Badrutt's Palace Hotel in St Moritz: Not just for winter...

A warm breeze wafts through the dense forest below carrying the scent of stone pines and wildflowers. Meadows burst with colour as butterflies flit among the gentians and edelweiss. Hiking, mountain-biking, river-rafting and horse-riding is the order of the day here.

This is not The Alps that most visitors are familiar with, but one that is increasingly sought – the fresh mountain air and lush scenery a welcome respite from the baking beaches of southern Europe. Hello, summer in St Moritz.

Sure, the ski season is still the main draw. In fact, Badrutt’s Palace Hotel and its legendary founder Casper Badrutt put the year-round holiday-in-the-mountains on the map for tourists back in 1896, when it first opened 130 years ago.

Arguably Switzerland’s showiest winter resort, boasting a visitors’ book packed with famous guests, from regulars such as Alfred Hitchcock, to King Charles and Elizabeth Taylor, hotel bookings are also buoyant in the summer months.

How to get there

The two-hour drive from nearest airport, Milan Malpensa, is worth the trip alone as it skirts majestic Lake Como before climbing the foothills into the Alps proper via the Maloja Pass, with its thrilling hairpin bends.

That said, 80% of the hotel’s guests prefer to fly in by private jet, landing on one of the world’s highest, oldest runways just three miles from Badrutt’s Palace.

With an altitude of 1,850m (6,053 feet), the hotel sits on the edge of St Moritz Lake in the scenic Engadine Valley, a turreted Gothic Revival landmark oozing glamour and old-world charm, yet with plenty of stylish, contemporary accents to broaden its appeal, including a vast state-of-the-art spa with a panoramic view to beat them all.

Inside Badrutt's Palace Hotel

Its lobby, the baronial Grand Hall, dubbed ‘the living room of St Moritz’, plays host to guests who vie for the best seats in front of the huge picture window that perfectly frames the lake and mountains beyond.

There, they sip morning coffee, glug Champagne throughout the day (chosen from 80 different producers), and down cocktails in the evening, before enjoying supper there, or in one of its 10 other restaurants that cleverly balance fine dining with casual.

Badrutt's Palace offers 163 rooms, including 47 suites. The accommodation ranges from elegant, traditional rooms and suites in the historic main building (think antiques, chandeliers and large marble bathrooms) to more contemporary rooms and suites in the Serlas Wing, which opened in 2025. The hotel guests rub shoulders with equally moneyed St Moritz residents, among them the Heineken family, Ikea founder Ingvar Kamprad and fashion titan Maurizio Gucci.

Dining at Badrutt's Palace

Among the dishes to be enjoyed are:

• Yellowtail sashimi jalapeño at La Coupole from celebrated Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa;
• Truffle and Champagne-laced cheese fondue at coveted mountainside eatery Paradiso;
• Tableside-prepared pressed duck at smart dining spot Le Relais;
• Crisp pizza with shaved fresh truffles at the hotel's hottest tables at Heuboden;
• Wildly popular butter chicken in Le Grand Hall itself from chef Jatinder Kumar.

After dinner

And when you’re done dining, there’s the hotel’s nightclub to slink into, King’s Social, with a menu overseen by top British chef Jason Atherton; and cigars to puff on in the hotel’s storied Renaissance Bar, where mixologist Matteo Oddo is currently shaking up a range of cocktails using a stash of forgotten wines and spirits (mostly ports, whiskies, brandies and vermouths) found behind a false wall in the cellar.

Palace Side-Sledge, anyone? It’s a riff on a Sidecar, made with 1960 vintage Cognac and Grand Marnier, yours for £132.

A treasure-filled wine cellar

And talking of the cellar, a candlelit tour is a popular activity for wine-savvy guests, who are guided around by ebullient head sommelier Cristina Iuculano as she points out its oldest, rarest bottles, including 1900 Château Lafite, and reveals her latest finds, before leading a tasting with canapes to match in the cosy sheepskin-decked Krug Stübli.

Yup, Badrutt’s Palace is a Krug ambassador, with large format bottles among the biggest sellers on the 1900-label list, the shelves groaning with some 35,000 bottles.

'It’s the third largest wine list in Switzerland. Our guests know what they want, and what they’re talking about,' declares Iuculano, who will also organise private excursions to renowned Swiss winemakers, chosen from the 60 or so producers she trumpets on her list.

Summer picnic

Another popular wine-themed activity is the hotel’s summer picnic on Corviglia Mountain, looming above the town.

So, armed with a picnic backpack laden with locally sourced ingredients – ours including coveted local cheese Engadiner Bergkäse, bread from famous baker Eigenbroetler and a bottle of Pinot Noir from one of Iuculano’s favourite Swiss producers, Donatsch, in nearby Bündner Herrschaft (about an hour and half from St Moritz), we hit the meadow on the upper slopes as a Golden Eagle soars high above, trying to forget that it’s our last day.

Why Cap Rocat is a Decanter dream destination...

Cinematic perspectives and palatial service

Lanterns line the entrance to Cap Rocat, pulling you down labyrinthine paths and passageways with cinematic perspective. That's before you even glimpse the cliffside beach club with loungers catered by waiters who deliver glasses of wine between dips in the sea.

Several of the 30 suites and rooms are former surveillance points carved into the rock face, which gives them an incredible atmosphere. Each one boasts three levels of terraces: the bottom offers privacy and the top – where you’ll likely spend most of your time – is a gazebo overlooking the infinite sea where you can watch the sunrise.

Service is as palatial as you'd expect, from morning when breakfast is delivered in a beautiful basket, to evening when a fresh verbena and honey infusion is left steeping by your bed.

Enthralling tasting experiences

Mallorca's wine scene has evolved dramatically in recent years, with small family wineries producing exceptional expressions, especially from native grapes like Manto Negro and Premsal Blanc, locally known as Moll.

While the hotel's coastal location near Cala Blava isn't in the island's winemaking heartland (which consists of the DOs of Binissalem and Pla i Llevant), it's not far either. Lucky for you, the concierge has backstage passes straight to the vineyards, and not for just any wine tasting.

Get carted off in a Range Rover to a countryside winery where paella cooked over wood fire awaits after tastings with the winemaker at Bodega Oliver Moragues, a 500-year-old wine estate.

Or if you fancy air travel, head to Bodega Ribas – one of the island's oldest and most prestigious wineries – for a tasting of wines paired with local products, before being whisked away by helicopter to soar over the dramatic Tramuntana mountains back to Cap Rocat's helipad.

Exquisite cuisine

La Fortaleza is the hotel's principal restaurant, and the bread service alone (black olive, herbed, and citrus flavoured breads cut tableside) sets the tone for an incredible attention to detail.

The tasting menu starts with variat mallorquí, a take on Mallorcan tapas including fried octopus and anchovy with garlic. The sobrasada, made from heritage Porc Negre pigs, arrives drizzled with honey from the hotel's own bees, and you realise this is the rare hotel restaurant that takes local sourcing seriously.

The wine pairing is no different, highlighting bottles from Mallorca, perfect for getting context on the island's evolving wine scene. Don’t miss the chance to order a bottle from star winemaker Miquel Gelabert, who cultivates 35 different varieties, many native.

Cap Rocat offers a full menu of experiences befitting a bucket-list hotel, so whether your idea of fun is watching the sunset from a vintage luxury car or visiting a blown-glass factory from the 18th century, there's plenty to do.

Spa and gym

Not all is indulgence; a vibey gym is set in its own cave, and the tennis court has an instructor add-on. The spa is luminous and magical, with a saltwater pool sunk 12 metres into the ground.

Cap Rocat is adults-only and closes mid-November to mid-March. For further details, see the hotel's website.

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The stylish Scandi retreat nestled in the Åkulla Beech Forest nature reserve (1.5 hours from Gothenburg Airport and around 2.5 hours from Copenhagen Airport) is a luxury spa resort and sparkling wine estate.

The estate has 54 rooms spanning several categories. From a choice of simple cabin rooms to suites complete with enormous stone-carved baths, all accommodation options are Scandi chic. A collection of Sjöparken rooms has been added recently, each with its own sauna and private bathing jetty: perfect for a dip in the natural pool just outside.

One of Sweden’s largest vineyards

The property is owned by the Carlsson family and now run by third-generation family members. Rooted originally in organic farming, they turned their attention to hospitality and viticulture, planting Solaris vines in 2011, and growing to become one of Sweden’s largest vineyards.

Solaris, a white grape that thrives in a Nordic climate, provides the high acidity needed for sparkling wine and is famed for its aromatic citrus notes. Today the property has around 30,000 Solaris vines situated on both inland and coastal sites, as well as more recent experimental plantings of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Winemaker Claes Bartoldsson heads up the vineyard work and has been a part of the venture since day one, mentored by Swedish expert Lars Torstensson. Along with Claes the team uses the traditional Champagne method and chooses between a first fermentation in steel tanks, French oak barrels, or concrete eggs depending on the harvest, before the second fermentation in bottle for a minimum of 18 months.

Relaxing in the snow

The Sinnenas spa evokes fairy folklore with a combination of historic wooden huts topped with wild flower roofs alongside state-of-the art saunas with mid-century style curved wood.

Move between indoor and outdoor bathing and sauna areas which are simply magical amid the quiet peacefulness of the snow. Take an invigorating dip in the spring-water pond on a winter’s day or relax in the 39°C heated pool, as the snowflakes fall around you.

Particular highlights are the forest bathing room where you can relax in hanging chairs to the sound of bird song, and the underwater sauna where you can watch fish swim by as you unwind.

Entirely new spa and relaxation areas have opened recently, connected to the estate’s new wine bar. In addition to sparkling organic wine from Halland, the bar also offers an excellent selection of carefully chosen European wines. A light lunch is also available at the spa’s Smakbaren (tasting bar).

From rustic bites to Michelin cuisine

As evening falls, dinner is served at one of the estate’s restaurants. For something on the rustic side, try Logen, offering a four-course dinner based on local, seasonal ingredients with dishes such as buttered onion broth with glass-baked cod or roasted venison with cognac gravy.

If you prefer fine dining, a true highlight of the estate is the Michelin one-starred (and one green star for its meticulous work on sustainability) Restaurant ÄNG. At first glance the restaurant appears as a simple glasshouse in a field of sunflowers – we won’t spoil the mystery but the team takes you on a truly world class dining journey not to be missed.

ÄNG was founded by chef-and-sommelier husband and wife team Filip and Ann-Catrine Gemzell who work closely with local producers, hunters and fishermen who share the restaurant’s philosophy on sustainability and organic farming. The wine cellar holds an impressive 3,500 bottles, and they also offer a tasting breakfast – a real treat for the senses.

The hotel offers wine tasting and vineyard packages year round.

For further details see the Ästad Vingård website.

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Nestled on the highest gravel terrace in the heart of Sauternes, overlooking rolling golden slopes and neighbouring icons like Château d’Yquem, Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey is more than a Premier Grand Cru Classé estate – it’s a serene, transformative escape where history, luxury and the art of living converge.

The property’s roots stretch back over 400 years, with viticulture documented as early as 1618 under Sieur Raymond Peyraguey. Classified as a First Growth in the legendary 1855 ranking, it has long produced some of the world’s most revered sweet wines, born from the magical interplay of morning mists from the Ciron river and the noble rot that concentrates the grapes’ essence.

Visionary ambition

In 2014, Swiss businessman and then Lalique CEO Silvio Denz acquired the estate, infusing it with visionary ambition. To mark its 400th anniversary in 2018, he unveiled the exquisite Lalique Hôtel & Restaurant, a five-star Relais & Châteaux property where four worlds – wine, crystal, gastronomy and hospitality – harmoniously intersect in a celebration of beauty and precision.

The 17th-century honey-coloured château, with its elegant tower and fortified origins dating to the 13th century, has been meticulously renovated under the guidance of designers Lady Tina Green and Pietro Mingarelli.

Lalique’s signature crystal artistry shines throughout: bespoke chandeliers resembling vine leaves cascade from ceilings, panels etched with intricate motifs adorn walls, and one-off pieces – from decanters to furniture – create an atmosphere of refined enchantment. The on-site boutique offers these items for purchase, alongside estate honeys, jellies, and of course a large selection of wines from the property – as well as Denz’ other estates Château Péby Faugères and Château Faugères (both St-Emilion Grand Cru Classé), and Château Cap de Faugères in Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux.

Intimate wine experiences

Yet the true heartbeat of Lafaurie-Peyraguey lies in its wine experiences. Curated tours and tastings reveal the secrets of this 36-hectare mosaic of gravelly terroirs. Visitors explore the historic ‘enclos’ vineyard, the cellars with their classic oak barrels (including a unique solid crystal barrel by Lalique), and the charming chapel fully decorated with crystal motifs.

Options range from classic visits with tastings of three wines, including the grand vin, to the exclusive ‘Hidden Treasures’ prestige tour for hotel guests, delving into the private historic cellar housing over 350,000 bottles from Bordeaux and beyond.

Day visitors – arriving by car or coach – can enjoy tours and tastings without staying overnight, making the estate accessible.

These intimate, appointment-only experiences demystify the labour-intensive creation of Sauternes – multiple passes through the vines to harvest botrytised berries – while highlighting the estate’s dry whites too.

Exquisite dining

No stay is complete however without dining at the Michelin two-star restaurant, helmed by chef Jérôme Schilling, named Meilleur Ouvrier de France in 2023, who calls himself a ‘cuisinier des vignes’. It was indeed one of the best meals I’ve ever had in my life with impeccable service, incredible food flavours and thought-provoking wine pairings.

His inventive, precise cuisine draws inspiration from the Sauternes terroir, using seasonal local produce to craft dishes that elevate the estate’s sweet and dry wines.

Panoramic views of the vineyards frame meals in the elegant dining room, where golden Sémillon leaf motifs on the ceiling echo the landscape outside. The extensive wine list (over 100 pages) spans France and the wider wine world including deep verticals of some of the most well-known estates (from Bordeaux and beyond) with many including their first ever vintage.

Masterful pairings are created by head sommelier Adrien Cascio unlocking new dimensions in the wines’ complexity. Dinner menus start around €220 for four courses (excluding drinks), with accessible €59-60 discovery lunches in low season for locals. The restaurant is determined to secure a third Michelin star – the first for any Bordeaux restaurant.

In warmer months, the summer terrace offers a more relaxed al fresco option, perfect for lighter menus amid the vines.

Calm elegance

The boutique hotel itself – just 13 rooms and suites across two floors – exudes calm elegance. Each space is uniquely appointed with Lalique crystal accents, high-end fittings and sumptuous fabrics.

Hotel amenities include a bar (with an impressive spirits and cigar selection), lounge, concierge services and complimentary e-bikes for exploring quiet lanes and nearby châteaux like Sigalas-Rabaud or Clos Haut-Peyraguey.

Personalised services from Maître de Maison Pierre Gazeau anticipates every whim – from car hoovering to organising chapel weddings or last-minute helicopter landings (requiring a quick call to the gardener for the field heliport). The hotel also holds two Michelin keys, joining the restaurant’s two stars in prestigious recognition.

In a region with no shortage of impressive estates, Lafaurie-Peyraguey stands apart as an intimate, worthy destination for a tasting, a gastronomic pilgrimage, or a multi-night immersion while enjoying the slow, soulful rhythm of Sauternes.

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Perched over the dunes on Portugal’s northwestern Atlantic coast, an hour’s drive from Lisbon, is Areias do Seixo, a boutique hotel and 23 villas marrying eco-mindulfulness and sophistication; an Atlantic soul with cosmopolitan flair. The aesthetic is quiet luxury meets India by way of Marrakech, with surfaces of glazed concrete, polished wood and warm lighting creating an atmosphere of elegant rusticity.

Owners Marta Fonseca and Gonçalo Alves have a solid background in hospitality and this comes through in the attention to detail, cohesiveness of the concept and proactive politeness of the staff. The quietness, luminosity and sea-kissed air define the location and, to a great extent, Areias do Seixo, a project strongly anchored in its surroundings.

A pool of one’s own

Guests staying at private villas have their own heated swimming pools, while activities and services available to all include yoga, sound baths, a woodfired hot tub, on-site spa and tours of the permaculture vegetable garden that supplies the onsite restaurants. No surprise then that the latter rely heavily on seasonal, local produce, through contemporary interpretations of Portuguese traditional cuisine. The wine list covers interesting producers across Portugal’s many regions but it’s particularly worth exploring the local wines.

Local wine gems

Indeed, Areias do Seixo is an ideal base for exploring the Lisboa wine region and its singular DOCs and grape varieties. Within a 20- to 30-minute drive you can visit some of Portugal’s smallest and most intriguing appellations, including Torres Vedras, Bucelas, Colares and Carcavelos.

The local viticultural wealth is, in itself, reason enough to set up camp at Areias do Seixo. The region of Lisboa has become a hotspot of sustainable, winemaker-led projects and it’s well worth making your way across the winding roads and rolling hills and visit producers such as Haja Cortezia (37km to the south), Vale da Capucha (20km, southeast), AdegaMãe (16.6km, southeast) or Quinta da Boa Esperança (24.7km, southeast), to name but a few.

A great opportunity to meet the producers and taste the region’s saline Arintos, refreshing reds (mostly from the very underestimated yet supremely delicious Castelão) or mouthwatering takes on Sercial.

The region’s producers are creative and experimental and you’ll find delicious, unexpected pét-nats, moreish rosés and orange wines alongside benchmark classics such as the singular Malvasias de Colares.

After the visits and tastings it won’t be hard to find places to eat – although you might be tempted to simply stock up on the region’s fresh vegetables and seafood and cook back at your villa.

Hungry for adventure

For all the activities, services and easily accessible food & wine, the true appeal of Areias do Seixo is the ocean. The beach is just a 5-10-minute walk away across soft, pristine dunes. You’ll arrive at the top of a dramatic escarpment where steps, nestled in the rock, take you down to the sand and sea.

Early risers might want to work for their lunch and go mussel-hunting – a fun activity that is also great exercise and a way to be fully immersed in the smells, sounds and textures of the Atlantic.

Once your bucket is full, make your way back and Gonçalo and his team will happily cook your catch at the outdoor kitchen, with a glass of a crisp Lisboa Arinto in hand.

Back at the beach, the more adventurous can book surf lessons guided by certified instructors – or simply rent a board and show off surfing skills. Areias do Seixo is at the epicentre of one of the world’s surfing hotspots; Praia de Santa Cruz – where Areias do Seixo has a sister project, Noah’s Surf House – just a few kilometres away. Meanwhile, the iconic Nazaré, of ‘Big Wave’ and Garrett McNamara fame, is 75km to the north.

After your surfing session, warm up in the hot tub back or around the fire pit at Areias do Seixo. This is a place to truly slow down, embrace the landscape and enjoy the many experiences both nature and luxury accommodation afford.

Getting there: You can easily fly to Lisbon. From the airport you can either arrange a transfer or rent a car. We advise you to do the latter as you’ll need it to explore the surroundings more freely.

For more information check the Areias do Seixo website.

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Vienna is a city where centuries overlap seamlessly, its imperial elegance flowing into modern life. Palaces sit beside wine taverns, and music drifts as naturally through the streets as coffeehouse chatter.

On the famed Ringstrasse, Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna captures this spirit of continuity and change. Built by Theophil Edvard von Hansen for the 1873 World’s Fair, the palace remains an architectural showpiece. Today, its fresh incarnation as an Anantara hotel offers guests a portal into Vienna’s layered identity: old-world refinement meeting a thriving, modern cultural life with wine at its heart.

The Ringstrasse itself embodies this duality. Once the ceremonial boulevard of the Habsburg empire, lined with opera, parliament, and museums, today it’s a living artery of the city – equal parts cultural showcase and everyday promenade.

Here, the pleasures of Vienna range from steaming mugs of mulled wine during the December Christmas markets to glasses of Gemischter Satz poured in hillside vineyards, all within the city itself.

Heritage grandeur with a contemporary touch

The palace’s neo-Renaissance bones remain visible in Ionic columns, marble staircases, and frescoed ceilings. Anantara’s 2024 redesign simply introduced softer edges and modern energy.

Courtyards once meant for carriages now host guests beneath mirrored ceilings, velvet drapery, and playful floral wallpaper, a balance that preserves the hotel’s historical gravitas without feeling heavy.

Guest rooms echo this equilibrium. High ceilings and oversized windows flood the interiors with light; triple-glazing silences the city beyond. Courtyard-facing rooms provide quiet calm, while suites on the Ringstrasse gaze onto tree-lined boulevards.

The 270-square-metre Presidential Suite, Vienna’s largest according to the hotel, epitomises elegance with French balconies and a grand piano anchoring its salon. Touches like Acqua di Parma amenities and marble baths bring sophistication to your bathing ritual.

Sampling the flavours of Vienna

At Edvard, the Michelin one-star restaurant, chef Paul Gamauf distills seasonality into precise, soulful menus. Impeccably sourced ingredients – often foraged, pickled, or preserved – are paired with a wine list that highlights Austria’s finest, including Vienna’s own distinctive bottlings.

In winter, you might find hand-rolled ricotta cavatelli, duck breast marinated in shiokoji, or a main of roasted venison with earthy mushrooms. The dining room’s atmosphere, intimate and elegant, transforms each meal into an occasion.

For a more casual interlude, Theo’s Lounge & Bar offers an extensive wine list alongside Viennese cakes by day and cocktails by night – a fitting stop for an afternoon glass or an aperitif before dinner.

The city’s wine scene

Vienna is the only world capital where vineyards spill into the city. Some 580 hectares of vines climb the hills of Nussberg, Bisamberg, and beyond, producing around 2.5 million litres of wine each year. The signature Gemischter Satz DAC – a centuries-old field blend in which different varieties are planted, harvested, and vinified together – has become the city’s vinous calling card.

By law, at least three grapes must be included, with no single variety dominating the planting. Recognised by Slow Food and granted DAC status in 2013, Gemischter Satz is now considered one of Austria’s most iconic styles. At Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna, you’re footsteps from the region.

For those eager to explore the city’s wine scene, just speak to the concierge. The hotel works with local wine experience curator Caroline Derler who creates excursions into the hills. An afternoon might include a visit to producers such as Weingut Wieninger, followed by a vineyard walk atop Nussberg. The tour ends at a traditional Buschenschank, where glasses of Gemischter Satz are poured alongside platters of cold cuts, cheese spreads, and rustic breads. Families, couples, and friends gather shoulder to shoulder at long wooden tables as though proof of the democratic spirit of Vienna’s wine culture.

Unlike other wine destinations that whisk you deep into the countryside, in Vienna, the vineyards form part of the city’s lifeblood. A morning might begin with Klimt at the Belvedere and end with a glass of Gemischter Satz on the Nussberg, the city glittering in the distance.

For further details, see the Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna website.

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Right in the heart of Vistalba’s wine route, Entre Cielos sits a stone’s throw from some of Argentina’s most revered wineries and offers the ideal place to unwind after a day of tasting.

Vineyard views, the towering Andes on the horizon, and imbibing a glass of chilled Torrontés by the serene pool are all part of Entre Cielos’ countryside charm.

Soak in a tub of Malbec

But its real distinction is the hammam – the first in Latin America and still the finest spa in Mendoza. If you want nothing more than to soothe tired muscles or revive parched skin after a day in the vineyards, the series of warm waters, steam chambers and local olive oil scrubs will leave you instantly renewed.

For those who like their wine inside and out, spa treatments use grape seeds as exfoliants – and even include a Malbec bath.

The hammam is an indulgence that fuses East and West, incorporating the rituals of Morocco with the ingredients and natural resources of Mendoza.

In September it was named Best Accommodation in Mendoza at the regional Great Wine Capitals Awards – the second time it has been crowned with that accolade – and it is easy to see why Entre Cielos’ appeal remains strong since first opening in 2009.

Try your hand at harvest

Mendoza’s wine regions are vast, so choosing the right base is essential. Entre Cielos offers the perfect balance: surrounded by vineyards, with several wineries within walking distance and the rest of Luján de Cuyo a short drive away. The Uco Valley is still about an hour by car, and Mendoza city under 30 minutes, but you’re also just minutes from leafy Chacras de Coria with its lively mix of restaurants and bars.

