10 BEST ADVENT CALENDARS TO TASTE THE WORLD
As November goes into full swing it’s time to start checking out and ordering advent calendars. The beginning of December means the beginning of 24 days of goodness, whether that be treats, coffee, wine, etc.
There are many advent calendar out there, something to suit everyone’s interest. But what about the travelers? Technically even though a physical advent calendar cannot transport you to a new place every day, although that would be awesome, there are other ways to get 25 days of travel inspiration.
Over the past year I have been sharing ways to experience other countries through their food, from international holiday recipes to country specific recipes, such as the deliciousness of Denmark, advent calendars are no exception.
When it comes to finding the best advent calendars for your traveler self (or your favorite traveler) now is not the time to save money and go for the cheap chocolate ones – go for the calendars that provide a truly memorable experience and are worth it for 24 straight days.
Here are some of the best that any globetrotter or wanderlust lover will want to open day after day.
For the coffee avoider, who’s always wanted to visit the UK for the holidays: John Lewis 24 Days of Tea
John Lewis 24 Days of Tea Advent Calendar via John Lewis
There are coffee drinkers and there are tea drinkers, rarely do you find someone who is 100% committed to both.
I discovered the deliciousness of tea when I did a travel course in London back in college, as well as the art and one-of-a-kind experience that is afternoon tea. Ever since going to London I have been hooked on tea. Thanks to Love Actually visiting the UK during the holidays has also been on my list for years now.
24 Days of Tea Calendar via John Lewis
The Brits are known for their tea, and there is a very specific way to enjoy it if you want to do it “properly”. But don’t let the decorum discourage you, brewing a batch (without milk and sugar) is also perfectly fine in my opinion, and John Lewis (a classic) can expand your palette this December.
John Lewis and the holiday are synonymous in England, so it’s kismet that the brand should also offer a tea advent calendar, featuring a fabulous selection of pyramid bag teas: everything from the traditional English Breakfast Tea to the exciting Christmas infusion.
You can find the 24 Days of Tea at John Lewis
For the sweet tooth who can’t decide between chocolate and pralines: Åre Chokladfabrik Advent Calendar
Praline Advent Calendar via Åre Chokladfabrik
Probably one of the most “magical” advent calendars, in the sense that it’s made in a red painted wooden factory in a Swedish mountain village (aka basically Santa’s workshop) is the chocolate calendar with handmade pralines from Åre Chokladfabrik.
Åre Chokladfabrik was born out of three friends’ desire to live and work close to nature, so you’ll be happy to know that all of their pralines are made by hand in their factory with local ingredients and flavors from the surrounding mountains. Because the nature surrounding the factory is so important to the owners they started making more sustainable pralines, experimenting to come up with the perfect vegan chocolate recipe that is as good as their classic chocolate based on butter and cream (which are staples in this part of the world).
Although the vegan chocolate may not be featured in the advent calendar it’s still worth a mention, especially because the packaging highlights the nature of Åre as well.
You can find the praline advent calendar at Åre Chokladfabrik.
For the one who’s had Japan on their bucket list forever: DAVIDsTEA 24 Days of Matcha
DAVIDsTEA 24 Days of Matcha Advent Calendar via DAVIDsTEA
If loose leaf tea isn’t 100% your thing, and coffee definitely isn’t your thing, but you live and breathe the powdery green tea drink that is Matcha look no further than Montreal based brand DAVIDsTEA.
DAVIDsTEA came into my life while I was living in New York about 6 years ago, and from the moment I stepped into the shop I was hooked. From the overall ambience, to the unique flavors they offer, to the cutest drink ware, DAVIDsTEA is the ultimate North American tea supplier.
Every year myself and all other tea lovers wait with bated breath for DAVIDs’ advent calendar full of unique flavors and fan favorites. This year, DAVIDs really took things up a notch by releasing a 24 Day of Matcha calendar! The Matcha-filled countdown calendar not only includes 24 blends of their signature Matchas but also includes Matcha-infused chocolates and gummies and even honey!
Unfortunately due to the challenges of this year DAVIDsTEA had to close most of their stores, particularly in the US. But there is a silver lining. You can still buy everything amazing that DAVIDs makes on their website!
