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Gian Piero Vivalda is the owner and Chef of Antica Corona Reale. “I spent my childhood in the valley of Cervere. My grandfather would take me fishing and woodcock hunting. When we returned home, we would cook what we had caught. Little by little, I got to know Piedmont, its scenery and the local produce. I gradually moved further afield, discovering the shores of Liguria and the nearby French Riviera. This was a revelation to me. Since then, I have never tired of repeating this journey whenever I have a little time to spare.”
To give you inspiration, Relais & Châteaux presents the Routes du Bonheur: suggestions for travel itineraries that you can fully personalise according to your wishes and the experiences you would like to discover. Our consultants are available to help customise your route and assist you in making reservations at our properties. It is up to you to reserve any recommended activities on-site or nearby that might interest you.
*Total price provided for information only, based on accommodation for two people in a double room for the number of nights per property as indicated on this page, exclusive of recommended activities, properties that cannot be reserved online and restaurants.
Hotel and restaurant in town. In the heart of Milan, discover the splendour of a very unique hotel housed in an Art Nouveau building from the early 20th century. Hotel Château Monfort is inspired by the world of fairy tales and the opera. It is an enchanting place where dream and reality blend together, which is reflected in the retro-chic style that permeates this "Urban Château". The pastel colours that adorn the walls of the guest rooms are enhanced by floral patterns and butterflies. Inside the hotel, you will be captivated by its romantic and refined atmosphere, which extends to our exceptional Rubacuori restaurant, our Mezzanotte lounge bar and our "Amore & Psiche" SPA.
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Built in the fifteenth century on the ruins of an old citadel, this castle is the former residence of the Dukes of Milan. Today it houses several museums, including a splendid art gallery which I visit regularly to admire the paintings of members of the Lombard School. At the sculpture museum, don’t miss the amazing Rondanini Pietà, the last, unfinished, work by the great Michelangelo.
Milan Cathedral
Milan’s extraordinary Gothic cathedral is the real icon of the city. Construction began in the late fourteenth century, and the cathedral remains one of the largest in the world. The first time I came here was for a mass. I was only a child, but I remember having a powerful feeling of serenity inside these walls. After leaving the cathedral, take a few steps back to admire the facade, a sort of lacework in stone, and enjoy some panettone on the Piazza Duomo.
Relais & Chateaux Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia, Milan
The lovechild of Aimo and Nadia Moroni, this famous Michelin-starred restaurant in Milan made its name from its Tuscan cuisine, and then opened up to other regions. Here, the produce is paramount: olives, tomatoes, capers, prawns, courgettes, Buffalo mozzarella etc. Following in the couple's footsteps are their daughter Stefania and two brilliant young chefs - Alesandro Negrini and Fabio Pisani - who reveal new flavours and constantly renewed creativity. Relais & Chateaux Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia
Hotel and restaurant in a vineyard. In the heart of the Piedmont vineyards and the white truffle region, this former Franciscan monastery was transformed into the Relais San Maurizio, a place dedicated to the wellness of body and soul. Every suite offers a different view of the Langhe hills, designated a Unesco World Heritage Site. The spa offers thalassotherapy, in a former salt cave. Treatments skilfully combine cutting-edge medical knowledge with water and salt-based products. The restaurant, Guido da Costigliole, located in the beautiful vaulted cellars of the building, has been the undisputed benchmark for fine dining in the region for more than fifty years.
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Hotel and restaurant in a village. With heavy drapes, paintings, lavish period furniture, carefully restored parquet floors, this former summer residence for the Counts of Roero, built on the site of a medieval fortress, is a delight for the eyes. Surrounded by gardens designed in the style of 18th century Italy, overlooking the city of Guarene, it offers splendid views over the Langhe hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A refined Piedmontese cuisine is served in the restaurant, and provides the occasion to taste the prestigious regional wines. At the end of a long brickvaulted hallway, the spa and indoor pool carved into the rock provide a peaceful retreat.
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Restaurant in the country. You have to go back to 1815 to find the first Vivalda at the helm of this typical Italian restaurant whose reputation has been handed down from generation to generation for more than 200 years. Chef Gian Piero Vivalda is heir to this tradition. His cuisine, which is deeply rooted in the Piedmont region, draws on the very best of local ingredients: game and vegetables and herbs from the cottage garden, for traditional recipes such as foie gras with Madernassa pears and ravioli with ceps and white Alba truffles during the season, to which he gives a modern twist. The sense of family and the authentic ambiance of this historic property add to its charm.
