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Cuisine, Europe, Luxury Journeys

These Are Our 15 Favorite Michelin Star Restaurants in Italy 

July 4, 2024 by Laura Goodman No Comments
Pink dining room at Piazza Duomo

There are almost as many ways to eat in Italy as there are to be a person. The twenty regions each foster their own unique flavours and techniques, and within those there are untold variations. Michelin star restaurants can be wildly creative, or classic, old-school affairs. Here’s our guide to the gamut of Italian fine dining, featuring some of the most famous restaurants in Italy, and some of the lesser known ones, too. 

Lido 84, Lake Garda

The lakeside dinner of your dreams is in lush little Gardone Riviera, among the cypress trees, oleanders and bougainvillea. This is a joyous, relaxed place to soak in the lake’s majesty, with chefs regularly bustling in and out of the jewel-like turquoise dining room to present dishes made using local sardines, raw mountain milk, olive oil, lemons and Wisteria flowers. 

 

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Accursio, Modica

Modica is one of three Baroque towns in southern Sicily – it’s dazzling and monumental, and somewhat mind-blowingly nestled in a valley 25 minutes from the sea. Accursio’s tasting menu is a vivid introduction to the wildly varied cuisine of Sicilia, taking you from the coast to the mainland, the east to the west. 

Piazza Duomo, Alba

In Piedmont, unassuming Alba lures foodies in their droves with its Barolo wine, gianduja chocolates and highly prized white truffles. And for a seat in meticulous creative genius Enrico Crippa’s rosato pink dining room. This is one of the most awarded Michelin star restaurants in Italy – it’s had three for 13 years. Crippa’s 51-ingredient salad will change the way you think about foliage forever. 

 

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Osteria Francescana, Modena

One of the most famous restaurants in Italy and indeed the world, Massimo Bottura’s colossus is quite used to being called ‘the best’. Bottura’s singular work must be eaten to be believed; his menus are influenced by art and the cultural traditions of his Emilia-Romagna homeland. This is Italian fine dining as exuberant theater. 

Read more about Michelin star chefs around the world. 

Joia, Milan 

Pietro Leemann was one of the first chefs to take Italian fine dining to the green side, and in 1996 his trailblazing Joia became Europe’s first entirely vegetarian venue with a Michelin star. Leemann’s dishes are indulgent, complex and brimming with surprises, and the dining room has all the cool, chic minimalism you’d expect from Milano. 

 

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Glass Hostaria, Rome

Cristina Bowerman draws on American and Asian influences, never forgetting that Glass is a Roman restaurant, located right in the middle of Trastevere, a cobbled neighborhood across the Tiber. In a super-modern space, in which glass wine cases are embedded in floors, Bowerman reimagines Roman classics – her Amatriciana-stuffed ravioli are yolky, silky, rich magnificence. 

Le Monzu, Capri

Picture a romantic table for two in Capri: white tablecloth, plate of exquisite cuttlefish, next to the window where the sun is setting over the sea and some dramatic rock formations. You are picturing Le Monzu, one of the Michelin star resaurants on our Ultimate Italy journey, and the only restaurant with a Michelin star in Capri (its tagline is “Where an extra star shines over the Med”) . It sparkles. 

What to expect when dining at a Michelin star restaurant. 

 

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La Caravella dal 1959, Amalfi

As much a part of Amalfi as the lemons, La Caravella received its first star in 1969 at the helm of Antonio Dipino’s parents. It was later lost, but Chef Antonio won it back in the nineties with his imaginative reinterpretations of local dishes. Beneath spectacular frescoed ceilings, enjoy a Very Amalfi degustazione, ending with “the sun in a dish” – a legendary lemon souffle.

Casa Mazzucchelli, Sasso Marconi

A new star for 2024, Casa Mazzucchelli is just south of abundant Bologna, the city known for its ragus and brodos rather than its Italian fine dining. Brother Massimo takes the warm oak and bronze dining room and sister Aurora leads the kitchen, which is deeply devoted to bread. Look for Aurora’s leavening prowess in sourdough ravioli stuffed with chickpeas, lard and black cabbage, or in braised eel with corn focaccia.

