The Chocolate Experience by 20|20 — Attraction in Vila Nova de Gaia

I’m writing this review based on the experiences of my wife and I at The Chocolate Story museum on 01 March 2024. First, I want say, overall this museum lives up to its promises. This truly is the story of chocolate from beginning to end; and it’s fascinating.

I’ve always been casually interested in the subject of chocolate. I love eating a good pain au chocolate in a croissant. A world of delight awaits me as I unwrap a 3 Musketeers, or a Nestlè Crunch, a Lion, Uno, Rocky Road, or Whozeewhatzit bar. That’s music to my ears.😋

Even better though, it’s fascinating to taste the products of cacao trees from tropical countries around the world. What those trees can produce! With those tasty cacao beans then, skilled workers and assistants labor in concert with the mastery and ingenuity of artisans and chocolatiers, like Pedro, who guides and directs chocolate production at the museum, as well as for Vinte Vinte, using classic recipes and clever innovation.

We did not meet Pedro, but we heard all about him from our very knowledgeable museum docent and guide, Catarina. Her descriptions of Pedro came after we watched the very short video of him peeling a processed cacao bean and then eating it, which actions we soon followed. Wonderful! Try eating any other type or variety of dry bean, processed but “raw.” I doubt your taste buds and brain will give you the same pleasant reaction as when you taste the unique flavors of those interesting cacao beans.

With her extensive knowledge, our museum guide, Catarina, was the catalyst for a most wonderful and interesting journey through The Chocolate Story. Our visit was everything we had anticipated going in, and much, much more than we could have hoped for.

Catarina was at the center of our marvelous experience. She was a bright light — at once engaging, knowledgeable, fun, helpful, patient with my incessant questions and responses, and kind. Catarina shared her enthusiasm for The Chocolate Story experience. We listened, we tested and tasted at her invitation, and we learned much. In the end, we went away feeling quite happy for the fun experience. As well, it was quite enjoyable to make Catarina’s lovely acquaintance. As we parted at the end of our tour and said our goodbyes, to us, she felt like a friend.

Our last contact at the museum was our cashier, Inés. Like Catarina, Inés was also very engaging and solicitous toward us. With her infectious smile and laugh, Inés was another happy soul whom we met at the museum, who brightened our way that day. Good people on staff are what makes any good organization great. The Chocolate Story museum apparently has the formula.

Today, we remember, and simply feel grateful for a lovely time in a lovely place with lovely people. Because of its good people, various and fun chocolate tastings, and its wonderful exhibits, The Chocolate Story museum is not...

Got to say I was very underwhelmed with the visit. This review is down to cost versus the experience, an nothing to do with staff or museum itself.

My partner and myself came across the museum in Gaia without knowing about it before hand.

The lady at the front desk was very pleasant to deal with and after a brief chat we decided to take the tour, I paid 40 Euros for the both of us, and what was a very tidy and well presented Museum was still all just information we could have got in a book.

There was just constant information on the walls but very little to interact with, so it felt like a very long history lesson in school.

Half way through we had a tiny taster of just three little bits of chocolate but nothing more.

When we got to the final room there seemed to be another tasting section set up but four staff members were running back and forth in a panic, getting ready for a tour group possibly, and so therefore didn't engage us at all, though we were the only people in the museum at that time!

Before we knew it we were in the Museum shop and exit.

For 20 euros a head, we could have bought a book about cacao and a bar of chocolate and had a better experience.

Overall, it was very boring, with one very small tasting (its a chocolate factory for god sake) and very little interaction. I would not recommend, especially for the...

The chocolate experience had alot of insightful and historical information. I loved that it wasn't busy so we could move it our own pace. There is alot of activities alomg the way like watching old chocolate commercials, learning everything about the cocoa beans, and even getting a taste! They give you a complimentary chocolate straight from the factory and then a chance to win a chocolate bar at the end. There is a delicious cafe with options. We purchased the chocolate muffin which was warmed and gooey deliciousness on the inside. At the end is a shop that has chocolates for sell including ones paired with wine for the best combination. I really...