The estate’s vines are vinified by neighbouring Nieto Senetiner and contribute to the prized DOC Malbec – Luján de Cuyo is one of only two DOCs in Argentina. The vines weave their way through the property, inviting you to get up close and cosy; and each March guests can even join in the harvest and pick grapes alongside the team.

Sleep and sustenance

But for those who prefer to keep a cool distance from getting their hands dirty, perhaps the best way to appreciate the grapes is from above – while sleeping in one of the vineyard lofts. Alongside 15 rooms in the central hotel, which is set among the gardens and pool, nine lofts float above the vines on stilts. The Limited Edition Loft Suite even comes with a private jacuzzi above the vineyards, so you can soak in the stars above – and hear the rustle of the vines beneath (you might have to momentarily turn off the bubbles to hear the vines!).

At your doorstep lie some of Mendoza’s top tables, including four Michelin-star restaurants – Brindillas, Zonda, Riccitelli Bistró and Angélica Cocina – with two more not far away, as well as plenty of casual options.

Closer still is Entre Cielos’ own Nube restaurant, a sumptuous space serving fusion cuisine from local ingredients. Burrata with pistachio hummus; roasted sweetbreads with grape syrup and pickled pomegranate; and fillet steak with coffee and cauliflower purée are just a few of the imaginative culinary creations coming from Nube’s kitchen. At least once a week, the terrace comes alive with a traditional asado (barbecue) experience, where you’ll learn the secrets of Argentina’s cuts – and become savvy about deciphering your vacio from your entraña.

The wine list spans Argentina’s icons and off-the-beaten-path finds, with enough variety to keep you exploring for weeks. Paired with the glorious Mendoza sunshine and vineyard views, it’s all too easy to linger at Entre Cielos a little longer.

For further information, see the Entre Cielos website.

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With its dramatic scenery – glistening waters dazzling against a mountainous backdrop, and villages clustered at intervals along the lake shore – Garda has been billed as the new Lake Como, a must-visit tourist destination. The word is well and truly out, and especially among wine lovers, who can enjoy locally produced styles that include Valpolicella, Bardolino and Custoza.

Born from an olive grove

The beauty of Cape of Senses, opened just two years ago on a hillside above the town of Torri del Benaco, is that the lake and its attractions are easily accessible, and yet it feels far removed from the bustle and crowds below. Spread across 10,000 square metres of beautifully manicured gardens and olive grove, the five-star luxury spa resort features just 55 rooms – all suites with their own terrace and lake view (some with rooftop terraces and / or private rooftop pool) – so even when the hotel is fully booked, it never feels busy.

The resort is owned by brothers Christian and Johannes Margesin, who grew up in a family of hoteliers – the family also owns the luxury Alpiana wellness resort in South Tyrol. They searched for a site on the lakes for years, before finding, in 2018, the neglected olive grove that would become Cape of Senses. They have created the ultimate, adults-only hideaway, in an area with no light pollution, with a sleek architectural design that blends with the natural environment and ensures stunning views from every vantage point (even in the sauna).

A modern take on local cuisine

Cape of Senses’ location on the east side of the lake affords an ideal view of the dramatic sunsets. The fine-dining restaurant Al Tramonto (‘at sunset’) is on the top floor, and diners can watch the sun slowly sink behind the mountains opposite either through floor-to-ceiling windows inside the restaurant, or if the weather is fine, from tables on the roof terrace. Head chef Francesco Pavan’s menu features modern interpretations of local dishes, planned to make the most of seasonal produce, while sommelier Vito Mezzatesta will suggest pairings from a 200-bin list, strong on the wines of northern Italy. The hotel uses the Coravin wine-preservation system and is planning to expand its by-the-glass offering.

Be sure to try the cocktails, too, created by the in-house mixologist. You’ll be given the resort’s riff on an Aperol Spritz on arrival, and be sure to try the Medi-tini too, which uses an infusion of basil and local olive oil to add a distinctive Mediterranean twist to the classic martini – a perfect aperitif.

Relax or explore

It would be easy to while away your days (there’s a minimum three-night stay here) in the gardens, dipping in and out of the pools, and in the luxurious 2,000-square metre spa – which includes a private spa area for hire. But those who do get itchy feet can use the hotel’s e-bikes or Fiat 500s to explore the local vineyards. Or if you want the planning taken care of, book on to one of several wine-themed excursions with sommelier Vito.

Visit the famous and historic Valpolicella estate Tommasi, or take the e-bike and wine tour to smaller family winery Facci, producing wines organically including Bepi, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with local grapes – tasting this alongside Parmesan dipped in the estate’s own honey is a revelation. In winter, Vito will run tutored tastings in the hotel grounds, but will happily talk about the local grape varieties and styles at any time of year.

An easy, 40-minute drive from Verona airport, Cape of Senses is a world away from the bustle of the city, and perfectly positioned as a gateway to the wider Garda region. It’s all done so immaculately and tastefully – understated luxury is the best descriptor – that you’ll come away determined to explore the wines of the South Tyrol next, from the family’s other spa resort. Let the wine education continue!

For more information, see the Cape of Senses website.

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Step off the train at Castle Cary station and The Newt is just an eight-minute taxi ride away – or off the A359 if you’re driving. This sprawling West Country estate offers a uniquely bucolic retreat that combines the fineries of a luxury spa hotel with a working farm, complete with deer park, Roman villa, gardening museum and cydery.

Day visitors are welcome – the best way is a Great Garden Escape package – but to make the most of what’s available at this 360ha property you either need to be a Newt member (more below) or to stay. Ensure at least two nights to fully experience all that’s on offer.

Stylish and stately or elegantly informal

The Newt has two accommodation venues on site. The Grade II-listed Hadspen House – built in 1687 and then remodelled as a Georgian manor – has 13 stately rooms as well as a further 10 within the converted Stable Yard, which includes the romantic Granary hideaway. Cream tea is served daily for hotel residents in the Library.

A stone’s throw away is the gym, yoga studio, croquet and badminton lawns, as well as the tranquil spa which features an indoor-outdoor pool with views onto the medieval herb garden, a hydrotherapy pool, steam room, sauna and salt-therapy chamber, along with a comprehensive menu of treatments.

Hop on one of the free golf buggies or cycles, or take a leisurely 20-minute stroll south of Hadspen, past the lake, goose pond, cyder orchards and Four Seasons Garden, and you’ll arrive at the Farmyard. This renovated 18th-century dairy farm is the more informal side to The Newt, but no less elegant. Choose between 17 rooms with roll-top baths, four-poster beds and minibars packed with complimentary Newt goodies.

It also has its own heated pool house, and a daily afternoon tea for guests is laid out in the cosy Garner Bar, well-stocked with (free) Newt cyders and spirits for guests to serve themselves and enjoy inside by the fireplace or outside, watching the antics of the free-range chickens.

Farm-to-fork dining

There are three restaurants across both sites for guests to indulge in, all of which focus on ingredients grown, foraged and reared on the 800ha farm, and prepared in its butchery, bakery and creamery. Along with an extensive range of products made at the on-site cydery, the wine lists showcase The Newt’s sister estates of Babylonstoren in Franschhoek and Vignamaggio in Chianti.

The Farmyard Kitchen, with its wood-fired range, specialises in sharing-style dining; the more formal Botanical Rooms, at Hadspen House, serves modern, seasonal dishes; and the Garden Café – overlooking the Parabola, planted to 330 heritage apple varieties – has an exceptional vegetable-led menu.

The café is only available to Newt members (options start from £40/year), but joining is well worth it for unlimited visits throughout a 12-month period to explore the gardens, woodland and exhibitions. It also includes access to partner gardens, free tours, workshops and festivals, and exclusive spa day and online shop offers. Membership is included as part of any B&B stay of two nights or more.

Garden-lover’s paradise

Owned by the Hobhouse family for more than 230 years, Hadspen House and its walled gardens were transformed by Nori and Sandra Pope before the estate was sold in 2013 to South African hotelier couple Karen Roos and Koos Bekker. Following extensive renovations, they opened the house and surrounding estate as The Newt in 2019 (named after the great-crested newt, a protected UK species they have built habitats for) and then launched the Farmyard in 2021. Further expansion is planned.

Some 300 gardeners look after The Newt’s vast seasonal and kitchen gardens – more than 350 varieties of fruits, vegetables and herbs are grown – as well as the 26ha orchard planted to 70 varieties of apple. The cyder tour and tasting is a must, and guests can take courses in everything from bowl-turning, basketry and butchery.

But it’s the gardens and their numerous free attractions that are the big draw. Join horticultural walks, find the wyvern in the grotto, feed the red and fallow deer in the deer park, pop into the Beezantium to better understand our avian friends, or take the treetop walkway to visit the interactive museum The Story of Gardening,

Romans and railways

The must-visit attraction – alone worth the Newt membership for repeat visits – is Villa Ventorum, the extensive and ambitious reimagining of a Roman-British settlement. Ruins dating from 351AD were discovered in 1834 and then fully excavated and reconstructed by the current owners. The impressive attention to detail extends from the interactive visitor centre through to the virtual-reality headsets that guide you through each room of the villa, immersing you in the lives of both masters and servants.

Before you board the train to return home, pop in to The Creamery. The old Castle Cary cheese factory, built next to the station in 1912, has been fully renovated by The Newt’s owners into a café, farm shop and working creamery, beautifully finished in an industrial Edwardian-style with historic Great Western Railway touches everywhere.

If you didn’t stock up at the farm shop at The Newt itself, grab some of its packaged goodies and fresh produce, including cheese and yoghurts made onsite using milk from its herd of water buffalo.

Rates are based on two-night stays mid week and three-night stays between Thursdays and Sundays, starting from £530/night to £1,830/night over Christmas and New Year. Breakfast, daily cream tea, in-room larder and bar, on-site experiences as well as a 12-month Newt membership are included. thenewtinsomerset.com

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This is Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island – mark 2. The original and much-loved lodge was lost in bushfires which destroyed almost half of the island in 2019. Owners James and Hayley Baillie knew they had to rebuild. SOL, as it is affectionately known, literally rose from the ashes. And it’s even better than before.

Understated elegance

Built along the sloping cliffs of Kangaroo Island’s southwest coast, SOL overlooks stunning Hanson Bay. All 25 suites face the wild Southern Ocean as it pounds the coastline. They are spacious, elegant and understated. Architect Max Pritchard has made sure they stand out for all the right reasons – number one being that they don’t stand out. They almost blend into the regenerated coastal scrub. Colours and materials are natural, the added curves, soft. It feels like they ‘belong’ in the dunes. Design touches include artist Llewlyn Ash’s touching display of tiny remnants from the original lodge, foraged from the ashes.

The suites are tranquil havens, stocked with more wine choices and local treats like spirits, cheese and chocolates. A glass of The Islander Estate Pétiyante bubbles in the bath overlooking the bay is bliss.

A wine-tasting extravaganza

When the cellar doors open at Southern Ocean Lodge, it’s like the gates have opened to the Colosseum – and the arena is full of wine.

There are two amphitheatres showcasing 1,200 bottles of South Australian wine and 220 labels on offer to guests staying at the lodge. It’s a lot to take in with one look so repeat visits are recommended.

What you experience is a wine-tasting extravaganza and a virtual tour around the best wine regions of the State. You might have heard about Barossa Valley Shiraz, Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale Grenache, Clare Valley Riesling and cool climate Pinots from the Adelaide Hills. Now is your chance to taste them all – in one luxurious location.

And there’s more to enjoy – a day spa, hot tub, infinity pool and the Great Room and dining room where hospitality steps up another notch. Dining is a local affair. Executive chef Tom Saliba sources island produce like King George whiting, marron and barramundi and KI herbs grown by local high school students, for the daily changing menu. Matched wines such as Lloyd Brothers Picpoul and MMAD Chenin Blanc are also on the menu but the cellar and fridge are always open for alternatives.

If you need help selecting, these are the two reds most popular with guests: Samuel’s Gorge Grenache from McLaren Vale and Coonawarra’s Penley Estate Steyning Cabernet Sauvignon. The top 2 whites: Eden Valley’s Yalumba Virgilius Viognier and Poonawatta Valley of Eden off-dry Riesling. There’s also the (extra) cellarmaster’s list with iconic wines such as Henschke Hill of Grace, Hentley Farm Clos Otto, and the only South Australian deviation – Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill Champagne.

Wildlife and wilderness

It’s hard to drag yourself away from the lodge but Kangaroo Island’s wildlife and wilderness are just as irresistible, and signature tours are included in this all-inclusive stay. Remarkable Rocks, Admiral’s Arch, Seal Bay and Kelly Hill Caves are the stars for dramatic geology and wildlife encounters and a sunset stroll among koalas and kangaroos will cross off those must-see moments.

SOL also offers up wines from Kangaroo Island itself. Once tasting them piques your interest, there are five wineries worth closer inspection – The Islander Estate, False Cape Wines, Dudley Wines, Springs Road and Bay of Shoals. A bespoke private tour with Kangaroo Island Touring Company can be arranged through the concierge. It’s a great way to see the island in style, perhaps meet the winemakers, and learn how the landscape and climate shapes the wine.

For more information, see the Southern Ocean Lodge website.

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Just minutes from downtown Healdsburg – a former frontier town, now a destination for Michelin-starred dining and refined tasting rooms – the resort reflects the region’s evolution. While moneyed travellers have arrived, the town’s unpretentious charm remains, and Montage Healdsburg mirrors this balance with an understated, nature-driven aesthetic.

Maximising light and privacy through organic design

Hidden from the street but for a discreet sign marking the turnoff, Montage models a purpose-built property that integrates naturally into the landscape. The main hub of gastronomic activity sits atop a hill – the heartwood from which 130 bungalow-style guest rooms and suites unfurl down the slope.

The California-based architects and interior designers, versed in sustainable building principles, clearly drew inspiration from the surrounding flora. While subtle touches of glitz and glamour appear throughout, the designers favoured statement-making pieces crafted from organic materials – like a dramatic concrete fireplace and a striking slab of live oak adorning the lobby wall. Moving between common spaces such as the lobby, Scout Field Bar, and restaurant Hazel Hill, you’ll discover more contextual clues: warm woods, textiles in earthy hues and custom artworks of cast bark juxtaposed with local stone.

Low-slung bungalow-style guest rooms hide between groves of manzanita and oak, each dwelling featuring floor-to-ceiling views, inviting outdoor showers and private terraces open to the Northern California air. Rooms positioned higher on the hillside feel suspended among the treetops, creating the impression of lounging within the canopy. Modern, clean interiors provide a serene backdrop for meditating on the scenery, whether from your pillow-soft king bed or deep soaking tub.

A small but sufficient gym fills up in the mornings. It’s California, after all, where wine and wellness have long gone hand-in-hand. Rather than an efficient run on the treadmill, try an inefficient meander along the hiking trails etched across the rumpled topography. Swim a few lazy laps in the zero-edge pool or relax with a massage or facial in the spa before prepping for dinner.

Wine and gastronomy

Though nearby Healdsburg boasts fine dining, excellent cafes and a multi-storey farm-to-table experience (hello, The Matheson!) drinks and dinner at Hazel Hill are not to be missed. Whether huddled inside on a fog-shrouded night or dining beneath clear starry skies on the terrace, prepare for a languorous affair.

French-influenced California cuisine takes centre stage on a menu that transitions with the seasons like a grapevine moving from dormancy to harvest. If you’re dining with a group, don’t shy away from over-ordering and sharing. It’s a place to eat indulgently, then saunter back to your room knowing there’s no need to drive.

Start by digging into the wine list, which highlights some of Northern California’s top labels, including Pinot Noir from Littorai’s Savoy Vineyard. Or opt for a glass of Surveyor, made from the estate’s vineyards in collaboration with Jesse Katz of Aperture Cellars, a rising star in American winemaking.

If visiting Montage Healdsburg in the spring, start with a platter of asparagus spears delicately dressed in a bright, savoury sauce of almond, citrus and sorrel. Spaghetti chittara makes use of the short but glorious Dungeness crab season with its mound of sweet meat spiked with Calabrian chiles set atop a twirl of pasta. For meat eaters, budget money and digestion space for the photo-worthy Westholme Wagyu tomahawk steak paired with wild earthy mushrooms.

Of course, carve out time to visit Healdsburg’s stylish tasting rooms like mid-century inspired Ernest Vineyards or California-beach-chic Marine Layer. But don’t overcommit. In a world of busyness, remind yourself that doing nothing is something worth doing. Grab a lounge chair and savour the painterly views of the vineyards and mountains beyond.

For more information, see the Montage Healdsburg website.

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Valle de Guadalupe, a 90-minute drive south of San Diego, California, has winemaking roots in the 17th century and accounts for about 80% of Mexico’s total wine production. The region is still on the rise internationally. Today, the valley is home to more than 150 wineries.

One of its top names is tucked away amid vineyards and olive groves just off the dusty roads that lead through the heart of Valle de Guadalupe’s wine route.

Set against the dramatic desert landscape, with views of the Sierra Blanca mountain range, El Cielo, both a winery and luxury resort, boasts 95 modern villas and suites positioned around two reservoirs. The bucolic grounds are complete with a swimming pool and chapel with multiple gardens, all located in the middle of the estate’s vineyards.

Valle de Guadalupe

Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe is located on the Baja Peninsula, a blend of desert landscape and Pacific Ocean-cooled evenings has created a vinous sweet-spot where many varieties can be found. While the region has ancient roots dating to Spanish missionaries and an influx of Russian immigrants in the early 1990s, the fine wine revival of the Valle de Guadalupe dates to the early 2000s, as by the late 1990s there were only a handful of wineries still in business.

The revival has resulted in a very diverse set of offerings. There’s long been a love of bigger, more robust red wines of the 1980s Napa Valley or Rioja style and today, the region also hangs its hat on a developing natural wine culture and plenty of youthful experimenting, along with wines of a lighter, fresher style that pair perfectly with Mexican cuisine.

A drive through the valley shows old gnarled bush vines, many of which are Chenin Blanc, one of the earliest signature varieties of Valle de Guadalupe and a variety that sits among the top, most classic expressions now being made by some of the valley’s wineries.

A brilliant food culture

Mexico has one of the world’s greatest food cultures, in my opinion.

There are three Michelin-starred restaurants in the Valle de Guadalupe. El Cielo boasts two fantastic restaurants of its own, which specialise in a Baja-Yucatan fusion cuisine with a hyper-modern twist. Latitud 32, at the winery, is Michelin Guide-recommended, and Polaris, above the resort offices, offers delicious and fresh Mexican cuisine.

The Baja-Yucatan menu blends the two peninsulas brilliantly. It offers ample seafood offerings like the Mayan ceviche – a mix of octopus, white fish and shrimp, served with perfect citrus and habanero spiced freshness – to the shaved oysters with the traditional fresh and spicy Yucatan salsa, xnipec. Slow-roasted short ribs and pork belly tacos are cooked patiently and balanced with fresh regional sauces and salsas.

Polaris is tucked into the resort’s office building, with a rooftop balcony and delightfully fresh Mexican breakfasts, including delicious eggs with chilaquiles, and is a great way to start your day of wine tasting on a full stomach.

Accommodation

Each of El Cielo’s villas offers two types of accommodation, or you can rent out an entire villa.

Enjoy modern luxury in the junior suites, on the upper floors with a furnished terrace complete with views of the mountains, lake and vineyards.

The master suite takes up the spacious ground floor, with one bedroom, a whirlpool tub in the spacious modern bathroom and a dining room and living room big enough to entertain up to eight guests. There’s a furnished patio with a gas fireplace to watch the sunset, and the El Cielo team delivers s’mores kits each evening.

The wines

Owner Gustavo Ortega Joaquín had initially planned to open a small bed and breakfast in wine country, inspired by his travels in the Loire Valley. A visit to Mexico’s top wine region turned his plans on their head, and Ortega Joaquín found himself opening a winery first, in 2013.

The wines are among Mexico’s finest. Winemaker Jesús Rivera melds his considerable talents with a spare-no-expense approach in the cellar. The result speaks for itself: Rivera is crafting Mexican-made wines with a global appeal. From a traditional method sparkling Chardonnay to a brilliantly crafted Nebbiolo, the wines have great balance and refreshingly low abvs, making them ideally suited for food pairing.

The winery has a tasting room, wine bar and private cellar, and guests can enjoy barrel room tours and vineyard exploration and tasting via golf carts. They can create their own wines in a blending class or meet the vineyard’s raptors, which are part of its sustainability programme.

Arrangements can be made via concierge to visit the rest of the Valle de Guadalupe, most of it within an hour’s drive, or the seaside town of Ensenada, 20km away.

For further information, see the El Cielo, Valle de Guadalupe website.

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I guarantee you will never have stayed anywhere quite like Argos in Cappadocia. The result of a huge restoration project of a thousand-year-old monastery, the luxury resort sits in a magical landscape of fairy chimneys; hot air balloons floating peacefully in the sky.

Occupied by the Hittites, Romans and Byzantines, Cappadocia’s fantastical landscape was created by a series of volcanic explosions. The volcanic ash formed soft tuff rock, eroded by the elements over time into serpentine valleys and dramatic rock spires that rise like an enchanted castle from the flat Anatolian plain.

For centuries the Cappadocians chiselled homes out of the tuff, creating comfortable cave dwellings, with the stone keeping rooms cool in summer, warm in winter. In the Middle Ages, Byzantine Christians took refuge in the region, building cave churches, chapels and monasteries, decorated with colourful frescoes. Visit Göreme National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to see the best examples.

Rock on

While the region is known for its cave hotels, Argos in Cappadocia offers more than a taste of underground living. Opened in 2010, the resort is built on the former site of a Byzantine monastery and set around an entire village, with winding cobbled streets, caves, a network of tunnels and historical houses. Each one of the 71 rooms and suites is unique.

Decor in the stone rooms features natural tones and textures, creating an atmosphere of calm, with locally woven rugs and wall hangings adding splashes of earthy colour. It’s a perfect blend of traditional and contemporary style that’s echoed throughout the resort; from the relaxing spa and outdoor pool to the pretty terraced gardens dotted throughout the village.

Turkish delight

Organic vegetable gardens planted on the terraces supply the resort’s two restaurants, Seki and Nahita. Their hyper-local, farm-to-table menus feature ingredients sourced directly from local farmers and producers, for a real taste of Turkey.

Dishes at Nahita showcase local Anatolian cuisine, including – my favourite – traditional manti, Turkish dumplings stuffed with lamb, served with rich chick pea sauce and garlicky yogurt. Nevşehir tava is a rich beef stew, with garlic and peppers, cooked over a wood fire. Save space for the apple and olive oil baklava for dessert.

Seki’s menu features more international dishes; think salmon ceviche, grilled seabass with gorgonzola sauce and chocolate souffle. Though its Turkish options are more tantalising. They include antep fistikli rafik, a moreish dip of aged feta, goat’s curd and pistachio, and testi kebab, a tasty Cappadocian speciality featuring small chunks of meat cooked in a clay pot.

On the wine trail

Wine lovers may be more interested in what lies beneath Seki however… The network of tunnels and caves below the restaurant has been converted into the resort’s atmospheric wine cellar. With space for up to 75,000 bottles of wine, it’s the largest wine cellar in Turkey.

Take one of the regular tours through sections of the 5.5km trail of tunnels and you’ll spot the archaeological evidence of early winemaking, an olive press and the clay amphoras used for storage. Indeed the Anatolian region of central Turkey has a long association with wine. Evidence of grape-growing and winemaking here dates back 7,000 years.

There’s also evidence that wine played a key role in Anatolia’s ancient Hittite empire (1650-1200 BCE), both in ritual ceremonies and in everyday life. Archaeologists have discovered cuneiform tablets showing that the Hittites even had specific words for different types of wine.

A taste of Anatolia – and beyond

To experience the different types of wine being made in Anatolia today, book in for a tasting in the cellar, featuring local bottles from the resort’s own Argos winery. Native Anatolian varieties such as Kalecik Karasi, Boğazkere, Emir and Narince are planted at 900-1,300m in the Gülşehir and Sofular vineyards, alongside international grapes such as Chardonnay and Shiraz.

