexico, where you can explore ruins just outside Oaxaca City. Once inside the city, follow your nose to Mina Street, full of chocolate shops with wares crafted on-site.
  • At Oaxaca City's Benito Juarez Market, a vendor shows off three different types of mole. A staple dressing, mole includes chili peppers and chocolate. Shoppers can choose other ingredients, such as onions and garlic, for a customized creation.