Who doesn't love chocolate? Ever since Christopher Columbus discovered the South American treat in the 16th century, we've been crazy for cocoa. Indulge your love of the sweet stuff, with a chocolate themed trip

1.Smother up
Seaham Hall in Northumberland is one of Britain's most gorgeous hotels and its fantastic Serenity Spa has just been awarded both the UK's Best Spa and the World's Most Stylish Spa awards. For Easter, Seaham Hall is offering a luxurious package that includes accommodation, breakfast, dinner and full use of the spa facilities. If you book early enough this offer will also include afternoon tea, a delicious Easter Egg and the incredible Karin Herzog chocolate facial which uses freshly melted Swiss chocolate. The ultimate treat for calorie counters. From £285 per person per night.

For more information, visit www.seaham-hall.com or call: 0191 516 1400

2. Cocoa country
Producing 172, 000 tons of chocolate a year, Belgium is a chocolate connoisseur's dream. Head to Brussels and take a tour of the Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate where you can learn about chocolate and taste samples. If a sample simply isn't enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, go to Marcolini - the most famous of the 2,130 chocolate shops in Belgium. You'll recognize it by the chocolate fountain in the window. Eurostar travels to Brussels from £59.50 return. See www.eurostar.com for details.

For more information on The museum of Cocoa and Chocolate, visit www.mucc.be or call: 0032 (0) 514 20 48

3. Luxury in London
Spend a few days exploring the capital and its abundance of chocolate shops. Fortnum & Mason's food hall is a great place to start as it stocks a huge range of hand-made goodies from the best chocolatiers in Europe. Stay at the Kingsway Hall Hotel in Covent Garden, which is offering a special Easter package appealing to chocoholics. If you book in for a weekend between 2-16 April, you'll receive a delicious jar of Green and Blacks luxury hot chocolate, a box of Thornton's truffles and a Toni and Guy chocolate hair treatment. From £130 per room inclusive of breakfast.

For more information, visit www.kingswayhall or call: 020 7309 0909

4. Easter egg hunt
Spend Easter the traditionally English way - hunting for Easter Eggs! 145 National Trust properties around the UK are organising special Easter Egg hunts for all the family. With quizzes, egg hunts and face painting there are lots of activities for children to get involved in. And with 70 000 eggs donated by M&S, there are plenty of chocolate treats for children to win. Events are being staged all over the country, although egg hunts at The Vyne in Hampshire, Trengwainton in Cornwall and Calke Abbey in Derbyshire are particularly recommended.

For more information, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk or call: 0870 458 4000.

5. Chocolate factory frenzy
Die-hard chocaholics should head to Cadbury World near Birmingham, the only purpose built centre devoted entirely to our favourite treat. Great for kids (and big-kids) you can learn about the history of chocolate beginning centuries ago with the Aztecs and Mayans in South America. The tour explains how cocoa beans are grown, how they were imported to Europe and how it developed into the chocolate we know and love today. After the tour when your mouth's watering and you're desperate for a bite, you can pay a visit to the factory shop to buy as much Dairy Milk as your heart desires.

For more information, visit www.cadburyworld.co.uk or call: 0121 451 4159

6. French fancy
The French may appear sleek, slim and healthy but they still adore cocoa (Marie Antoinette even had her own chocolatier) There are hundreds of gorgeous chocolate houses in Paris, but Jean-Paul Hevin's boutique and salon is among the best. And whilst chocolate may not be good for the waistline, according to exclusive Parisian spa, Le Spa Nuxe 32 Montorgueil, it's great for the skin. A former wine house in Les Halles, 32 Montorgueil has been transformed into a super sleek day spa. Book in for a Phytochoc Face Treatment, a luxurious chocolate-based facial that is said to reduce wrinkles and puffiness. The treatment lasts one hour thirty minutes and costs 120 Euros.

For more information on the Jean-Paul Hevin boutique, visit www.hevin-chocolatier.com or call: 33 (0)1 45 51 45 99

To find out more about Le Spa Nuxe, 32 Montorgueil, call: 33 (0)1 55 80 7140

7. Move over Willie Wonka
It's estimated that every person in Switzerland eats around ten and a half kilos of chocolate a year. The Swiss army are even given free bars wrapped in foil bearing the Swiss flag. Lindt is one of the most famous chocolate companies in the world and is also one of the oldest - it was established over 155 years ago. Combine a trip to the country of mountains and lakes with a visit to the Lindt Chocolate Factory in Zurich. Visits only take place on a Friday and you need to book in advance.

For more information on the Lindt Chocolate Factory, call: 00411 221 3830

8. Cacao Sampaka
Christopher Columbus is thought to be the first European to have discovered chocolate. In 1502 he returned to Spain from the New World bringing cocoa beans with him and introduced them to the King. Whilst Barcelona may not immediately leap to mind as a choc-spot, it's actually full of gorgeous stores such as Cacao Sampaka stocking tasty cocoa-based products. Choose from unusual treats such as crispy rice dipped in white chocolate or bags of liqueur truffles. When you're done with shopping but not with chocolate, nip into the cafe at the back to try the delicious chocolate and cointreau ice cream or toasted chocolate sandwich. Pure Heaven

For more information, visit www.cacaosampaka.com or call: 0093 272 08 33