If you find yourself in beautiful Scotland, dinner at one of the Michelin-star restaurants in Edinburgh should be on your must-do list. After all, what better way to end a day of sightseeing, whisky tasting and castle touring than dinner at one of Edinburgh’s top fine dining experiences at a Michelin-star restaurant?   

21212  

We begin with Chef Paul Kitching’s 21212 restaurant. Set in a charming Georgian townhouse in Edinburgh’s Royal Terrace, this fine dining hotspot has been delighting diners with contemporary French fare since 2009. 21212 actually refers to the number of dishes per course. Within one of the stylishly decorated rooms – each with a dedicated lounge area – you’ll feast on innovative flavor combinations. In fact, the menus change weekly. At the time of writing, we’re tempted by smoked salmon with pineapple and almonds and a warming soup with potato, chives and garlic. 

@21212edinburgh

Aizle  

Meaning a “glowing hot ember or spark” in Scottish, Aizle is a warm gathering space in the heart of the city. Housed in the Garden Room at The Kimpton Charlotte Square, Aizle showcases an ever-evolving menu of house-made dishes. We’re already impressed by the website that showcases seasonal harvest items. “Autumn Harvest” included a bounty from figs, cherries and artichokes, Lanark blue cheese and North Sea crab. The six-course tasting menu heavily centers around what’s local and in season. And we’ve heard the aged kombucha shouldn’t be missed. 

@aizle_edinburgh

Condita 

Venture just outside of Edinburgh’s city center where the Old Town meets Southside on Sailsbury Place to a converted shop where you’ll find Michelin-starred Condita. Inside, an understated modern space of whitewashed walls decorated with banners over the windows, origami blackbirds perched on branches and a large skylight inviting the afternoon sun welcomes you. This intimate space seats just six tables where diners pour over a surprise five- or eight-course tasting menu of modern dishes. A hand-drawn bookmark calls out some of the key ingredients. But should you have any curiosities about the menu, amicable Chef Conor Toomey is happy to chat. Delight in the seasonal, mostly organic dishes impeccably presented, sometimes arriving on pebbles and wooden spoons. Much of the produce is sourced from a walled kitchen garden in Borders. Organic wines complement the meal and malt whiskies finish the occasion. 

@condita_restaurant

The Glenturret Lalique   

Self-described as “an exclusive jewel-box dining room,” the Glenturret Lalique restaurant offers an intimate dining experience within a glass-walled room overlooking distilleries and the River Turret. Michelin-star restaurants in Edinburgh all offer something unique, and this cozy spot’s six tables sit beneath two five-tier Lalique chandeliers. The cosmopolitan, multi-course tasting menu is a decadent experience.  Start with sea buckthorn, liver and cocoa. Feast on the main course including Highland Wagyu, barbeque eggplant and morel. Finish with crème fraîche sherbet, raspberry and woodruff. A vegetarian tasting menu is also available from Chef Mark Donald. Donald started at Noma in Copenhagen before returning to Scotland and later working at Number One restaurant, where he secured a Michelin star before joining Glenturret in 2021.  

@theglenturretlalique

Martin Wishart 

In the port of Leith, Edinburgh, restaurant Martin Wishart has been impressing diners and critics since 1999. The seasonal menu harmonizes Scottish and French brasserie cuisine. In addition, the chef also prepares a six-course tasting menu each evening. You’ll even find a vegetarian, vegan and extensive seafood menu of locally sourced fish and shellfish. From a business lunch to an elegant evening out, the variety at Martin Wishart impresses a range of patrons. The staff are eager to provide wine pairings as well.  

At the heart of the experience is Martin Wishart himself, an Edinburgh-born chef who trained under such renowned chefs as Albert Roux, Michel Roux Jr, Marco Pierre White and John Burton-Race. Wishart has worked in the kitchen since he was 15 and employs classic French cooking techniques to his locally sourced meals. The restaurant has held a Michelin star since 2001 and has been voted The Sunday Times 5th best restaurant in the UK. 

