
Staying & dining in style at Hotel Terra The Magic Place in the Sarentino valley in South Tyrol, Italy
Premium hotel above South Tyrol's capital of Bolzano with Michelin 2-star restaurant:
Yet again my husband and I made a find on our never-ending journey of chasing down Michelin stars. And this in a place we would have never dreamed of being…

Staying & dining in style at Hotel Castel in Tirolo in South Tyrol/Italy
Luxury hotel above the town of Merano with Michelin 2-star restaurant:
If you are heading to the Merano area in South Tyrol and looking for high-end lodging and dining, do not look further. Hotel Castel Tirolo South Tyrol with its two-star…

North Italy & west Switzerland in style, a 14-day road trip itinerary
Luxury hotels & Michelin (starred) dining along the route:
Yet another road trip in north Italy and west Switzerland was on my husband's and my agenda this late summer. And this after already doing one to Italy's north (and France's south)…

3 top things to do around Alassio on the Italian Riviera
A guide to visiting a part of Liguria west of Genoa, especially if you like walking:
Liguria is one of the smallest regions in Italy, with its capital in Genoa. It is a narrow strip of land on one of the northernmost points of the Mediterranean…

Staying & dining in style at Villa della Pergola in Alassio/Italian Riviera
Luxury boutique hotel with Michelin star restaurant in a Ligurian seaside resort west of Genoa:
Update: new chef Giorgio Pignagnoli at Restaurant Nove as from spring 2022
Nowadays, foreign travelers head to the Ligurian hotspots as the Cinque…

3 top things to do in Piedmont’s Langhe region, Italy (that include walking)
A guide to visiting the Langhe wine region around Alba, especially if you like walking:
Piedmont is one of Italy's 20 regions, with its capital in Turin. It sits in the foothills of the Alps in the country's north and is mainly known for its…

Staying & dining in style at Relais San Maurizio in Piedmont/Italy
Luxury hotel near Alba with Michelin star restaurant & great facilities amidst vineyards:
I have hardly ever experienced a hotel with such a beautiful location! Hotel Relais San Maurizio Piedmont is set on a hill near Alba in one of Italy's…

3 top things to do in Orta San Giulio on Lake Orta, Italy
A guide to visiting one of the country's most beautiful villages:
Only recently did I learn about the stunning village of Orta San Giulio on Lake Orta. And this albeit is not far from Switzerland, my home country. This medieval small town features…

Staying & dining in style at Villa Crespi on Lake Orta/Italy
Historic rooms at boutique luxury hotel & two-star Michelin restaurant in Italy's Lake District:
UPDATE: Villa Crespi Restaurant received its third Michelin star in November 2022!
Hotel Villa Crespi truly is an eye-catcher! Its Moorish…