Destinations

Alain Ducasse’s landmark Monte Carlo restaurant Le Louis XV this year turns 25. We celebrate with an excerpt from the French chef’s guide to his favourite places to eat on the Riviera, J’aime Monaco: Ma Méditerranée en 170 Adresses, translated exclusively for GT.

Katrina Lawrence follows her nose to 10 of the French capital’s most creative and fragrant perfumeries, a heady mix of crystal, gilt, history and glamour.

One city, a thousand ways to enjoy it. We asked London insiders – including some of the city’s top chefs – to name the best ways to enjoy the British capital.

London’s dining scene has reached Olympic proportions. Whether you’re after a great gastropub meal, a good (Aussie) coffee or an extravagant big night out, we bring you the capital’s best and fairest, just in time for the Games.

Where does a fashion editor lay down her credit card when she hits London for the shows? Christine Centenera shares her insider shopping tips.

Lombardy’s capital is in the throes of a revival, buoyed by the opening of a new luxury hotel by Giorgio Armani. The fashion icon gives GT a tour of his beloved home city.

What do ice-cream sandwiches, amphora-fermented wines, hip London hoteliers and cashmere eye-masks have in common? They’re among the new stars in this year’s Gourmet Traveller Hot 100. It's your global hit list, from the latest in travel tips to emerging food and drinks trends. To see some of our top picks in pictures, launch the slideshow. To check out the entire Hot 100 list, click here.

Venice seduces with its intoxicating mix of history, mystery, art and architecture. Melbourne restaurateur and Biennale patron Rinaldo Di Stasio shares his favourite haunts and secret corners of this special city.

Once it was famed for its fast cars, now it’s known for its slow food. Amy Egan heads to Piedmont and its post-industrial capital, Turin, and finds a hub of modern design, converted palaces and artisanal food.

Southern Italy has always fascinated former undercover detective Colin McLaren, despite its criminal networks – or maybe, strangely, because of them. Kendall Hill travels with him through Basilicata, Calabria and Sicily on a tour with a difference.

Choosing from the bounty of New Zealand's holiday destinations is no simple feat, but we've managed to narrow it down to a mixed dozen of great places to eat, drink and relax. Launch the gallery to see our picks.

Max Veenhuyzen finds the best places to stay, eat, drink and play in South Africa’s Mother City.

Bergamo’s ancient honey-coloured walls, empty piazzas and pealing church bells provide Leila McKinnon with the Italy of her dreams.

The sultanate of Oman combines a vast turquoise coastline and a desert heart with ancient legends and new-age luxury. Jennifer Byrne reports.

Unhurried, untouched and unforgettable: Richard Cooke discovers a tiny nation in the South Pacific where paradise is defined by what it’s not. Welcome to the Cook Islands.

Perhaps it’s the fall-out from the country’s infamously disruptive volcano, or maybe it’s something in the thermal waters, but Iceland has become a hive of bohemian cool. Shane Mitchell explores the world’s northernmost capital and finds great food, good drinking and cool shopping. World, meet Reykjavík.

George Epaminondas heads to Portland, USA, and discovers that the cloud-bound city has upped its hip quotient with vibrant bistros, sleek bars and quirky stores. It’s now the perfect balance of outdoor pursuits and urban pleasures. Get packing.

Kyneton and Castlemaine were born out of the gold-rush era, but now passion has replaced precious metal as the currency in these parts of central Victoria. Kerryn Burgess meets the people transforming the towns into hubs of good living. Read all about the towns in our article and launch the gallery for more images from the area. PHOTOGRAPHY PRUE RUSCOE

Sydney chef Peter Kuruvita explores Sri Lanka’s culinary and cultural bounty and shares his top 10 experiences for first-time visitors to the country of his forebears.

Tasmania’s Maria Island was once a penal colony, but walking here today is not punishing. Leo Schofield pulls on his hiking boots and discovers a peaceful place rich in natural beauty.

Greece heaves with ancient archaeological wonders, but which ones do you really need to see? Classical civilisations expert Eleni Argy picks 10 of the best, from the world-famous landmarks to the hidden treasures.

There’s far more to the Greek capital than ancient history. George Calombaris looks beyond the city’s gritty façade and uncovers its culinary heart and soul, from traditional tavernas and delicatessens to the hottest new dining stars.

Greek-Australian make-up maven Napoleon Perdis shares his family’s top 10 Greek holiday experiences, from swimming in Paxos to sailing on the Aegean.

Christine Manfield’s passion for the subcontinent is an enduring one. In this exclusive extract from her new book, Tasting India, the Sydney chef explores the regal splendour and vibrant flavours of Rajasthan.

Visitors often overlook New Zealand’s capital in favour of Auckland or Queenstown, so when Max Veenhuyzen hit Wellington on the eve of the Rugby World Cup, he was chuffed to discover a port city that lives to eat and drink.

