One of the best ways to embrace la dolce vita is indulging in Tuscan food. From truffles and hearty soups to gelato and Tuscan wine, there’s an abundance of Tuscan delicacies to savor on our Ultimate Italy tour. Get acquainted with the essential guide to Italy for foodies and dive into our seven favorite Tuscan culinary experiences. 

Meet Marchese Mazzei for a private lunch and wine tasting 

Should you travel on a Founder’s Collection of our Ultimate Italy tour, you’re treated to an exclusive lunch and wine tasting with Marchese Mazzei at his centuries-old Tuscan estate, Fonterutoli Winery. Revered for its Chianti Classico, the winery’s Mazzei family has been evolving its winemaking through tradition and innovations to support a low environmental impact since 1435. Begin with a tour of the estate highlighting the history of the Chianti Classico appellation and a visit to the underground Author’s Cellar. You’ll then sit down to sip their complex wine and enjoy a light lunch while you gaze out upon the villa and homes dating back to the 1500s.  

Francesco Mazzei and Fonterutoli Winery

Visit Guardastelle winery for a wine tasting and lunch 

Delve into Tuscan wine on a private tour of the 15th century Guardastelle estate. Your personal oenophile will guide you through the ancient cellars and share their insights on their grape varieties and family-owned estate. Tenuta Guardastelle is one of the smallest wineries in San Gimignano and is the ideal place to sample Tuscan wine. Paired with a lunch of Tuscan specialties, your lunch among rolling green hills and vineyards makes for an idyllic dining experience. 

Related Content: Wines of the world 

Taste award-winning ice cream in San Gimignano   

What better way to embrace Tuscan delicacies than by tasting gelato with World Champion Gelato maestro, Sergio Dondoli? Tucked within winding alleyways is the world-renowned artisan ice cream parlor, Gelateria Dondoli. Within this small shop filled with tempting tastes you’ll hear master Dondoli’s story of developing his craft since 1984. All his ice creams feature highly selected, top-quality ingredients of local regions. For example, the saffron and hazelnut have protected designations.

Dondoli also won the prestigious MAM (Master of Art and Craft) award in 2016, the Italian equivalent of the “Living National Treasure” Japanese Prize and the French “Maître d’Art” Award. Only 75 Artistic Masters were awarded this honor in Italy and Sergio is the only Gelato Master to have received this important award. Some of his notable flavors include Crema di Santa Fina® (cream with saffron and pine nuts), Champelmo® (pink grapefruit and sparkling wine), Dolceamaro® (cream with aromatic herbs) and Vernaccia Sorbet. 

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 Forage for aromatic truffles guided by an expert truffle dog 

Known as the “golden mushroom,” the truffle captures the elegance and sumptuous flavors of Tuscan food. Truffles in Tuscany grow around the roots of oak, hazelnut and pine trees across the hilly landscape. Your tour will take you on a fascinating foraging trip through these very regions guided by an expert truffle dog. After your excursion, use a truffle (or gift it along) as soon as you can. Truffles lose both their aroma and weight as time passes. White truffles pair well with simple ingredients such as fresh egg pasta or polenta. Or, dishes with butter, eggs, potatoes or cheese.  

Explore Florence on a culinary walk with a local foodie 

Visit the lively Mercato Centrale to learn about Florentine specialties with a local foodie. This market opened in 2014 in a historic cast iron and glass structure dating back to 1874. The aim was to make local artisans and their produce the heart of the food scene. Sample Florence’s culinary delights in the tucked away market shops offering a selection of gourmet highlights. Try local bread and baked goods, fresh fish, vegetarian and vegan dishes, meat and charcuterie, buffalo mozzarella, cheese, chocolate, gelato, fresh pasta, wine, lampredotto and truffles. 

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Enjoy dinner in an elegant Florentine villa 

A highlight of your Tuscan culinary journey will surely be dinner in Florence feasting on regional dishes, including the famous local specialty ‘bistecca fiorentina.’ This traditional dish is a Tuscan steak made from the region’s Chianina breed of cattle which are prized for their tenderness and flavor. This simple recipe seasons the steak with little more than olive oil, rosemary and salt. It is then grilled it to perfection to highlight the rich flavor of the meat. Savor every bite over this authentic dining experience.    

Tuscan Lunch and Cooking Class with Italian Chef 

What better way to immerse yourself in the culture of Tuscan food than with a hands-on cooking class? We’ll take you inside the former hunting lodge built in the 1200s by the Medici family. Begin by taking a stroll through the olive groves, vineyards and villas before sourcing fresh ingredients from the garden. Then partner with a professional Italian chef to learn how to roll your own fresh tagliatelle and pappardelle pasta.  

With so many decadent and authentic culinary experiences in Tuscany alone, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to fill your plate with Tuscan food and enrich your travels. 

Where will your taste buds take you? 

As prison guard to Nelson Mandela, Christo Brand knows what it is like to spend time with one of history’s great heroic figures. Travel on our Spectacular South Africa luxury guided tour and have the opportunity to meet with him and hear all about if for yourself.