The volcanic soils lend these wines a characteristic minerality. Highlights of my tasting included the fresh, citrus Nahita Dokya Emir 2022 – featuring the region’s signature white grape, Emir – and light red Nahita Dokya Kalecik Karasi 2021, packed with vibrant cherry and pomegranate fruit. Tours to the winery can also be arranged if you’d like to taste in situ among the vines.

But oenophiles will also enjoy exploring the wide selection of cuvees stored in that huge cellar; numbering a mighty 22,000 bottles on my visit last year!

The wine list at Nahita features a comprehensive choice of Turkish wines, as you’d expect, alongside a rollcall of famous international names. From Château Margaux and Louis Latour to Gaja and Antinori, Guigal and Dr Loosen, via Cloudy Bay and Opus One. Enjoy a memorable glass on the terrace at sunset, as the tuff rocks of Pigeon Valley below glow pink, orange and red in the setting sun.

What to do

Aside from wine, there’s plenty to do here, including local culinary tours and cooking classes, bike trails, horseriding, sunrise yoga and mystical full moon walks. But Cappadocia’s calling card is its hot air balloons, which offer an aerial view of the striking rock formations, peaks and valleys below.

Indeed Cappadocia is one of the most popular destinations on the planet for hot air ballooning. The resort can organise private or group balloon rides; which take off from the bottom of the valleys just before sunrise and float across the landscape.

Even if you aren’t keen to jump on board, get up at sunrise, wrap up warm and go outside to watch hundreds of balloons fill the sky. It’s an unforgettable sight that sums up the appeal of this unique corner of the world.

Standard room rates start from €335 a night. For further details, see the hotel’s website.

How to get there:

Connecting flights to Cappadocia depart regularly from Istanbul. The stylish Vakko Hotel & Residence, in the fashion district of Istanbul, makes a great twin-stay with Argos in Cappaocia to experience the vibrant Turkish capital. Double rooms from €600.

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For time well spent beyond the bustling banks of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman), head to the Vallée de Joux – birthplace of Swiss horology – a pretty 50km drive or two-hour train journey from Lausanne in the canton of Vaud.

Numerous luxury watchmakers call the valley home, including Audemars Piguet, which opened the Hôtel des Horlogers next to its headquarters in the village of Le Brassus in June 2022.

The hotel’s architects designed it to be entirely wheelchair accessible, sustainable and low energy, using locally sourced natural and biodegradable materials. Ultra-modern interconnecting ramps, boxed in with glass, follow the valley’s topography, zigzagging down the slope and allowing each of the 38 rooms and 12 suites to have unencumbered views of wild flower meadows and Risoud forest.

Connected with the valley

You feel part of the valley inside, too, with driftwood hanging from the reception ceiling, wall hangings depicting outlines and contours of Jura mountain peaks, and huge lamps in the Bar des Horlogers, Brasserie Le Gogant and private dining room La Table des Horlogers representing the undersides of mushrooms.

Your immersion in the local landscape and terroir extends to the menu, too. Here, chef Emmanuel Renaut (whose Flocons de Sel restaurant in Megève, across the French border in Haute-Savoie, holds three Michelin stars) works only with regional farmers, supplementing this with homegrown produce from the kitchen gardens as well as foraging for herbs, flowers, mushrooms and other edible plants.

Foraged botanicals and extracts also make their way into teas and treatments in the bijou spa, which offers two treatment rooms plus a sauna, hammam and sensory shower. Guests can take home their own valley botanicals too: wooden pencils in each room have a tip filled with thyme seeds, ready to plant.

Getting out and about

While the hotel has a small but high-tech fitness room, for those wanting to get a sweat on outside, there are myriad walking, hiking and biking trails in the Swiss Jura Mountains, or water sports on nearby Lac de Joux. In winter, the hotel is ski in-ski out and can arrange your equipment hire.

If you love cheese, make sure you visit the village of Les Charbonnières, just a few train stops away (or a 15-minute drive) – home to the Vacherin Mont-d’Or museum, dedicated to this famous AOP-designated soft cow’s milk cheese packaged in a round spruce box.

Even better, time your trip to coincide with the annual Désalpes in mid September, when the cows – adorned with bells and floral hats – are brought down in procession from their alpine pastures, before 6,000 festival visitors jostle to taste the first cheese of the new season.

The Canton of Vaud has six wine regions, and Hôtel des Horlogers is an easy 30km drive from the largest – La Côte – and a convenient stop on the way to or from Geneva airport. Home to half the Vaud’s vineyards, it’s a picturesque region of castles and rolling hillside slopes above Lac Léman, concentrated between the charming lakeside towns of Nyon and Morges.

In the mainly family-run wineries, the white grape Chasselas (aka Fendant) is king – a perfect match for Vacherin Mont-d’Or – with key La Côte subregions to look out for on labels including Mont-sur-Rolle, Féchy and Vufflens-le-Château.

Sustainable principles

As with its food (and with an eye on food miles), the hotel champions Swiss wines, with an emphasis on those from local Vaudois vineyards. The bar, too, is stocked entirely with Swiss spirits, including a syrup distilled from buds of local Risoud fir trees that is used instead of cassis in its signature Kir Sapin cocktail. (You can enjoy one free if you reuse your towels or decline the turn-down service.)

Further in keeping with its sustainability credentials, water is sourced from a spring in the valley and bottled in Le Brassus, and the hotel is paper and plastic free. Which means you order everything digitally via tablets – from your cocktails, to your dinner, and even the kind of pillow you want: such as hard, soft or infused with lavender.

For a hotel owned by a luxury watchmaker, you’d be hard-pressed to make that connection. There’s a small library at the entrance and some bookshelf seating-stairs with various tomes on modern and historic timekeeping, but nothing that shouts Audemars Piguet. It’s clearly a conscious (and welcome) decision, but there’s no escaping the fact that this connection is what draws most guests to the Hôtel des Horlogers.

Birthplace of Swiss horology

If you are an AP fan, then you’ll know you need to book well in advance to visit the Audemars Piguet museum and atelier (a few doors down from the hotel and designed by the same architect), as you will a visit to Blancpain, which also has its HQ in Le Brassus.

If you have – or want – more time on your hands (or wrist), in nearby Le Sentier, you can visit the Jaeger-LeCoultre atelier and the interactive Vallée de Joux watch museum, which details the history of this birthplace of Swiss horology.

Rates per night, including breakfast, start from £320 (Valley Guest Room) to £1,022 for the Forest Suite Romantic Lovers package, which includes two hour-long massages and two of the hotel’s signature cocktails.

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Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours eight-day, food- and wine-themed cruise down the Rhône river, from Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital, 283km south as the river flows to the Roman city of Arles, takes passengers through – and to – some of the country’s most storied wine-producing regions.

The 135-metre Scenic Sapphire can accommodate 147 passengers in its 74 suites. There are complimentary e-bikes on board for exploring during shore visits, a small gym and a humidity- and temperature-controlled Salt Therapy Lounge, complete with salt brick walls.

On-board dining

There’s a range of dining options on board. The main à la carte Crystal Dining restaurant offers a different French culinary classic each night from frog’s legs to duck confit. The more casual River Café serves all-day grazing options and a light, buffet-style lunch. The ‘exclusive and intimate’ L’Amour presents a five-course showcase of regional specialities to 32 passengers each night. Table La Rive puts on a six-course degustation for guests staying in the Royal or Junior suites, with each dish the ‘signature’ of one of the ship’s chefs and each matched with a ‘special’ wine.

For me, the highlight of the Table La Rive was the octopus carpaccio, which came with a rock lobster medallion and a lemony caper and olive vinaigrette, paired with a crisp Grüner Veltliner from Austria’s Wachau Valley.

Sites to explore

The cruise began with a quick detour north up the Rhône’s largest tributary, the Saône, to the Mâcon for a visit to Château de Pravins, an artisanal biodynamic producer in Beaujolais. At the domaine, where grapes have been grown since the 13th century, we were given a tour around the rather unkempt-looking biodynamic vineyards, deliberately left a little wild to improve biodiversity. We then entered the cool, dark vat room, where the intricacies of the winemaking process were explained to us, before concluding our visit with a comprehensive tasting of the domaine’s wines in the even cooler and darker gravel-floored, vaulted-ceilinged cellar. Fascinatingly rustic, characterful drops, the wines are a far cry from the simple, fruity caricature of Beaujolais Nouveau.

The Rhône’s hinterland is home to numerous pretty, well-preserved medieval villages, several of which can be visited on organised excursions from the ship. Among them is the walled hilltop settlement of Pérouges. Dating all the way back to the 12th century, Pérouges is officially one of the ‘most beautiful villages of France’, a delightful maze of narrow cobbled streets and Renaissance residences. It even has its own gastronomic specialty, the galette de Pérouges, which is traditionally eaten accompanied by a glass of the local sparkling rosé, Cerdon.

The Rhône’s importance to France’s prosperity is made plain by the architectural grandeur of Avignon, the cruise’s penultimate stop. Here we visited Châteauneuf-du-Pape, whose popularity can be traced back to Pope Clement V’s decision to move the papacy to Avignon in 1309. Our visit began with a tutored tasting at Maison Bouachon, which begain as a cooperage in 1898 before its owners decided to fill the barrels with wine themselves. We then spent some time exploring the sleepy village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape itself, before visiting the ruins of the 14th-century castle built by John XXII, which are now the symbol of the appellation.

The following day, we reached Arles, about 40km from the Med, where the Rhône reaches its delta, the largest in western Europe, the famous Camargue, and where our culinary journey through southern France concluded.

Scenic’s eight-day Rhône Bliss: Beaujolais Harvest Journey itinerary is priced from £2,945 per person including flights, transfers, free Wi-Fi and all meals and drinks/beverages. (0161 516 5548)

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Picture this: a swirl of 2005 Bordeaux in your glass, the soothing lull of ocean waves as your soundtrack, a soft sea breeze brushing your skin, and a sky alight with brilliant hues of orange and pink. The Maldives transforms wine appreciation into an extraordinary sensory journey, far beyond its famed turquoise waters.

A growing number of luxury resorts have elevated their offerings, creating immersive experiences for everyone from novices who appreciate a thoughtfully curated wine selection to seasoned enthusiasts seeking a relaxing vacation far from vineyards and cellar tours.

These islands, renowned for their idyllic beauty, now cater to wine aficionados with some of the most distinguished programs in the world. Whether you’re just beginning to explore wine or are a connoisseur in search of rare vintages, the Maldives delivers a spectrum of opportunities to indulge your passion. Resorts have designed wine programs that include everything from approachable, sustainable selections for easy enjoyment to expansive cellars housing rare labels from Bordeaux, Burgundy and beyond. Guests can enjoy casual pairings by the beach, private sommelier-led tastings or extravagant dinners with expertly chosen wine flights.

For those newer to wine, the focus on variety and internationality elevates the island experience. Many resorts prioritise accessibility, offering extensive by-the-glass menus and food-pairing discoveries that demystify wine’s complexities. For experts, the Maldives offers the chance to discover memorable bottles in unparalleled settings, such as underground cellars, overwater restaurants or secluded beach set-ups. Beyond the glass, these resorts embrace innovation, with wine-themed encounters like wine gazing under the stars and winemaker dinners to more unique beverage offerings like garden-to-glass cocktail creations and fine rum and sake selections.

The Maldives’ wine culture has blossomed into a cornerstone of its luxury offerings, blending world-class expertise with the barefoot relaxation of island life. Below, we highlight a selection of the best resorts for wine lovers, picked for their location, superior hospitality, accommodation and wine experiences, which cater to enthusiasts at every stage of their journey.

JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa

Shaviyani Atoll, Maldives

Paradise found in the Shaviyani Atoll, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa seamlessly blends notable wine experiences, culinary excellence and a world-class rum collection to create an unforgettable escape. With 60 expansive beach and overwater villas, each featuring private pools and personalised ‘Thakuru’ butler service, the resort caters to couples, families and wine enthusiasts alike.

The wine program is a standout, anchored by a cellar boasting over 1,600 bottles, including iconic Bordeaux first growths like 2005 Chateau Latour or Mouton Rothschild to Italy’s greats like Tignanello and Biondi-Santi. During peak periods, patrons can indulge in daily tastings, winemaker dinners or curated wine-pairing menus, available in the Wine Room. For casual sips, the resort offers 12 wines by the glass daily per couple, ensuring an approachable yet elevated immersion into wine.

Complementing the wine offering is the resort’s rum bar ‘Rum Baan’, showcasing an impressive collection of 98 rums. Guests can savour these neat or in expertly crafted cocktails, or partake in the interactive Garden to Glass cocktail making activity, selecting fresh herbs from the JW Garden to elevate their creations.

Dining is a journey in itself, with five restaurants offering diverse culinary explorations. Highlights include the traditional Japanese specialties and mouth-watering grills at Hashi & Shio, Thai cuisine in the not-to-be-missed treetop restaurant Kaashi, the traditional Malafaaiy beach dinner celebrating local flavours, personalised dining under the stars and floating breakfast from your private pool, complete with Devaux Champagne.

For families, the Little Griffins Kids’ Club is a resort staple with long opening hours and countless activities for little ones, while Pool 18, an adult-only infinity pool, and Spa by JW offer the sanctuaries one would expect of a remote, luxury getaway.

With its world-class wine cellar, rum collection and inspired dining, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa offers refined indulgence in a breathtaking island setting.

How to get there

The resort is a scenic 55-minute seaplane transfer from Malé International Airport, providing stunning aerial views of the Maldives’ turquoise waters. Expect to be warmly greeted with the sounds of the Boduberu drum, a Maldivian-crafted necklace, cooling towels and drink.

Velaa Private Island

Noonu Atoll, Maldives

Velaa Private Island stands out as a beacon of indulgence and sophistication in the Maldives. Conceived by Czech entrepreneur Jiri Smejc as a personal passion project, this exclusive retreat is as much a sanctuary of privacy as it is a celebration of world-class hospitality.

Tucked away in the pristine Noonu Atoll, Velaa comprises 47 meticulously designed villas, including overwater residences and the ultra-secluded Romantic Pool Residence accessible only by boat. With a guest-to-staff ratio of 1:8, every detail is curated to exceed expectations.

The wine program at Velaa is among the most distinguished in the Maldives, boasting a cellar with over 1,500 labels, including rare vintages from Bordeaux and Burgundy and cult favourites from California. Overseen by the resort’s team of expert sommeliers, the program includes personalised wine tastings, food and wine pairing experiences and access to exclusive vintages seldom found outside private collections. Likening to a James Bond-esque setting, a resort highlight is Velaa’s ‘Snow Cellar,’ an underground cellar maintaining perfect conditions for the island’s unique collection.

Dining at Velaa is equally exceptional. The resort’s signature restaurant, Aragu, redefines fine dining with its focus on contemporary European cuisine fused with Asian influences. Every dish is crafted to harmonise with Velaa’s wine offering, creating a symphony of flavours.

Beyond its culinary excellence, Velaa offers a host of bespoke activities, from golf on the Maldives’ only private island course to deep-sea diving in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of the surrounding waters. The serene Velaa Spa, featuring treatments by My Blend by Clarins, offers an idyllic retreat for relaxation and rejuvenation.

How to get there

Fly into Velana International Airport in Malé, Maldives, followed by a 45-minute seaplane transfer to the resort. Transfers can be arranged directly through the resort.

The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort

Baa Atoll, Maldives

Situated in the Maldives’ first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort offers a tranquil retreat that combines holistic wellness with a refined wine experience. With 69 luxurious beach and overwater villas, each featuring private pools and sweeping ocean views, this resort is a hideaway for wine lovers and wellness enthusiasts alike.

The resort’s wine program reflects its dedication to sustainability and quality, featuring a curated selection of organic and sustainable wines. Expect to find familiar super-premium labels like Louis Roederer and Prunotto alongside enticing island finds like Italy’s award-winning Cantina Terlano whites and Germany’s Dr. Bürklin-Wolf Riesling. Guests can partake in unique ‘wine gazing’ experiences in an intimate private cellar, perfect for exclusive dining with a personalised sommelier-led tasting menu. For sake lovers, don’t miss the chance to dine at The Pearl, the resort’s overwater Japanese restaurant, with generous sake pairings which elevate the culinary journey.

Complimenting its memorable food and beverage programme, The Westin focuses on wellness, offering visitors access to its stunning overwater Heavenly Spa, state-of-the-art gym, varied fitness programs from sunrise yoga and tennis to beach runs, in-room juicers for fresh orange juice (or a mimosa with wine fridges in each room) and its proprietary Heavenly Bed, designed to promote sleep and restoration. Guests can also immerse themselves in the vibrant underwater world of the Baa Atoll, renowned for its colourful coral reefs and one of the world’s largest concentrations of manta rays.

For travellers seeking an inspired blend of fine wine, sustainable luxury and rejuvenation, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort delivers an unforgettable experience, leaving a lasting impression long after your visit.

How to get there

The resort is a 35-minute seaplane journey from Malé International Airport, offering views of the Maldives’ idyllic islands. Visitors are welcomed with traditional music and a fresh welcome drink.

Constance Moofushi Maldives

South Ari Atoll

Part of the prestigious Constance Hotels & Resorts collection, Constance Moofushi Maldives blends barefoot luxury with exceptional hospitality in the heart of the Indian Ocean. Set on a private island in the South Ari Atoll, this all-inclusive resort is a haven for couples, honeymooners and discerning travellers seeking an unparalleled tropical escape.

The resort’s 110 villas, split between beach and water accommodations, are thoughtfully designed to complement the atoll’s natural beauty. From crystal-clear lagoons to powdery white sands, every aspect of Moofushi invites travellers to immerse themselves in its tranquil surroundings. 

Constance Moofushi is celebrated for its innovative wine program. With over 200 wine labels meticulously curated from renowned regions worldwide, the offering is both comprehensive and approachable. The resort’s wine cellar, overseen by expert sommeliers, elevates guests’ journies through tastings, pairings and a deep dive into the world of fine wines. The team’s commitment to excellence has earned Moofushi accolades in international wine circles, including recognition on Star Wine List.

Dining at Moofushi is an adventure in itself, with a focus on marrying global flavours with local ingredients. The al fresco Jing Restaurant, perched over water, offers an exquisite pairing menu, where each dish is matched with wines that elevate every bite.

Beyond wine, guests can indulge in an array of experiences, from world-class diving in the South Ari Atoll’s marine-rich waters to spa treatments inspired by natural healing traditions. The resort’s ‘True by Nature’ philosophy is evident in every detail, ensuring a stay that is as authentic as it is indulgent.

How to get there

Fly into Velana International Airport in Malé, Maldives, followed by a 30-minute seaplane transfer to the island. Seaplane transfers can be arranged directly through the resort.

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort

Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives

Nestled on a pristine island in the Dhaalu Atoll, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is an oasis of luxury, offering a retreat from the world. Its 77 exclusive beach and overwater villas feature elegant, island-inspired design with personal butler service, each offering private pools and panoramic ocean views. Whether it’s a romantic escape or a multigenerational retreat, the resort combines refined living with unforgettable moments.

The standout feature for wine enthusiasts is Decanter, the resort’s underground wine cellar. Housing over 7,000 bottles from 650 labels spanning 23 countries, this gold-toned enclave offers one of the Maldives’ most diverse and prestigious collections. Highlights include 1795 Portuguese Madeira and 2014 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. Guests can savour these rare finds during private wine pairing dinners or curated tastings, where the executive chef and head sommelier craft unforgettable food and wine encounters.

In addition, the resort boasts The Whale Bar, known for its Champagne sabering ritual.

With seven restaurants and two bars, personalised wellness programs and immersive activities like coral reef restoration and dolphin cruises, The St. Regis Maldives offers a perfect blend of luxury and world-class wine experiences.

How to get there

Accessible via a scenic 45-minute seaplane transfer from Malé International Airport.

From vineyard to atoll: Behind the scenes wine logistics and training

How do world-class wine experiences thrive on some of the planet’s most secluded islands? In the Maldives, wine logistics is a feat of precision, showcasing the dedication behind its luxury resort offerings. Fine wines are sourced from global hubs like Dubai and Singapore, stored under optimal conditions and shipped to Malé, the capital. From there, they are meticulously transported to resorts via seaplanes, dhonis (traditional Maldivian boats) or speedboats, ensuring minimal exposure to the region’s tropical heat and humidity. Once on-site, temperature-controlled cellars safeguard their delicate nature, so guests enjoy wines at their finest, no matter how remote the destination.

Equally impressive is the focus on wine education and staff training. Many resorts invest in globally recognised programs like WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust), offering certifications and hands-on training tailored to their teams. Resorts such as The St. Regis Maldives and Anantara Kihavah host on-site workshops led by sommeliers and distributors, alongside virtual courses to broaden expertise. Regular tastings and cultural sensitivity training help staff cater to diverse guest preferences, while advanced qualifications pave the way for career growth. This commitment ensures a seamless, refined wine experience that aligns with the Maldives’ reputation for unrivaled hospitality.

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The seemingly endless drive down the driveway opens up to the expansive Clos Apalta vineyard, from which the eponymous flagship wine gets its name. It sits adjacent to its architecturally significant gravity flow winery that has graced the pages of countless magazines. And just above the vineyard, dotted about the steep mountainside are 10 ultra-spacious casitas and villas – the hallmark of the Clos Apalta experience.

Luxury lodgings

The four original casitas set the standard for luxury accommodation in the area, featuring large Balinese-style lodgings with local woods and other natural materials, shrouded by trees and wraparound verandas that allow for the utmost privacy. At the end of last year, six new villas were added.

Founded by Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle (yes, that Marnier), the 10 luxury lodgings are each large enough to accommodate entire families, and offer the utmost privacy.

Each villa or casita is named for one of the grape varieties grown in the vineyard, and a favourite is Sauvignon Blanc. Located mid-slope above the centre of the vineyard, it’s clad with floor-to-ceiling windows offering nearly 180º views that bring the outside in, and 148m² of living space. You’ll feel as if you’re living in the most opulent treehouse you’ve ever seen. The formal living room, with wood-panelled walls and millwork, is set off with its own door separating it from the rest of the villa. The bathroom is another story. Think: Turkish hammam with stone-tiled shower, and extra deep, stone soaking tub overlooking the nature reserve, where you can spot some of the local wildlife through the giant picture windows. Plush linens, bathrobes and luxe L’Occitane bath products add to the experience – and just outside the bathroom is your own personal plunge pool with lounge recliners.

A focus on local cuisine

The architecture and design of the Clos Apalta Residence has always been the initial draw, but from the beginning, the totality of the hospitality experience has been the focus, so the gastronomy programme is exactly what you’d expect from a member of the Relais & Châteaux group. The kitchen is helmed by Chef Leonel Diaz and most of the ingredients come from what’s grown on or can be sourced from very near to the property – hyperlocal cuisine – highlighting the flavourful tastes of Chile.

An expansive on-site garden supplies the kitchen with fresh veggies and herbs as well as flora that might be used as a garnish or complement to your dishes. The cuisine is colourful, flavourful, artfully prepared and Michelin level in every sense (the Michelin Guide doesn’t yet extend to Chile). Of course, none of this would matter if the wines were an afterthought. But as this is Clos Apalta, you can expect to taste some of the finest vintages and rarest of the Lapostolle portfolio served alongside your meals. And though lunch and dinner are served in the on-site restaurant, the extravagant breakfasts can be enjoyed in the comforts of your villa or casita if you so choose.

Activities aplenty

With lush environs and too-good-to-be-true views, it’s easy to think that wine, food and sleep are the only indulgences available to you, but that is far from the case. Taking part in a Pisco Sour masterclass, using Lapostolle Silver double distilled pisco, is certainly a treat. Cooking classes, horseback riding and guided hikes are also de rigueur.

There are tours of the winery itself, too, which is a kind of architectural feat that you don’t want to miss – you may even run into technical director Andrea León. But one of the best activities of all is stargazing: Chile has some of the clearest skies in the world so astronomy is taken seriously. Atop the roof of the iconic winery is a powerful telescope that is fitting to an end to a perfect evening, staring off into the galaxy, where you’ll likely wonder how you even got here in the first place.

For more information, visit the Clos Apalta website.

