CioccolandoVi: Vicenza's chocolate festival

We just so happened to be in Vicenza at the right time. In the month of October, an annual chocolate festival named CiccolandoVi takes place. This festival winds through the main piazzas of the city, starting from Piazza dei Signori and continuing on to Piazza Biade, Piazzetta Palladio and Piazza Garibaldi.

Italy may not be as well-known for its chocolate as Switzerland or Belgium, but it does have a long history with the confection. This is more than just the birthplace of the famous Nutella. This is also where gianduja and cremino were born, hot chocolate was adapted to the tastes of European palates, and some of the world's best-selling chocolates, such as Baci and Ferrero Rocher, were made.

22 companies from all over Italy come to display their master-crafted chocolates, and some of Italy’s most famous chocolatiers are amongst them. These chocolatiers have prepared for months for the festival in order for people to appreciate the quality and creativity of each individual product. To name a few, Vicenza will be host to Marcantognini, Davide Appendino, Gianluca Bertolino and Antonio Schettini.

CioccolandoVi retains the characteristic of hosting a relatively small number of participating companies, selected according to criteria of quality, experience, and traditional locations for cocoa processing. In fact, only those who offer the public non-industrial products and guarantee controlled production processes are granted a place at the festival. This is another reason why, over the years, the event has been an increasing success.

Connoisseurs of quality chocolate know that in Vicenza they can find stands with some of the best chocolates in Italy. Chocolates of every shape and size are found in Vicenza during the festival. Some of these include: pralines, single origin chocolate, spreads, chocolate liqueurs; delicious cakes, such as the sacher and the gubana; fruit covered with chocolate; filled chocolates, cremini, dragées, gianduia, truffles – the list is endless.