Cheese & Chocolate

 

There was steady rain projected for our entire 3rd day in Switzerland, so we opted for some indoor activities.  Heading southwest by train, our first stop was in Gruyeres where (you guessed it!) Gruyeres cheese is made.  We were offered a sample of cheese upon arrival, and then took a self-guided tour through the factory to learn all sorts of facts about cheese making.  It was very interesting - and we got to watch several wheels of cheese being finished off before heading to the cafeteria for a delicious creamy lunch featuring said cheese.

From there we bussed to the neighboring town of Broc, where Callier chocolates are made.  Do you know when you visit a city that has a lumber mill or oil refinery and the smell seems to slap you across the face the moment you step out of your vehicle?  Broc was like that - only the smell was the most divine scent of chocolate.  You could almost taste it!

 

The chocolate factory is amazing for two reasons.  First is that they have an 8-room live action diorama that provides the history of chocolate in a super entertaining way.  The second (not necessarily in that order) is that at the end of your tour you enter a sample room where you can eat as much chocolate as you want!  The only rule is that you can't take any with you.

 BEST.DAY.EVER!