Whistle Stop

This past summer, I bought myself a 30-day Amtrak rail pass and rode trains all over the United States. While Amtrak usually takes longer than flying, no better option exists for travelers who really want to see everything our country has to offer. Actually, it's really for those who want to observe and experience the diversity of American life. They don't call it the Observation Car for nothing- riding an Amtrak train, one somehow feels like an active participant in the shifting, changing landscape, not merely a spectator. In addition, riding the rails provides its own incomparable travel experience in and of itself. Train travel has an undeniable romance about it, and the route names of today pay homage to train travel's golden era: California Zephyr, Empire Builder, Silver Meteor- just the names evoke a sense of adventure and sophistication.

Train travel in the U.S. has managed to avoid the difficulties and complications of air travel. Amtrak has no security line or extra fees, you can check four bags for free, and the food in the dining car is head and shoulders above most airlines. Besides, what could be more civilized than eating your meal over good conversation while the sun sets behind the mountains? In addition, passengers have a great deal more space and mobility than passengers on planes, and trains have no 'Fasten Seat Belt' sign. Even coach seats have 50 inches of legroom, not to mention the copious amounts of space in the Observation Car, Lounge Car, Dining Car, and each individual sleeping cabin. Travel by train is especially comfortable for families with young children; parents can keep children occupied by the outside scenery, the ability to explore the train, and the endless opportunity to play games in the Observation Car.

Many cities are serviced by the Amtrak system, and 237 national parks are accessible by train, bringing the exploration of our country firmly into the grasp of everyone. Travel with Amtrak has been referred to by Travel Weekly as a 'sleeping giant', and we can expect to see increases in service and speed in the years to come. Amtrak Vacations has more than doubled its scheduled departures for 2013 in light of a growing ridership (3.5% increase in the past year), and Amtrak submitted proposals for true high-speed rail in several corridors, including the popular Northeast corridor (75% of travelers take the train between New York and Washington).  Amtrak is truly poised to reemerge as a popular, comfortable, and stress-free travel option.

A World of Pure Imagination

As Christmas approaches, it's not just the little ones who have visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads. I personally know very few people who can easily pass up that fourth sugar cookie or second helping of figgy pudding. But the consumption of sweets doesn't have to be a guilt-ridden, seasonal pleasure relegated to the darkest days of the year; appreciating well-crafted, unique desserts can be a joyful, enriching experience all year round, the whole world over. It is in this spirit that I bring you information regarding the search for and enjoyment of perhaps the most habit-forming sweet of them all: chocolate. Just as wine and cheese have individual personalities specific to their terroir and dominating cultural environment, so too does chocolate. Chocolate can be a fantastic way to add sense of place and local appreciation into your trip.

Want to have a chocolate-themed experience? No problem! Here are some ideas for your next trip:


1. Switzerland
Home to world-famous Lindt and Sprüngli, Switzerland began processing chocolate in the 17th century. Caillier and Suchard, which respectively became Nestlé and Toblerone, got the Swiss chocolate industry going by spreading their products overseas in the 1850s. Every region has their own chocolate tradition and specialty; for example, chocolatiers in the Jura Mountains are known for making small chocolate watches, and Bern is famous for its chocolate bears.
Check out the Schokoland Chocolate Museum at the Alprose Factory in Caslano-Lugano for a tour of the factory (sorry, no oompa-loompas), background information on the history and development of modern chocolate, tastings, and more.

2. Belgium
Chocolate-making in Belgium dates back to the 19th century, but the praline remains unequivocally the greatest legacy of Belgium's cocoa tradition. Godiva and Leonidas are well-known brands, but another fantastic local option is Pierre Marcolini in Brussels. Consider the 7-day Chocolate Lovers Paradise Tour, which includes chocolate-tasting with experts, demonstrations at chocolate factories, and an all-together outstanding culinary experience.

3. Bariloche, Argentina
A hub for the ecologically-minded productions of artisanal ice cream, the chocolate in Bariloche is made almost entirely from local organic ingredients. Mamuschka and Rapa Nui are especially popular places to stock up on chocolate. With the Patagonian Andes a mere stone's throw away, there is nowhere as beautiful or dramatic to savor every last chocolaty bite.

4. Oaxaca, Mexico
Chocolate is an extremely important part of Oaxaca's food tradition; considering the Aztecs were among the first people to consume cacao around 1100 B.C., it is only appropriate to learn about and sample Mexican chocolate dishes and beverages. It is served bitter or with vanilla or cinnamon, in either bar or liquid form. The most traditional incarnation is to dissolve a little of the bitter chocolate in hot water and serve it with a type of traditional bread floating on top. If taking your chocolate in a hot, bitter draught seems a bit too intimidating, don't worry. Oaxaca has an abundance of choices. In some establishments, it's still traditional to bring your own cocoa, sugar, and other ingredients to have your chocolate ground and prepared to your specifications.

5. The United States
From sea to shining sea, opportunities for chocoholics abound here in the home of the Hershey bar. You can tour the Lake Champlain Chocolate Factory in Vermont, go on a Chicago Chocolate Tour in the Windy City, and even take a class at the Taste of Chocolate school in Boston. The truly dedicated can even attend chocolate shows in Miami, Chicago, and New York City. You can visit a cocoa farm in Hawaii, or spend a few days celebrating chocolate at Hershey Park: After a day of enjoying the rides, relax with chocolate hydrotherapy or a cocoa massage at the Hotel Hershey Spa.

More
Not enough chocolate for you? For a more holistic experience, how about a 7-day escorted chocolate trip through Belgium? Additionally, a few cruise lines offer annual sailings on chocolate-themed cruises. Not to be missed is the world-class Eurochocolate Festival and International Chocolate Exhibition in Perugia, Italy every October.



Lastly, to make your mouths water, a few pictures from chocolate-themed hotels from around the world:

Hotel Chocolat 
Saint Lucia

The newly-opened Hotel Chocolat is a cocoa-lover's paradise. The restaurant features dishes inspired by every possible use of cacao, the spa offers an extensive list of chocolate spa treatments, and you can even create your own chocolate with the Tree to Bar program. All rooms include freshly-made chocolate treats, of course.

Chocolate Boutique Hotel
Bournemouth, England

In addition to its beautiful cocoa-themed rooms, this hotel offers Chocolate Weekends and Chocolate Workshops. The bar serves chocolate cocktails of all kinds, and all the chocolate is handmade in the hotel itself.


Spa at Hotel Hershey
Hershey, Pennsylvania

Looks relaxing, doesn't it?