Budapest bids for a share of sweet success

When you think of Hungarian food you think of goulash, dumplings or maybe spicy peppers – chocolate would probably not be in the top ten.

Austria, on the other hand is a country with a rich chocolate tradition with plenty of sweet delicacies such as the world famous chocolate Sacher Torte, Mozart chocolates or Manner Schnitte to name just a few.

Chocolate lovers in Vienna can stop by a coffee shop for a great chocolate cake, can shop at the abundance of chocolate shops throughout the city or even take a trip to the city’s chocolate museum.

Austrians are the second biggest chocolate loving nation in the world coming second only to Switzerland. We Europeans fill 16 out of the top 20 places in the top chocolate consuming countries.

But our Hungarian neighbours are doing their best to lue some of this business their way.

Just a two hours drive away from Vienna the Hungarian capital of Budapest is this weekend hosting ‘The Sweet Days Budapest World Fair’ for the second time – following last year’s overwhelming success.

The Sweet Days Festival is aiming to become Europe’s biggest chocolate and sweet fair.

From 20th – 23rd of September the very best of Hungarian sweets, desserts and chocolate will be on offer for sweet toothed visitors.

The event is to take place in the grounds of the Buda Castle in the Hungarian capital.

Exhibitors will display their products, offer tastings, and share their know-how. There will be tours and lectures and talks on all things chocolates. There will be hundreds of stalls selling all the very best in sweet goods the country has on offer.

The event also aims to educate people about where the chocolate comes from, the health benefits of chocolate, and the importance of good quality chocolate treats.

You can take part in a sweet tour of Budapest, taking in the best sights and all the best sweet treats.

The British International Chocolate Academy is also offering chocolate courses and lectures. There will also be discussions about chocolate and its effect on health, economy, society, culture, tradition and production.

There will be plenty on offer for kids too with plenty to keep them entertained such as chocolate making and chocolate tasting. The evenings will see live music, jazz concerts and champagne bars.

In honour of this year’s London Olympic summer games a giant chocolate statue will be constructed in the National Gallery.  On the final day the chocolate statue will be cut up and distributed amongst guests.

For more information visit:- http://www.sweet-days.com/

Opening hours:
September 20, Thursday: 11 am to midnight
September 21, Friday: 11 am to midnight
September 22, Saturday: 10 am to midnight
September 23, Sunday: 10 am to 10 pm

For a chocolate filled day out in Vienna visit http://www.schokomuseum.at/en