The spa is inarguably one of the best parts of any luxury hotel experience. It’s the place you go to truly relax and unwind with sumptuous saunas, massages, and endless treatments to soothe and rejuvenate. We asked the Luxury Gold Travel Experiences team for their best hotel spas. From St. Moritz to Sydney, mountain views to mineral wraps, here are their recommendations.

When your Italy travels take you to a famed gelateria in San Gimignano, know that you’re in for a treat. Much more than a joy for the taste buds, Sergio Dondoli’s gelato in San Gimignano is a haven of local flavors, top-quality ingredients and award-winning innovations. Patrons travel from around the world to visit the best gelateria in San Gimignano. Here’s why you should too. 

The shop 

While Gelateria Dondoli (or Gelateria di Piazza) is known worldwide as a gelato destination and certainly the best gelateria in Italy, the experience of visiting the shop is intimate and personal. You’ll find the gelateria tucked down a winding alleyway in Piazza della Cisterna in San Gimignano, one of Tuscany’s many piazzas.  Step inside – or join the line – and be prepared to be delighted by the creations by Master Gelato Maker Sergio Dondoli. 

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The man behind the gelato  

To understand Dondoli’s mastery, we must also understand the importance of homemade gelato in history. The first person to introduce gelato from Italy to France was Catherine de Medici, future wife of Henry II King of France, in the 16th century. Catherine had worked with alchemist Cosimo Ruggieri as part of a cooking contest to create this creamy dessert and the rest, as they say, is history. Today, Dondoli carries on the tradition as one of the 10 Master Gelato Makers in Italy.  

Dondoli is especially known for his experimental, original and unusual flavors. Some of the most notable 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. 

Read more: 10 stunning Lake Como towns you need to visit

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Since he began making gelato in 1984, Dondoli has been recognized with numerous international awards. He 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. Dondoli also took part in “Identità Golose” (Tempting Identities), a gastronomic event in Milan between February 1-4, 2009, as a member of the “Creatività Gelate” (Frozen Creativities) group.  He also recently published a book, I, Sergio Dondoli, an autobiographical account of his passion that includes his recipes.   

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The gelato 

Not surprisingly, Dondoli makes his gelato using highly selected, top-quality ingredients, often local to the region. For example, his DOP Saffron has earned the protected designation of origin from San Gimignano and Vinsanto. Dondoli also uses “Tonda Gentile” Hazelnut from the Langhe region and Bronte Pistachio. Dondoli is the only gelato maker to use Amedei chocolate, awarded the Oscar in London as the best chocolate in the world for five years. He uses raw milk from cows adopted by Gelateria Dondoli at Camporbiano Farm, and local, organic fruit whenever possible. 

When you consider the appeal of gelato compared to ice cream, you can imagine why these flavors are so special. Gelato has more milk than cream and uses lower quantities of fat than ice cream. Because gelato has less air in the base, it is denser and packed with more flavor than ice cream.       

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We can’t wait to try… 

With so many tempting creations at this gelateria in San Gimignano, how do you choose? We have our eyes on some of the most innovative flavor combinations using aromatic herbs such as Rosemary Baby® (Raspberry and Rosemary) and Venere Nera® (Blackberries and Lavender). We can’t wait to sample the pairings of sweet, spicy and bitter, including Sangue di Bue® (spicy chocolate and sour cherries), Michelle® (saffron cantuccini, Avola almonds, honey and bitter orange peel), Biske Rata® (white chocolate, pumpkin seed oil, and cookies) and Crema de’ Pazzi® (bitter orange peel, Grand Marnier, dark chocolate and almonds). 

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The class 

After your visit to this gelateria in San Gimignano, you may want to dig your spoon deeper into the world of gelato. Should you have more time on your travels, you can take the Dondoli Gelato Class to learn more about and make gelato. You’ll have a quick lesson followed by trying your hand at making a Fiordilatte (raw milk) gelato and a seasonal fruit (persimmon, banana, strawberry, lemon or melon) gelato.  

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Just a taste 

Dondoli’s gelateria in San Gimignano is just a taste of the culinary riches of Italy’s Tuscany region. Read about seven ways you’ll celebrate Tuscan food with Luxury Gold and the essential guide to Italy for foodies. 

Still hungry? These 5 Michelin Star chefs are celebrating local culture through food. 

With the news that the highly acclaimed ‘world’s best restaurant’ Noma, is closing its doors in 2024, we asked our Luxury Gold Travel Experiences team for their world’s best restaurant recommendations. Whether you love casual and cozy or chic and sophisticated, from Michelin-star dining to traditional surf and turf here are some tantalizing suggestions.