We had the pleasure to talk with Christo, exclusively for Luxury Gold guests. We asked him his standout memories of Nelson Mandela, what he has learned from the experience, as well as his thoughts on South Africa as a destination.

Your journey to Robben Island is one of the highlights of our 9-Day Spectacular South Africa luxury guided tour. Spend the morning at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Robben Island, and take an insightful tour with an ex political prisoner as your guide. You will then return to the mainland for an exclusive lunch with Christo Brand, at the Amy Foundation. Here you will hear fascinating stories about South Africa’s first Black President, a heroic figure who stood for freedom and justice throughout the late 20th century.

Meet Christo Brand

In 1978, aged just 19 years old, Christo arrived at Robben Island where Nelson Mandela (then aged 60) was being held, having just completed his training as a prison guard. There he was one of several guards responsible for guarding Nelson Mandela and they developed a close friendship over the course of many years.

In 1982 Christo was transferred along with Nelson Mandela to Pollsmoor Prison on the mainland. He was responsible for guarding Nelson for a further six years, and their relationship of trust and mutual respect continued. Nelson Mandela was sentenced in 1964 to life imprisonment for sabotage. He was finally released on 11 February 1990, aged 72. On his release, Mandela organised a job for Christo as an administrative and logistics manager in the Constitutional Assembly and their relationship continued.

With so many years spent alongside such a great man, we started by asking Christo to sum up what Luxury Gold guests can expect to take away from this lunch. “What guests can expect is to understand how a Black man and a white man could become friends [in those times],” he affectionately tells us. “How we became friends, how we met each other and how we changed each other’s lives.”

For inspiration: South Africa destination guide

How would you describe Nelson Mandela to guests?

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“When describing Nelson Mandela to people I always say he was a down to earth, humble person,” Christo remembers fondly. “He was a person who would go out of his way to make others happy around him and give his last away to people to make them smile. He was also a person who loved to educate.

“I met him as a prison guard, and I met him out of prison, and he was exactly the same. He hadn’t changed. When he retired, he was a still a humble person. He would even stand up for me to greet me with that respect. He treated all people with respect.”

What is your most standout memory of your time together?

@robben_island

 “There are a lot of standout moments, but one of the biggest was when I handed a baby to him.” Christo recalls of one occasion when Nelson’s wife Winnie came to Robben Island and she brought a baby with her. It was one of his grandchildren and they managed to enable Nelson to see the baby. “He was not allowed to see children,” Christo explains “When he took the baby from me in that moment, he got so emotional he had tears in his eyes. I could not believe someone could be so hungry for a child like that. That emotion, that is something I will never forget.”

Was there a particular moment when you realized he was special?

@robben_island

 “Nelson Mandela was always a peacemaker,” Christo tells us. “I could see it when there was maybe an argument on the section between two prisoners or a prisoner and a guard. Mandela was the one who walked in and could interact and bring peace and harmony between the two. Immediately when he stared talking, he could calm people down in the heat of the moment, that was something very special.”

How has this experience shaped you as a person?

@christobrand60

 “Nelson Mandela was a person who reached out for people. He always believed that people are more important than yourself, and the more you help people the more you will be blessed with good life.” Christo replies of his learnings as prison guard to Nelson Mandela. “He taught me that even if you don’t see it today or you don’t see it tomorrow, in life good things will come to your side and you won’t know why, but it will be that person. We should focus on respecting each other as human beings on this planet, by reaching out for people. And that has shaped my life to make a better world for people.”

What is so special about South Africa?

@meetsouthafrica

 “South Africa is a beautiful country and is famous for its diversity. From our coastal areas, the dramatic mountains through to the famous Kruger National Park and our many other parks there is something for everyone,” Christo explains. “Also, its people are known for their friendliness and hospitality and our food and wine are exceptional, especially our wine.

“The country has a lot to offer, there is a lot of history in South Africa, a history of change. Through Nelson Mandela’s’ story we can tell that change. He walked out of prison with a changed mindset. He followed the footsteps of Martin Luther King and Mahatma Ghandi in that he was that type of person also.”

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What is the one thing in South Africa everyone should see?

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“Table Mountain. If you are in Cape Town don’t miss out the mountain,” Christo enthuses. This flat-topped mountain, at 1,085 meters high, is Cape Town’s most iconic and photographed landmark “This is the only place on the world from which you can enjoy such a spectacular view, including two World Heritage Sites. Table Mountain National Park being one itself and you can also see Robben Island.”

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Spectacular South Africa

If you would love to meet Christo Brand, former prison guard to Nelson Mandela then take a look at our Spectacular South Africa luxury guided tour. A showcase of beautiful wilderness, eclectic cultures, warm hospitality and rich heritage, this tour will take you from cosmopolitan Cape Town into the heart of Big Five territory. Discover Robben Island, Table Mountain, the finest wineries and view iconic wildlife on a luxury safari.vAnd, why not extend your journey aboard the luxurious Rovos Rail for a timeless journey to the mighty Victoria Falls?

