Villa Abbazia
Hotel and restaurant in a village
The subtle charms of this 17th century palazzo and a Liberty-style villa will capture your heart. Romantic and intimate, this charming structure in the Venetian countryside is in a unique location at the crossroads of numerous Unesco treasures. At the juncture of the rose-coloured peaks of the Dolomites and Cortina, their pearl, the Venetian villas of Palladio, the Prosecco route, a famous oenological and culinary itinerary and near the fortified city of Treviso, known as the Gardens of Venice, there is plenty to see. Follina is the ideal starting point for visits to the most beautiful towns in Venetia and for active holidays: golf, mountain biking and excursions to the Prosecco vineyards. ...Read more
Italy, Follina

L’Albereta et Restaurant Gualtiero Marchesi
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in the country
Press a button and, like magic, the ceiling of your room retracts allowing you to gaze at the stars from the comfort of your bed. This is just one of the many enchanting features which delight guests staying at this former manor tucked away in 100 year-old gardens in the heart of the Franciacorta vines. You can combine the delightful creations of Grand Chef Gualtiero Marchesi, the father of modern Italian cuisine, with relaxation at the Henri Chenot Spa. ...Read more
Italy, Erbusco

Hotel Borgo San Felice
Hotel and restaurant in the country
Located at the centre of the Italian “boot”, the Borgo San Felice combines all of the pleasures of la dolce vita. The property is made up of an entire medieval hamlet including its old chapel, large pool, cellars and the Chianti vineyard surrounding it. Infinite pleasures can be discovered through the authentic Mediterranean cuisine and exceptional wine cellar, as well as in the wellness centre. A delightful bike excursion to explore the surrounding area will enhance the enjoyment of an unforgettable stay in this medieval hamlet. Amongst other things, the beauty of the picturesque villages of Chianti, just a few kilometres away, will guarantee an eternal attachment to this property and this region of Italy which is overflowing with light and magic. ...Read more
Italy, Castelnuovo Berardenga (SI)

Il Bottaccio
Hotel and restaurant in a village
This former 17th century oil mill, at the foot of the green hills of Forte dei Marmi, close to the golden beaches of the Versilia, has become a sophisticated country inn. Its elegant suites are the perfect place if you want to stop and enjoy the nightlife and shopping at Forte dei Marmi, a Tuscan resort that was once the haunt of artists such as Botero, Mitoraj, Yasuda Kan, Javier Marin. A magnificent dining room is organised around a central pool and surrounded by works of art and a unique collection of furniture and pictures. The cuisine is subtly Mediterranean blending sun-drenched fragrances of the mountain with flavours of the sea. The treasures of the wine cellar and the collection of grappas are further reasons to visit the magical and fascinating world of Il Bottaccio. ...Read more
Italy, Montignoso

Hotel Certosa di Maggiano
Hotel and restaurant in the country
In 1975, the oldest Carthusian monastery in Tuscany, located one kilometre from one of the most beautiful cities in the world, became a privileged place for an exceptional stay. Step across the threshold and discover courtesy, charm, character, calm and cuisine that is sure to please even the most discerning palates. Seventeen rooms, each with a different style and décor, highlight panoramic views of the gentle Tuscan landscape. Nearby lies the cathedral, museums and fountains of Siena, medieval villages, vineyards and the castles of Chianti, Brunello and Val d’Orcia. ...Read more
Italy, Siena

Da Vittorio
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in the country
Just half an hour from Milan, with its fashion temples and irresistible shopping temptations, the Cerea family has created a residence that has a reputation for excellence and Italian style. Da Vittorio is first and foremost a charming villa with beautiful gardens and two lakes nearby. Just ten minutes from Bergamo, it also extends an invitation to a gourmet journey to savour special Lombardian polenta, cheese and meat. The Grand Chefs, Enrico and Roberto Cerea, treat cuisine like designers treat haute couture and their gourmand breakfast is not to be missed. The hotel, which also has a traditional patisserie and an exquisite wine cellar, has launched a “Gourmandise Line” so you can even take some of the treats home with you. ...Read more
Italy, Brusaporto