 

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Duomo, Ragusa

Michelin awards two stars to Chef Ciccio Sultano for what they describe as “an intimate portrait of Sicily”. Enjoy a five- or eight-course showcase of the island’s finest almonds, sea urchins, lasagna and cassata in an old apartment, opposite the dramatic Duomo di San Giorgio, which sits with its neoclassical dome and Corinthian columns, like a giant honey-coloured wedding cake. 

Enoteca Pinchiorri, Florence

In a former Renaissance palazzo, with a soundtrack of live piano, this is opulent, dreamy Florence in a nutshell, with three Michelin stars. It’s the sort of restaurant in which the sommelier will find you a glass of wine that pairs with your very soul, and the service is so immaculate the staff seem to float around you. The menu is a catalogue of wonders. 

 

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Enrico Bartolini al Mudec, Milan

Chef Enrico Bartolini has been awarded more Michelin stars for restaurants in Italy than anyone else, and this one is his flagship. Find the exquisite dining room (all soft leather, taupe and gentle lines), on the third floor of Milan’s Museo delle Culture (Mudec). The ‘contemporary classic’ menu is rooted in Milan, but with influences and ingredients from all over Italy. 

Oasis – Sapori Antichi

 

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In the Fischetti family, the women have run the kitchen for 35 years now and the ricotta ravioli with walnut and seared garlic has been there throughout. Today, it’s Michelina and her granddaughter Serena collaborating on dishes that are open to the world, but faithful to local tradition. The restaurant also has a Michelin green star for its connection to the region – the Fischettis use mostly small-scale producers and make olive oil on their own organic farm.

Zia, Rome

Michelin describes Antonio Ziantoni as “a young chef of undoubted talent”. He has a lot of interesting things to say, and he does so through red shrimp with rhubarb and basil, and through tortelli stuffed with pork, plums, Parmesan and bitters, and through rice pudding with coffee and black cardamom. If you want to surprise and delight your taste buds, book a table at Zia. 

How many Michelin star restaurants are there in Italy?

In 2024, there were 395 Michelin star restaurants in Italy. 

Which city in Italy has the most Michelin stars?

In 2024, Rome and Milan topped the leaderboard, with 21 stars apiece. 

Read more: The essential guide to Italy for foodies. 

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Luxury Journeys

Eco luxury hotels we adore around the world

July 2, 2024 by Jess Williamson No Comments
aerial view of swimming pool in jungle

Eco-savvy trips don’t have to mean compromising on glamour, luxury, or comfort, especially when you choose an eco luxury hotel. In fact, many of the world’s sustainable hotels are made even more indulgent by their environmental credentials, with locally-sourced produce and cutting-edge, energy-efficient technology coming as standard for sustainable stays.

From spa treatments infused with fresh florals foraged from the hotel gardens to outstanding conservation efforts that grant guests the opportunity to help preserve local wildlife, these eco luxury hotels offer a planet-friendly way to travel – coupled with the unparalleled excellence and service Luxury Gold guests expect with a five-star retreat.

Read more: how we’re setting the Gold Standard for sustainable luxury travel

Sani Resort, Halkidiki

 

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For the fourth year running, Greece’s pioneering Sani resort on the shores of the Halkidiki peninsula won the World’s Leading Luxury Green Resort at the World Travel Awards in 2023. The Sani Green program is implemented across the five energy-efficient hotels at this dreamlike beach resort – despite its huge scale, it has been running on 100% renewable energy since 2019, and in 2020 Sani became Greece’s very first carbon-neutral resort. 

Commitment to sustainability continues in Sani’s carefully-crafted guest experiences, from eco excursions exploring the 1,000-acre wetland and nature reserve next door, to taking part in wild dolphin surveys and replanting local olive groves. 

Six Senses Svart, Norway

Norway mountains

Wellness specialists Six Senses are opening a new base at the foot of a Norwegian fjord later this year; and, in true Scandi sustainable style, it’s hoped that the Six Senses Svart will be the world’s first energy-positive hotel. Not only is the ring-shaped hotel building itself intended to be completely off-grid and self-sufficient thanks to solar and geothermal energy: the supply and transfer boats that dock at the hotel will be too.

Staying at this eco luxury hotel is a lesson in Earth-conscious comfort. Zero-waste dining with farm-to-table ingredients is a given, while sp treatments also utilise locally-foraged produce: think wild Norwegian herbs pounded into soothing body scrubs.