More than just a spectacular stay, Geneva’s Hotel d’Angleterre is also deeply committed to sustainability and the community. From sumptuous rooms and sublime views to the employment of AI technology to cut food waste, there’s more than meets the eye to this magnificent hotel.

Discover this on: Majestic Switzerland

Luxury on the lake

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Renowned for offering “the finest British hospitality in Switzerland”, the Hotel d’Angleterre sits proudly on the edge of Lake Geneva. Here you can throw open the windows and breath in the fresh mountain air. Set in the heart of Geneva, the hotel combines all the joys of a central location with the relaxing atmosphere of a lakeside retreat. The sublime views across the lake are set against an unforgettable backdrop of snow-capped mountains and the majestic Mont Blanc.

For inspiration: Switzerland destination guide

Travel like a VIP and explore Geneva in style with a complimentary boat shuttle that leaves from just outside the hotel. It will transport you across the lake, past the impressive Jet d’Eau, the 140m fountain that is iconic to the Geneva skyline. Step out into streets lined with Cartier, Patek Phillipe and Dior and enjoy some of the finest shopping in Europe.

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Decadent rooms

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Sumptuous rooms and suites at the Hotel d’Angleterre reflect the 5-star grandeur and European elegance for which Geneva is renowned. With silk curtains and rich, fabric-lined walls giving a cosy yet sumptuous feel no two rooms are alike. Some suites have private balconies overlooking the lake, while others feature fine art lithographs by Miró, Calder and Picasso. All are designed with guests’ comfort at front of mind, with elegant marble and onyx bathrooms providing the perfect place to pamper and relax.

Afternoon Tea and fine dining

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There’s no finer place in Geneva to enjoy the decent ritual of afternoon tea than the Hotel d’Angleterre. Here you can savor an array of tempting treats including delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and sweet homemade pastries. Perfectly accompanied of course by an extensive tea menu or a glass of Champagne to enhance the occasion. At the Hotel’s Windows restaurant the food and scenery come with service to match. Executive Chef Alexandre Cardiga offers a wide spectrum of sought-after specialities, international favourites and homely dishes.

A commitment to sustainability

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The Hotel d’Angleterre is a Red Carnation Hotel, a family-run collection of 19 exceptional properties around the world. Unique and special, The Red Carnation Hotels share a strong commitment to sustainability. As part of the TTC Family of brands they work together with the Treadright Foundation to MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®.

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Cutting food waste

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The hotel places a great emphasis on eliminating food waste. Global food losses and food waste amounts to $1 trillion per year. In partnership with Winnow Solutions, a waste management company, the hotel is employing “intelligent” waste management techniques.

The Hotel d’Angleterre used ground-breaking AI technology to run a more productive, profitable and sustainable kitchen. Identifying what ingredients go to waste at the end of each day, they plan meals and order produce much more efficiently.

Not only does the technology help to save the business money on unused food products, it also helps to reduce their carbon impact by eliminating unnecessary food waste. There is also a great focus on the elimination of single use plastics, another great contributor to waste.

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Local partnerships

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The hotel partners exclusively with food suppliers and businesses that share our eco-friendly values and commitment to reaching carbon neutrality. Our strong focus on local ingredients from local producers results in lower food miles.

Related content: 5 Michelin-star chefs celebrating local culture through food

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

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For all guests to the hotel, a special lake-to-plate MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience is offered (at additional cost). You can join a seasoned local Swiss fisherman on Lake Geneva for a three-hour fishing tour, to learn the local fishing practices and catch some fish. Then take your bounty back to Executive Chef Alexandre Cardiga, who will prepare a sublime dish for you to enjoy in the hotel’s Windows Restaurant overlooking the lake and the Jet d’Eau.

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A commitment to the community

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Community also sits at the heart of the Hotel d’Angleterre’s manifesto. In collaboration with the UNHCR Refugee Food Festival, the hotel invites talented refugee chefs to promote their food culture and showcase their cuisine in their kitchen, with the profits donated to charity.

The annual event is a fantastic showcase for refugee chefs in the area to show their talents and share in food and friendship in the city. This year the Hotel d’Angleterre Geneva showcased an Iranian menu prepared by chef Mostafa Mohjib Nurbakhsh.

The hotel also supports important charities such as the Make a Wish Foundation. This global organization grants the most heartfelt wishes of children aged between 3 and 18 living with a serious medical condition to give them hope, strength and joy.

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Majestic Switzerland

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To enjoy the delights of the Hotel d’Angleterre for yourself take a look at our Majestic Switzerland luxury guided tour. Over 10-Days, enjoy the most amazing alpine scenery, exceptional dining and exquisite hotels.  Explore Zurich, St Moritz and Lucerne. Enjoy VIP experiences and take an unforgettable journey through the Alps aboard the Glacier Express.

 Related content: 5 benefits of visiting iconic tourist hotspots out of hours

Created in partnership with Tourism Switzerland.