THE SWEET SIDE OF PERUGIA

Find out more about Perugia’s most irresistible temptation on a visit to the Temple of Chocolate. Your chauffeur will meet you outside your hotel and drive you to the Casa del Cioccolato, just outside town, where both Perugina’s museum and factory are located.

Here, on a group tour led by an official guide from the museum, you will dip into the delights of the country’s iconic chocolate maker. Visitors will get to know about the history of the company, now well over one hundred years old, and discover how, from its humble beginnings as a small confectioner producing sugar-coated almonds, Perugina rose to become one of the best known and most prestigious brands of Italian chocolate. Guests will also learn about the production process and techniques employed to transform cocoa beans into the world’s all-time favourite sweet treat. On display you will see photographs, packages and memorabilia relating to Perugina, along with videos featuring the company’s vintage TV commercials. A particular emphasis is placed on the legendary Baci, made with gianduia and hazelnut, and covered in dark chocolate, which sparked the company’s popularity all over the globe. One highlight of the visit is the view of the production line from a point overlooking the floor. From behind a window guests will look down on a section of the factory and have the opportunity to glimpse the smooth efficiency and precision of what goes on behind the scenes. Of course a taste of Perugina chocolate fresh from the factory is included in the experience.

But it gets even better. After the tour, you will unlock the tantalizing secrets of chocolate on a hands-on workshop. One of Perugina’s mâitre chocolatiers will greet you, take you to the laboratory and reveal his tricks in a chocolate-making lesson. Under his guidance you will learn how to temper chocolate and get a kick out of preparing mouth-watering goodies. Depending on your chosen workshop, you will try your hand at creating and decorating chocolate, learn how to make signature Baci or have fun preparing small cakes with chocolate and dried fruits. By the end of the day you will have dipped into a sumptuous assortment of Perugia’s choicest delicacies and gained some acquaintance with the skills of a professional chocolatier.

After the workshop your chauffeur will pick you up and drive you back to your hotel.