You can find the 24 Days of Matcha at DAVIDsTEA
For the seasoned (or wannabe) oenophile, who’s always wanted to visit Napa: Aldi Wine Advent Calendar
Wine Advent Calendar via Aldi
Is wine tasting your favorite summer, spring, fall, or all of the above activity? Have you always wanted to visit Napa and Sonoma in California’s wine country? Look no further than Aldi’s infamous wine advent calendar!
Popular in Europe and released in the States the past couple of years, Aldi’s advent calendar scores top marks for both the inside and the outside. It may look like your typical advent calendar, albeit slightly bigger, but instead of finding little pieces of chocolate you will be rewarded with 24 mini bottles of red, white, rosé and bubbly, all sourced from the wine mecca of the United States: California.
Typically released at the beginning of November each year, I was fortunate enough to get my hands on one of these elusive calendars last year and trust me when I say it does not disappoint. Every bottle was just as delicious as the day before and it really did pair perfectly with Aldi’s cheese advent calendar – yes I know I am lactose intolerant, but this is an experience worth the Lactaid!
Cheese Advent Calendar via Aldi
Unfortunately, if you want to get your hands on this calendar you have to make the trek to the store – or convince a friend to do it for you – as Aldi does not sell their calendars online. It is well worth the morning adventure as Aldi’s calendar comes in at $70, which is $30 less than the wine advent calendar Costco sells. If you are able to snag one prepare for the best 24 days of wine-down ever!
Look for Aldi’s wine advent calendar in store at the beginning of November
For the one who needs a stronger caffeine fix: KaffeBox Scandinavian Specialty Coffee Advent Calendar
If you’ve always wanted to visit Scandinavia and can’t go a day without coffee look no further than KaffeBox!
Specialty Scandinavian Coffee Advent Calendar via KaffeBox
Scandinavia is an area of the world known for their love of coffee, in Swedish for their famous Fika time and in Denmark for cozy Hygge days. Plus, Christmas is a big thing in this area of the world (and they know how to do it right) why not do as the Scandinavians do and try out 24 days of freshly roasted, whole bean specialty coffee from 12 of their best craft coffee roasters?
Coming in at almost $160 it may be a little pricey, but you know the quality will be top-notch, and bonus… KaffeBox ships free to anywhere in the world! Plus, the fact that for each calendar purchased KaffeBox will provide life-time access to clean water for one person, through the support of water.org and charity:water’s clean water projects, you can feel good about this purchase too.
This is another one of those calendars you’ll need to scoop up quickly because its popularity means it doesn’t last long upon it’s release in early November.
You can find the Scandinavian Specialty Coffee Advent Calendar at KaffeBox
For the breakfast (and let’s be real croissant) lover: Bonne Maman Preserves Advent Calendar
Preserves Advent Calendar via Bonne Maman
Are you one of those people who is tempted to take all of the cute jam and jelly jars from restaurants you dine at for breakfast or brunch? Then the French purveyor of jams, marmalades, compotes, desserts, cakes and biscuits Bonne Maman is speaking to you right now.
Filled with 24 of the cutest petite jars of different limited-edition jams and jellies (plus some honey), is perfect for any toast or pastry lover. Included in the calendar is a mix of Bonne Maman’s classic and some new flavors, including fig with cardamom, cherry with Christmas spice, lemon and yuzu, and apricot with lavender, all of the jams, jellies and honey are free of high fructose corn syrup and made with all-natural ingredients.
Preserves Advent Calendar interior via Bonne Maman
I snagged one last year, because this calendar is notoriously hard to get and you have to be on it before they sell out, and promptly went to Trader Joe’s to get some little toasts to spread them on, making for the perfect pairing with my tea advent calendar.
The thing with this calendar though is it sells out quick! So you have to be on top of it if you want to make your December breakfasts, desserts and snacks just a little bit sweeter and fruitier!
You can find the Preserves Advent Calendar at Bonne Maman or on Amazon
For the adventurous eater, who has always wanted to visit Scandinavia: Lakrids by Bülow Licorice Christmas Calendar
Licorice Calendar Advent Calendar via Lakrids by Bülow
If there is one thing I can say about my travels it’s that Scandinavia really knows how to do Christmas!
