Explore the locations behind Chocolate Wonders of Wonka’s World

Booking.com celebrated the holiday season in its latest partnership with Warner Bros., timed to the release of Wonka, which hit theaters globally on December 6 and in North America on December 15th. Starring Timothée Chalamet in the title role, Wonka tells the wondrous story of how a young chocolate-maker, armed with nothing but a hatful of dreams, manages to change the world, one delectable bite at a time, and how travel played a role in perfecting his craft and shaping his eccentric vision. 

To bring this partnership to life and offer two pairs of candy-loving guests the chance to travel to a world of pure imagination, Booking.com created two exclusive Wonka Sweet Suites, one at Park Lane New York in New York City and one at the Viceroy Santa Monica in Los Angeles. The candy-coated stays were booked on a first-come, first-served basis, with each overnight stay taking place on December 15th. 

And now, Booking.com is sharing the real-world destinations behind the ingredients that Wonka sourced during his world travels in the new movie. With 59% of Canadian travellers wishing to explore and discover more in 2024 and 44% wanting to embrace “main character energy” by living as though they’re the main character of a film or a novel during their travels, these destinations invite travellers to savor the flavors of the world through tasty adventures to the places that played a pivotal role in shaping the whimsical ingredients of Wonka’s confectionery masterpieces.

Vanilla from Manila

The vibrant capital of the Philippines beckons travellers with its unique blend of rich history, modernity, and diverse cultural influences. Nestled within its bustling streets and historic landmarks is a culinary scene that captivates the senses. According to one of Willy Wonka’s recipes as told in Wonka, Manila is also home to one of his key ingredients, vanilla. Travellers can indulge their senses in the city by visiting the Desert Museum which is a pastel-hued attraction dedicated to candy and sweets, much like the sweets one might find in Wonka’s chocolate shop. But if that is too sweet for some, the Filipino Street Food Tour offers a chance to try multiple savory foods and drinks that are local to Manila. But it doesn’t stop there, travellers can further indulge their senses in the creamy calm vanilla rooms of the Conrad Manila. This accommodation offers the feeling of smooth aromatic vanilla from Manila, just like Wonka imagined. 

Cherries and blossoms from the Imperial Gardens of Japan

The Imperial Gardens of Tokyo, Japan, stand as a serene oasis in the heart of the bustling metropolis, a very magical place where visitors can escape the hustle and bustle of city life. In the new movie, it was here on these grounds that Wonka gathered the most exquisite cherries and blossoms for his secret chocolate recipe, ensuring a burst of luscious flavor in every Wonka delight. To really experience Tokyo and the Imperial Gardens, getting to know the city through the eyes of a local guide is a must. Book a private custom tour with a local guide with no set itinerary, meaning everyone can customize the tour or leave it to the locals for an enlightening introduction to the city. 

For travellers who want to completely immerse themselves in Tokyo, the Palace Hotel Tokyo is a short walk away from the Imperial Gardens. The hotel offers not only rooms with Imperial Gardens views but a total of seven restaurants so guests can enjoy authentic local Japanese culinary experiences, both sweet and savory, throughout their stay. 

Marshmallows from Peru

As mentioned in the movie, ‘Every good thing in this world started with a dream’, therefore a good night’s sleep is a key ingredient to the magic of Wonka. The Skylodge Adventure Suites in Urubamba, Peru redefine the boundaries of luxury and adventure, allowing travellers to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Peru while enjoying the comforts of a luxurious suite. Just as marshmallows float effortlessly, the Skylodge Adventure Suites are perched on the cliffs of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and offers a truly unique and exhilarating lodging experience with transparent, capsule-like suites providing panoramic views of the breathtaking Andean landscape and marshmallow-like clouds. 

Another magical experience to enjoy when in Urubamba, Peru is a hike up the breathtaking Rainbow Mountain. On a guided tour offered on Booking.com, travellers will get to hike to Rainbow Mountain, admire the surrounding landscape, take photos and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. 

Cacao Beans from the Oompa Loompa Land 

In the enchanting land of Oompa Loompa, a mythical place where humor and magic intertwine, cacao beans are a  precious ingredient to Wonka’s various chocolate recipes. As cultivated in the vibrant Brazilian town of Itacaré, these cacao beans serve as the heartbeat of Pousada Burundanga where travellers can enjoy a Wonka-approved stay. Nestled within the lush landscapes of Itacaré, this indulgent retreat celebrates the journey chocolate takes from bean to table in the most delightful way.

While visiting, travellers can wander through cacao plantations reminiscent of the Oompa Loompas’ secret havens, where the sweet aroma of cacao fills the air. A stay at Pousada Burundanga transforms this cocoa magic into an immersive experience, offering guests a frontrow view of the native Atlantic Forest, where birds and monkeys live and cacao beans grow. It’s clear this hotel weaves the essence of the Oompa Loompa’s cherished love of magic into every aspect of a traveller’s experience. Pousada Burundanga is a dreamy celebration of Brazil’s cacao legacy and natural beauty where the spirit of Willy Wonka meets the warm embrace of Brazilian hospitality.

Giraffe Milk from Africa

In the magical world envisioned by Wonka, giraffe milk, a rare ingredient sourced from the towering giants of the African plains, is a testament to the fantastical flavors hidden within nature’s wonders of South Africa. A country renowned for its natural beauty and the land of some of the world’s most impressive species, it is no wonder Wonka was searching for the most magical ingredient in Africa’s savannas.

Travellers can put their imagination to the test by experiencing the untamed beauty of South Africa at the Oase by 7 Star Lodges. Nestled in the heart of the wilderness, this lavish accommodation retreat seamlessly blends luxury with the raw allure of the South African landscape. With giraffes grazing majestically on the horizon and Willy Wonka’s imagination lingering in the air, the Oase by 7 Star Lodges is a haven where dreams are woven into the fabric of reality, creating a once-in-a-lifetime experience that blends the magic of nature and imagination. 

 

More than likely travellers will require to fly into Johannesburg before continuing on the journey to Hoedspruit, where Oase by 7 Star Lodges are located. But before heading off into the wild and wonderful nature of South Africa don’t forget to explore the highlights of Johannesburg – South Africa’s economic hub – and Soweto, the country’s largest informal settlement through a Johannesburg and Soweto full-day tour – in the city, travellers will visit a heritage site connected to the history of Apartheid and South Africa’s democracy and in Soweto, travellers will dive into African culture and history in the diverse and eclectic township.

*Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of 42,513 respondents across 33 markets (2,000 from USA, 1,008 from Canada, 2,000 from Mexico, 1,000 from Colombia, 2,000 from Brazil, 1,000 from Argentina, 2,000 from Australia, 1,000 from New Zealand, 2,000 from Spain, 2,000 from Italy, 2,000 from France, 2,000 from UK, 2,000 from Germany, 1,000 from Netherlands, 1,000 from Denmark, 1,000 from Sweden, 1,000 from Croatia, 1,000 from Switzerland, 1,000 from Belgium, 1,000 from Ireland, 1,000 from Portugal, 1,000 from Israel, 2,000 from India, 1,000 from China, 1,005 from Hong Kong, 1,000 from Thailand, 1,000 from Singapore, 1,000 from Taiwan, 1,000 from Vietnam, 1,000 from South Korea, 1,000 from Japan, 500 from UAE). In order to participate in this survey, respondents had to be 18 years of age or older, had to have traveled at least once in the past 12 months, and planning to travel in 2023 and be either the primary decision maker or involved in the decision making of their travel. The survey was taken online and took place in January and February 2023.