Europe: This itinerary raises the bar on chocolate tours

Who doesn’t want to descend into a chocolate haze for two weeks in Europe‘s most historic chocolate-producing cities? Lovers of the sweet stuff can immerse themselves in chocolate factories, hand-crafted chocolate tastings and sweet sightseeing tours in Switzerland, Belgium, Austria, France and the Netherlands.

The Great European Chocolate Tour in November is organized by Nevada-based Posh Journeys, which limits the group size to 14 participants.

First stop is Holland, specifically Rotterdam Harbor, which once handled incoming cocoa to disperse to markets worldwide, and a 19th century chocolate factory that’s has been turned into a museum. This is the place to learn how chocolate is made -- from bean to bar.

Next, it’s on to Antwerp, Belgium, where you can munch on diamond-shaped chocolates while viewing real “chocolate” diamonds, named for the brown shades of color they cast.

In Paris, it’s a stop at chocolatier Patrik Rogers to see truly original creations; in Geneva, it’s a lesson in how to make chocolate -- and a spa stop for a chocolate facial or bath.

The final stop is Vienna for a factory tour and a visit with a chocolatier who creates intricate flowers and other designs from chocolate.

When: The tour is Nov. 5-18.

Price: $4,380 per person, double occupancy; add $965 for single supplement. It includes hotel stays, daily breakfast and some other meals, chocolate tastings and museum entry fees, train pass and more. International airfare is extra.

Info: Posh Journeys, (775) 852-5105, [email protected]