@martin_wishart

Number One 

Among Michelin-star restaurants in Edinburgh, Number One is one of the top-ranking restaurants in the city. Located in the basement of the Balmoral hotel, find a dining room elegantly decorated with red-lacquered walls lined with contemporary art of large triptych prints and upholstered banquettes. The romantic, luxury ambiance is the perfect setting to linger over the seven-course menu. Scottish dishes featuring seasonal produce with international flair are the result of Chef Mathew Sherry’s innovations and expertise. A sample menu may take you from canapes and caviar to Goosnargh duck to artisan cheese.  

@numberoneedin

With so many options, enhance your time in the beautiful Scottish capital by dining in one of the many Michelin-star restaurants.

Still curious about Michelin dining? Learn what to expect when fining at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Or, explore the 10 most beautiful villages and small towns in Britain and Ireland. 

An idyllic destination, discover fascinating sights and exceptional gastronomy with our luxury travel guide to Vancouver. A popular year-round vacation spot, Vancouver is one of Canada’s most beautiful cities, world-renowned for its nature and world-class culinary scene. From the top hotels to the finest dining, here’s our pick of the best places to sleep, dine and explore.

Discover this on: Majesty of the Rockies

Magnificent Vancouver 

@destination_vancouver

British Columbia’s largest city, Vancouver is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and cosmopolitan travelers’ alike. Framed by the Pacific Ocean and dramatic Coast Mountains, Vancouver is frequently lauded as one of the world’s most livable cities. Close to 19 miles (30 km) of uninterrupted waterfront path surround the city’s favorite neighborhoods, including the famous seawall around Stanley Park.

A truly spectacular way to enter the city is on the Rocky Mountaineer train. Vancouver is the final stop on the luxury train’s famous route through the majestic Canadian Rockies. Glass-domed carriages and first-class dining combine for spectacular mountain views and comfort. As you approach Vancouver you cross the downtown bridge to swap mountains landscapes for cosmopolitan life.

Read more: Why journeying through the Rocky Mountains will stay with you for a lifetime

Where to stay

@thedouglas_van 

The DOUGLAS, Autograph Collection Hotel. Inspired by the grandness of nature and the allure of a cosmopolitan city, this sustainably designed hotel is located in the heart of the city. From sumptuous rooms to a rooftop urban park, it provides a comfortable and intriguing place to stay and explore Vancouver.

The DOUGLAS, an Autograph Collection®, stands as a legacy to the mighty fir, inspired by the grandness of nature. For thousands of years, Douglas firs lined the banks of False Creek, towering above what is now the thriving metropolis of Vancouver. The hotel’s design masterfully reconnects people and place, while seamlessly introducing nature into a chic urban environment.

@thedouglas_van

Guests can choose from a selection of eight world-class restaurants and lounges. In the evenings, sip a signature cocktail on the rooftop bar. A hip, vibrant and exclusive nightlife option perched above the city, this indoor/outdoor rooftop space makes for a coveted cocktail destination in Vancouver.

Related content: Step inside Peru’s blissful Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo hotel

Where to dine

@destination_vancouver

Renowned for its world-class culinary scene, as you walk around Vancouver you can sense the local appreciation for fine dining. Streets lined with kitchens waft beautiful aromas. Seasonal local ingredients, distinctive wines, ethically harvested meats, and sustainable seafood prevail, with fresh produce coming in daily from the ocean.

Dining in Vancouver is a celebration of kitchens around the world. Dozens of ramen, Indian, and sushi restaurants dot this multicultural city, offering everything from fine dining to street food. In addition, more than 100 trucks have created a food truck scene that is unrivaled in Canada.

With so many places to choose from, here is our guide to Vancouver’s top three:

@thevictorvancouver

The Victor – An in-house restaurant of the Douglas Autograph Hotel, The Victor delights with contemporary dishes and coastal flavors. Here you can savor the seafood bounty of B.C, with fresh catch straight off the coast. A contemporary play on surf and turf, you can also indulge in a sumptuous selection of specialty steaks, and an elevated sushi and raw bar.