Villa del Quar
Restaurant and hotel in the country
The Villa del Quar is nestled among the Valpolicella vineyards, five kilometres from Verona and five hundred metres from the Villa Santa Sofia by Palladio, both Unesco World Heritage sites. This listed villa is protected and hidden by antique walls, with gardens, fountains, a clover-shaped swimming pool, vineyards, olive trees and lemon plantations inside, reminiscent of the Venetian villa tradition. The philological restoration and its decoration provide it with an authentic atmosphere. You will fall under the charm of the soft sounds of the countryside, seduced by the elegance of this Renaissance villa and the famous wines in the old cellar. The villa has a tropical conservatory, which is the ideal place for receptions. Cuisine is a further major asset, perfectly combining Mediterranean flavours with international gastronomy. ...Read more
Italy, Pedemonte, Verona

Relais Il Falconiere & Spa
Hotel and restaurant in the country
Amongst the vineyards and olive trees that surround the small Etruscan city of Cortona, this superb 17th century family residence of Silvia and Riccardo Baracchi is a delight. The rooms, located all around the estate, reflect the elegant simplicity of the most authentic Tuscany. In the former lemon tree greenhouse, with its terrace extension surrounded by fragrant rose bushes, enjoy a superb view of the countryside. A sophisticated restaurant serves sunny cuisine, closely associated with the region’s fragrances and flavours. The Thesan Etruscan Spa offers intimacy, relaxation and well-being, with luxurious and exclusive treatments and rituals. You will discover the cellar and great wines and will attend a cookery course that Silvia will organize. Their invitation to share the magic and culture of their region will make your stay unforgettable. ...Read more
Italy, Cortona (Arezzo)

Villa Fiordaliso
Hotel and restaurant on a lake
If Romeo and Juliet had enjoyed a happier ending to their story, it is easy to imagine it being played out here. Twenty minutes from Verona, the two lovers would have met secretly on the banks of Lake Garda – one of the largest and most charming lakes in Italy. They would have strolled along the pontoon and private beach of Villa Fiordaliso, a neoclassical marvel with facades of Siena stone, long rows of lemon trees and a lounge decorated with Venetian stained glass. They would have taken refuge in a delightfully romantic room named after a flower: Iris, Mimosa, Orchid, or Magnolia, and would perhaps have lingered in the elegant piano bar in the medieval San Marco Tower which overlooks the private harbour. The rest of the story is yours to write. ...Read more
Italy, Gardone Riviera

Dal Pescatore Santini
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux in the country
When Antonio Santini’s grandparents opened the Pescatore in 1926, it was a small family restaurant. Today it is one of the most renowned restaurants in Italy. Between Cremona and Mantua, in the Parco dell’Oglio nature reserve, family members share the tasks. In the kitchen, Nadia and Giovanni prepare nostalgic, generous cuisine: frogs legs gratineed in fine herbs, pike in virgin olive oil from Umbria, with parsley, anchovies and capers and the renowned tortelli di zucca, with goat’s cheese, ricotta and white Alba truffles, a recipe perfected and handed down over three generations. In the dining room, Antonio, Alberto and Valentina create a warm atmosphere and uncork their best bottles – grands crus from France and Italy. ...Read more
Italy, Canneto S/O (Mantova)

Caino
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in the country
Childhood friends Maurizio Menichetti and Grand Chef Valeria Piccini opened this restaurant in 1987 on the very same premises where Maurizio’s parents once had a trattoria. Valeria’s outstanding cuisine quickly became one of the most renowned in the country, due to dishes that sing the praises of the region. Caino has the intimate atmosphere of an authentic Tuscan restaurant, with just nine tables. In an Italy where female chefs are increasingly prominent, this unique gourmet spot is an absolute must. ...Read more
Italy, Montemerano