Frank Camorra and Richard Cornish ate and drank their way through the narrow streets and intimate neighbourhoods of Barcelona to produce the definitive guide to the city’s culture of good living. Here’s an exclusive taste of their new book.

Tina Arena calls Paris home these days. Here, the Australian singer (and French national treasure) shares her insights into an authentic, intimate side of the City of Light, from the gritty streets of Montmartre to vintage couture at the Palais Royal.

The ultimate bread and butter, mind-blowing lobster ravioli: Paris-born chef Guillaume Brahimi shares his top 10 eating experiences in the French capital.

Pat Nourse heads to the French Riviera’s premium coastline and discovers a fishing town of plutocrats and blue-chip boutiques that confounds preconceptions. Bikinis are optional; credit cards are not.

Luxury digs, an open fire, a glass of organic pinot noir, lamb rack with artichoke purée… the après-ski action in New Zealand’s Wanaka is just as exciting as the skiing.

Pleasingly lush, thrillingly bleak, Dingle is a jewel on the wind-carved western Irish coast, where the only thing outdoing the authentic pubs and good food is the warmth of the local characters.

From Paloma Picasso and Kate Winslet to Elizabeth Gilbert and Carla Zampatti, friends of Gourmet Traveller share with us what they like to do “when in Rome”.

Once the seaside destination of Italy’s jet set, the Riviera di Ponente today moves at a quieter pace that’s ideal, writes John Irving, for exploring Liguria’s history, culture and, of course, food.

Kyoto, the former imperial capital of Japan, is renowned for its beauty and unique food culture, writes John Ashburne.

Museums such as MoMA and the Met hold the limelight in the city that never sleeps, but less heralded cultural gems await discovery. From ancient artefacts in Brooklyn to African-American art in Harlem, David Vincent turns up a host of hidden treasures.

From hot restaurants and cute cafés to chic boutique hotels and provocative private museum MONA, Hobart is suddenly hip. Kendall Hill ventures south.

Wondering what’s on the menu in Australia’s best-loved international beach destination? Kendall Hill reports on the coolest places to eat, drink and make merry in Bali.

Its dramatic landscape – red-rock forms that overwhelm a deep blue sky – is the staggeringly beautiful attraction of the Flinders Ranges. But a luxury homestead stay is now also part of this unique outback experience, discovers Tony Maniaty.

With its punting on the river Avon and its gothic revival architecture, Christchurch is too often written off as a quaint outpost of empire. But there’s more to New Zealand’s second-largest city than you might think. Kendall Hill is charmed.

With more than 200 inhabited islands, the Greek archipelago offers everything from glam beach clubs and chic boutiques to medieval ruins and rocky mountain ranges. Here are 10 of the best islands – and 10 reasons to add them to your next Mediterranean itinerary.

The classic Sydney beachside neighbourhood of Manly has come of age, with new restaurants, cafés and boutiques bringing sophistication to the seaside vibe. Jump a ferry and catch the new wave.

They’re following the sun and chasing the snow, staying close to home and heading farther afield: we asked some of our favourite people from the worlds of art, sport, food, fashion and entertainment where they’re headed this summer. Pack your bags, good times await. Compiled by Emma Ventura & Monique Lane For more great holiday ideas, check out ninemsn Travel's Top 10 summer holiday spots.

Where better to pub crawl than in the streets of Dublin? Paul Daley tours the city’s more famous drinking houses, retracing the steps (and reading from the works) of Beckett, Joyce and Wilde. Make ours a pint.

George Epaminondas sets his GPS for the sweeping boulevards of Los Angeles and uncovers, beyond the Tinseltown hype, a city of first-rate eateries, sensational vintage shopping and cool galleries.

Fashion identity Fleur Wood travels regularly to India to source fabrics and craftwork for her gorgeous garments. On the eve of the Commonwealth Games, she shares her favourite places to shop, eat and chill out in the host city.

In the history-soaked Spanish cities of Toledo, Segovia and Salamanca, all an easy drive from Madrid, Kendall Hill finds storybook perfection in towering fortresses, gothic cathedrals and awe-inspiring castles.

Rob Ingram explores the spare beauty and mystery of Easter Island, known to locals as Rapa Nui, a windblown outcrop perched in the middle of the South Pacific.

Richard Cooke hops a train through Switzerland and, beyond the chocolate and cuckoo clock clichés, discovers contemporary architecture, quirky museums and remote alpine spas.

The Queensland capital’s dining scene has shifted up a gear, it’s popped the top and it’s revving its engine anew. Pat Nourse shares his picks of the new Brisbane eats and drinks.

Erase the images of that volcano with the unpronounceable name from your mind with the much more stunning images from our story on Iceland including web exclusives you’ll only find in our online gallery. PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES FISHER

Shane Mitchell ventures beyond the hard-to-pronounce volcano to the westernmost region of Iceland, a land of stark tundra, quirky country hotels and startled elves.