The news about Noma

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Despite holding three Michelin stars and the title of the world’s best restaurant, Copenhagen-based restaurant Noma has announced it will close for regular service by the end of 2024. An open letter on Noma’s website explained “In 2025, our restaurant is transforming into a giant lab—a pioneering test kitchen dedicated to the work of food innovation and the development of new flavors, one that will share the fruits of our efforts more widely than ever before.”

Through using ingredients often forgotten or underused, Noma chef, owner and co-founder René Redzepi is credited with inspiring the culinary movement New Nordic cuisine.

The Olive Tree, Bath, England

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With a commitment to local and seasonal, the Michelin-starred Olive Tree restaurant offers a chic yet informal and welcoming fine dining experience. Set in Bath, the fertile heart of the English countryside, the restaurant is blessed with an abundance of high-quality produce from local suppliers. The only Michelin-star restaurant in Bath, the Olive Tree showcases both the best of Bath and the best of British cuisine.

Chef Chris Cleghorn, who gained his Michelin star in 2019, crafts menus that feature beautiful, fresh and seasonal dishes, with an unusual edge to simple flavors. With the finest meat, fish, cheese, fruit and vegetables available right on its doorstep, Cleghorn believes the more he buys from local producers, the more they thrive and carry on producing such great British ingredients. A strong contender for the world’s best restaurant, we are sure you’ll agree.

Discover this on: British Royale, Castles & Kingdoms

Read more: 5 Michelin star chefs celebrating local culture through food

Bennelong Restaurant, Sydney, Australia

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Located within the famous Sydney Opera House, Bennelong is a unique venue set in the building’s iconic sails. A pinnacle of Sydney’s premier dining experiences, savor Australian produce and award-winning wine, coupled with stunning harbor views.

With Peter Gilmore, one of Australia’s most celebrated chefs at the helm, Bennelong showcases the flavor, diversity and quality of Australian produce. Taste dishes such as sashimi scallops with oyster cream, green almonds, rock samphire and black vinegar laver, and Maremma pasture-raised duck with hunter sausage, cherries, and Kampot pepper. Delicious desserts include ‘five textures of Queensland mango’ and pavlova.  A menu befitting of a world’s best restaurant contender.

More than an exceptional dining experience, when you travel with Luxury Gold, you’ll be treated to a VIP guided tour of the Sydney Opera House beforehand. Go behind the scenes and uncover its intriguing secrets.

Discover this on: Inspiring Australia

Related content: Our top ten hand-picked luxury hotel stays for 2023

L’Etoile, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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Sophisticated and romantic, L’Etoile by Jean Paul Bondoux, combines high-level cuisine with a stunning view of Rio de Janeiro from its 26th-floor setting. Located on the top floor of the Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel & Resort, admire breathtaking views of the Ipanema coastline, whilst dining on French-influenced dishes.

Chef Matias Cifuentes, originally from Chile, presents a menu with classic French gastronomy techniques combined with a contemporary touch in this most luxurious restaurant. His menus include extensive fish and seafood offerings, reflecting the fresh produce of the region, as well as meat and vegetarian options.

A Michelin-award-winning restaurant, L’Etoile also offers a curated wine menu and impeccable service, making it a truly memorable experience.

Discover this on: Classic South America

Gibbys, Montreal, Canada

Take a step back in time as you dine at Gibbys restaurant, housed in a 200-year-old building in Old Montreal. This charming steak and seafood restaurant features historic stone walls, original beamed ceilings and cozy fireplaces along with the very best of fine dining. For locals and tourists alike, a visit to Old Montreal would not be complete without a meal at Gibbys.

Enjoy the finest seafood Montreal has to offer, including chilled oysters and a large choice of fresh fish. Or try one of Gibbys’ expertly aged steaks, cooked to perfection. A Montreal landmark for lovers of fine cuisine, the restaurant has been in operation since 1969 and was the dream of owners and foodies, Gibby and Allan. Prior to opening they traveled the globe and experienced many world-class restaurants. Curating their findings and ideas, the duo opened Gibbys to share their passion for gourmet food.

Discover this on: Indulgence in Eastern Canada

Related content: Uncovering Indigenous history with Canada’s Warrior Women

To sample these, and more of the world’s best restaurants, join us on a luxury, limited-edition tour, where exceptional dining and magnificent hotels bookend every day of your journey.