If you are unable to travel to Sweden or Denmark or Finland the next best thing is (stocking up on all of the Christmas décor from IKEA) bringing the flavors of the region home for the holidays. And one of those flavors is licorice, you will find it all throughout the Nordic countries. licorice is also most definitely an acquired taste so one of the best ways to try it out is in the form of an advent calendar. Lakrids by Johan Bülow has got you covered.
Lakrids by Bülow Licorice Advent Calendar via Lakrids by Bülow
Each window features a new and intriguing flavor combination such as licorice with milk chocolate, salted caramel, crispy caramel, passion fruit, and more, all wrapped up in sustainable packaging from Denmark!
You can find the licorice advent calendar (aka Lakrids by Johan Bülow) at Johan Bülow
For the Italian dreamer and ultimate sweet tooth: Borgo De' Medici Italian Cookie Advent Calendar
Borgo De' Medici Italian Cookie Advent Calendar via Depeche Toi
When it comes to travelers it’s rare to meet someone who doesn’t have Italy on their bucket list. From the stunning architecture to the amazing food to the unreal views to the friendly people, Italy is one of those locations that take many to Europe for the first time.
So what better way to celebrate the lead up to Christmas than with a traditional Italian cookie every day in the month of December? Actually made in Tuscany by the family-owned, family-run Borgo de' Medici company the calendar features an assortment of 24 plain and chocolate canestrelli cookies, chocolate and almond biscotti, cocoa and chocolate drop cookies, limonchello cookies, coffee cookies and soft nougat with almonds.
It’s literally a taste of Italy every single day, and I can guarantee you if Italy wasn’t already on your travel list prepare for it to appear this holiday season.
You can find the Italian Cookie Advent Calendar at World Market or Depeche-Toi
For the holiday lover who dreams of a trip to Europe to see the Christmas markets: Mozart Schokolade Advent Calendar
While when most people think German Chocolate, their thoughts immediately turn to the Purple Cow, Milka, but another traditional Christmas sweet from the region is waiting in the wings and dare I say is even better. For me, and for many of my German friends, the Mozart Schokolade is truly synonymous with the holidays, and also happens to be one of my most favorite Christmas sweets, mainly because it’s made of marzipan.
Hailing from Salzburg, Austria and created by master confectioner Paul Fürst, the Mozartkugel (my favorite) is the original sweet — which is balls of marzipan, coated in a praline cream and dipped in an even layer of bittersweet chocolate — made in honor of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart himself. This typical Austrian souvenir has become synonymous for Austrian culture and there could be no more perfect way to enjoy it than in the form of an advent calendar.
This is one of the best things about the Mozart Schokolade, not only do you get to experience the Mozartkugel you also get Mozart-Medallions and Mozart-Hearts in the calendar, which are perfect for any dark chocolate lover.
You can find the Mozart Schokolade at Yummy Bazaar or European Deli
For the beer lover who’s always wanted to go on a drinking tour of Prague: Beer Geek Czech Beer Advent Calendar
Czech Beer Calendar via Beer Geek
What would an advent calendar list be without another alcohol version? This time it’s for the hops lovers, of which I am not one.
Now don’t get me wrong! I have tasted a brew or two, and you can bet your bottom dollar when I did visit Prague a couple of years ago I told myself to try the beer (even though I am really not a fan of the brewed beverage). Because like many people, I have heard about how famous, and supposedly how good, Czech beer is. Did I like it? No. Was I glad I tried it? Yes.
All of that aside, if beer is your thing, or you like to dabble in a flight every once in a while, and also have been dreaming of visiting the fairytale looking city that is Prague, look no further than this calendar from Beer Geek, which comes in a gorgeous decorative wooden box full of 24 bottles of quality craft Czech beers!
Image via Beer Geek
Because it’s craft beer you know you are going to get a wide selection of quality brews, some which have been produced exclusively for the calendar, to enjoy every day up until Christmas. But to make things even more exciting Beer Geek doesn’t even reveal what brews come in the calendars, so every day you open a new brew it is truly a Christmas surprise.
Surprisingly for the quality you are getting from this calendar, both in it's packaging and from the brews inside, it’s a surprise the calendar isn’t offered at a higher price point. Expect to pay about $90 USD for the calendar (plus shipping).
You can find the Czech Beer Advent Calendar at Beer Geek