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The UNESCO World Heritage listed Dolomites, in the northern Italian Alps, are a jaw-dropping set of peaks, whose majesty is hard to convey unless you’ve actually been there.

A luxurious base from which to explore them is Hotel La Perla, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, in the village of Corvara – the heart of the Alta Badia ski resort – in the province of Alto Adige (aka Südtirol).

Founded in 1956 by Ernesto and Anni Costa, this South Tyrolean manor house is now run by their sons, Michil, Mathias and Maximilian, all of whom have a hands-on role at the property, welcoming guests with the warm hospitality typical of Alto Adige’s traditional Ladin mountain culture.

This inviting atmosphere, which sees the lederhosen-clad Mathias Costa and Corvara locals mingle with hotel guests over a drink, is a key reason why many guests return annually and become part of the extended La Perla ‘family’.

Traditional yet elegant living

The hotel offers 51 rooms, ranging from singles to suites, most with their own balcony, either facing the imposing Mount Sassongher or the picturesque village. The style throughout is traditional yet elegant – rugs and reclaimed wood, exposed beams and cosy soft furnishings, along with regional art and quirky accessories such as antique walking sticks and teapots.

In the Romantik double rooms, enjoy an enormous pillow- and throw-laden king-sized bed with crisp linen, a traditional silo-like free-standing fireplace, a leather chesterfield, and a chandelier over a breakfast table, where an ice bucket and bottle of Franciacorta, fresh fruit and chocolates welcome you.

Gourmet dining, from cosy to Michelin

Guests are spoiled for choice when it comes to dining options. Les Stües (‘The Rooms’) is the main half-board restaurant, available only to guests. As its name suggests, it is a warren of connecting wood-panelled rooms each with its own distinctive traditional décor following authentic Alpine kitchen-diners from the 1700s: think bold tablecloths and curtains, matching floral arrangements and crockery, and decorative plates adorning the walls.

While you could fill up on the buffet-style salad bar, the à la carte menu of traditional Alto Adige dishes is simple yet comforting and, as with all La Perla’s restaurants, vegan menus are available.

On a sunny day, the Bistrot’s terrace is the place to be for a casual lunch, particularly for classic Italian fare. Or sit inside, around the impressive polished wood main bar, for afternoon tea or an aperitif. After dark, the venue becomes the Music Club, with different local singers and musicians each night.

Gourmands will have booked their seat at the Michelin one-star La Stüa de Michil in advance. While it follows the 18th-century wood panelling of the rest of La Perla, this is more of an opulent, intimate, candle-lit chamber, where Calabrian chef Simone Cantafio takes inspiration from his years in Japan to create an innovative tasting menu for up to 10 people.

Sustainable, seasonal and organic

A stone’s throw from La Perla, is sister property Berghotel Ladinia. The building was the first inn in Corvara and its historic, rustic décor exudes real charm. The eponymous Alpine restaurant specialises in using locally farmed, grown and forged produce and the wine list champions mainly boutique Alto Adige producers, many of which work biodynamically.

From extensive buffet breakfast to innovative nightcap, La Perla’s food and drink philosophy is organic, local and seasonal, and encourages diners to eschew meat on Fridays. The hotel also follows the Common Welfare Economy model, where social responsibility, ecological sustainability, democratic management and company solidarity replace profit as the company objective.

To underline the brothers’ altruism, they set up the Costa Family Foundation in 2007 to protect and promote the rights of children, mainly in developing countries, including building schools and supporting nutrition and irrigation projects. A dish on each restaurant menu is ‘priceless’ and invites diners to pay what they like, with all proceeds going to the foundation.

Wine-lovers’ haven

For wine lovers, the pinnacle of a stay at La Perla is a visit to its Mahatma Cellar, which boasts more than 30,000 bottles from across Europe. Prepare to be amazed by the vision of Michil Costa, as you take a sensory journey through each cave of the labyrinthine cellar, designed in a bespoke theme of not only wine but music and explanatory voice-overs to accompany the very unique design and accessories.

Among the 3,000 labels, of which half are from Alto Adige, there are cellars dedicated to Champagne, Burgundy and Barolo, but the most jaw-dropping is the Sassicaia ‘temple’. To really experience this SuperTuscan in all its glory, guests can book a guided tasting (one of five on offer) in the Incö Weinstube.

This intimate, informal wine room, with banquette-style seating around a wooden island table is also used by chef Simone Cantafio for a three-course sharing menu for up to six people, using only what local farmers and foragers have delivered that day.

On the slopes

To work up an appetite for all these food and wine options, you’ll be spending your days on the mountains – whether summer or winter. Alta Badia, part of Dolomiti Superski, has 132km of slopes and 53 lifts; La Perla is ski-in, ski-out, with the Col Alto lift (Italy’s first) 30m from the front door. At the end of the day, join everyone else in the valley and head to the hotel’s L’Murin – an après ski institution, which becomes a beer garden in summer, complete with a treehouse for romantic rendezvous.

If you are staying during La Perla’s summer season (June to September) enjoy a nine-hole golf course at 1,700m, or test your cycling mettle on the high Dolomite passes – the hotel has a range of premium Pinarello road and mountain bikes, as well as e-bikes for the less adventurous. As with cycling, keen hikers can take advantage of a daily guided excursion with the outdoor activity instructor (he’s in the lobby each morning) or ask him for advice on local Via Ferrata routes.

The biggest drawcard in Alta Badia is the Sellaronda, an iconic 40km ski circuit around the Sella massif. But increasingly visitors are flocking to the mountains for innovative gourmet opportunities arranged by the Alta Badia tourist office and Alto Adige Sommelier Association.

In winter, the programme includes Sommelier on the Slopes and Ski Safaris, where a ski guide and a sommelier accompany winelovers between high-end mountain ‘huts’, such as the unmissable Rifugio Utia Bioch (at 2,079m), to try local wines, as well as signature dishes from celebrity chefs.

There’s a similar programme in summer, including outdoor wine tasting tours (Vins Alaleria), accompanied by a sommelier, in picturesque nature hotspots across the province.

Relax and escape

After so much activity, food and wine, you’ll want to decompress in La Perla’s newly renovated spa. In addition to practitioners offering a host of heath and natural beauty treatments, guests can enjoy the indoor pool with its range of regenerative showers and massage jets, the sauna and steam rooms and a Kneipp hydrotherapy bath to revive tired feet and legs.

Hotel La Perla is about 200km from Venice airport, where the three-hour drive takes you through the Prosecco DOCG vineyards areas of Conegliano-Valdobbiadene. Alternatively, it’s 70km from Bolzano and 135km from Innsbruck in Austria. For train travellers, the best stations are Bruneck or Fortezza.

The hotel opens for the winter season from 6 December to 7 April, and for the 2025 summer season from 6 June to 27 September. Rates per night including breakfast start from £250 (single); £532 (double) and £1,135 (suite).

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Perched on the Mediterranean coast in northern Spain, Hostal de La Gavina transports guests back to the glamorous heyday of the Costa Brava. Opened as a family-run ‘hostal’ with 11 rooms in 1932, it was a Hollywood hideaway in the 1950s and even became a film set for Liam Neeson’s 1930s detective film Marlowe.

Black-and-white photographs of famous former guests such as Elizabeth Taylor set the tone for your stay. Today La Gavina’s 74 rooms and suites retain their luxe glamour, with polished parquet floors, silk upholstery, Venetian Murano glass lamps and Italian marble bathrooms. It’s easy to feel like the star in your own movie here.

You’ll also receive star treatment from the hotel’s helpful staff – whether you’re breakfasting on the terrace or relaxing by the outdoor pool with views over the bay of S’Agaró. There’s also an indoor pool at Gavina Spa, a haven of tranquillity with sauna, massages and signature Valmont beauty treatments.

Beside the sea

Feeling active? Water sports including kayaking, paddle-boarding and water-skiing take place on Sant Pol beach, just below the hotel. Or simply take a relaxing stroll along the beachfront, beside jaunty rows of white vintage beach huts.

Make a beeline for La Taverna del Mar, just two minutes’ walk from the hotel, with its breezy white-and-blue interiors and perfect sea views. Open from June to September, the range of fresh seafood dishes here includes tuna and turbot ceviche, salt-crusted sea bass and Catalan specialities such as squid with artichoke and asparagus.

After lunch head for the Camí de Ronda coastal path, which begins at the foot of Hostal de La Gavina and is part of the Mediterranean Path (GR92). This long-distance trekking route crosses Catalonia from Cap de Creus to the Montsià mountain range on the border with Valencia. Follow the coast around the small Punta d’en Pau peninsula on a trail lined with pines and tamarind trees.

A taste of Catalonia

If you’ve worked up an appetite, La Taverna del Mar is just one of the dining options at La Gavina. Expect light Mediterranean dishes at the poolside Garbí Restaurant or visit El Barco for tapas and sandwiches. But a highlight of your stay will be a decadent dinner at Candlelight, with its menu devised by Romain Fornell, chef at Michelin-star Caelis in Barcelona.

Fornell’s creative tasting menu features seasonal dishes and luxury ingredients. Think canapés of crispy chicken skin with shrimps and bone marrow; white asparagus with beurre blanc and caviar; or tortellini of langoustine and foie gras. Food is paired with bottles from an extensive wine list showcasing local wines from Catalonia – including a great selection of Cava and Corpinnat sparklers – plus other Spanish regions.

Food and wine will be a star attraction of your visit to the Costa Brava. The region is home to 18 Michelin stars, including three-star El Cellar de Can Roca in nearby Girona. The hotel can arrange culinary tours of the city to explore the local cuisine.

Look out for the sign ‘flequers artesans’ which signals shops and cafes offering local artisan ingredients and dishes. Seek out xuixo – breakfast buns filled with crema Catalana, which are a Girona speciality. Don’t miss the vibrant market – and if you can’t get a table at El Cellar de Can Roca, drop by Rocambolesc ice cream shop for an affordable taste of Jordi Roca’s sensational desserts.

Wines and vineyards

For wine lovers, Hostal de La Gavina makes a good base to explore the vineyards and wineries of DO Empordà. Bordering France, the winemaking here has much in common with its French neighbour Roussillon. Garnatxa and Samsó (Carignan) – both red and white – are the most common grapes.

The hotel will arrange bespoke visits to local wineries such as Clos d’Agon, which is just a 20-minute drive away. Vineyards here were planted in 1989 by the winery’s original Franco-Belgian owners, who introduced French varieties Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne, plus international grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.

Today Peter Sisseck consults and the engaging Miguel Coronado makes the wines – which don’t use the DO name since the grapes aren’t authorised by DO regulations. Enjoy a picnic among the vines, with bottles such as Viognier-Marsanne blend Valmaña and top rosé Alba del Tinar, a blend of Grenache Gris and Cabernet Franc.

Further north is Terra Remota, owned by Marc and Emma Bournazeau-Florensa. This 54ha organic estate also has vineyards planted with French and international grapes. Look out for its signature red Camino, a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. A winery tour and tasting costs €22, while a picnic with wines in the vineyard is €26.

From the vineyards of Empordà to the Michelin stars of Girona and beaches of S’Agaró, a stay at Hostal de La Gavina showcases all the Costa Brava has to offer.

Rates from €380 (£324) per night for a Superior Double Seaview Room, including breakfast. For further information, see the Hostal de La Gavina website.

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Originally built as a luxury hotel in the 1940s, this stately villa overlooking the Adriatic Sea sits on the picturesque Dalmatian coast, just outside the town of Orebić, on the Pelješac peninsula. American philanthropists Lee and Penny Anderson purchased the property after helping to rebuild Croatia in the post-war period. The property is a Relais & Châteaux member.

The Andersons spent nearly a decade transforming this historic villa into a haven of luxury. Reopened in December 2018, it now offers eight exclusive suites, each a masterpiece of design by Marie Meko. These suites, with their own distinct character, offer breathtaking views of the Adriatic, blending the charm of antique furnishings with the convenience of modern technology.

For those seeking relaxation, an infinity pool and hot tub, perched on the rocky Adriatic shore offer a serene escape. Korta Katarina also provides a range of indulgent spa treatments. To complete the experience, each night of your stay includes a delectable meal with perfectly paired wines. Beyond the villa, Korta Katarina operates vineyards and a boutique winery, seamlessly blending luxury and nature.

A well-pointed fitness centre, hot tub, sauna and steam room are tucked into the villa’s ground floor to prioritise guests’ healthy routines.

In addition to the villa during the summer’s high season, you may inquire about booking the Katherine, a luxury motor yacht. Katharine is a 61.3m CRN classic traditional style yacht with a canoe stern and luxury amenities aplenty; this luxurious sea-faring accommodation can hold up to 12 guests in six staterooms.

Backed up to the villa’s property line is a working vineyard planted entirely to the indigenous variety Plavac Mali. Adjacent to the luxury villa is a working winery with a tasting room, production facilities, and a full barrel room.

The wines made at the Korta Katarina winery are no mere vanity project – it produces some of the best Plavac Mali (the principal red wine grape grown along the coast) in Dalmatia. Its Reuben’s Private Reserve is a wine with plenty of age; the current release, 2013, was awarded a Gold medal at the 2023 Decanter World Wine Awards. The house wines are exquisite, with Ante Cibilić, one of the top young winemakers in the region, in charge of production.

The villa staff will make personal reservations for interested guests with winemakers throughout the region. Just minutes down the road in Orebić, a ferry takes wine lovers to the island of Korčula, one of Dalmatia’s most important wine-growing focal points. Korčula is home to dozens of wineries and vineyards, many perched just above the sea. Two indigenous white grapes originated here and are perhaps the rarest in Dalmatia; Grk only grows on the east end of the island of Korčula, around the town of Lumbarda.

In the charming walled 13th-century town of Korčula, history abounds. Locals claim this was the birthplace of Marco Polo. Some of Croatia’s top restaurants, including the Michelin star LD restaurant, are tucked into the old and winding cobbled streets and the broad pedestrian boulevard that circles the city.

For more information and to book see the villa’s website.

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Back in 1851 when Marist missionaries planted some of New Zealand’s first vines in Hawke’s Bay, they couldn’t have known what the area would become. But fast forward through decades of growth – as well as challenges ranging from earthquakes to cyclones – and the country’s second-largest wine region is now a tourism hotspot. Thirsty travellers seeking vinous exploration that balances diversity with world-class quality can sip their way through Chardonnays and Syrahs, Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Noirs, at dozens of celebrated cellar doors. Most of them a mere grape’s toss from Breckenridge Lodge.

Overlooking a manicured patch of Chardonnay vines in the Omarunui Valley, Breckenridge Lodge was built by chef Malcolm Redmond in the early 2000s as a base in which to serve his hyper-local, hyper-seasonal cuisine. Twenty years later, with Malcolm’s American wife Ellie on side, the simple but effective formula – fabulous food, first-class wine and a relaxed ethos – remains very much in place at this intimate stay.

Culinary magic

What’s on your plate is central to every part of the Breckenridge Lodge experience. Malcolm’s own organic kitchen garden is the source of his culinary magic: just over a hectare bursting with everything from figs to passion fruit, plus a ramble of hundreds of native trees. Combining this bounty with meat and fish sourced from the wider region, Malcolm plates up daily five-course dinners featuring dishes like pan-fried snapper with cavolo nero sauce or crayfish and avocado roll with Chardonnay potato salad and rocket. What isn’t used in the kitchen goes into compost, ready for redeployment in the garden.

The cellar is no less considered. Malcolm and Ellie have amassed more than 2,000 bottles over the years and allow them to age before uncorking alongside dishes thoughtfully chosen to match. That means no matter how much local winery touring you do, you’ll always find surprises through older vintages and rare bottlings. For example, expect a pour of De La Terre Blanc de Blancs 2016 alongside that crayfish and avocado roll.

When you’re ready to explore the full breadth of the region’s vinous bounty, the Breckenridge team will happily arrange visits at any one of 30-plus local wineries within a 15-minute drive. Alternatively, team members can simply point you in the direction of their favourites, including The Urban Winery – where Tony Bish showcases his wines alongside other small producers such as Jenny Dobson – or the aforementioned De La Terre, which makes everything from Tannat to Montepulciano. Here winemaker and owner Tony Pritchard runs the tastings; follow up yours with a lunch from the pizza oven, overseen by his wife Kaye.

Or perhaps combine a history lesson with great tastings on a visit to some of the country’s oldest wineries. Te Mata Estate – known for its Bordeaux-style red blends – was founded in 1896, while Mission Estate dates all the way back to that first planting year, 1851.

Unwind and enjoy

In the rare moments when eating and drinking are not taking centre stage, homely Breckenridge provides a restorative space to unwind. Each of the five individual en-suite rooms, from taupe-hued ‘Coffee’ to floral print-splashed ‘Rose’ comes with heated floors, handmade wood furniture and toiletries made from the garden’s own lavender, lending a relaxed home-from-home air. And, of course, each comes with sweeping views out to those manicured vines, too.

With secluded paths winding through woodland and a pond that attracts around 30 different bird species including egrets and herons, the Breckenridge Lodge grounds provide plenty of reason to linger when you’re looking for a quiet afternoon.

Otherwise, for active exploration beyond the cellars, take to the 200km of regional cycling trails – Malcolm and Ellie will arrange bike hire for you – visit the local golf club a few miles away or hike up Te Mata peak. Or explore the self-proclaimed Art Deco capital of the world, Napier, bursting with sublime period architecture, and just a 15-minute drive away.

For further information, see the Breckenridge Lodge website.

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Overlooking the Mediterranean, and Monte Carlo’s famous yacht-filled Port Hercule marina, the sumptuous Belle Epoque styling and calming ambience of the exceptional and unarguably 5-star Hôtel Hermitage in the centre of Monte Carlo make it hard to beat for a maximum-comfort treat stay.

Among other options, its in-house Michelin one-star Pavyllon Monte-Carlo restaurant, recently opened by celebrated chef Yannick Alléno, and the pristine Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo spa and wellness centre – access complimentary to hotel guests – are unmissable.

One of four top hotels and numerous retaurants owned and run by Monte Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM), the Hermitage sits above the Cave de l’Hôtel de Paris cellars, 10 metres below street level. This warren of highest-end wine storage is normally off-limits, but this year, as part of 150th anniversary celebrations for the cellars, guests have a unique opportunity to experience the jaw-dropping scope of its contents: some 350,000 bottles in all, the most extraordinary collection of wines lying on ranks of antique wooden shelving, and ceiling-high stacks of fresh wooden cases of young Bordeaux, Burgundy, Brunello et al occupying any available space. Ten staff work here full-time, Monday to Friday.

Until November only, guests can book a place on one of the Hôtel Hermitage wine dinner events. For €2,000 per person, a sommelier-guided tour precedes a six-course tasting menu meal prepared by chef Alléno, in a newly installed dining area in the cellars, accompanied by wines from renowned producers. This is a cellar of such quality that top producers will bring clients and staff here to taste their own wines – among those to do so recently was the winemaker of Château d’Yquem.

After November, cellar tours will revert to being limited to guests booking the top suites at the Hermitage. Nowhere in the world can you gain an experience that will quite compare – grab the chance if you’re able. And all amid the retro splendour of Hôtel Hermitage in Monte Carlo – easily accessible from Nice on France’s south coast.

For more information, see the Hôtel Hermitage website.

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Ancient, gnarly, cork oaks stand half-naked in the midday sun. And then come the vineyards, as far as the eye can see. Welcome to the Alentejo region. With its golden plains and rolling hills topped with white-washed villages and majestic medieval cities, the Alentejo grows most of the nation’s rice, wheat, barley and oats, supplies half of the world’s cork, and is the country’s biggest wine producing area. It’s also home to L’AND Vineyards, a wine resort around an hour’s drive from Lisbon.

Luxury around the L’AND lake

Opened in 2011 by the Sousa Cunhal family, which has operated an agriculture and forestry business here since the 19th century, L’AND Vineyards is enjoying a new phase. Set on 66 hectares near the small hilltop town of Montemor-o-Novo, it boasts a five-star hotel, two restaurants, a spa, stylish serviced residences (34 occupied, 13 under construction, 30 more plots available), vineyards and a winery. The resort is scattered around a large wild swimming lake, new for this year, along with several new suites and a new chef.

The lake is attracting a lot of attention. On an unseasonably warm day in mid-March, white fluffy-robbed guests sit clutching wine glasses on the long wooden pier that extends across the water. A guest ventures in, their gasps reaching diners’ ears at the hotel’s more casual waterside restaurant, Café da Viagem, where lunch stretches into dinner as the sun slips behind the ruined castle.

Joining the 10 original Sky View suites – so-named for their unique retractable roofs that allow guests to sleep under the stars, are 11 new Lake Sky View suites, with interiors straight out of the pages of Architectural Digest. With their black slate floors and glowing eucalyptus wood finishes, they were put together by Brazilian interior designer Márcio Kogan. Think Tom Dixon lights and hand-woven striped rugs from the nearby town of Reguengos de Monsaraz.

The original suites (with private plunge pools) have patios modelled on traditional Alentejo homes. The new Lake Sky View suites have fire pits, thoughtfully lit by staff just before you return from dinner, complimentary bottle of personalised wine at the ready.

Six hectares of vineyards surround the suites, growing grapes old and new – Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Alicante Bouschet and Syrah. Come September, they’re destined for the winery right at the heart of the hotel – the tanks clearly visible through a large picture window from the chic lounge area.

Wine and dine

And it’s those four varieties that we meet again in the popular Make Your Own Wine experience. The entertaining session with well-versed head sommelier Gonçalo Mendes includes a blending exercise, which sees your own wine bottled and individually labelled, something the hotel also extends to Wine Club members, residence owners, many of whom specify their own vineyards. But it’s the estate’s own wines (usually nine, depending on the harvest) that can be chosen for dinner in its fine dining Mapa restaurant, now overseen by new executive chef David Jesus. Until recently he headed up the kitchen at Lisbon’s two Michelin-star Belcanto restaurant. And his food doesn’t disappoint, weaving in flavours and techniques from former Portuguese colonies and combining it with the country’s gastronomic heritage. Under a sea of Dixon lights (thankfully not all lit), flavours happily wander from Mozambique-inspired shrimps with spinach, peanut and coconut, to a winning Brazil-influenced dish of red mullet with corn and cockles, while we’re taken on a vinous journey that shows off Portugal’s individuality and array of indigenous varieties that few countries can rival.

To complete your stay, don’t miss the vinotherapy. In a darkened, scented, wood-lined treatment room, bathe in red wine (a Touriga Nacional blend) mixed with various fragrant unguents from Austrian brand Vinoble Cosmetics, to first soften the skin – a bunch of red grapes to nibble on the side. Then a vigorous polish with a grape seed scrub, followed by a grape seed oil massage – your immersion into Alentejo wine is now complete.

For more information visit the L’AND website.

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Located on the highest point overlooking the village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, this charming, peaceful and welcoming estate offers luxurious accommodation, an 18th-century exclusive-use château, Michelin star Les Belles Perdrix restaurant, and a state-of-the-art, family-friendly winery that creates an exceptional hospitality experience for wine enthusiasts and discerning travellers alike.

The estate’s roots trace back to 1745 when the property belonged to the Abbé de Sèze, who built the grand house still standing today. In 1850, Raymond Troplong created its flourishing vineyards with 37 hectares under vine, 27 of which are used to produce the estate’s grand vin and the rest for its second wine Mondot.

Troplong then changed hands twice, with much of its success and renown owed to Christine Valette-Pariente, who ran it alongside her husband Xavier Pariente for just over 30 years. In recognition of its rising critical acclaim, it was promoted in 2006 to the prestigious rank of Premier Grand Cru Classé in the St Emilion classification.

The estate was then acquired in 2017 by French insurance company SCOR for a reported €178m.

Significant investments have been made over the years starting with the onboarding of talented winemaker Aymeric de Gironde from St-Estèphe second growth Cos d’Estournel as well as bringing in a new winemaking consultant and increasing land holdings. Outwardly, ambitious renovation projects also started with Aymeric overseeing the modernisation of the winemaking facilities with a state-of-the-art vat room and stunning barrel room or ‘cathedral cellar’ with its 12-metre ceiling accentuated by beams of vertical lights and four concrete columns which suspend the glass walkway connecting either side.

