The lady behind Chicago Chocolate Tours is Valerie Beck, former attorney and now self-proclaimed “Chief Executive Chocolate Lover.” Cities the likes of Boston, New York, San Francisco and Charleston also offer chocolate tours. There’s even a seven-day escorted Chocolate Lovers Paradise Tour in Europe if you’re really into it. But closer to home, Valerie is blazing the chocolate trail a couple hours west of us.
Although Ms. Beck is Chicago born and raised, she lived for five years in Europe where she organized informal chocolate tours for friends. Doing the same once she arrived back in her hometown seemed like a natural next step. Chicago Chocolate Tours was born in 2005 when Valerie guided a group of friends to some of Chicago’s chocolate hot spots.
What is a chocolate tour and what happens on one? Sign up for a Chicago Chocolate Tour and you’ll get a guided excursion to some of Chicago’s best known chocolate outlets as well as other less-obvious boutiques a little further off the beaten path. In addition to sampling chocolate, you’ll interact with chocolate shop owners and get a taste for chocolate’s fascinating history—all part of the lively, educational guided walking and tasting tours, courtesy of Valerie and her friendly tour guides.
Not up to walking? Not a problem because Chicago Chocolate Tours also offers private seated chocolate tastings, gift baskets and memberships in the Chocolate of the Month Club. According to Valerie, the tours are popular with conventioneers and for those planning events as varied as family reunions, girlfriend getaways, bachelorette parties and employee/client entertainment outings.
But the appeal of chocolate is nearly universal, so I’m guessing there are as many motivations out there as there are chocolate lovers. Besides, they’re just plain fun—not to mention a new twist for a tried-and-true Chicago weekend.
Chocoholics can choose from a number of established tour routes:
Chocolate Shops of the Loop
Chocolate Shops of Andersonville and Uptown
Chocolate Shops of the Magnificent Mile and State Street
Chocolate Shops of the Magnificent Mile and Oak Street
Year-round tours are scheduled for Fridays at 12:45 p.m., Saturdays at 10:45 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. and Sundays at 1:45 p.m. To check on the availability of other days and times on any of the routes, call 312/863-8614. “We do take walk-ins,” says Valerie, “but we encourage advance reservations.” Her one suggestion for those planning a tour? “Come with an appetite . . . we give you so much chocolate.” You can also book private tours (which you can help customize) on any of the routes. Call for details.
Chocolate tours are $40 per person, and you can reserve your spot on a tour and buy tickets online. If you prefer to call, the phone number is 312/863-8614. Enjoy!
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