for those of us who appreciate fine chocolate :-)

Belgium

With many of the most prestigious chocolatiers in the world represented on or around the Place du Grand Sablon in Brussels, the picturesque square feels like the epicenter of the chocolate lover's universe.

One of the biggest names is Pierre Marcolini, who travels the world sourcing cocoa beans and then blends them into new flavors. As well as shops throughout Belgium, the chocolatier now has outlets in France, the U.K., Kuwait and Japan. A festive favorite is Le Sapin Gourmand, a Christmas tree modeled in dark, milk or white chocolate. And this year, there was a special Christmas log, Bûche Opéra, covered with a red chocolate shell in the shape of Garnier's celebrated opera house in Paris.
www.marcolini.be


Royal warrant holder to the Belgian court, family firm Wittamer next year celebrates its 100th anniversary. And since 1950, the first floor of its flagship shop on the Place du Grand Sablon has also been an elegant tea room offering a view onto the square. Now headed up by brother and sister team Paul and Myriam Wittamer, the company has expanded into Japan. Alongside gift-box selections for beneath the tree, this year's festive speciality is the Bûche sauvage, a dark-chocolate and caramel Christmas log with a striking leopardprint pattern.
www.wittamer.com

Established in 1919, Mary Chocolatier Confiseur is also a royal warrant holder. Within the rococo interior of their main shop on Rue Royale their chocolate gallery offers more than 70 different handmade chocolates. There is also a newer outlet on Rue Edith Cavell. In response to customer demand, 2009 sees the return of traditional specialities from Christmases past such as chocolate sabots (clogs) filled with chocolate and a hand-decorated Christmas log, Bûche de Noël, fashioned entirely from chocolate.
www.mary.be


Switzerland

The Swiss are world-champion chocolate eaters, consuming 12.4 kg per person per year. Although this average is boosted by tourists, it's still a lot of chocolate.

One of the leading names still using traditional methods is Confiserie Sprüngli, established in 1836. A family-managed company, with a flagship shop on Paradeplatz in dowtown Zurich, their commitment to freshness and highest quality means that all 19 of their sales outlets are located within an hour from the town of Dietikon, where the chocolates are made. Among many special gift offerings is the Cube, a selection of mixed pralines and truffles in an unusual box opening out into three layers.
www.spruengli.ch

England's Duchess of Devonshire is one of many fans of Auer Chocolatier, a fifth-generation family company. At their shop on Rue de Rive in Geneva, handmade chocolates are still served from antique wooden drawers and sold in beautiful cloth-covered boxes. The choice varies with the seasons. Available for six weeks over Yuletide is Les épices de Noël, a ganache flavored with gingerbread and festive spices, coated in dark chocolate.
www.chocolat-auer.ch