Luxury accommodation

The château building has been restored to the highest standards possible with two lavish dining rooms, an incredible professional kitchen, five bedroom suites and a fully-stocked high-end wine cellar. A breathtaking Mediterranean-inspired pool offers unobstructed, panoramic views over the vineyards towards St-Emilion and its 12th century monolithic bell tower. Priced at €12,000 a night it’s not cheap, but it epitomises five-star hotel service (including a butler) while making it feel like you’re living in your own private residence.

Additional accommodation The Keys offers two one-bedroom and two, two-bedroom suites that are refined yet retain a rustic, countryside charm with three of the four in an annex adjacent to the main building. Each has its own patio for alfresco breakfasts or aperitifs as well as beautiful bathrooms and views of the 2ha park surrounding the château and the village beyond.

For extra privacy, opt for the quaint, two-bedroom, two-bathroom Vineyard House, perfect as a cosy bolthole in the winter with its open fire. In summer, look out over eye-level vines benefitting from the stunning sunset over the horizon.

Guests can either walk into the village of St-Emilion, or use electric bikes to cycle the short trip.

Tours, tasting and Michelin dining

Day visitors are also spoilt for choice. Immersive and family-friendly guided tours and tastings offer insights into the estate’s winemaking philosophy from grape to glass and provide a glimpse into the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into each bottle of Troplong Mondot. Guests can traverse the vines in an old Land Rover – passing horses who work the land instead of tractors – with wellies on hand in rainy weather. Kids are just as looked after too with their own wellies, miniature electric Land Rovers and activity books to keep them occupied while parents taste a range of the estate’s wines upstairs in the tasting room and on the deck overlooking the vineyards.

There is also an on-site shop selling wine, and estate-made produce including amazing honeys and chocolate sauces, as well as an area dedicated to the engraving of personalised bottles and wooden cases for gifts or keepsakes.

To satisfy culinary cravings, Château Troplong Mondot boasts an exceptional fine-dining experience at its one-Michelin-star restaurant, Les Belles Perdrix. Helmed by acclaimed head chef David Charrier and unbelievable pastry chef Adrien Salavert, the restaurant showcases the finest seasonal ingredients with meticulous attention to detail in a minimalist contemporary space. Diners are seated at tables with immersive views of the vines through floor-to-ceiling windows and of the rolling landscape from the outdoor terrace.

The encouragement and preservation of biodiversity is at the forefront of activities across the estate – not least in providing the restaurant with produce from the vegetable gardens, poultry and pig enclosures – but also to help the vineyards thrive. De Gironde and his team have ambitiously committed to carbon neutrality by 2050 with all electricity used generated sustainably by creating and burning pellets from removed vine shoots.

Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or simply seeking an idyllic retreat in the heart of Bordeaux‘s wine country, Château Troplong Mondot promises an unforgettable experience, where heritage, hospitality – and some of Bordeaux’s finest wines – come together in perfect harmony.

Château Troplong Mondot is located approximately 45 minutes by car from the city of Bordeaux. For further information, see the Château Troplong Mondot website.

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Tuscany is top of the travel wish-list for many wine lovers. From the romance of its rolling hills covered with sun-kissed vines, to the art and history of its ancient cities, Tuscany embodies the Italian idyll. And a visit to Villa La Massa will live up to every expectation.

Dating back to the 13th century, the villa became the summer residence of Florentine aristocrat Santi Landini in the 16th century. Later owned by a Catholic cardinal and Russian aristocracy, it first opened its doors as a hotel in 1953. Famous guests have included Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton; while David Bowie and Iman celebrated their wedding here in 1992, in the estate’s tiny chapel.

Luxury living

Today part of Villa d’Este Hotels, the property offers the kind of accommodation and service that would make Florentine aristocrats feel right at home. Nestled on the banks of the Arno River, just 20 minutes outside Florence, the estate includes a 10ha park and beautifully kept gardens, as well as an outdoor swimming pool and spa.

Its 54 elegantly appointed rooms and suites are spread across six buildings, including the original main house; guests can also hire one of the two private villas for a secluded break. The style throughout is classically Tuscan; think warm terracotta, wood, stone and relaxing earthy tones, but with an artful contemporary twist.

Stylish and restful, the generous rooms and suites are individually decorated – some with private balconies or terraces. Expect tall shuttered windows framed by luxurious drapes, plush velvet throws and cushions, and blissfully comfortable four poster or canopy beds with downy pillows and soft white linens.

A taste of Italy

You may never want to leave your room, but it’s worth venturing to Villa La Massa’s two restaurants, where culinary delights await. With its terrace overlooking the Arno, Il Verrocchio offers a seasonal fine-dining menu created by charming chef Stefano Ballarino. Dishes make use of fresh produce from the hotel’s kitchen garden and estate-produced extra-virgin olive oil.

The contemporary Italian menu may include juicy seared scallops with zucchini, black olives and puffed rice, followed by an indulgent primi of smoked butter spaghetti with shrimps and caper leaves or Parmigiana ravioli with prawns, oregano and smoked scamorza cheese. While secondi choices might range from swordfish saltimbocca to roasted guinea fowl with linseeds, black salsify and stuffed olives.

L’Oliveto Bistro, with its pretty poolside terrace, offers more casual fare. Top-quality Italian ingredients shine in simply prepared dishes bursting with flavour. Think panzanella Toscana, burrata with tomatoes and basil or beef carpaccio with Mugello black truffle; followed by spaghetti vongole, grilled sea bass with caponata or a thin crispy-based pizza.

Wines and vineyards

To accompany the food, Villa La Massa’s wine list champions Italian bottles – particularly those of producers from the local Chianti Rufina region. The 15th century wine cellar boasts an impressive selection of vintage Tuscan bottles and private tastings can be booked.

But if you’d rather visit the vines in person, bespoke winery tours can also be arranged by the hotel. The striking Antinori nel Chianto Classico winery is just a 30-minute drive away. But I ventured further into Radda-in-Chianti, to visit the boutique organic winery Colle Bereto.

With its 20ha of vines, the winery produces Chianti Classicos and two Super-Tuscans – Il Tócco and Il Cénno – alongside Colle B spumante, Colle E rosé and Albo Bianco. Enjoy a relaxed tasting of the whole range on the winery’s picturesque terrace, with views of the medieval town of Radda, accompanied by platters of local cheese and salumi.

Things to do

The hotel will arrange transfers and winery tours, but there are plenty more activities on offer. Foodies can go truffle-hunting in season or learn how to make fresh pasta, focaccia or pizza from scratch in one of Chef Ballarino’s fun cooking classes. Practise your mixology skills at glamorous Bar Mediceo. Or borrow one of the estate’s red Ferraris for an unforgettable drive through the winding streets of nearby picture-postcard villages.

To enjoy a more leisurely pace follow one of the scenic walking trails around the estate or linger in the beautiful Iris Gardens that celebrate the floral symbol of Florence. Villa La Massa is a member of the Grandi Giardini Italiani association, so horticulturists can also take advantage of private visits to other stunning gardens in the region – including Villa Marlia, which is usually closed to visitors.

Meanwhile the sights of Florence are just a 15-minute drive away; Villa La Massa operates a free shuttle service with hourly departures and pick-ups from Piazza di Santa Maria Soprarno. Spend an afternoon exploring the Uffizi Gallery, then return to the hotel for aperitivo on the terrace, Aperol Spritz in hand as the sun sets over the Tuscan hills. You’ll truly feel that you’re living la dolce vita.

Rates from: €550 (£473) for a Double Deluxe Room per night, including breakfast.

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Launched during the pandemic by family-owned wine company González Byass, the world’s first ‘Sherry hotel’ encompasses a collection of former cellar-worker cottages in the Old Town, and practically overlooks the 180-year-old Tío Pepe winery.

Nearby wineries and the city’s main sites attract guests all year round. You’ll find the ornate 17th-century grand cathedral opposite the hotel and the 11th-/12th-century Moorish alcázar fortress just down the street. A five-minute amble brings you to Jerez’s main thoroughfares packed with shops, restaurants, tapas bars and tabancos, the city’s hyper-local taverns known for Sherry served from casks. To dial into the rhythm of Jerez, catch a fiery flamenco show in the evening.

Balancing space, light and art

With the main staircase as a focal point, the property’s guest rooms, suites and communal areas are dispersed around romantic terraces and courtyards. High ceilings, graceful arches, organic textiles and whitewashed walls create space and light in the 27 elegantly appointed rooms.

Rooms range in size and view, with a few boasting private balconies and suites offering separate lounges: all feature original beamed ceilings, antique furniture and hand-selected artworks. Within the roomy bathrooms, you can rinse off the day’s heat in your walk-in rain shower and rehydrate parched skin with organic toiletries from Spanish brand Uvas Frescas. The beautifully manicured grounds feature a fountain surrounded by colourful bougainvillaeas and glossy-leaved orange trees.

On the roof, an expansive terrace replete with loungers and a dipping pool beckons guests from day to night. Potted banana palms accent the space, along with a handful of slingback chairs, umbrellas and tables. At sunset, staff man the bar, pouring Sherry, cocktails and wine while a live musician strums a Spanish guitar to complete the dreamy setting.

If you’re bent on fitness beyond city strolls, a compact gym off the rooftop should do the trick. You’ll find cardio equipment, free weights and mats for stretching and yoga.

For additional needs, ask the helpful staff at the front desk, which is open 24 hours a day. They’re happy to arrange on-site massages, restaurant reservations and tastings at Tío Pepe and nearby bodegas.

Wine and gastronomy

In the land of Andalucían cuisine, the restaurant’s gastronomic flair and deep wine cellar shine. Thanks to chef Alejandro Bazán, the hotel restaurant Pedro Nolasco holds its own in flavour and freshness against the city’s heavyweight newcomers, each with a Michelin star, Mantúa and Lú Cocina y Alma.

On a clear night, you’ll want a table on the terrace overlooking the cathedral. Start with a glass of Tres Palmas fino and a platter of glistening Jamón Ibérico de Bellota, or acorn-fed Iberian ham. Under the ‘life is sharing’ menu, try crunchy prawns with a perfectly poached egg wrapped in razor-thin pork jowl. Pork enthusiasts should carry on with a main dish of cochinillo asado or roast suckling pig in a mango-spiked sweet and sour palo cortado sauce. Otherwise, the gently charred octopus offers a taste of the nearby Gulf of Cadiz.

In the morning, the hotel serves breakfast in Pedro Nolasco’s quiet, leafy gardens. The menu includes coffee, freshly-squeezed orange juice, eggs cooked to order, local pastries and mollete bread paired with jamón and local cheese.

Save one afternoon for a winery tour, whether the introductory experience, a technical tasting or an in-depth look at VORS. Founded in 1835, Bodegas Tío Pepe remains one of Spain’s most prestigious Sherry wineries. To get there, look for the mural of the brand’s icon – a fino bottle donning a tilted red hat, jacket and guitar – which marks the trellised corridor. The basic tour ends with two glasses of Sherry and the lingering question of when you’ll return to Jerez.

For more information, visit Hotel Bodega Tío Pepe

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Nestled in the heart of Georgia‘s picturesque Kakheti wine region, the hotel is set in the grounds of the historic Chavchavadze estate (the 19th century palace, once home to Georgian royalty, is now a museum), and adjoins the Tsinandali Estate, one of the cradles of Georgian wine making and where the first Georgian wine was bottled in 1814.

Extensive renovations on the estate began in 2007 under the patronage of the Silk Road Group and the talents of architects John Fotiadis, Christina Gabas and Damien Figueras, along with industrial lighting designer Ingo Maurer and Georgian artist and sculptor Tamara Kvesitadze. Opening in 2018, the ultra-modern, 141-room, four-storey glass and greenery-covered hotel (30,000 trays of plants were used to create the ‘green wall’) has been cleverly designed to integrate with the original buildings and winery. Guests travel from near and far to experience wine tastings, tours of the nearby vineyards and ancient cellars housing a collection of more than 15,000 bottles and for an exploration of the winemaking process, gaining insights into the unique techniques employed at Tsinandali.

Guests are treated to sophisticated yet intimate accommodation options, each with contemporary Georgian designs and super-comfy kingsize beds as well as breathtaking views of local vineyards, forests and the Caucasus Mountains in the distance. The hotel boasts five different dining venues including an all-day restaurant opening onto a sunken courtyard, a Georgian restaurant with terrace and three bars. Guests can visit the Gaumarjos Wine Bar to sample locally-produced Tsinandali Estate wines as well as the sumptuous Library Bar with its full-size snooker table and cocktail menu.

Beyond eating and drinking, the hotel has two tennis courts, a revitalising spa and two swimming pools including an outdoor infinity swimming pool on the top-floor terrace looking onto the mountains. Guests can also enjoy the 18ha park complete with bicycle trails and tree-lined alleys. Originally landscaped by English designers, it was restored to its former glory as part of the renovations and contains more than 1,600 species of plants, a 100–year-old linden tree and Japanese maples. Be sure to visit the ‘wishing tree’ to adorn coloured ribbons representing success, love, marriage and health to the branches.

The hotel and wine estate frequently host cultural events, including art exhibitions, musical performances, and festivals in the on-site open-air amphitheatre for up to 1,200 guests. The annual Tsinandali Festival held in August/September is a celebration of music, art, promoting the language of classical music at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. In November 2023, the estate hosted the first Tsinandali Wine Symposium, showcasing – and raising awareness of – Georgian wines among the world’s most prestigious wine producers, with experts, journalists and wine industry representatives attending the three-day event.

Whether you seek relaxation, cultural enrichment, or a gastronomic adventure, the Radisson Collection Tsinandali hotel promises an unforgettable stay, providing a harmonious blend of luxury and authenticity in the heart of Georgia’s wine country.

The Radisson Collection Tsinandali is located in Tsinandali village, 15 minutes by road from Telavi and a two-hour drive from Tbilisi via the Gombori Pass.

See the Radisson Collection Tsinandali website for further details.

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In Bordeaux, it’s majestic chateaux. In the Douro Valley, steep schist terraces. In Chianti, gentle rolling hills. Every wine region has its photogenic charms, but in Stellenbosch dramatic landscapes sing with a painterly palette that verges on Impressionistic: craggy peaks that glow purple at dusk, jigsaw valley floor of green vines, crisp azure blue skies. It’s fitting then that this South African region is home to Delaire Graff, a vinous estate and hotel where the art is as esteemed as the wine.

Planted in the 1980s by South African wine critics John and Erica Platter, the estate was acquired by billionaire British jeweller Laurence Graff in 2003 after he fell in love with its remarkable panoramic views across the Banghoek Valley. As well as capitalising on the prime vineyard situation across the north face of Botmaskop Peak – ideally placed for turning out world-class wines – Graff set about making the estate a first-rate hospitality destination with a locally unrivalled arts programme.

Today, every corner of Delaire Graff is populated with works from its owner’s personal portfolio, from large-scale stone carving by Nicolas Moreton to charcoal drawings by William Kentridge and abstract sculpture by Anton Smit. Arguably the most eye-catching of pieces is set in the rambling landscaped grounds right outside the hotel: a majestic bronze cheetah by Dylan Lewis. It’s a celebration of the raw power and form of African wildlife, backdropped by the most picturesque of valley views.

The wine programme

One of Stellenbosch’s most respected names, Delaire Graff also turns out exceptional Bordeaux variety red wines and Chardonnays from its 17ha of terroir. The best way to discover these is over an afternoon in the Wine Lounge, where tutored tastings of three, four or five wines can skip you from the mineral-noted Banghoek Reserve Chardonnay to elegant Laurence Graff Reserve (a claret-style Cabernet Sauvignon) and honeyed Sunburst Noble Late Harvest.

You can pair your chosen line up with cheese and charcuterie here, but don’t fill up: to miss out on the broader culinary offering at Delaire Graff would be a shame. At Asian-inspired Hōseki restaurant pair sushi, tempura and robata grill offerings with an extensive range of Delaire Graff wines by the glass – or bottles of Mev Kirsten 2021 Chenin Blanc or Dom Pérignon Plénitude 2. Meanwhile in the bistro-style Delaire Graff Estate restaurant, free-range duck or Karoo Wagyu is washed down with the likes of Hartenberg Gravel Hill 2016 or Alto MPHS 2017.

And of course if you are keen to taste more of the local wines, you can easily strike out into the wider region, using Delaire Graff as your base. Of the 150 or so wineries in the area, many are just a few minutes’ drive away, including Tokara, Zorgvliet and well-known Boschendal.

Stay and spa

The wine and art alone is enough to satisfy day visitors, but the perks for overnighting guests at Delaire Graff come into play with the sublime accommodation. Spacious lodges with private pools and advantageous views over the valley are designed like stylish homely pads with comfortable seating area, wet bar and Bose music stations.

Also in the mix, an onsite spa boasts a 22m alfresco infinity pool and jacuzzi – as well as more art pieces by Deborah Bell and Ndikhumbule Ngqinambi – to enjoy alongside ILA and Augustinus Bader treatments. Or for a feel-good factor of another kind, ask a staff member to tell you more about the hotel’s sustainable initiatives, from the charitable For Africa’s Children Every Time (FACET) Foundation to the organic kitchen garden and wormery, or water-wise indigenous gardens. Either way, you’ll find a reason to want to linger a little bit longer.

See the Delaire Graff Estate website for further details.

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• Decanter’s Dream Destination: Kingsford The Barossa
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Think of Australian wine, and one region probably pops to mind: the Barossa. With its picturesque landscapes of lush vineyards and sun-baked stone farmhouses, this corner of free-settled South Australia isn’t the country’s oldest wine region but – thanks to a worldwide thirst for Aussie Shiraz – it’s definitely the most famous.

Home to respected names like Yalumba and Torbreck, Barossa has developed over the past 180 years from pastureland and bush to oenophile wonderland, with now more than 150 glossy wineries and 80 cellar doors welcoming visitors for tastings.

Built in 1856, Kingsford has been there to witness almost all of this vinous transformation. Originally a private home, today the property sets the gold standard for boutique regional accommodation, fusing history with sublime vintages – providing a real taste of Australia’s favourite wine region.

Heritage & innovation

When Lincolnshire man Stephen King left Britain in the mid-1800s to settle in South Australia, he couldn’t have known what Barossa was to become. The wealthy pastoralist and entrepreneur built his grand two-storey Georgian-inspired home on his sprawling land outside the settlement of Gawler – drafting in sandstone from Edinburgh for the exterior, a grand Gothic cedar staircase and cellars for storing local produce. For decades set among relatively sleepy landscapes, Kingsford was a watering point for coach parties passing through the region; you could almost consider it the original cellar door.

Fast-forward 167 years and Kingsford is now one of Barossa’s most appealing boutique hotels. Acquired by the locally rooted Ahrens family over a decade ago, it benefitted from a multi-million dollar rethink in 2020. Australian stonemasons crafted a sympathetic expansion, so among the original property’s Georgian elegance there are fresh draws: dedicated wine vaults, multiple bars, expanded accommodation. In the original homestead building, timeless suites in warm neutral hues largely come with chandeliers, Louis XVI-inspired chairs and floral prints. In the new wing, contemporary View Suites with minimalist furnishings feature floor-to-ceiling glass opening up to the Barossa landscape. It’s a judicious – and luxurious – blend of old and new that doesn’t compromise the property’s soul.

Discovering Barossa wine

Of course, for any Decanter reader, it will be the vinous programme that makes Kingsford especially appealing. You need only take a look at the newly built wine tunnel – home to a museum collection of Penfolds Grange and a complete line up of Henschke Hill of Grace – to know that it takes Barossa wine seriously.

Much of the liquid joy centres around meals in the main Orleana restaurant, where by-the-glass pours of local treasures meet native yabbies (a freshwater crayfish), Coffin Bay oysters and wagyu beef with a Langmeil Valley Floor Shiraz reduction. Though you can also enjoy tastings in a number of private dining spaces – including the original 1856 slate-floor cellar – or sip on something casually by the pool.

Once you’ve exhausted the vinous options on site, the rest of Barossa is at your disposal for discovery; and you’re really spoilt for choice in terms of proximity and quality. Rockford Wines, with its exceptional Basket Press Shiraz – made from vines aged between 60 and 140-plus years – is just a 20-minute drive away. Only 15 minutes away, historic Seppeltsfield (established just five years before Kingsford was built) has a centennial cellar where you can taste a 100-year-old tawny straight from the barrel. Even the lauded Penfolds is nearby, where in its grand environs you can try making your own wine blend or sample a precious sip of Grange.

Wine imbues every part of the Barossa Valley but make time for the region’s other pleasures and you’ll find the visit even more satisfying. Farmers’ markets bursting with fresh produce; fabulous restaurants like fermentAsian; hot air balloon rides. At Kingsford itself, join an ATV tour across the property’s historic 91ha or hike trails where kangaroos, kookaburras and parrots are spotted. Or just kick back in a ‘bush bath’ – an alfresco soak in a deep claw-footed tub, soundtracked by nature and accompanied by a cheese plate. Now, what would Mr King have thought of that?

For further information see Kingsford The Barossa

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• Decanter’s Dream Destination: Borgo San Vincenzo, Tuscany, Italy
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Named one of the best new hotels of the year in Travel + Leisure’s 2023 It List, this restored 18th-century borgo is the embodiment of ‘approachable luxury’. American owners and seasoned hoteliers Scott and Shannon Kircher also own a hotel in the Caribbean, where they pride themselves on offering a ‘barefoot luxury’ experience. You’ll find the same ‘at home’, relaxed and informal vibe here – the size (21 rooms and suites) gives it an intimate feel, pop music plays in the restaurant, and Shannon and Scott enjoy stopping to chat with guests.

Don’t be fooled though. The hotel, which opened its doors in September 2022, and is named after the patron saint of winemaking, offers a level of comfort and service, and attention to detail, to rival the most upmarket hotels in the region. It’s not as flashy as some Tuscan hotels, and given the smaller scale you won’t find a spa or a choice of restaurants, but what’s there is perfectly done, and aimed very much at the discerning wine lover.

Tuscan countryside chic

The accommodation and communal areas have been styled in a rustic fashion, with beams and exposed brickwork featuring heavily, and olive green and neutral tones. Tuscan countryside chic. The area itself is relaxed too, off the well-trodden Tuscan tourist trail but not too far removed.

We’re in the heart of the Montepulciano wine region, around 10 minutes from the town of the same name – UNESCO-recognised vineyard vistas stretch all around, particularly special viewed from the terrace with fire pit, drink in hand. The region, which has attracted investment from top names such as Antinori and Frescobaldi, is home to the famous Vino Nobile wines. Famous, but not as famous as Chianti or Brunello, point out the owners, who feel the region is sidelined even in wine courses specialising in Italy.

They’re passionate about introducing guests to local growers, and educating them in the wines of the area, and have linked up with the Wine Scholar Guild to provide a twice-yearly five-day ‘Tuscan Wine Week’, an opportunity for guests to learn about the wines of Montepulciano and the wider Tuscan region. The programme includes private tours and tastings, including visits to Montalcino, a five-course winemaker dinner, and a special session just on the wines of Montepulciano. Guests can dip in as they wish, paying for some or all of the activities.

Outside of the set Wine Weeks, winemaker dinners take place monthly, and the excellent concierge service can arrange visits to local growers as well as estates around Tuscany. Or guests can explore under their own steam, using the complimentary e-bikes for the closest wine estates. Boscarelli, just a stone’s throw away, has a working wine farm feel and a respected range of wines – don’t miss the straight Vino Nobile Riserva. Other estates open to tourists range from Avignonesi, which has an established hospitality programme, to La Combarbia, a one-man operation where the owner speaks no English but does receive visitors.

Explore local wines from your restaurant table

Beyond wine, guests can use the concierge service to book organic olive oil and pecorino cheese tastings at local farms, cooking and cocktail-making classes, and tours of the region by foot, horse, Vespa, or hot air balloon. Or if that all sounds too energetic, the pool deck is a suntrap, and just steps away from the glass-walled restaurant overlooking the gardens, Il Ciuchino, and the Flying Monk bar. You can always explore the wines of the area from your restaurant table – don’t miss the moreish white wine made from the rare Pulcinculo grape, found only in the Montepulciano region, or enjoy a wide choice of Tuscan reds with traditional dishes such as peposo, a hearty beef stew made with red wine and black pepper.

