A chocolate fanatic’s top five guide to Easter

It brings back fond memories of dipping eggs in pastel coloured dye with my grandma the night before waking up to talcum powdered bunny footprints. It’s also a time when I don’t look out of place having chocolate crumbs on my chin or filling up the grocery basket with eggs (not the yolk kind). I like chocolate just as much as sloths like sleep. Munching on eggs is one way to satisfy my cravings but I’ve been on the lookout for some other chocolate inspired experiences and these are my favourite finds:1. Raise your pinky to sweet treats:
Think Alice in Wonderland meets the world of Willy Wonka and you get The Brisbane Stamford Plaza’s Mad Hatter’s High Tea. If you’re disappointed that the annual Sebel chocolate buffet has discontinued and haven’t tried this delicious experience, I suggest you make it an annual ritual. The white chocolate rabbits and toadstool pop cakes look too good to eat, but you won’t be able to resist trying all the other scrumptious sweets after you take your first bite. You’ll be devouring sticky jam tarts and pocket watch sandwiches in between sips of pink lemonade and sparkling wine. If you need to sleep it off you can always stay a night or two.

2. A winning combination:
When I’m not thinking about chocolate, I’m reaching for the cheese and wine. A Hunter Valley getaway is the perfect reason to see my three favourite food groups in one day. A full day wine, cheese and chocolate tour will take you to some of the exceptional wineries including swirling and sipping some fine drops at First Creek, Pepper Tree and Brokenwood. Then soak up the vino with a light lunch but save your appetite for sampling the local cheeses and chocolate. The chocolate is so smooth , it will probably follow you out the door.

3. Dip me in chocolate:
What’s the next best thing to eating chocolate? Getting covered in it! Take your chocolate indulgence to the next level and wrap yourself in it with a chocolate body wrap (it’s actually great for moisturising yours skin). Spa Botanica at Peppers Resort in Hervey Bay offers three delicious and relaxing chocolate spa packages. Grab your bestie or plus one for a getaway to Peppers and slather up with a chocolate body exfoliation and chocolate body wrap. Then finish with a red wine bath while getting your chocolate fix with strawberries and cream and champers. If you don’t want to share, the ‘me time’ package also looks tempting.

4. Get chocolatiering:
If you can resist the urge to eat the ingredients before you make the chocolate (or at least most of them), then a Melbourne chocolate class is a sweet way to learn how to make your own chocolate treats. Get ganache filling, chocolate curling and decorating to make a box full of seriously good looking chocolates.

5. Find out where your choccie egg was born:
Munch on free chocolate samples while getting the low down on how Cadbury makes its tasty selection, at The Hobart Cadbury Factory. There’s plenty of time to stock up on chocolate for Easter and you’ll also score a discount so leave enough space in your suitcase if you’re not a local.

Need more ideas for Easter? Click here.

What are you up to this Easter? Tell us in the comments.