@kissatanto

Kissa Tanto – A Japanese-Italian fusion, the restaurant takes its name from kissas, ’60s Tokyo jazz bars. Chef Joël Watanabe, who himself is half Japanese and half Corsican-Italian and Quebecois, makes this concept his own. Stylish and sophisticated, expect pasta dishes like Tajarin (Piedmont-style egg noodles) dressed with butter, roasted mushrooms, and miso-cured egg yolk. As any guide to Vancouver will tell you, this is one of the foodie highlights of Chinatown.

@salmonnbannockbistro

Salmon n’Bannock – The only Indigenous-owned and operated restaurant in Vancouver, Salmon n’Bannock is run by members of Canada’s First Nations. Revel in traditional and authentic Indigenous foods and flavors, passed down by elders.

Owner and founder Inez Cook has taken traditional ingredients and given them a modern twist. Enjoy pemmican, an important Indigenous food. Traditionally made with dried meat and berries, the dish has been revived into a delicious rich Pemmican Mouse. Made with smoked and dried bison mixed with sage-blueberries and cream cheese and paired with their perfectly toasted bannock.

Travel on the Majesty of the Rockies and join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Salmon n’Bannock. Meet with owner Inez and learn how the restaurant celebrates and educates about First Nations’ culture.

Read more: The story behind Vancouver’s only Indigenous restaurant, Salmon n’Bannock

What to see in Vancouver

Vancouver’s best attractions are informed by its history as much as its future, with futuristic museums nestled next to iconic districts and mountains as far as the eye can see.

Top sights in any guide to Vancouver include downtown’s Stanley Park, with its old-growth cedar forests surrounded by water views and sandy beaches, and the Granville Island Public Market. Other popular neighborhoods include the West End, Gastown, Yaletown, and Chinatown.

Stanley Park – Sited over a huge 1,000 acres, Stanley Park contains beaches, an aquarium, playgrounds, botanical gardens, a golf course and much more. It is famous for its Seawall, which makes a great rail for walking and biking.

One of the essential things to do in Vancouver, you can lose yourself in nature amongst ferns and centuries-old cedars on 40 miles of trails. Keep an eye out for beavers, raccoons, great blue herons, bald eagles, coyotes, and sometimes even whales. Take time to visit the First Nations Totem Poles. There are a number of beautiful totem poles in the park at two different locations.

Gastown – Vancouver’s most historic neighborhood dates back to 1867 and is named after “Gassy” Jack Deighton, a seaman from the UK. Here that you’ll find cobblestone walkways and stunning architecture that set the stage for some of Vancouver’s best shopping, restaurants and cafes.

@moa_ubc

Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia – Located on the traditional territory of the Musqueam people, the Museum of Anthropology (MOA) features art by indigenous peoples from Canada and around the world. One of Canada’s largest teaching museums, MOA is home to hundreds of thousands of ethnographic objects, artifacts and works of art. This includes textiles, ceramics, massive totem poles, masks, and more. The iconic building was designed by renowned Canadian architect Arthur Erickson.

Pacific Arts Market – This nearly 2,500-square-foot gallery space features art, jewelry, and other handmade crafts from more than 40 artists from Vancouver and around British Columbia. Browse talented local artists and bring home a unique souvenir. You’ll find paintings, ceramics, jewelry, woodcarving, fiber arts, and products like handmade candles and teas. The colorful space is packed with art for every taste and budget. Artists change regularly, so it’s worth visiting again and again.

If our guide to Vancouver has inspired you to see the delights of this city for yourself, take a look at our Majesty of the Rockies luxury guided tour. Starting in Banff, over 9-Days you will traverse beautiful landscapes and enjoy exclusive experiences. Vancouver provides the grand finale to this majestic journey.

New Zealand experiences often top the must-do travel lists — and with good reason. From adventures in nature to sipping nature’s bounty, there’s no shortage of things to do in New Zealand. These are our top five once-in-a-lifetime experiences to experience on your New Zealand tour. 

