Las Vegas: Venetian Hotel and Grand Canal Shops- Godiva and GG Santi-Venezia

You have to love Las Vegas! The Grand Canal Shops are a "grand" example of the evolution of Las Vegas into a monumental show town. Walking into this shopping center or The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace makes you feel as if you have been transported to Venice or Rome.



In the Canal Shops there is a Godiva store. The new holiday 2010 truffles are in and quite good: Pumpkin + the Bakery Dessert line up!





A very small kiosk in the hotel that sells some imported European chocolates and some baked goods from a local bakery. The mini cupcakes were nice. Definitely a good spot if you need a quick fix and are at the Venetian Hotel.

Las Vegas: Ethel M Chocolates - Shop and Factory Tour

Took a quick taxi ride over to the Ethel M factory. Been threatening to do it for several years and didn't realize how close it was to the strip or I would have done it sooner. Only about 8 minute ride from Hard Rock Hotel. A beautiful cactus garden is the first thing you see- very serene place to wander, especially if you are waiting for a taxi to retrieve you after the tour.


This location has a small M&M store and a separate Ethel M shop connected to the factory. The Tour is self-guided and takes only a few minute. The tour comes to an end with a free sample of one of the chocolates made that day. No chance to sneak out- the tour path dumps you right in the store so you can buy from their large variety of freshly made chocolates.

Chocolate Pecan Brittle is terrific.

My new favorites are the Dark Chocolate Honey Truffles which have definitely made my top 10 list!

SINsational treats in Sin City.- walking tour!

I took a business trip to Las Vegas and found a few hours to search for the great chocolate delectables that this eclectic town has to offer. Although the time allotted kept me pretty close to the strip, I was not disappointed by what I found. Next trip, I'll venture out for the more local fare.

If your walking my chocolate tour, start at the Venetian (Santi-Venezia Cioccolata) and work your way to Harrahs (Ghirardelli Chocolate & Ice Cream Shop), then the Forum Shops (Vosges and Max Brenner), Caesars Palace (Payard), Bellagio (Jean-Phillippe), Aria (Jean-Philippe), Miracle Mile Shopping Center (Teuscher) and end at the granddaddy of all stores the M&M store at Showcase at the MGM. Just off the strip, there is also the Ethel M Factory & tour- a taxi ride away.

If you do it from 4:00pm - midnight like I did, soon after you'll crash at your hotel or you'll be sent to the hospital in a diabetic coma. Either way, the walk was great exercise. : )

Look for specific recommendations at each place coming soon.

I'm Back, again....

I never stopped eating more chocolate, just took a long break from writing about it. It is time to begin again... so please look forward to my new beginnings...

LAS VEGAS! Here I come.....