ADVERTORIAL • February 2020
Five of Europe’s finest epicurean experiences
It is a universally acknowledged truth that life’s greatest moments are made greater still when accompanied by some sensational wining and dining. Luckily, epicurean pleasures await all guests at The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, who know local culture and culinary thrills are the perfect pairing. We take a hop around Europe to find out more
Drink up in Prague
Living history really doesn’t manifest itself more authentically, and with better resulting tastes, than at Augustine, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Prague. A community of Augustinian friars still live and work amid the grounds of this historic complex of buildings, once part of the 13th-century St Thomas monastery. Since 1352 the monks have been brewing beer and, each day, guests of the hotel are invited to try a cool glass of ‘St Thomas’ – the only place in the world where it’s possible to sample this exquisite tipple. Listen to stories of the monastery, and savour the sensation of finding a piece of an older Prague in the centre of the thriving Czech capital.
Olive oil tasting in Costa Navarino
The commitment to freshness at this piece of Peloponnesian paradise is a genuine one requiring no small amount of tender loving care. Each day, guests of The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort, Costa Navarino can join a thought-provoking olive oil tasting session, where local experts will show you a glimpse of the artistry behind Messinia’s renowned extra virgin olive oil. There’s also a wine pairing masterclass and tours of the resort’s exemplary botanical and vegetable garden, where guests can learn how to use the plants within for their own health and everyday cooking.
Ancient Greek classics in Athens
Dating back to 1930 and located in the center of Athens, King George, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Athens doesn’t skimp on luxury or tradition at any time of day or night. But for the most authentic taste of the flavours of the Greek capital, you should head to the Tudor Hall Restaurant, where you can watch the skilled kitchen team prepare a traditional melitzanosalata. Made with the fabled white eggplant from the Santorini Islands, this sublime and ancient dish can be tailored to guests’ own specifications after a presentation of all the ingredients taken from the great Greek larder. Then, as the sun sets, savour one of the great Mediterranean dishes with views overlooking the mighty Acropolis.
Truffle and mushroom hunting in Milan
Some come to Milan on the hunt for sublime opera and some for Renaissance art. Harder to find, but every bit as satisfying, are the truffles and mushrooms in the city’s verdant surrounding countryside. Every September and October, these treasured woodlands are visited by chefs and amateur gourmands alike in the search for one of Italy’s most beloved ingredients. Now guests of the Excelsior Hotel Gallia, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Milan can join an expert team for a truffle and mushroom hunt in the heart of the Alba region, considered by Michelin-starred chefs to be the country’s best region for white truffles. Once you’ve tracked down the celebrated fungus, let the concierge arrange a meal in one of the area’s outstanding local restaurants, just reward indeed for a day hunting one of the world’s great epicurean luxuries.
Fireside cooking in Crete
The gentle lapping of the cerulean waves, the sinking sun painting the sky hues of gold and orange – such is the timeless Cretan sunset as seen from the Blue Door restaurant, a converted fisherman’s home discreetly set on the seafront. Part of the Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa, Crete, the restaurant prepares antikristo every Friday during the summer – lamb sprinkled in sea salt and slowly cooked on a smouldering fire. Breathe in the scents of the feast to come while listening to traditional Cretan music and absorbing the melodious rhythms and timeless tastes of a memorable evening spent in a secluded corner of the most beguiling of all the Greek islands.
The Luxury Collection is a member of Marriott Bonvoy™. To find out more, click here
This article has been tagged Advertorial, Hotels
More from previous issues
What's your hand luggage essential?
Between them, they've seen more hand luggage than just about anyone else. Now, we ask BA insiders to reveal their top carry-on picks
How to be... a better traveller
There are a number of New Year’s resolutions you can make to improve your travel experiences – and benefit the destinations you visit
The best of BA news
British Airways helps inspire the next generation of astronauts, plus new seasonal routes mean that adventure is on the cards this summer
A chef’s guide: where to eat in 2020
The Club asked some of the world’s most acclaimed chefs to reveal which restaurants will prove too hard to resist this year