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In the heart of absolutely superb scenery, discover the vineyards of Piedmont, set on century old terraces. The hills of Montferrat and the Langhe are home to the vineyards which produce the fine white wines of Moscato d’Asti. Nearby, around the hills of Alto Monferrato, the grapes used to make Barbera d’Asti, a deep, vivid ruby-coloured wine, are planted. These marvellous wines are the perfect complement to the local cuisine.
The hot springs of Acqui Terme
As evidenced by the ruins of the aqueduct and the ancient thermal pool, this is where the biggest thermal spa in Piedmont was founded during Roman times. The town developed around La Bollente, an impressive spring whose sulphurous water gushes up at over 70°C. The waters of the spa town are believed to treat rheumatism and ailments of the chest. Today, many people still come to take the waters at two thermal spas. I come here regularly to enjoy the springs.
Hotel and restaurant on a golf course. Wake up in front of the golf course, explore the mountains, the medieval villages of Liguria or the white sandy beaches of the Riviera, enjoy a shopping spree along the paved alleys of Alassio or simply sunbathe beside the pool. La Meridiana is a dream place for an unforgettable stay, with gourmet cuisine and a collection of great Italian wines from nearby Piedmont in the restaurant, Il Rosmarino, and local cuisine in “Il Bistrot”. This charming property on the Italian Riviera, between Monte Carlo and Portofino, will delight you with its warm welcome and attentive service. Dog lovers will enjoy the garden suites and the pet-friendly atmosphere.
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Just next to the La Meridiana hotel is the very beautiful Garlenda Golf Club. The Torrente Lerrone river flows through the course, which winds between pines and olive trees. Opened in 1964, this 18-hole course (par 72, 6040 m) was the setting for the Italian Open during the 1971 season.
Alassio and its baci
When I was about sixteen, I spent several months making baci in Alassio’s central square. It’s a pleasant memory. This seaside town reflects the history of the wealthy English tourists who would holiday here in the past. Alassio is known for its Muretto, a colourful wall decorated with tiles signed by famous artists, including Ernest Hemingway and Louis Armstrong. These same artists could once be found at the highly select Café Roma.
Relais & Chateaux Mirazur, Menton
Mauro Colagreco is one of the new young chefs who are reinventing French cuisine every day. This Argentinian, who has lived in Menton for many years, learned the ropes in the kitchens of some of France’s greatest chefs: Bernard Loiseau, Alain Passard, Alain Ducasse and Guy Martin. Working in all these restaurants allowed him to develop a real sense of creativity and perfection. Today, this wandering chef grows local produce. He has even planted an incredible tomato garden just outside his kitchen. Between land and sea…
Located a few kilometres from the border on the Italian side, the Selvadolce Estate is a favourite of chef Mauro Colagreco. Owner Aristide Blancardi tends his nearly seven hectares of vines with great humility and passion. The vineyards, biodynamically cultivated since 2004, are arranged in terraces beside the sea. Low stone walls and bougainvillea lend the site a truly enchanting air.
Hotel and restaurant on the seafront. Halfway between Nice and Cannes, in a setting where the Mediterranean takes centre stage, the Cap d’Antibes Beach Hotel is a contemporary architectural jewel. Its minimalist lines are in perfect harmony with the lush Mediterranean vegetation, with the charm and freshness of a garden by the sea, a fine private sandy beach facing the Lérins Islands, and a delightful infinity pool. The original décor of the rooms and suites transports guests on a sensory voyage. The enchantment continues in the restaurant Les Pêcheurs, which looks out onto the sea and offers a feast for the palate as well as the eyes, with a view of the Esterel massif in the distance.
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This is where the Chef of L’Oasis comes to buy his fish every morning. Refurbished in 1934, this covered market seems to preserve the very essence of the city of Cannes. This is where the locals meet, far from the beaches and the big hotels, far from the postcard views of the Film Festival. You can find superb seasonal produce here. Just outside the exit of the market, at 22 Rue Meynadier, stop by the Céneri cheese shop, a very fine firm founded in 1968.
Relais & Chateaux L’Oasis, La Napoule
Facing the sea, the Raimbault brothers work as a trio, with Stéphane and Antoine handling savoury dishes, and François overseeing the desserts. Local fishing offers them the finest selection of seafood, which they take delight in preparing in every possible way. Influenced by his years spent in Japan, Stéphane brings an oriental touch to this Mediterranean cuisine. A wonderful gastronomic experience on the patio of their oasis, looking out over the marina of Mandelieu-La-Napoule.
