RITTER SPORT Bunte Schokowelt — Attraction in Gemeindeverwaltungsverband Waldenbuch/Steinenbronn

Oh boy... where to start.

1st we tried to book the kids chocolate class online but when you clicked on the link it would not take you anywhere. So we decided to just drive 3 hours to go to the class. On the way we tried to call them but no one was answering. We also emailed them with no response.

When we arrived, we accidentally entered the museum and my 3 year old poked an inflatable pillar and got scolded by the lady behind the desk. These 3 pillars were in the entry with no signs or ropes, how are we/the kids supposed to know not to touch them? We then asked the receptionist behind the desk where the kids chocolate experience is. She could have mentioned that its only for kids 7-12years of age, but she didn't. Instead she said it was in the next building.

So we headed over to the next building. Went upstairs and proceeded to talk to a man behind the desk about the reservation but he didn't have one (obviously as we could not make one), so we mentioned we had emailed last night and he couldn't find it. Then he said our kids were to young for the tour. Unfortunately the web site does not have the age you have to be to participate. Sooo frustrating. A 3 hour drive, kids wanting a chocolate experience and no chocolate.

Next, because we couldn't make chocolate we thought let's go to the Ritter store and buy some freshly made chocolates. So we go downstairs to get some. SURPRISE the freaking store is closed. So we walk back over to the cafe connected to the museum to buy a bar. SURPRISE AGAIN! They only sell baked goods and coffee.

What a huge let down. Disappointed and underwhelmed. My kids favorite movie is "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". This is more like "Grandpa and the Overwhelmingly Grumpy...

If you didn't get a golden ticket to Willy Wonka's factory, don't despair. A visit to the Ritter Sport factory is way better. There is ample parking so you are practically guaranteed to find a spot even on busy weekends. The Ritter Sport museum is a great place to bring kids. They can learn about chocolate making through interactive exhibits, and learn about how Ritter Sport started (and how they got the "sport" part, and why "quadratisch" is praktisch - the "gut" part needs no explanation). There's a model of a chocolate factory where kids can line up to get a free chocolate delivered by a tiny truck). The chocolate shop (the aptly named "Schoko Laden") offer every flavour imaginable, and there are plenty of pretty good special offers. If at the end you are not walking out with half a ton of chocolate, you are a sad, sad person indeed. This place is a must for bringing your friends who visit from abroad, and don't mind paying the extra charges for exceeding luggage weight limits. The restaurant serves great quality food. Remember to order the hot chocolate... And do that thing you always wanted to do as a child - melt a complete bar of chocolate (your choice of flavour) in a hot cup of milk. This is a place where you can truly discover your inner child. The best part? It's open on Sundays too (check the website...

If you’re in Stuttgart, I highly recommend going to the factory store, especially for souvenirs! Getting there is no trouble at all: just take the S-Bahn and one bus (all the bus drivers I’ve met speak English well and you can get change for the fare, unlike in the US!).

This will be the absolute best place to get souvenirs while you’re in Stuttgart because it’s cheap (you can get 10 of the nice sized 100g chocolate bars for €6.90, when it’d normally be around €14 from a regular store), delicious (the chocolate is top quality and freshly made), and unique (this is their HQ, so even though it’s sold all over Germany, it’s specifically from the region. Plus, they have seasonal/special flavors).

TOP TIPS: 1.) In the back of the store, which is easy to miss, they have special “test” flavors that haven’t been released anywhere else. They always have two and they change every couple of months 2.) If its summer, bring a thermal bag and ice packs (they sell them at the store if you don’t have them handy). Also, if your ice packs are fully frozen, you can take them as a carry-on, which is how I managed to bring several kilos of chocolate over a 14...