Franky, the talented and enthusiastic food and beverage director, has started working with the Coravin wine preservation system to provide a good line-up of by-the-glass options. He’s also planning wine flights, including verticals and themed groupings such as Sangiovese, in its red, white and rosé forms. He’s equally passionate about cocktails, and the list on offer at the bar includes classic serves alongside creative, seasonal craft cocktails. The goal is to make it the best bar between Rome and Florence, a destination in its own right.

It’s an attitude that permeates the whole hotel. Only in its second proper season, and as unshowy as it is, Borgo San Vincenzo is already making a name for itself, and on the evidence of recognition already won, it will only help bring more attention to the wines and estates of this lesser-known part of Tuscany.

See the Borgo San Vincenzo website for more details.

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It’s simultaneously one of Europe’s most ancient winemaking regions – and one of its most up-and-coming. And yet, for whatever reason, Croatia is perhaps not the first holiday destination to come to mind for the vinous traveller. But the appeal of the sun-soaked Istrian peninsula, circled in blue Adriatic Sea, becomes abundantly obvious when you check into Meneghetti Wine Hotel. Set just inland from a west-facing coast flecked with beach, ancient Roman ruins and vineyards aplenty, the secluded Relais & Châteaux estate dishes up both old-world charm and an exciting wine offering; including bottles crafted onsite. Dare we say it, who needs Italy or France?

Indulge on the ground

On the approach to Meneghetti – via its pin-straight, tree-lined drive – you might momentarily imagine that you’ve landed in Tuscany. Manicured vines radiate outwards amid bushy patches of gnarled olive trees. Rigid cypresses flank stone farmhouse buildings with terracotta roofs. But though the Italian border is less than a two-hour drive away, this is firmly Croatia. Here Malvasia Istriana grapes dominate in a range of styles – from zesty and floral to oak-aged and honeyed – while red grape Teran reaches tannic, inky depths.

Meneghetti was designed to celebrate the region’s long wine history. Vineyards encircle the estate and, by the pool, rows of ripening grapes are in view when you relax with a good book. Likewise, you’ll see them from the grounds of the private villas, which exude a rustic but sophisticated Provençal-style mood. Elsewhere, green vines creep across the stone exterior of farm-style buildings, and wind over pergolas.

Of course, the proof is in the pudding, and there is ample opportunity to drink the fruits of the vineyard too. Meneghetti’s own wines, born from the stone- and iron-rich terra rossa soils, are showcased in the design-forward cellars. Book in for a vertical tasting, sampling reds from 2009 onwards, or take things more relaxed, sipping golden-hued Malvasia with a charcuterie board on the terrace. Do try the olive oil, too, which has won plaudits from Flos Olei, one of the most respected expert olive oil guides.

Food is another highlight. Daytime relaxed affairs unfold at Oliveto, where sea bass ceviche and burrata with prosciutto are plated up under umbrellas overlooking the vines. Come evening, a refined tasting menu takes centre stage at the main restaurant, as diners parade through the likes of ravioli with black truffle; crispy egg with wild asparagus and caviar; braised beef cheek with polenta. All washed down, of course, with a considered wine list that features not only an excellent back catalogue of Meneghetti wines but a vast range of fine European bottlings. Take your pick from Château Lafite Rothschild 1990, or a red from neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Explore beyond

From its ancient Greek winemaking roots – via the Yugoslavian era, which largely quashed quality – Istria has newly emerged to be one of the Mediterranean’s most exciting vinous pockets, particularly for white wines. And the visitor experience is growing in reputation too. Between a half-hour and hour’s drive north of the hotel, a glut of options awaits for a day of tastings.

At Kozlović Winery, founded in 1904, indigenous varietals such as Malvasia Istriana, Teran and Momjan Muscat rule, with tastings held alfresco on warm days. Further south at Matošević, old Malvasia vines perched on hilltops above the sea provide a different profile. Or try long-established Kabola Winery, an organic producer running the gamut from sparklings to sweet wines.

Beyond the grape, take time to enjoy Istria’s other pleasures too. To the south in Pula, a remarkable Roman-era amphitheatre towers above the coast. Inland, deep caves welcome cool, adventurous exploring. And in opulent Opatija, regal Habsburg villas line the waterfront, a scene so photogenic it’ll have you instantly contemplating a return visit to Croatia.

For more information, visit the Meneghetti Wine Hotel website.

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The Douro river is the beating heart of Portugal’s Port wine region. Terraced vineyards are planted on its steep valley slopes and for centuries it was used to transport barrels from the wineries downstream to the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia for ageing. So there’s no better way to get acquainted with the region than by visiting the river. And there’s no better place to experience the river than Octant Douro.

Built into the hillside terraces of Castelo de Paiva in the lower Douro and stretching right down to the river bank, this hotel is part of Octant Hotels, a collection of eight boutique, design-led properties across Portugal. Conveniently located between the city of Porto and the vertiginous vineyards of the upper Douro, it makes a perfect base for exploring the Douro Valley – which celebrates its 20th anniversary as a UNESCO World Heritage Site this year.

Bringing the outside in

The stunning scenery is an integral part of the hotel’s design. Constructed from schist stone and glass, it blends into the landscape, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering different vistas from every corner you turn. Take a dip in either of the two outdoor infinity pools and you’ll instantly feel at one with nature.

Each of the 55 luxurious rooms and six suites has stunning river views, many with a private terrace or balcony, including a private pool suite and a panoramic suite to maximise those Instagram-worthy moments. Design in neutral shades contributes to the sense of calm – especially in the hotel’s spa. Here the indoor pool and sauna again benefit from full-length windows so you can soak up the views as you relax or enjoy a bespoke treatment.

Take to the water

If you’d prefer to unwind closer the water – and step back in time – book a boat-trip in Octant I. This carefully restored rabelo boat pays homage to the cargo vessels once used to convey barrels and people along the Douro. Guests can also hire private boats to explore the twists and turns of the 897km river; a morning tour includes a picnic breakfast of fresh local produce on a secluded island.

Hire a kayak to explore the river under your own steam. Electric bikes are also available if you’d prefer to stay on dry land; or put your best foot forward on hiking trails that head up into the mountains surrounding the hotel.

But of course, you’re here for the wines too, so save time to visit local producers. Hotel staff can arrange winery visits and tastings – it takes around an hour-and-a half to drive to the heart of the Douro’s vineyard region along winding roads, but it’s a trip worth making.

Wine and dine

Octant Douro champions both regional wine and food producers on its menus, embracing the concept of localism by sourcing ingredients from nearby organic farms. The hotel’s ‘Producer Week’ series invites different winemakers to visit the hotel to give tutored tastings; while chef Dárcio Henriques prepares an accomplished six course fine-dining menu, pairing their wines with dishes in the elegant Raiva restaurant – an ideal location to savour the sunset as you dine.

Visiting wineries have included Real Companhia Velha, the oldest wine company in Portugal, and iconic Quinta do Noval. On our visit, Ports from fifth-generation family producer Vieira de Sousa took centre stage. Pairings included rosé Port with an eye-catching beetroot and radish carpaccio garnished with edible flowers; and extra dry white Port with zucchini flower stuffed with turbot and shrimp.

In fact the hotel has over 150 Port references on its list, including vintage bottles such Quinta do Noval Nacional 1963, selections from Niepoort and notable single-quinta wines such as Croft’s Quinta da Roeda 2012. Look out for top Douro table wines too: bottles such as icon red Chryseia 2019 from Prats & Symington and Casa Ferreirinha Barca Velha 2011. For more local flavour drop into one of the tastings hosted by the hotel’s sommeliers daily at 5pm in English and Portuguese.

The more casual A Terra Bar & Canteen serves salads, risotto and cheese and meat platters, plus wood-fired pizzas. The peaceful terrace overlooking the Douro is a perfect spot to enjoy a Portonic and go with the flow… But however you spend your time here, you won’t fail to fall in love with this unique Portuguese wine region during your stay.

See the Octant Duoro website for further details.

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The salty Bay of Biscay and its chilly waters stretch as far as the eye can see from the floor-to-ceiling windows and terraces of Akelarre Hotel. Located on Monte Igueldo, at San Sebastián’s western edge, this breathtaking hotel is composed of minimalist stone-clad cubes.

It was designed by the Spanish firm Mecanismo with two goals in mind. Soak up the gorgeous natural surroundings and create an oasis where guests can taste the best of its produce.

Akelarre began as, and remains, one of Basque Country’s most influential restaurants. Chef Pedro Subijana was a founding member of a group of young, idealistic Basque chefs that created the nueva cocina vasca. This culinary movement later went on to inspire Spain’s contemporary cuisine. Pedro continues in the kitchen to this day, while his daughter Oihana runs the hotel – a family affair.

Food and drink

Hotel guests get the best tables at the emblematic restaurant, which has held three Michelin stars for the last 15 years. Choosing between the two tasting menus (€270pp) is easy, because both feature impressive innovations and hyper-local dishes – like the famous Basque micro-sized teardrop peas that pop in your mouth like caviar. Oteiza is the property’s more casual restaurant with a menu of refined Basque classics – perfect for a lighter dinner.

Choosing your pairing from the wine cellar, however, is slightly more challenging, thanks to rows and rows of historic vintages – about 10,000 bottles in total. Spanish wines are 75% of the menu, so guests can take a fascinating tasting tour through the best of Spain.

Gems include G-1200, a rare natural Basque Txakoli from boutique winemaker Jon Goenaga and Fondillón Brotons Gran Reserva 1964, a rare oxidative Monastrell from Alicante. Not to mention classic Riojas, such as CVNE Viña Real Reserva Especial 1951.

Beside the sea

All of the 22 sleekly modern rooms have the same jaw-dropping unobstructed ocean view at Akelarre. The two sprawling Ocean Suites feature a floor-to-ceiling marble-clad plunge pool for better contemplation of the infinite waterline.

The Getariako Txakolina wine region encompasses the coastal area around San Sebastián, meaning that its rows of Hondarrabi Zuri grapes get a constant dose of salty sea breezes and precipitation from these waters. The resulting Txakoli wine is effervescent, with a touch of saltiness, made mostly in family-size wineries that are lovely to visit.

The concierge team has a direct line with many of these wineries – and a tasting tour makes for the perfect day trip to nearby Getaria, a gem of a village. Pop into Txakoli Rezabal, home to one of the few rosé Txakolis made in the area, run by rock-and-roll couple Mireya and Ander Rezabal. Or take a tour of Gaintza Txakolina, where the fourth generation keeps tradition going, crafting this Basque wine by fermenting at low temperatures to preserve the fizzy carbonic bubbles.

Take a car or taxi to the wineries, or splurge on an exclusive helicopter ride that can take you from door to door. Akelarre’s helipad is the perfect launching point for a tour of the coast (starting at €215 for a 20-minute tour). Or take to the sky for a ride to Asador Etxebarri, the world’s third best restaurant according to The World’s Fifty Best Restaurants awards. Table and tasting menu are included in the price (starting at €2,648) – not too shabby considering it is by far the toughest reservation in Basque Country.

Get active or relax?

If helicopter isn’t your style, step out of the hotel’s front door onto the legendary Camino de Santiago and hike your way to nearby picturesque villages and vineyards. The Camino del Norte route is one of the most gorgeous hikes in the world, and this stretch is conveniently sprinkled with traditional Basque grill houses. Stop for a snack at Asador Nikolás or Xixario in Orio.

The spa at Akelarre oozes relaxation – featuring sleek oak with zen minimalist design, a steamy marble hammam, sauna and a relaxation zone with floor to ceiling glass. Entry is included with the room. The perfect day at Akelarre ends with a cocktail in the sprawling terrace, with low-lying seating areas and a bar run by San Sebastián’s best mixologist.

More than just another luxurious stay, Akelarre is a chance to be invited into the home of one of the most influential families in Basque cuisine and taste the best it has to offer.

For more information, visit the Akelarre website.

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To call the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni an icon of Lake Como is to almost undersell its gilt-edged status. For 150 years – more than 100 of them under the stewardship of the Bucher family, who still own and operate it today – this palatial grande dame has dominated the lakefront of picturesque Bellagio, drawing the crème-de-la-crème of aristocracy, politicians and film stars.

The likes of Winston Churchill, JFK and FDR have graced the rambling suites overlooking the mountain-backed lake. Personalities such as Douglas Fairbanks, Al Pacino and Monica Bellucci have dined under a swirl of frescoed angels in its vast breakfast room or sipped spritzes by the piano in the gilded marble-columned lounge.

Bucher family members work tirelessly to keep the hotel looking fresh, from the hand-stitched Como silk duvets to the shimmering Murano glass chandeliers. Service is as polished as the exquisite silverware. The wine cellar is stacked with treasures. While the rest of the world rushes by in a blur of tech and modernity, within these walls time stands blissfully still.

Food and wine

The bedrooms are every bit as opulent as you’d hope – particularly the pair of presidential suites. The one occupied by Churchill boasts the remnants of a historic chapel, alongside antique wood furniture and oil paintings. But for gourmands the real appeal of a stay at Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni is in the culinary programme.

Lunches of freshly landed lake fish can be enjoyed at an eatery overlooking the pool. Meanwhile casual evenings feature bergamot-infused spritzes on the open-air terrace. They’re accompanied by a parade of crafted canapés featuring king crab, lobster and caviar.

The pièce de resistance, however? The central glass-lined terrace Mistral Restaurant, overlooking the lake in all its glory. Here white-suited waiters deliver a precise tasting menu from chef Ettore Bocchia. His menus feature ethically produced Spanish foie gras from Eduardo Sousa, the hotel’s signature peacock tortellini (it may sound unusual, but it’s delicious) and expertly cooked turbot.

The wine list contains a number of exciting listings such as Col d’Orcia Brunello di Montalcino 1990, Antinori Pian delle Vigne Brunello di Montalcino 1995 and Cappellano Otin Fiorin Piè Rupestris Barolo 1998. But you can also ask the sommelier to explore more local Lombardy selections.

These include affordable reds from La Costa, such as San Giobbe Pinot Nero 2019. Or, for something truly unique, Luca Bellani’s organic Apnea Calata. This Pinot Nero spumante brut is harvested outside Milan and aged in the depths of Lake Como, where waves naturally riddle the bottles.

Out and about

Lombardy is home to some of northern Italy’s most beautiful landscapes, so it’s not hard to find appeal beyond the grounds of Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni. Should you fancy a wine-based expedition, the hotel’s concierge can arrange a trip to the aforementioned La Costa to sample the full range – from the fresh Solesta Terre Lariane IGT white blend to the sticky Calido Muscat. They’ll arrange transfers to winery Nino Negri too, an hour and a half away in Lombardy’s Valtellina, where Nebbiolo takes focus.

Closer to home in Bellagio, experiences abound on the lake. Hire a polished wood Venetian-style boat for a zip along the blue, taking in the full splendour of the lakefront towns from the water and journeying towards landmark Villa del Balbianello. If it looks familiar, that’s because it has appeared in both Casino Royale and Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones.

In Bellagio itself, there are cobbled streets full of boutiques and the manicured waterside botanical garden of Villa Melzi d’Eril. By the time you’ve finished, you’ll have earned your downtime back at the hotel. Chill out on the palm-studded beach terrace, where direct access to the lake waters allows for cooling dips in the height of summer.

Nightly rates at Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni start from €577 for a Classic Park View Room. For more information, visit the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni website.

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With a jealously guarded reputation as the world’s most famous sparkling wine, Champagne has long been one of the most valuable assets of the global luxury goods industry. It can, however, be easy to forget that Champagne is a wine to be enjoyed rather than a passport to a more exclusive way of living.

How refreshing, then, to find a new hotel in the north-east French region that places the emphasis on landscape rather than luxury.

The Loisium Wine & Spa Hotel Champagne opened in August 2022 in the village of Mutigny, up the hill from Aÿ. It is the first French property for a Vienna-based hospitality group that already operates a pair of Loisium hotels in the Austrian wine country of Langenlois and Südsteiermark.

Here in Champagne, a 101-room hotel has been sensitively blended into the wooded slopes of the Montagne de Reims using natural materials, with oak walls and black marble floors inside. External walls are clad in poplar, while huge windows at every turn provide a panorama of the Marne Valley to the Côte des Blancs.

Exploring the region

Arriving by car is the obvious way to explore Champagne’s scattered villages and vineyards. But given Loisium’s emphasis on sustainability, don’t discount the train. Guests can be collected by the hotel’s limousine transfer (around €80) from Champagne-Ardenne TGV station 32km away in Reims, or take the more leisurely TER line to nearby Epernay. Both services depart from Paris Gare de l’Est, a five-minute walk from the Eurostar terminal at the Gare du Nord.

Once settled in at Loisium, it’s a gentle stroll downhill to the village of Avenay-Val-d’Or. Here you’ll have the opportunity to taste the wines of small maisons little-known outside France, such as the father-and-daughter owned Champagne Laurent-Gabriel.

Back at the hotel, chill any purchases in the ice bucket thoughtfully provided in each comfortably functional guest room. You can sip away on the window seat while gazing over a sea of vineyards (suites come with a balcony).

Tours and tastings

Visitors new to Champagne might try a two-hour food and wine pairing of three cuvées led by Loisium’s wine team. Though arguably the best place to learn about the history of this iconic sparkling wine is on the comprehensive tour of the cellars at Moët & Chandon on Epernay’s Avenue de Champagne. Break up a saunter along the grand 0.8km long street, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with tastings in the courtyards of some of the biggest names in Champagne.

To get more of a feel for how the wine connects to the vines, there are guided tours from Loisium in open-top electric SUVs. Explore the villages and vineyards of Mutigny and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, as well as the abbey of Hautvillers, where Dom Pérignon was a monk and cellar master.

For something more energetic, the hotel prepares picnics to fuel a bike ride along Véloroute 52, the Paris to Strasbourg cycle path that runs along the Marne river and through the Montagne de Reims Regional Natural Park.

If Champagne’s famously unpredictable weather puts pay to the exploring, the hotel’s spa has a pool with both indoor and outdoor access. It also boasts a sauna, steam room and treatment rooms for herbal face and body rituals from Saint Charles Apothecary. There are loads of loungers, too, both inside and out. Just the spot for a light bite from the spa bar and, of course, a glass of Champagne.

Wine and dine

Each of the three Loisium properties is designed to act as a showcase for local wine producers. With over 4,000 bottles of Champagne displayed throughout the hotel, this is somewhere that takes the wines of the region seriously. Start the evening (or afternoon) in the Champagne bar, Les Bulles, where 40% of the wines on the list come from smaller producers.

Wine and Champagne matching is the speciality of the hotel’s L’Horisium Brasserie, where ingredients are sourced from within a 65km radius – though without any sense of being slavishly tied to local tradition.

Ardennes pigs’ feet are turned into crispy cromesquis and served with grape mustard, tarragon and red cabbage. While to follow there might be Reims ham cooked au gratin and accompanied by a salad of young red endive and fine herbs. Vegetarian options such as ancient wheat penne with summer truffle, Chaource soft cheese, walnuts and croutons are no less considered.

The kitchen might not yet have the reputation of the more famous, Michelin-awarded chefs in Champagne but with vineyards everywhere one looks, few dining rooms in the area have such a strong sense of terroir. With further wine-focused properties planned for France, Loisium’s star is in the ascendent.

B&B rates start at €259. Check the Loisium website for availability.

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The conical volcano mount Pico dominates the remote, 48km-long Azorean island that takes its name. In fact the highest peak in Portugal (2,531m) makes such an imposing backdrop – not to mention the dazzling azure Atlantic Ocean to the fore – that it’s easy to miss one of the Azores’ most ambitious wine tourism projects.

The Azores Wine Company opened its minimalist winery, cellar door, restaurant and hotel in 2021. Discreetly clad in black basalt rock, hewn from the lava-bed of mount Pico, the building is almost subsumed within the gentle folds of the rolling volcanic slopes.

It sits surrounded by a chequerboard network of thousands of small walled vineyards, built to protect vines from wind and sea spray, which are known locally as currais. This intricate and distinctive vineyard landscape was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2004.

A sense of place

The project was founded by winemaker António Maçanita and Filipe Rocha, former director of the Azores School of Tourism & Hospitality. Like the duo’s revolutionary wines, the hotel and restaurant showcase Pico’s volcanic and oceanic terroir with terrific verve, finesse and impeccable attention to detail.

As functional as it is stylish, the building’s naturally sloping roof draws on the vernacular – specifically the island’s vineyard water tanks. It also serves a similar purpose: harvesting around 1,500,000 litres of water per year that can be used to water the vines.

Wine has been produced in Pico since the 15th century. The currais are peppered with a few surviving adegas – a type of rustic man cave, where locals would eat and drink with friends, not just make wine.

The adega at Azores Wine Company is built on a different scale however, with five sophisticated studio apartments, a two-bedroom apartment, cellar door and restaurant. Still, intimacy is the goal.

Rest and relaxation

Guests are invited to gather around the fire pit in the inner cloister. They can share plates at the open kitchen’s U-shaped dining counter or indulge in six- or seven-course wine pairing menus at the eye-catching boulder-cleft chef’s table.

Each guest room has an ocean vista and its own terrace. Inside, stylish charred-wood finish carpentry echoes the stark black basalt volcanic landscape. Luxurious Burel blankets dial up the warmth, whilst the extra-large beds promise an ultra-comfortable night’s sleep after a day spent hiking up mount Pico.

Other guest activities on offer include walking the island’s heritage trails and wild swimming. The Azores is also one of the world’s top destinations for whale-watching.

Food and wine

Of course the greatest comfort of all is to be found upstairs in the restaurant, where dynamic young couple chef José Diogo and Inês Vasconcelos, who looks after front of house, deftly draw on their experience at top kitchens in Europe and Asia.

The menu makes good use of the rich bounty of fresh, local produce from the Azores archipelago: from the vineyard to the distant pastures of Faial and São Jorge islands and the glittering ocean between.

Moresish caramelised Rainha do Pico butter is served with local bread. Whilst an exquisite amuse bouche of São Jorge cheese crisp is dressed with nasturtium and bonito and pumpkin flakes. Elegantly sauced or garnished catch of the day might include limpets, amber-jack, snapper or lobster tail.

Share small plates at the counter or sample a cheese platter at the cellar door, while you enjoy a rare opportunity to taste the Azores Wine Company’s range: from the entry level Vulcânico label to its miniscule production flagship cuvées and 10-year-old Licoroso.

Wines from Maçanita’s eclectic Fita Preta label from Alentejo are also on offer, while themed wine pairing menus include an innovative ‘Islands’ head-to-head between Portugal, Spain and Italy.

The restaurant and cellar door are open to the public by appointment. For more information, visit antoniomancita.com.

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More than 20 years after opening their celebrated Bordeaux spa hotel, Les Sources de Caudalie – set within the vineyards of Château Smith Haut Lafitte – owners Alice and Jérôme Tourbier decided it was time for a sequel. But for some, the location might have come as a surprise…

The French hoteliers didn’t head to the lauded domaines of Burgundy, or the hallowed vineyards of Champagne. Instead they went to the forests and wetlands of the Sologne, a comparatively unsung corner of the Loire Valley. But as soon as you visit, you’ll understand the magic the couple saw in the place that would become Les Sources de Cheverny.

The 49-room, village-like property is set across the 18th-century former Château de Breuil and a neighbouring farm estate. It’s immersed in a landscape of grasses, woodlands, wetlands and vineyards. The estate’s 45ha are the vision of rural tranquillity – but with the added benefit of sophisticated indulgences, including Michelin starred food, fine wine and a spa.

Chic design

While many hotels successfully combine old with new, Les Sources de Cheverny really does it with aplomb. Polished parquet floors meet contemporary pastel palettes and elegant dried flower installations. Retro farm buildings mesh with Scandi-style mid-century-modern furniture and leafy motifs.

Even if you don’t post on social media, you will find it hard to resist snapping pics of its eye-catching dimensions, including the lobby’s minimalist leather chairs and abstract tapestry, as well as the small chapel.