Discover Fotografiska: Stockholm’s delectable plant-based bistro

Saffire Freycinet, Tasmania

 

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Set in the spellbinding Tasmanian wilderness, Saffire Freycinet is one of Australia’s most sustainable hotels. It’s guided by two core principles – protecting healthy sites and healing damaged ones. The hotel stands on the land of a former campsite, where the land had been ravaged by passing vehicles; however, Saffire Freycinet has replanted 30,000 native flora species since it opened in 2010. Charming embellishments – from knitwear to cuddly toys – designed by locals and displayed in the lobbies and rooms keep the hotel’s carbon footprint low, and guests can even take part in a Tasmanian Devil conservation program.

Amazing architecture: the Sydney Opera House at 50

The Brando, French Polynesia

 

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French Polynesia’s paradisiacal islands look as if they have barely been touched by man – and the exclusive Brando private island getaway hopes to keep it that way. Inspired by Marlon Brando’s keenness to preserve sanctuaries for future generations, the understated yet uber-luxe energy-efficient hotel is mostly powered by 4,700 photovoltaic panels. Plus, all food waste is transformed into compost within 24 hours so the next generation of hotel-grown crops can flourish. 

The Brando also works with a Polynesian non-profit, the Tetiaroa Society, to operate the island’s very own Eco-Station – where scientists monitor biodiversity and other crucial aspects of the island’s ecosystem.

Park Hotel Pickering, Singapore

 

 

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Eco luxury hotels in cities can be harder to find than sustainable rural boltholes, but the Park Hotel Pickering in Singapore bucks the trend. This ‘hotel-within-a-garden’ set along the banks of the Singapore River is literally covered in greenery, with 15,000 square metres of exterior planting, roof gardens and even waterfalls on the walls transforming this five-star hote into a true urban jungle. 

The sustainable credentials continue  inside, too, with tempting pure plant-based menus in the restaurant and electric vehicles used for all guest transfers. No wonder it’s been named the “World’s Leading Green City Hotel” at the World Travel Awards three years in a row.

Take a glimpse: the future of luxury air travel in 50 years

Gaia Hotel and Resort, Costa Rica

costa rica beach view from jungle

Certified by the Costa Rican government as 99.6% sustainable and currently the World’s Leading Green Hotel (at the World Travel Awards), Gaia prides itself on ‘5-star barefoot luxury’ – you’ll feel connected to the glorious rainforest around you within moments of stepping through the door. 

Light-filled rooms are equipped with special sensitive glass, which reduces the need for both artificial heating and cooling. In the grounds, tours of the sustainable luxury hotel’s own nature reserve introduces guests to the resident scarlet macaws, as Gaia hopes to spearhead the reintroduction of the species into the adjacent Manuel Antonio National Park.

Now explore: the Swiss hotel committed to positive environmental change

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Luxury Journeys, Uncategorized, USA and Canada

Embrace the Soul of the South on This Extraordinary Journey in the USA

June 28, 2024 by Leanne Williams No Comments

Stunning landscapes, incredible variety, endless culture. The USA is the ultimate year-round destination. If you’re looking for some travel inspiration then look no further than the soul of the south – Nashville, Tennessee, Memphis, Tennessee and New Orleans, Louisiana. A region with an incredible wealth of history, culture and nature, coupled with sensational cuisine and unbeatable music credentials, the Southern USA is the vacation of a lifetime.

In partnership with Visit the USA, we invite you discover the soul of the south and to travel with us on Southern Grace, a 9-day luxury journey from Nashville to New Orleans. To whet your appetite, we’ve picked out some of our favorite moments.

For travel inspiration: USA destination guide

Read more about our Southern Grace tour: High Notes: How Travel Concierge Ann Amplifies the Sounds of the South

Walk in the footsteps of legends in Nashville, Tennessee

visitors walking down a spiral staircase in the Country Music Hall of Fame

A welcoming and vibrant destination for visitors, Nashville has long been at the heart of country music in America. ‘Music City’ as it is affectionally known, is also the birthplace of bluegrass, with a thriving rock and pop scene. A city packed with sensational eateries and exceptional hotels, your stay at the sophisticated Grand Hyatt on our Southern Grace small group journey places you in the center of luxury and the downtown action.

