FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Plan a Tasty Trip to England

by Kimberly Inlander

Jan 12, 2024

Photo 215021542 © Ivan Kokoulin | Dreamstime.com

Have you seen the new movie Wonka? I haven’t yet, but it’s on my list as I love the original Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory with Gene Wilder. Wonka tells the story of Willy Wonka’s early days as a chocolatier. Based on the 1964 novel from British author Roald Dahl, the film stars Timothee Chalamet, Hugh Grant, Olivia Colman and Sally Hawkins. Many of the scenes for the movie filmed in Great Britain, and fans can plan a trip inspired by the movie.

Wonka

Photo 300348751 © Starstock | Dreamstime.com

Visit some of Wonka’s filming locations, like Oxford’s Hertford College and Radcliffe Camera, as well as Catte Street and Sheldonian Theatre. In Bath visit Parade Gardens, the Colonnade overlooking Pulteney Bridge, Thermae Bath Spa and Bath Abbey. A large portion of filming took place at Warner Bros. Studio Leavesden, outside of London, with other outside locations including Ye Old Fighting Cocks pub, Veralumium Park, Eltham Palace and more.

Other tasty experiences for your Wonka-esque vacation include visits to numerous chocolate shops, including Charbonnel et Walker, London’s oldest; Artisan du Chocolat, making its own treats from beans sourced from South America; and Dark Sugars, known for its hot chocolate. London institution Harrods soon opens its The Chocolaterie, while London’s only bean-to-bar factory experience can be had at London Chocolate.

Dr Choc’s Windsor Chocolate Factory, one of the smallest in the world, sits across from Windsor Castle and offers a tasting class. In Manchester, The Chocolate Factory Experience includes interactive workshops. Birmingham’s Cadbury World celebrates the 200th anniversary of the first Cadbury shop opening this year.

Other can’t-miss stops include York’s Chocolate Story; a two-hour Chocolate Bar Workshop at Bath’s Mrs. Potts Chocolate House; sipping the Wonka-themed drink, hot chocolate with chocolate-coated popping candy, at Knoops; and the Fudge Making Experience at Fudge Kitchen’s various locations.

Spots around the United Kingdom join in on the fun, with Edinburgh’s Chocolatarium, where guests can create personalized Scottish-themed chocolates; a Chocolate and Whisky Tour at The Clydeside Distillery in Glasgow; a 45-minute tour and salt tasting (think sea-salted fudge) at Halen Mon in Anglesey, Wales; and workshops at Trehafod’s The Chocolate House, also in Wales.

— Kimberly Inlander, editor in chief

Introducing

FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Explore Excursions

#globility

Insta Feed
December 2024
Dec 26, 2024

Scottsdale Transforms with Groundbreaking Innovation

Scottsdale isn’t just the “West’s Most Western Town” anymore; it’s also one of the West’s most innovative, thanks to SkySong, The ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center. A collaborative effort between Arizona State University Foundation and the City of Scottsdale, the 42-acre mixed-use development houses more than 50 companies, ranging from global brands such as Oracle to one-person startups.

United Airlines First to Purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuel for ORD

Chicago O’Hare International Airport will soon receive sustainable aviation fuel, all thanks to United Airlines, which became the first airline to purchase SAF for use at the airport, one of the largest in the United States. Neste, a producer of SAF, will provide up to 1 million gallons of its Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel. The first supply arrived in August.

Daily
Dec 26, 2024

The Retreat Costa Rica Unveils $3 Million Expansion

With wellness tourism on the rise, The Retreat Costa Rica, a luxury wellness boutique resort and spa, announced the start of a $3 million expansion, planned to be complete in late April 2025. The new space adds a clubhouse, three restaurants and 10 luxury lofts.

Daily
Dec 26, 2024

The Palms Turks and Caicos Unveils $18 Million Reimagination

The Palms Turks & Caicos reopened Dec. 14, following an $18 million renovation, completed by EoA Group, RAD Architecture Inc and Hartling Construction.

Madrid: The Charm of an Authentic City

They say Madrid is in vogue for many reasons: its lifestyle, its heritage, its cuisine and all of its new attractions. And it’s true, because Madrid is on the radar of travelers looking for a cutting-edge destination that still holds onto its essence. Join us as we explore its charms.

Daily
Dec 25, 2024

Coffee Warehouse in Rotterdam to Be New Home of Dutch Photo Museum in 2025

There is no doubt Rotterdam is one of Europe’s most design-friendly cities, especially when it comes to restoring historic buildings for modern uses. One example is the early 20th-century Pakhuis Santos, the Santos “coffee” Warehouse in Rotterdam’s port area. This former coffee warehouse is currently being transformed into the new home of Nederlands Fotomuseum (Dutch Photo Museum) and will reopen to the public in mid-2025. The architectural firms involved in the design and transformation include Renner Hainke Wirth Zirn Architekten from Hamburg, together with WDJARCHITECTEN from Rotterdam.

eFlyer Deals
Dec 25, 2024

Ring in 2025 with The Dagny Boston’s New Year’s Eve Promotion

One of Boston’s most luxurious hotels goes big this New Year’s Eve with a limited-time promotion. Book The Dagny Boston’s New Year’s Eve offer and enjoy late-checkout, a Dagny hangover cure gift, signature snack assortment amenity and complimentary valet parking.

Extraordinary Egypt

ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME JOURNEY INTO THE ANCIENT WORLD OF THE PHARAOHS

eFlyer Lead
Dec 25, 2024

Where to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in the United States

When you hear New Year’s Eve and “party” in the same sentence, your mind likely goes straight to New York City’s Times Square, where the iconic ball drop marks the end of a year and the start of another. Watching this exciting event from the comfort of your living room is much different than actually being there, and it’s no secret a trip to New York City for New Year’s Eve is quite pricey, not to mention crowded … very crowded.