Adventure in nature

It may come as no surprise that exploring New Zealand’s rich landscapes makes the top of our list. Our 19-day tour will immerse you in all of these rich New Zealand adventures. Take to the water for a serene cruise of Milford Sound’s Lake Manapouri lined with plummeting waterfalls, coves and beaches dotted along its shore. This magnificent scenery of the Fiordland National Park’s forest-clad mountains and islands is a must-do on any trip to The Long White Cloud. You’ll also cruise along Queen Charlotte Sound and across Cook Straight watching the coves, bays and lush green forests rising from the tranquil waters. For adrenaline junkies, zip past untouched forests and snow-capped mountains in your fully enclosed cabin on a Haast River jet boat safari. 

Stay at the ultimate nature retreat at Milford Sound Lodge. 

There’s plenty to discover on land, too. Understand what the ice age must have felt like experiencing the mighty natural wonder and grand scale of the Franz Josef Glacier. You’ll also visit Waimangu Volcanic Valley, the world’s youngest geothermal system. Discover the world’s largest hot spring, volcanic crater lakes and the most incredible flora and fauna that have been untouched by man as you stroll along boardwalks.

Uncover Māori culture

When asking yourself “what to do in New Zealand?” experiencing the indigenous Māori culture is probably at the top of your list. You’ll have the opportunity to do just that on a visit to Tamaki Māori Village in Rotorua. Through this immersive experience, dine on a hearty and delicious meal warmed by the earth with a uniquely prepared Hāngī feast. Hāngī meals are made of meat, potatoes, and vegetables cooked traditionally in a pit oven using geothermal steam. As you dine, witness a captivating live cultural performance showcasing honored traditions, stories, songs and performing arts. See the fierce ‘Haka’ (war dance), action dances and stick games. This sensory evening will delight you with the magic of Māori storytelling and culture set deep within the forest. 

@laxmiii_sbdr

Sip and Savor

Most seasoned travelers will agree day trips in New Zealand must include a little wine tasting. Embark on a boutique wine-tasting tour in the heart of the Central Otago wine region. Here you’ll sample the area’s finest Pinot Noir, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and crisp Sauvignon Blanc.  

Our tours even treat you to a dinner and wine pairing at Hawke’s Bay Craggy Range Winery with an intimate dinner at the award-winning restaurant. Taking in the grandeur of Te Mata Peak and feast on local produce as you drink wines from one of the region’s world-famous vineyards. You’ll also learn how this family-owned winery began with a search to start a winery in France, the U.S., Australia and finally the exceptional climate of New Zealand.    

More of a beer connoisseur? Sample some of Dunedin’s best local brews on an exclusive tour and tasting session at Emerson’s Brewery. You’ll witness each stage of the process as you’re guided behind the scenes from malt room to bottling at this award-winning microbrewery. 

National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa Visit

Add going behind-the-scenes on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa to your collection of New Zealand experiences. Meet the kiwi at this working nursery and hatchery for New Zealand’s intriguing national bird. This experience helps to fund the Hatchery and directly contribute to kiwi conservation. This has become the largest and most successful kiwi hatching facility in the world, and the national leader in kiwi husbandry, egg incubation systems, hatching techniques and kiwi chick rearing. After your visit, you’ll understand how the nursery and hatchery is leading the conservation efforts of the national icon. You may even get to see a newly hatched kiwi chick. 

New Zealand, Wellington, North Island,

Waitomo Cave Visit with Private Boat Tour

Perhaps one of the most unexpected – and enchanting — New Zealand experiences is an exclusive, private guided tour of Waitomo Cave. You’ll tour the subterranean Waitomo Cave where you’ll be guided through the extensive network. The highlight is meeting the local glowworms that light up the cavern. Enter the cave through a natural chasm. Then view these fascinating glowing creatures as you glide quietly on a private tour by boat through the underground cave. You’ll even view the bones of one of New Zealand’s lost treasures, the ancient Moa. 

@waitomocaves

A true Kiwi lover? Learn about Six Stunning Filming Locations To See In New Zealand and a World-class jockey who turned into a hands-on sustainable farmer.