Europe's Top Food Factory Tours Slideshow

Cadbury World (Birmingham, U.K.)

Craving the Wonka experience? Be sure to visit Cadbury World, where guests can enjoy a ride through a chocolate wonderland. Yep, just like in the movies.  This adventure will take you back in time and trace the evolution of chocolate from Mexican cocoa beans to its present-day incarnation, and allow visitors to learn the secrets to making the über-popular treat. Loaded with fun activities, Cadbury World is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Cadbury World offers two-for-one admission on Thursdays, so try to swing by then.

Roquefort Société (Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, France)

Guaranteed to be delicious, Roquefort Société covers all facets of this sought-after cheese. Visitors are shown a film that details the manufacturing process, and the tour ends with a tasting of the company's three most popular cheeses, Roquefort Société 1863, Caves Baragnaudes and Cave des Templiers. In July and August, a night tour of the cellars is available. Be sure to follow it with dinner at The Cellar to make the most of your trip.

Perugina (Perugina, Italy)

Producer of the iconic Baci chocolates, which means "kisses" in Italian, Perugina is owned by Nestlé. Fun fact: Baci has been made the same way for nearly 100 years — dark chocolate covers a mix of chocolate and hazelnut cream, which is dotted with chopped hazelnuts and topped with a whole hazelnut. Wow.

Open year-round, the Perugina museum tour lasts one hour and includes a visit to the Perugina factory where guests can view production. Also included is a taste of the company's most popular chocolates. Call ahead to arrange a guided tour in English.

La Maison du Gruyère (Pringy-Gruyères, Switzerland)

Prepare to delight each and every sense. The La Maison du Gruyère  tour features a multi-sensory  introduction to cheese production, including the sounds of bells and streams, the smell of pastures and hay, cowhide and herbs to touch, live cheese production and videos to view, and, of course, cheese to taste. Visitors even get to sample the cheese at various stages of maturity, from mild to semi-salty to salty.

Chocolat Alprose (Caslano-Lugano, Switzerland)

If you want to learn the origins of chocolate and trace its evolution to the present day, Chocolat Alprose is the place for you. Fun fact: The very first mention of cocoa was made by the Olmecs in 1000 B.C. Here, guests will learn about the internationally recognized art of Swiss chocolate making. Visitors can view all phases of production at this facility, which includes an on-site shop. The Chocolat Alprose museum also hosts a two-hour chocolate-making class for kids ages six to 12.

Emmentaler Schaukäserei (Affoltern, Switzerland)

Ready to get your hands dirty? Visitors to the four-generations-old Emmentaler Schaukäserei factory get to make their own hard or semi-soft cheese over an open fire, as cheesemakers did in the past. After you make the cheese, it is stored in the cellar for ripening. Once mature, it will be sent to a recipient of your choice within the country. Cheese can also be sliced and vacuum-packed for an additional fee.

Chocolaterie Duval (Schaerbeek, Belgium)

If you want an in-depth lesson in chocolate creation, head to Chocolaterie Duval. Focused on personalized items, this tour shows guests exactly how the workers produce their high-quality chocolates. Visitors get to taste the specialties made in the shop, and watch every step required to manually produce the fine chocolates. From tempering to filling the casts to packaging, it's all on display for curious chocoholics.

Alp Gental (Bühlen, Switzerland)

Get up close and personal with cheese production at Alp Gental. One of the most modern alpine farm in Bern, this destination offers a guided tour followed by a tasting of milk and various cheeses. Hosting events throughout the year — like a farmers bunch this August —Alp Gental produces and sells various kinds of milk, cheese, and butter.

Schoggi Land Maestrani (Flawil, Switzerland)

If samples of chocolate are what you want, the tour at Schoggi Land Maestrani is what you need. Geared toward classes, clubs, and groups, Schoggi Land Maestrani features a film about chocolate production, a tour of the factory that highlights the technology used, and, of course, samples of chocolate.