Nashville grew from a foundation based on music and, as the 1800s unfolded it became a national center for music publishing. Join us and discover the music like a VIP. At Studio B – Nashville’s oldest remaining record studio, take part in a private recording session under the guidance of a professional sound engineer. Let your inner songbird free and record a take-home tune just as legends Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton have done before you.

Later, at the Country Music Hall of Fame, as guests of Luxury Gold you’ll enjoy a private, behind-the-scenes look at the songwriting process with a local songwriter and singer. On your visit you’ll also see memorabilia from stars such as Jim Reeves and Roy Orbison, before topping the night off with a performance at the Grand Ole Opry.

You may also enjoy reading: For Your Ears Only: Experience the Privilege of Private Live Music

Discover U.S. history in Memphis, Tennessee

View looking down a neon sign-lined street at dusk in America

Home of ‘The King’, the blues and the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll, Memphis is another musical pilgrimage hotspot. But over and above the music, this city holds an essential place in U.S. history, and its civil rights legacy lives on in many ways.

Nowhere is this history brought to life quite like the National Civil Rights Museum, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience on Southern Grace. Immerse yourself on a guided tour through the interactive exhibits and poignant storytelling, the museum shares the story of key moments throughout the American Civil Rights Movement, from the history of enslaved people all the way through to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968.

Memphis, and indeed the whole of Southern USA, is also known for its delicious cuisine including cajun, creole and some of the finest BBQ. To experience traditional cooking at its most tasty, Luxury Gold guests get a backstage pass to Central BBQ – one of the city’s oldest and most iconic establishments. Sweep past the queues (which are usually around the block) for your VIP visit. Inside you will meet Clint Cantwell, a renowned grilling expert to learn how to make the most delicious pulled pork, brisket and ribs – a rare event usually only local insiders get to experience. Followed of course by a scrumptious meal.

Bookmark for later: How We’re Setting the Gold Standard for Sustainable Luxury Travel

Step back in time in Natchez, Mississippi

An antebellum house set against a blue sky and green lawn

Stepping away from the hustle and bustle, Natchez is a charming retreat. The oldest city on the Mississippi and one of Southern USA’s hidden gems, more than 1,000 structures in Natchez are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. With properties dating to the late 1700s, the South’s unique architecture and history comes to life in Natchez’s antebellum homes.

Your stay in the Monmouth Historic Inn & Gardens, a National Historic Landmark built in 1818, gives you a timeless feel for the place. An early 19th-century antebellum mansion set in 26 acres of manicured gardens, world class service and historic surroundings combine for a decadent stay.

While in Natchez on Southern Grace, we invite you to personalize your day with a choice of two experiences. Either you can step back in time and take a private tour an 1850s Greek-Revival cottage, the beloved home of a local. Take your time to explore the interior and grounds and let your imagination run wild as you learn about its past. Alternatively you can choose to join a mixology class and learn all about famous Southern cocktails including the ‘Crown Julep’.

You may be interested to read: Our Favorite Classic Cocktails, and the Timeless Hotels To Try Them At

There’s nowhere quite like New Orleans, Louisiana

A view of New Orleans' French Quarter buildings with wrought iron balconies

To cap off your Southern Grace tour the ‘Big Easy’ beckons. A city so steeped in history and culture and rich traditions there’s a tantalizing story around every corner. The Ritz Carlton is your majestic home for three nights and is a destination in itself. The building was built originally in 1908 and it became a luxury hotel in 2000 showcasing the best of American hospitality. Centrally located it means you are just a few steps from the area’s most popular attractions, including the famous Bourbon Street.

A city world renowned for its Mardi Gras celebrations, as part of your exploration of New Orleans we invite you to enjoy an all-access pass to the Mardi Gras World’s Blaine Kern Studios. This workshop has created sensational floats for Mardi Gras and other parades around the world since 1947. Learn how artists and architects build Mardi Gras floats from the ground up and view colorful costumes and props.

Read more about this extraordinary hotel: Why New Orleans’ Ritz Carlton Hotel is a cut above the rest

To enjoy the best of the USA with a luxurious visit to the sensational South, take a look at our Southern Gracesmall group journey.

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