Eurochocolate, Perugia 16-25 October 2009

Autumn is here and it's time for the huge chocolate festival in Perugia, capital of Umbria, Italy!

Eurochocolate is an amazing event with the streets of the city lined with stands selling chocolate by makers from all over Europe.

Perugia is itself home to the world famous chocolate, the "Bacio", or "kiss", a delicious praline topped with a hazelnut, coated in dark chocolate and visits to the Perugina factory are possible all year round.

The Eurochocolate festival is host to big names such as Nestlè, Toblerone, Milka, Lindt and many other smaller, individual chocolate makers. There are cookery lessons, tastings and even a Chocofarm with beauty treatments available based on cocoa and chocolate!!!

If you've never been to Umbria before, it's a great time to visit. The rich autumn colours of the trees are accentuated by the bright, sunny days and crisp evenings. Combined with a traditional time for eating truffles, funghi porcini and tasting the first pressings of olive oil, think about taking a short break before the onset of winter.