Choose between 13 rooms in the historic château – if you don’t mind some quirky layouts and atmospherically creaky floors. Or opt for one of the new wood cottages, scattered around a bird-watching lake, by grasses and orchards. The pinnacle? Le Baron Perché, a stilted suite on the lake itself, complete with a private alfresco hot tub and panoramic views.

Relaxed days

Wine and spa: it’s a match made in heaven. Or at least that’s the thinking at the Les Sources hotels. Like its sister property in Bordeaux, Les Sources de Cheverny works with French grape-based brand Caudalie, so treatments feature antioxidant grape extract oils or exfoliating Cabernet grape seeds.

When you aren’t on the massage table, you can be appreciating the spa facilities, largely based out of the château. They include a 23m window-lined indoor pool space and an outdoor barrel hot tub and pool, a short walk away.

Or simply immerse yourself in the rich wilderness of the Sologne. There are farm animals on site: miniature goats, chickens and horses, plus hives with honeybees. Walking trails weave through forest and by vineyard. Or hop on one of the hotel bikes to cycle the 20 minutes into Cheverny village, home to another historic château, designed for touring.

Food and wine

Despite its intimate nature, Les Sources de Cheverny boasts two dining options: Michelin star restaurant Le Favori, headed by chef Frédéric Calmels, and the more casual Auberge. At the latter you’ll enjoy set menus starring local goat’s cheese or roasted pork loin with cabbage – washed down with a strong local wine selection including local Loire favourites Vouvray, Chinon and Menetou-Salon.

But arguably the most exciting local wine is developing in the nearby vineyards. White cuvée La Grand’Vigne is made in conjunction with Philippe Tessier, and new rows of local variety Romorantin (a sibling of Chardonnay) have been planted for increased future production.

A short drive or cycle will bring you to some other interesting wineries. As well as Tessier’s vines, Cour-Cheverny itself is home to biodynamic Domaine des Huards. Further afield in Vouvray, popular Domaine Huet does a range of fabulous Chenin Blanc wines. Meanwhile, family-owned Domaine de la Chevalerie in Bourgueil produces lively biodynamic Cabernet Franc. You’re spoiled for choice; so come thirsty.

For more information visit www.sources-cheverny.com

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There’s definitely something about lazing in the lap of luxury that makes savouring an elegant Grenache even more delicious… I’m surrounded by vines that wind up and over hills, watching them catch the glow of a setting sun while nibbling homemade fudge and honey biscuits. It’s a Thing of Beauty – as is my Tscharke Barossa Valley red.

While Shiraz is king in the Barossa Valley, Grenache has always shone in the background – ever since the first settlers brought bush vines from Prussia in the 1830s. The locals like to say: ‘Grenache delivers what Pinot promises.’

My magic moment is one of many I’m enjoying at The Louise, a luxury boutique lodge that makes guests feel comfortable and spoiled. It’s a star in one of Australia’s most famous wine regions.

All around the resort is a rich tapestry of colours and textures – vines that stretch to the horizon past gum-studded pockets of Aussie bushland. To the west, sunsets throw orange and purple into the sky. It’s spectacular from the pool.

Local heroes

The Louise also has impressive neighbours. Just across the road is Tscharke Wines and The Protagonist wine bar, plus Seppeltsfield Road Distillers (for a sneaky G&T).

Torbreck Vintners and David Franz Cellardoor are around the corner. While along palm-lined Seppeltsfield Road, past Two Hands, Izway and Hentley Farm is historic Seppeltsfield.

If it’s a famous Penfolds Grange or Henschke Hill of Grace that has drawn you to the Barossa, they are just minutes away.

A stylish stay

The Louise has had a few facelifts in its time, but nothing as dramatic as its latest transformation. The style is southern European with an earthy touch of Tuscany. Now part of the Baillie Lodges and Luxury Lodges of Australia families, it boasts a calming, understated elegance.

Each of the 15 villa-sized suites here offers a complete escape. They’re helped by three private courtyards, one at the entrance, my happy place facing the vines and an outdoor bathroom.

You’ll notice the attention to detail from the already lit fireplace to a minibar/coffee station stocked with local offerings (included in the price). The Louise also has its own brand of beautiful toiletries – and there’s even a TV in the bathroom.

The staff are impeccable. There’s no ‘falling over you’ – that’s just not Australian. But they will make your stay memorable for all the right reasons.

Food and wine

Dinner in Appellation restaurant is a highlight. Executive chef Asher Blackford features kitchen garden picks in a five-course degustation menu. Dishes can be matched with local wines and are served with stories of the producers.

Kingfish ceviche, tapioca saltbush and kimchi beignet snacks start the delicious journey – with no cutlery, ‘because it forces people to relax and lose the pretence’, says Blackford.

Our first feast includes beetroot-wrapped sheep feta then quail, lamb rump and ricotta with rhubarb and honeycomb.

Wine pairings offer a glimpse of the 40 grape varieties found in the Barossa. Our selection included: O’Leary Walker Hurtle Sparkling Pinot Noir-Chardonnay NV; Yelland & Papps Single Vineyard Roussanne; Cirillo Estate 1850 Ancestor Vine Grenache Rosato; Izway Mates Aglianico; and David Franz Sticky Botrytis Semillon.

Exclusive experiences

One of the most impressive things about The Louise is its connections. Want to taste 100-year-old tawny from Seppeltsfield – the only winery in the world with premium fortified wines set aside every year since 1878?

How about a private underground cellar tasting at Tscharke or Yalumba – Australia’s oldest family-owned winery? 

You can take the St Hugo & Riedel Glass Masterclass, eat breakfast with kangaroos or make your own perfume at Vasse Virgin. Or you can be chauffeured around with Barossa Bespoke Tours.

All you have to do is ask Louise…

For more information visit www.thelouise.com.au

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In the most basic sense, Babylonstoren is a 17th century Cape Dutch farm that has been converted into a hotel, spa and winery. But that simplistic description doesn’t do justice to this special place, set in the beautiful Franschhoek Valley.

Just a 45-minute drive east of Cape Town, billionaire proprietors Koos Bekker and Karen Roos – who also own a UK outpost, The Newt in Somerset – have created a wine lovers’ destination that is far more than the sum of its parts.

There are vast acreages of manicured gardens, farm-to-fork dining with hyper-seasonal produce and a newly opened wine museum. While chic villas let you wake to views of Simonsberg mountain, Babylonstoren is the luxurious paradigm of a Cape Winelands estate. No question: this place will get under your skin.

A rich wine history

Wine has always been a major part of Babylonstoren’s story. After all, this is the Western Cape, home to esteemed vineyards producing everything from local Pinotage to Bordeaux red blends. The estate has grown grapes since the 1690s.

Today’s winemaking team, headed by Klaas Stoffberg, uses a state-of-the-art winery to turn out a core range of 10 bottlings. They range from peachy Viognier to brioche-noted Méthode Cap Classique Chardonnay. Behind the scenes, Stoffberg experiments with the likes of amphora and cement fermenters to make small batch, limited-release wines for the estate’s wine club members.

Stoffberg is in good company in the region. Babylonstoren’s doorstep is littered with big wine names from Franschhoek and Stellenbosch – many within 15-20 minutes’ drive of the hotel. Head to Delaire Graff Estate to wander its sculpture-studded gardens and sample its bold Cabernet Sauvignon. Visit Spier Wine Farm to savour a tangy Sauvignon-Sémillon. Or what about Black Elephant Vintners for an innovative music and wine pairing?

When you’ve returned to home base at Babylonstoren, enjoy a flight of seven wines, tour the cellar, then explore the newly opened onsite wine museum, The Story of Wine.

On the menu

Despite the impressive nature of its wines, the estate’s 94ha of vineyards are only part of the agricultural picture at Babylonstoren. First-class olive oils and rooibos teas are also produced here, and there are bountiful fruit orchards, vegetable patches, cycads, protea and fynbos. Not to mention hens and cows. In short, the rambling grounds – around 200ha in total – are a veritable horticultural rainbow.

With such rich offerings of produce, it’s only natural that good fresh food features in a Babylonstoren stay. The onsite Babel restaurant, set in a refurbished cow shed, serves up whatever is in season in the garden.

That could be heirloom cucumbers, sweetcorn or peaches. Breakfast features eggs from the hens, while meat from estate-reared Chianina cattle is dry-aged in the salt room before starring in lunches and dinners.

It’s not just about the restaurants, either. Part of what gives Babylonstoren its cache is its comprehensive farm shop. It attracts visitors both local and far-flung for its butchery, handmade dairy products, bakery and ‘lekker’ (sweets) room. Regular cookery or gardening workshops let you produce your own nut butter, blend herbal teas or make pasta, too.

Rest and relax

When you aren’t eating or drinking, there are other kinds of hedonistic pleasures in store for guests: namely an excellent spa. Babylonstoren recently launched a new ‘hot spa’, featuring vitality pools, a hammam and a rasul mud treatment room. This is in addition to its existing regime of bamboo stick massages and anti-ageing facials.

True to its roots, the accommodation at Babylonstoren is set in Cape Dutch-style architecture. But here historic doesn’t mean staid. Owner Roos is the former editor of ELLE Decoration South Africa, so reimagined former farm buildings put style at the forefront.

Classic white-washed exteriors meet floor-to-ceiling glass to let in the light, alongside plush minimalist furnishings. Curl up in front of a roaring fire with a book from the tome-stacked shelf, with a glass of Babylonstoren’s delicate Mouvèdre Rosé in hand, and you’ll feel like all’s right with the world.

For more information visit babylonstoren.com

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An oasis of calm, charm and fine wine awaits at this historic property set on the world-renowned Santa Rita Wine Estate.

Situated at the foot of the Andes Mountains in Alto Jahuel in the Maipo Valley – an area known for producing some of Chile’s best Cabernet Sauvignons – Casa Real occupies a privileged position just 40 minutes southeast of the country’s capital Santiago.

Founded in 1880 by businessman Domingo Fernández Concha, Santa Rita is one of the oldest and longest-standing wineries in Chile.

The estate’s original hacienda, now a luxury boutique hotel, was Domingo’s summerhouse and came adorned with a Neo-Gothic chapel (both of which were designed by German architect Theodor Burchard) as well as 40 hectares of stunning park land (one of the largest and best preserved in central Chile) designed by leading French landscape gardener Guillaume Renner.

Both the 19-century, Pompeian-style building and the sprawling, luscious green gardens filled with ancient sequoia and palm trees, flowers, herb gardens, boxwood labyrinths, a lagoon, a pair of black-necked swans, exquisite sculptures and Roman baths, were declared National Historic Monuments in 1972.

The estate was bought by Ricardo Claro in 1980 and the manor house 10 years later. The building was classically restored respecting its aristocratic history and keeping a romantic beauty, eventually opening as Hotel Casa Real in the mid 1990s.

Freshly updated in 2017, guests can choose from one of 16 beautiful and airy en-suite bedrooms, all featuring soaring ceilings, comfy beds and sumptuous furniture. Each offers a beautiful view of the park or inner courtyard. The hotel also offers an outdoor pool, sauna and gym.

Reminiscent of a bygone era, the hotel is adorned with original fittings, antique furniture, oil paintings and textiles filling the entry hall, salons, dining room, billiard room and the inner colonnade.

Peace and tranquility can be found on the terrace overlooking the gardens and also in the private chapel next door which features Norman arches and stained-glass windows as well as beautifully painted walls and vaulted ceiling. It plays host to picture-perfect weddings and concerts throughout the year.

The hotel’s restaurant offers both indoor and alfresco dining options using the finest seasonal ingredients, some of which are harvested from the estate itself. In addition, guests also have the option to eat in the renowned Doña Paula restaurant reached via a short walk through the gardens.

The restaurant is located inside the late 18th-century colonial home of Doña Paula Jaraquemada who gave shelter to 120 patriots fighting for the Independence of Chile more than 200 years ago – 120 being the name of the estate’s best-selling, entry-level wine and the bottle cellar.

Choose from gourmet Chilean dishes paired with Santa Rita wines or take high tea on the shaded veranda. Reservations are required: (+562 2 362 2590) or email: restaurant@santarita.cl

Of course the winery visit and tastings, with or without a sunset backdrop, are must-do activities. From classic to ultra-premium – and several in-between (including the option to take a horse drawn carriage around the gardens) – immerse yourself in the world of Santa Rita, learning about the estate’s grape varieties, winemaking and cellaring process as well as visiting the ‘Cellar of the 120 Patriots’. The wines available to taste range by tour from entry-level to the estate’s higher-end bottlings.

Super fans can also become a winemaker for the day with a ‘Winemaker Experience’ in which you’ll design your own signature wine blend, bottle and cork it, then label and varnish it ready to take home.

There is also an on-site shop brimming with local edible and viscous goodies including a wide range of top wines from both Chile and Argentina made by Santa Rita and sister wineries; Carmen, Sur Andino and Doña Paula as well as wine accessories and handmade crafts made by members of the Alto Jahuel community.

With over 130 years of wine production and experience, Santa Rita is one of the pioneers of progressive Chilean viticulture seeking out new and exciting regions from which to grow a variety of grapes while also focusing on single-vineyard plots and expressions of terroir. With vineyards in some of the country’s best wine growing regions, the range of wines continues to expand under the expert hand of top Chilean winemaker Sebastián Labbé and his team.

One of which is the new, innovative and impressive Floresta range comprising; Chardonnay, Field Blend Blanco, Carménère, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Dedication also remains to the production of the estate’s icon wine Casa Real – a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon made only in the best years and of which the 1989 vintage is a Decanter Wine Legend.

Be sure to also save time to discover Chile’s fascinating pre-Colombian and post-conquest history in the Andean Museum, set on site and just a few minutes walk from the hotel. Inaugurated in 2006, the museum has an archaeological and ethnographic collection of more than 3,000 pieces from the different cultures that have inhabited the Andean zone, all curated and carefully displayed.

Combining flawless service, generous hospitality and an unrivalled charm and beauty, Hotel Casa Real provides an unforgettable stay.

For more information, visit: www.santarita.com/en/

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When it comes to holidays, you usually have to choose your camp. Sun and beach or lush vineyard landscapes? But Crete blurs the dichotomy. This ray-drenched, breeze-tickled Greek isle, hovering above the north of Africa, has the lot.

Sands lapped by warm blue surf, and hills striped in vines. Lazy lounger days under reliable blue skies and calm nights sipping wine made just down the road. And, a winery with rooms. Boutari’s Scalani Hills, just southeast of the island’s gateway city Heraklion.

In comparison to the Greek Cycladic island of Santorini – which made its name internationally with indigenous variety Assyrtiko – the wines of Crete fly somewhat under the radar. (In fact, Boutari, founded in Naoussa in 1879, has had a Santorini winery since the 1980s.)

But there is serious vinous history on Crete. One of the world’s oldest grape presses, dating to about 1,600BC, was unearthed at Minoan complex Vathypetro – just a 15-minute drive from Scalani Hills.

These days, island producers such as Alexakis, Stilianou and Michalakis are making eclectic wines from white grapes such as Vilana and Thrapsathiri, and red ones like Mandilaria. Among the established names, Boutari blends Greek favourites with well-known international varietals such as Chardonnay and Syrah.

Sleep among the vines

Of all the wineries with plots in the Archanes region near Heraklion, Boutari’s Scalani Hills outpost has an enticing USP. It boasts a clutch of charming, contemporary rooms. Three suites open to prime views over 7ha of knobbly old olive trees and vines.

The two-person suites are named after star local grape varieties: Liatiko, Malvasia and Kotsifali (a particular Archanes specialty). Set in a centuries-old former cottage, they are dressed in soothing neutral decor.

A private terrace is your setting for devouring a breakfast of Cretan favourites (think sticky grape jams and moreish must biscuits). Plus there are as many Boutari wines as you care to drink. That is, if you haven’t already had your fill sipping through flights in the winery’s glass-lined tasting area.

Kotsifali, the two-storey maisonette, has a particularly wow-factor fireplace set under its soaring white wood-panelled ceiling. While cosy Liatiko looks out over a shady pergola. Ideally, you’d come as a crew of six, and take all three suites for the ultimate, private Greek vinous hideaway.

This isn’t a sprawling resort, so you shouldn’t expect loads of amenities. For that, the beachfront hotels of Crete’s north coast have more to offer. Rather, you’re here to bask in the rural tranquillity of it all. Kick back with a book while draining a bottle of easy-drinking, cherried Kotsifali and Mantilaria red. When bellies rumble, tuck into platters of dolmades, nutty Cretan graviera cheese and estate-grown olives.

Out and about

There is sightseeing, too. The ancient ruined Palace of Knossos – the mythical home of the half-man, half-bull Minotaur – is less than 10km away. There are hiking trails up soaring Mount Juktas and the haunting Minoan cemetery at Phourni. Heraklion, the capital of Crete, is there if you fancy seeking out an urban buzz.

But you may just want to hang ultra-local and explore the surrounding Archanes wine region, with its aromatic reds hewn from limey-clay soil. Meanwhile the neighbouring village of Peza, cooled by sea breezes, has high altitudes and delicate white wines ready to discover.

And of course – as we’ve said, thanks to the magic of Crete – the island’s nearest beaches are just 15 minutes away. So after you’ve exhausted tasting options in the surrounding area, you can simply flop on golden sands at a secret cove. And feel smug for getting two holidays in one.

For more information visit scalareaestate.gr

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In the dusty outskirts of pretty Elciego, it rises like a beacon. A tangle of metal and glass, an explosive futuristic figure set among rows of manicured old Tempranillo vines. Marqués de Riscal, the hotel owned by the well-known winery of the same name in Rioja, isn’t just a place to stay. It’s a large-scale art piece.

Not that you’d expect much less from Frank Gehry, the visionary who also designed the nearby Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and Paris’s striking Louis Vuitton Foundation. Arresting deconstructivism is the signature of this starchitect – and even though the hotel opened back in 2006, it still feels electrifying.

Ribbons of colourful Japanese titanium and stainless steel bend and dive as if caught in suspended animation. They dress the front of honey-stoned 19th century buildings in striking high drama. It’s a bold, contemporary statement that’s dished up, in poetic contrast, on the grounds of Rioja’s oldest winery.

Old and new

Established in 1858, with its first wines bottled in 1862, Marqués de Riscal is one of Rioja’s most pivotal names. Founder Camilo Hurtado de Amézaga brought the winemaking traditions of the Médoc to sun-drenched northern Spain. In fact the property still harvests from some of the oldest vines in the region, including pre-phylloxera plantings.

The winery introduced Sauvignon Blanc into the region and was instrumental in the establishment of DO Rueda in 1980.

Today Marqués de Riscal is among Rioja’s most celebrated brands, and provides a comprehensive visitor experience in a ‘city of wine’. It includes the original bodega, El Palomar – the winery for its premium range – and hospitality facilities galore.

Among those facilities is the hotel. Its 61 bedrooms are dressed in crisp whites and the rich ruby hue of young Tempranillo. Leathery sofas, light polished woods and marbled bathrooms join terraces and big windows.

Views are of the surrounding verdant vineyards, undulating hills and, in many cases, the rising honey-stone figure of the historic Church of San Andrés in the distance. In a region that prizes tradition while also pushing for innovation, this old-meets-new stay feels a perfect fit.

Exploring Rioja

There are plenty of wines to taste on site – whether via a winery tour or in the hotel Vinoteca, which pours the label’s own wines alongside slivers of jamón and creamy croquettes. But once you’ve had your fill, more of Rioja’s finest wineries are on your doorstep.

To the northeast by Laguardia, Bodegas Ysios and Bodegas Javier San Pedro Ortega await. In Haro, to the west, one of Rioja’s winery epicentres, you can simply stroll between the likes of Bodegas Muga and Bodegas CVNE.

Prefer to keep it local? The hotel has free bicycles to borrow so you can spin along pathways cutting through the vines and along the Ebro river. Staff will even pack a picnic to take away with you.

Relaxation o’clock

When you’re ready for downtime, Marqués de Riscal delivers. You’ll want to spend yours in the excellent Spa Vinothérapie Caudalie, which puts the antioxidant properties of the grape front and centre. Book in for a skin-softening Crushed Cabernet Scrub or toning Winemaker’s Massage.

Then, shoulders unclenched, make for the open-air terrace of the Restaurant 1860 Tradición for a lazy alfresco meal. Or for a more serious gastronomic affair, choose Restaurant Marqués de Riscal instead. In this Michelin-starred spot you’ll get a multi-course parade of gussied-up local ingredients, including Idiazábal cheese, red prawns and black olives.

And, of course, there’s a riveting wine list to help it all down. Older vintage Marqués de Riscal pours include the likes of Cosecha 1945 and Barón de Chirel Reserva 1994. But you can also choose from dozens of other exciting Riojas, both red and white.

For more information visit marquesderiscal.com

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The year is 911. Charlemagne’s grandson, King Louis ‘The Child’ of East Francia dies aged 17 after an 11-year reign and becomes the last ruler of the East Frankish Carolingian Dynasty.

Elsewhere, in what will become known as the Kingdom of Germany, Schoenberg Castle located on a small hill in the medieval town of Oberwesel, overlooking the meandering banks of the River Rhein, is first mentioned in written sources.

Much has happened since then. Family squabbles and tribal warfare meant the castle frequently changed hands, and has even been burnt down and rebuilt.

Today there may no longer be royalty fighting over its ownership, but a stay in one of the castle’s 27 rooms will make you feel like an aristocrat.

Living like a king

The external walls of the castle are made from the same slate that gives the wines of Germany’s Mittelrhein region their distinct minerality and structure. Stepping into the castle and back in time, the hotel is decorated with a firm nod to 15th century interiors. Dark wood panelling, hanging tapestries and leaded glass windows are sympathetically used to create a charming and welcoming pastiche.

The bedrooms, each with their own names such as ‘Pfalzgrafenkemenate’ (kemenate translating to a room with a fireplace or a woman’s private room), are individually furnished but follow the same unifying theme. From cosy, dedicated single-person rooms, to suites with four-poster beds, en suite saunas and private balconies.

Wine time

Venture outside and it’s clear that wine is, and has always been, at the heart of Oberwesel. It was the wine trade that brought wealth to the region from the 13th to the 15th century, allowing the town wall to be built. That wall still stands largely intact today: visitors can walk along it and see inside the fortified towers.

Riesling reigns here, with around 70% of the region’s vineyards planted with it. So it’s only right to try to understand the local’s love for it. The hotel offers private tours where you are met at the castle doors by a winemaker and whisked away for two hours. Your tour will take in the town, vineyards, views and of course end with a wine tasting. (€65 per person).

If you prefer something a little more lively, then one of the many wine festivals should be part of your schedule. Germany has over 1,000 wine festivals annually and the Mittelrhein is no exception for celebrating all things vinous.

When to visit

Plan your visit to include a trip to the Christmas market or to the springtime Mittelrheinischer Weinfrühling. This 5km route starts in Boppard (13 minutes away from Oberwesel by train) and travels through 16 ‘stations’ celebrating the new vintage release, coinciding with Rhein in Flammen. As the name suggests, the river is lit up by firework displays taking place in five locations along the Rhein with wine festivals happening bankside.

Then there is the most unique event of all, one that only happens in Oberwesel: Weinhexennacht (wine witch night) on 30 April. The event traces its history back to a time when witches’ fires were lit in the vineyards to drive out winter demons. These days a local woman is chosen to represent the town and its wines, with her inauguration consisting of her climbing out of a big wine barrel in the market square.

Food and drink

Even if your trip doesn’t coincide with a festival you can still experience the best of the region by looking out for Haus der besten Schoppen Mittelrhein. These restaurants, inns and taverns have been judged to serve excellent local food and drink.

And of course you can plan your own visits to wineries in the region. Suggestions include Weingut Ratzenberger and Weingut Toni Jost, both members of the VDP Mittelrhein. Or drop into Weingut Albert Lambrich, the family winery of the current wine witch Julia Lambrich.

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The journey to Saffire Freycinet is one that requires commitment. First, you have to make your way to Tasmania – the heart-shaped landmass off Southern Australia – via a two-hour flight from Sydney. Next, you need to drive three hours north from capital Hobart, squiggling along the coast-hugging Tasman Highway.

Then, when you finally reach a peninsula cloaked in a natural park, you must fight to keep your eyes on the road as surrounding hills soar upwards and blue bays rush by. But put in the effort to get to this remote luxurious retreat, and you won’t regret it.

The hotel’s design is remarkable – a silvery, stingray-shaped build, lined in floor-to-ceiling windows, hedged by a row of private villas. Everything here is geared towards that unrelenting view: wild forest, rugged peaks and glittering bay fringed in soft golden sands. Enter the light-flooded contemporary lounge, where a sleek wooden ceiling ripples above and gas fireplaces flicker lowly, and it feels a bit like you’ve wandered into the pages of Architectural Digest.

The villa-like rooms are no less impressive. With just a clutch on offer, the vibe is exclusive – and there is not a single dud. All 20 come dressed in Tasmanian woods and earthy hues. They offer sublime views across sun-soaked foliage to Coles Bay and the pink granite mountain range, The Hazards. The top suites are more spacious than a sizeable London flat. They come with dedicated dining areas and kitchens, as well as private plunge pools.

Dining and drinking

Food is a serious priority here. The hotel operates on an all-inclusive basis with well-stocked minibars, three meals a day and bottomless pours from the impressive wine cellar. Think sparklings from Tasmania’s Pipers River, Roswell and Lebrena regions and Riesling from the Tamar and Coal River Valleys. Not to mention Pinot Noir from across the island.

The menus feature a roll call of native Tasmanian ingredients. From abalone to beef to venison, dishes show off the incredible diversity of the local larder.

Out and about

But don’t get too comfortable. Part of the draw of checking in is the excuse to get out. Stays at Saffire Freycinet include unique ‘experiences’ that plunge you into the local landscape, while giving you a taste of its bounty.

Spend a morning wading through crystal-clear waters on a working oyster farm, harvesting briny bivalves and washing them down with glasses of traditional method Clover Hill fizz. Don an apiarist suit and visit hives to learn about the production of Tasmanian honey.

The resort can also arrange visits to a historic vineyard on Tasmania’s east coast, Craigie Knowe. Here you’ll meet winemaker Glenn Travers and sip a selection of his wines.

If you strike out further – and you should, if you’ve made the effort to come all this way – then Tasmania has more riches to discover beyond its sublime wine and food. Saffire Freycinet, with its bountiful connections, can arrange for you to see endangered Tasmanian devils up close or will helicopter you to Currawong Lakes for fly-fishing.

You can self-drive down to Hobart for the day to visit the city’s fabulous MONA museum of old and new art or sample award-winning Tasmanian whisky. Or take the ferry to Bruny Island to tour Australia’s southernmost vineyard.

Or of course, you can explore the other wineries of the island – highlights include Jansz for impressive sparkling or Tamar Ridge for complex Pinot Noir. Just make sure you’re back in time for dinner; whether it’s sticky quail on the menu or scallops with macadamia, you won’t want to miss executive chef Paddy Prenter’s plates.

And just before you make the epic journey home, you have to climb up the famous nearby lookout point, through lush forest and rounded russet boulders. You’ll emerge into the sunshine to a perfect half-moon curve of white beach and azure water blanketed beneath you. The name of this special place? Wineglass Bay. For an oenophile, there can be no more fitting conclusion to a stay in Tasmania.

For more information visit: saffire-freycinet.com.au

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When COMO Hotels and Resorts opened its first location in continental Europe in 2019, it was a notable departure. For a company known primarily for wellness-focused stays on Indian Ocean shores, a move into the Tuscan countryside – heartland of carbs, cheese and, of course, Chianti – didn’t feel especially on-brand. But COMO has managed to strike just the right balance here, creating a resort that’s feel-good in every sense of the word.

The setting is pure Tuscan idyll. A 12th-century castle overlooks rolling vineyards, sun-drenched olive groves and distant purple hills cradling cobbled ancient towns. Pin-straight cypresses flank a sculpted fountain in the grounds, and pebble-strewn walking trails weave you past crumbling farmhouses and wind-rustled grasses.

The mood is quiet, unhurried, soporific. Geographically Castello Del Nero is a million miles away from COMO’s resorts in the Maldives, Thailand and Turks and Caicos. Yet it’s a paragon for the brand’s trademark focus on wellbeing. Perhaps because when you’re somewhere this beautiful, you just can’t help but feel well.

Designed for relaxation

The rooms – either in the medieval castle itself or its redesigned outbuildings – subscribe to the signature COMO contemporary, minimalist aesthetic. Don’t expect heavy Italian drapery or dark woods here. Instead cream and slate hues, peachy tiling and fluid furniture create a light, airy mood that allow the original features of the property to shine.

In some cases, those features are remarkable: not just beamed ceilings but frescoes that date back to when the noble Del Nero family used the castle as a personal countryside escape from nearby Florence.

Then of course, there’s the Shambhala spa – no COMO resort comes without one. Mornings begin with complimentary yoga or pilates classes in the window-lined studio, shielded from the suntrap alfresco pool by a hedge of green.

After a soothing herbal tea, you can indulge in the hydrotherapy area, or go straight into a rebalancing COMO Shambhala Massage. A 90-minute evening treatment plus a few glasses of local Chianti practically guarantees you the sleep of your life.

Food and wine

Speaking of wine, despite its wellness creds, COMO isn’t about austerity. Just ask the guests draining bottle after bottle of Sangiovese rosé at lunch on the alfresco terrace… In fact, both wine and food are put front and centre here.

At Michelin-starred restaurant La Torre, chef Giovanni Luca Di Pirro plates up colourful, edible art in a monastic-minimalist dining space. The panzanella salad with raw scampi, edible flowers and sun-ripened tomato is especially memorable.

In the cellars almost directly beneath the restaurant, staff run tutored wine tastings. They can walk you through the nuances of Chianti’s sub-regions (including Barbaerino Tavarnelle, where the hotel is based). You’ll try lesser-known organic producers and, if you’d like, even crack open a bottle of the hotel’s own Chianti. It’s made with grapes harvested from the vineyards just outside your bedroom window.

Out and about

When you are ready to explore the local wine regions, the hotel can also facilitate that. Antinori, makers of the celebrated Super Tuscan Tignanello, is a 12-minute drive away from Castello Del Nero, making a cellar tour practically obligatory. Other Chianti headliners such as Castello di Ama are not much further.

Meanwhile, daily free shuttles will whisk you to Florence or Siena if you’d like to break up the tastings with wanders around some of the world’s most treasure-packed museums.

When you return from the buzz of the towns or tasting rooms, you’ll be greeted by a sunset wash above the hotel’s broad terrace and total tranquillity. For dinner, choose a cheese-smothered wood-fired pizza under the stars – or, if you are feeling COMO-style virtuous, a salad. We know which one we’d pick…

For more information visit COMO Castello Del Nero. 

Four nights B&B from £1,629pp with flights, transfers and UK lounge passes with Elegant Resorts.

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There are cities with a wine scene – and then there’s Porto. Wine is in its DNA. For centuries inky fortified Port has been aged right here, in the cool riverside warehouses of Vila Nova de Gaia.

In recent years, as the UNESCO-listed city has moved from shabby to chic, visitors have poured in. And among the soaring historic billboards advertising Sandeman and Croft, there has been a shift.

Cool restaurants, cutting-edge museums and exclusive places to stay have cropped up in the old cobbled streets, ushering in a new era of tourism. Among them is The Yeatman, the ultimate Portuguese wine hotel.

A modern, window-lined resort on garden slopes in Vila Nova de Gaia, The Yeatman overlooks the jumble of Porto’s old town – a view most mesmerising when taken in at dusk from the terrace of your suite. The immediate surrounds are equally special, particularly for wine lovers.

Pass the Port

The hotel is a cork’s toss from the historic Taylor’s Port warehouse and its tasting room. This is no accident. The Yeatman is named after Taylor Fladgate & Yeatman, one of the biggest names in Port and the owner of the hotel.

This stay is not just some Taylor’s branding exercise however. Rather, it is a democratic vinous celebration that champions top Portuguese wines of many kinds. Each one of the 109 bedrooms is named after a lauded local producer, with bottles and other memorabilia dotting the butter-hued interiors.

There is a superbly stocked wine shop and multiple in-house cellars. One of these hosts tutored tastings and winemaker masterclasses. A Caudalie Vinothérapie Spa is on site, too, where antioxidant-rich grape products make an appearance in facials and massages. Descend down a vine-lined spiral staircase to its soothing embrace, then have your body buffed with a Cabernet scrub or soak in a tranquil ‘barrel bath’ overlooking the city.

Tempting tastings

The Yeatman’s vinous highlight, though, is its Gastronomic Restaurant. Book well ahead for the two-star Michelin tasting menu from chef Ricardo Costa. Expect eel with panko breadcrumbs or suckling pig with soufflé potato crisps. Opt for the wine pairings and you’ll sample some unconventional pours, such as whites from the Azores.

Alternatively choose your own bottle from Porto’s finest list. There are 1,300 labels, 94% of them Portuguese. As you’d expect, Port is strongly represented, and older vintages are opened by your sommelier with suitable theatre using searing hot tongs.

While you’ll have the opportunity to taste many of Portugal’s finest wines here, nothing beats sampling at the source. Staff can arrange day trips into the nearby Douro Valley to the most exclusive of quintas; for example, Quinta do Vesuvio, which is open by appointment only.

Local attractions

A speedy boat transfer across the Douro River can also be arranged, so you can explore Porto’s old town within minutes, with no need to traverse the soaring Dom Luís I bridge. The Yeatman can also tailor experiences at WOW, the cultural district next door that’s also owned by Taylor’s.

WOW, the World of Wine, is perhaps the greatest new reason for oenophiles to book into this stay. With seven museums and a dozen restaurants and bars, it is an adult Disneyland with wine at its heart. Tour a fabulous interactive wine museum, explore how corks are made or plunge into a pink ball pit in an outrageous exhibition on rosé (cheesy, but great fun). It’s all less than five-minutes’ walk from The Yeatman.

That means, after a day of exploring, you’re just five minutes away from a sundowner on your private terrace. Or a dip in one of the hotel’s two panoramic infinity pools. Or a quiet read in The Yeatman’s library, with something delicious to sip in hand. When it comes to city wine tourism, you can’t beat that.

For more information visit The Yeatman.

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When it comes to wine region holidays, Napa Valley sets the standard. Not only with its glossy tasting rooms, lauded restaurants and artisan farmers’ markets. The hotel scene, too, is unrivalled.

From upmarket B&Bs to elaborate resorts, there seems to be an eye-catching new opening with every passing season. Take the Four Seasons Napa Valley, which just launched within a Calistoga vineyard last year. And yet, for all the flashy competition, 40 years after first welcoming visitors, Auberge du Soleil still remains one of the region’s stars.

Back in 1981, when the Napa tourism industry was comparatively still in its nappies, Frenchman Claude Rouas and his business partner Bob Harmon opened Auberge in Rutherford as a Gallic-inspired restaurant. But the 13ha property – perched up a winding wooded drive, overlooking the Mayacamas Mountains and a blanket of vineyards – was too good to keep just for mealtimes.

Five years later it was transformed into a small, exclusive resort, among the first of its kind in Napa Valley. Later, as the company grew into the Auberge Resorts Collection, the hotel inspired unique properties in other coveted US destinations. These included Aspen, Hawaii and the Blue Mountains. The latest sister property, Stanly Ranch, opened half an hour south of Auberge du Soleil just this May.

Luxury lifestyle

It’s little wonder that Auberge du Soleil continues to have such a loyal following. This place combines all the hedonistic pleasures that Napa is famed for – wine, food, spa – with a tranquillity that lets you leave the region’s crowds behind. As soon as you pass through its soaring gates, you feel part of an exclusive club; miles from the tourist rush, yet tucked right at the Valley’s heart.

Perched on a sun-drenched hillside amid olive and oak trees, 50 rooms and suites are split across stand-alone mansions, lending privacy. Taking in the verdant view while enjoying an evening glass of wine on your terrace, it’s easy to feel like all of Napa is yours.

Auberge du Soleil doesn’t pander to passing trends. The property was founded with Provence in mind, and it still subscribes to the same timelessly chic aesthetic, with honey hues and beamed ceilings.

Food and drink

Meanwhile, Michelin-starred dinners on The Restaurant’s terrace show the deftness of French-style cooking with a raft of exciting local ingredients. You might have hamachi crudo with yuzu custard to start, spiced lamb with medjool dates and harissa to follow, and passionfruit pie with coconut sorbet and mango to finish.

The wine list? No less than a greatest hits reel of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, of course, including Joseph Phelps Insignia, Spottswoode Estate and the resort’s very own bottling.

The hotel dedicates itself to indulgence in other ways, too. There is a vast collection of outdoor sculpture and a sublime spa. You could easily lose an afternoon poaching away in the alfresco hot tub overlooking distant blue-green hills and a patch of knobbly olive trees.

Winery visits

But with more than 400 wineries on your doorstep offering tastings, be sure to set aside a significant amount of time to explore Napa Valley. The nearest stop, Rutherford Hill Winery, is a three-minute walk away from the hotel along the lush, squiggling road that leads up from the Silverado Trail.

But hop in a car and you can be at Stag’s Leap in 15 minutes, Opus One in 10 minutes and a dozen other wineries in 5 minutes. No need to drive; Auberge can take care of all the transfers, not to mention the booking of tastings – which is highly recommended at many popular Napa Valley wineries.

Auberge du Soleil can sort many things that normal visitors can’t too, whether that’s a sneak peak of new vintage wines before they’re bottled or a one-to-one meeting with a winemaker. For an oenophile traveller, there’s perhaps no better reason to book.

For more information visit Auberge du Soleil.

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Once a rural pocket of fruit farmers, hobby fishermen and cottage-goers, Ontario’s Prince Edward County has undergone a radical reinvention over the past decade. The vast crumbling barns and sleepy towns – perched enticingly by beach-fronted lakes or rolling fields – have been spruced up and hipster-ified. Weekending couples from Toronto, two hours west, come to raid its cute antique shops, sip sours at its breweries and feast on wood-fired pizzas in its glut of cool restaurants.

They also come to drink wine. Elegant, Burgundian-inspired Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Quirkier Baco Noir and Marechal Foch. Trendy pét-nat, piquette and orange bottles. All these, and more, are now produced by roughly 40 small scale Prince Edward County wineries. Some are only a few years old and most have an experimental mindset.

After all, a pioneering spirit is what’s needed when you’re growing at the cusp of the viticultural world. In the County winters are so cold that vines must be buried below earth each autumn, just to survive.

A place to stay

It was only a matter of time until the region’s accommodation scene caught up with the winemaking. The opening of Wander the Resort in 2020 on the banks of scenic West Lake signalled new levels of sophistication. A step above the surrounding friendly mom-and-pop B&Bs and the funky renovated motels, this stay does glam to a global standard.

That’s not to say that Wander the Resort doesn’t feel local. In many ways, it’s as Canadian as resorts come. The 10 stand-alone cabins, each sleeping up to five, come with cosy wood burners and kitchens so you can self-cater.

In summer, there are marshmallow bonfires, canoe rides on the lake and family barbecues in view of a communal pool. In winter, under a blanket of snow, there are steams in barrel saunas and poaches in a hot tub.

What’s different about Wander, however, is that the typical Canadiana kitsch has been ditched. So there are no red plaid sofas, dull brown woods or stuffed deer heads here. Instead, expect Nordic-style sleek interiors, earthy handmade pottery from nearby Ye11ow Studio, rattan pendant lights and premium soy candles from County Candle Co.

The attention to detail doesn’t stop there. Your cabin’s deck has a personal bonfire, lit automatically each morning for you to enjoy alongside breakfast. Rooms come stocked with Polaroid cameras and film so you can capture your memories romantically, in analogue.

Service is personalised and discreet, with most communications carried out by text. Even check-in takes place in the comfort of your cabin via a few taps of your phone. The first (and, should you wish, only) interaction with a staff member will be when they turn up at your floor-to-ceiling glass door with a welcome glass of local fizz or beer.

Eat and drink local

Speaking of food and drink: Prince Edward County fare is, of course, championed. Staff can help stock cabins to bursting with wine from Closson Chase, locally sourced charcuterie boards and Cherry Bomb coffee, which is roasted down the road.

A new series of vinous dinners will bring the best of the region’s winemakers to the hotel for guided tastings. Most are located just a short drive away, if you want to visit.

There is much else in the pipeline. A new communal clubhouse area, opening this year, will host a bar, spa treatment rooms, film screenings, live music and cookery classes. Meditation, self-massage and yoga classes will form the basis of a complimentary wellness programme.

Finally a gift store lets you ‘shop your cabin’, so you can take home the fabulous own-brand smellies and other County goodies.

With so much to look forward to, the future of Wander the Resort is certainly looking bright. Much like that of Prince Edward County itself.

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Green undulating valleys, flecked by pin-straight pines and flanked by woodlands. Sun-drenched olive trees and slopes carpeted in vines. Sleepy villages, cluttered with medieval builds. And, perched at the top of a hill overlooking it all, Castiglion del Bosco.

Tuscan hotels don’t get any more picturesque than this 2,000ha estate. But Castiglion del Bosco wasn’t built to be a hotel. It certainly wasn’t built to be a Rosewood. The glossy American brand with impeccable luxury creds and a celebrity following only took over the estate’s accommodation offering in 2015. 

Turn the clock back a millennia and this remarkable hilltop enclave housed a medieval castle. A 14th-century painting by Pietro Lorenzetti remains preserved in the onsite church – now a museum-worthy selfie op for hotel guests. 

Vinous roots 

After falling into disrepair, the hamlet was purchased by fashion scion Massimo Ferragamo in 2003 and splendidly – down to the last bit of cobbled stonework and burnt orange roof tile – regenerated into a resort. He was drawn, as all wine-loving visitors will be, by Castiglion del Bosco’s deep connection to Brunello di Montalcino.

The estate has grown grapes for centuries, long before Tuscan wines were esteemed around the world, and in 1967 Castiglion del Bosco was one of the founding members of the Consorzio del Brunello di Montalcino. Its wine was among the first to achieve DOC status in Italy.

Visit Castiglion del Bosco today, and you’ll see that the connection continues to thrive. Once you’ve dropped your bags in your Rosewood suite or villa – 19 new but sympathetically designed stunners opened in August 2021, almost doubling the property’s number of rooms – you can be at the onsite winery and sipping on Sangiovese verticals within minutes. 

Of course, being in the heart of Brunello di Montalcino doesn’t mean staying put at just one winery. Rosewood knows as much; the hotel offers every kind of tailored wine-tasting experience you can hope for, whether you fancy a tour of top local producers normally closed to the public or, in autumn, a truffle hunting expedition followed by a decadent winery lunch. 

But its flagship wine experience? A full day helicopter tour over the surrounding Unesco-protected Val d’Orcia, including a stop at biodynamic Podere Le Ripi winery and lunch at Michelin-starred restaurant Silene. Basically, with their connections, there’s not much the Rosewood staff can’t pull off. 

Food, feasts and relaxation 

Once you’ve had your fill of exploring, back at the hotel you can lay into full-scale indulgence. There are two Italian restaurants, serving the likes of hare pappardelle, Tuscan pigeon with pomegranate glaze and, of course, crowd-pleasing pizza. 

In summer, long-table dinners are held open-air in the organic kitchen garden, so you can feast on freshly plucked veg as the sun sinks below the hills. Wherever and whenever you’re dining, wine is a key part of it. In fact, the hotel endeavours to list every one of the Brunello region’s 240 producers. (Whether you can actually order them all is another matter; stock varies depending on when you visit.) 

Because the grounds are rambling, and the guest numbers are comparatively few, the Rosewood never feels crammed, whether you’re sipping a cocktail by the pool overlooking the Val d’Orcia or getting a lavender-scented massage in the serene spa. 

But for ultimate space and tranquillity, trade one of the suites – dressed in typically Tuscan deep reds, golden yellows, soothing creams – for an even more spacious villa. These restored 17th and 18th-century farmhouses, large enough for a big family, come with heated infinity pools, ‘mamas’ (a homely maid-meets-butler service) and, in some cases, tennis courts, jacuzzis and home theatres. In other words, only the good old fashioned Tuscan essentials…

For more information visit www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/castiglion-del-bosco

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Sonoma is often lumped together with Napa as shorthand for Californian wine country, but there is an entirely different pace of life to the place. Where Napa feels like the luxury face of corporate American winemaking, Sonoma County, 112km to the northwest, has the air of somewhere altogether more small-scale and boutique. Think less Silicon Valley tech-bro, more downshifting San Francisco hipster.

Boutique is very much the vibe at the Farmhouse Inn. The property forms a rustic-chic collection of pale-yellow buildings just off the road that meanders alongside the Russian River on its route to the Pacific Ocean. The hotel’s clapboard structures look more like something from New England than Northern California. Its vernacular charm reflects the fact that owners Joe and Catherine Bartolomei have deep roots in the local terroir. Not only has their family farmed the surrounding land for five generations but the siblings make their own wine at their nearby vineyard.

You’ll be handed a glass of their Lost & Found Pinot Noir when you check in. Head to your room through paths bordered by edible and ornamental plants. You might come across a chicken coop, a fragrant racoon or the hotel’s cat. There’s also an outdoor pool, hot tub and fire pits for toasting gooey s’mores sandwiched with Valrhona dark chocolate.

There are 25 guest rooms scattered throughout the 2.4ha property. These range from the original 1870s farmhouse to the newer, more spacious king-sized rooms bordering the surrounding woodland. All rooms are furnished with easy-on-the-eye neutrals and with gas fires for the cool-climate Californian nights. Milk and freshly baked cookies are left bedside as part of the turn-down service while rooms come equipped with eight-bottle wine fridges.

Tours and tastings

Wine, of course, is a big part of the experience here. Hour-long tastings from local producers are held every afternoon. The hotel’s sommeliers can also drive guests on bespoke vineyard tours in the surrounding Russian River Valley and also Sonoma Coast and the Alexander Valley.

It’s far more fun, however, to explore the local wine country yourself. A short Uber trip will drop you off in foodie Healdsburg, 17km away. Just down from the vibrant Plaza, which has the feel of a tree-shaded American college campus, Spoke Folk Cyclery offers bike hire along with a map of the West Dry Creek Road wineries. The circular route is so easy to navigate, however, that you can put the map away once you’ve made the right-turn out of town.

Several of the wineries have picnic spots with views over the gently rolling Dry Creek Valley, which glows in the sun like the embodiment of California’s nickname of the Golden State. Ask the Farmhouse to put together a hamper of local Dungeness crab sandwiches, or head back into Healdsburg for a late lunch. Barndiva, a few doors up from Spoke Folk, is the farm-to-table hero in town, but if it’s full, try Campo Fina for wood-fired pizza. Back at the Farmhouse, soothe sore legs (or heads) with a massage or facial in the new spa, the Wellness Barn.

Farm to table

The Farmhouse Inn’s evening-only restaurant is a destination in its own right and has held a Michelin star since 2007. Be sure to reserve a table at the same time you book your stay, and note that it doesn’t open on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Many of the hyper-local ingredients that make it onto the plate are grown in the Farmhouse’s garden or on the Bartolomei farm. These include apples from the orchards and honey from the hives. The signature dish of ‘rabbit rabbit rabbit’ – bunny served three ways as applewood smoked bacon-wrapped loin, roasted rack, and confit leg with fingerling potato and wholegrain mustard cream sauce – is typical of an approach that doesn’t let refinement get in the way of flavour-led, produce-focused enjoyment.

The wine list, meanwhile, demonstrates the depth of Californian viticulture by offering local equivalents of all the major Old World regions. For example, a Rochioli Estate Grown Sauvignon Blanc instead of a Loire white. But it’s with the Californian Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs that the selection really shines.

Breakfast in the dining room is no less of an event. It features a two-course menu of superfood-boosted pancakes, avocado toast and five-grain porridge as well as pastries, fresh juices and organic teas. Wine tasting is, after all, hungry as well as thirsty work…

Rates start at $735 per night without breakfast. For more information and availability visit farmhouseinn.com

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