Touring through Turkey, Leo Schofield loses himself amid an abundance of historical riches, from Istanbul’s opulent Topkapi Palace to the caves of Cappadocia and the memorials of Gallipoli.

Golden Age style meets unspoiled snowfields at Sun Valley, Idaho – the ski resort of choice for the likes of Ernest Hemingway and Clark Gable. Pat Nourse soaks up its attractions both on-piste and off.

Paris’s hottest dining trend is “cave à manger” – wine shops doing double duty as restaurants. Intimate, casual and affordable, these gems are hiding some of the city’s best eating and drinking. Here’s a taste.

Rob Ingram journeys to the heart of Cognac and discovers, among the medieval architecture and postcard-perfect countryside, that there’s more to this bucolic corner of the world than just brandy.

Take a walk on the wild side. Follow Brittany’s windswept coastline west to , a remote region suffused with maritime folklore, sustained by a Celtic heritage and renowned for bountiful produce. Oysters, butter, cider, strawberries and super-sized savoury crêpes – this is one grand land. Launch the gallery below to take a closer look at the region and read Amy Egan's guide to Finistère here. PHOTOGRAPHY FERGUS STOTHART

Take a walk on the wild side. Follow Brittany’s windswept coastline west to a remote region suffused with maritime folklore, sustained by a Celtic heritage and renowned for bountiful produce. Oysters, butter, cider, strawberries and super-sized savoury crêpes – this is one grand land.

London is newly affordable since the Aussie dollar hit the pound for six. Stretch your budget even further with Guy Dimond’s pick of cool, good-value places to eat and sleep.

A cocktail at Harry’s Bar, breakfast at Caffè Florian, masterpieces at the Gallerie dell’Accademia... if you’re only in Venice for a short stay (or you’re a first-timer), it’s all about hitting the city’s famed landmarks, writes Colman Andrews. Here’s the perfect plan.

Read our story on what to do if you only have 24 hours in Venice and click below for a pictorial tour of the famed City of Canals.

Ilaria Venturini Fendi, a refreshingly down-to-earth member of Italian fashion royalty, takes time out from running her farm and eco-conscious accessories label to give GT a personal tour of her favourite experiences in The Eternal City.

Artists and artisans alike have long found sustenance in the food, wine and beauty of Chianti. Pat Nourse travels through Italy’s most famous, and picturesque, region to meet its legendary producers and pay his respects to the mighty bistecca Fiorentina.

Tetsuya Wakuda reveals his favourite Tokyo restaurants and bars.

Who better to guide you through the seemingly impenetrable array of restaurants and bars in the Japanese capital than the world’s top Japanese chef? Here Tetsuya Wakuda offers an exclusive glimpse into the culinary highlights of his favourite city.

It’s already Greece’s most legendary island, and the filming of the new Wog Boy movie will shine the spotlight even more brightly on Mykonos.But there’s more to this famous pleasure-seeking playground than G-strings and beach clubs.

Greece’s rugged and bloody Mani peninsula was once a no-go zone for strangers. Tony Maniaty returns to the land of his forefathers and finds that while they may be seducing more travellers these days, the Maniots have lost none of their famed pride and passion. Click here to read the story.

Greece’s rugged and bloody Mani peninsula was once a no-go zone for strangers. Tony Maniaty returns to the land of his forefathers and finds that while they may be seducing more travellers these days, the Maniots have lost none of their famed pride and passion.

John Mangos reveals his top 10 dining hot spots in Athens, from an upscale restaurant in a five-star hotel to a local souvlaki joint where they fan the coals with hair dryers.

There’s more to the Greek capital than the Acropolis. Join us for this insider’s guide to Athens with hotel heiress Tina Daskalantonakis, the city’s self-proclaimed unofficial ambassador.

High-profile Sydneysiders reveal their favourite hang-outs in the Harbour City.

Beautiful, breezy and blessed with a stunning coastline, Sydney is Australia’s most spectacular city. We’ve pulled together a hit list of our personal faves, from designer boutiques and stellar restaurants to scenic coastal walks and eclectic art galleries. Yes, this is how the GT team hangs out in our home town (and shows it off to jealous visitors).

Kaikoura, the tiny coastal town on New Zealand’s South Island, draws a million visitors a year thanks to its spectacular views and marine life. This is eco-tourism at its best.

It’s always been a popular summer playground for Melburnians, but with striking new properties and an explosion in the region’s food and wine scene, Victoria’s glorious Mornington Peninsula is hotter than ever, writes Michael Harden.

Away from the tourist throngs, Kendall Hill follows in the footsteps of Salvador Dalí and discovers a world where art, culture and Hollywood glamour meet the rugged natural beauty of Spain’s Costa Brava.

Unsung hero
Flashier holiday spots may steal the limelight, but with pristine beaches, old-school Aussie charm and a new restaurant from seafood supremo Rick Stein, the New South Wales South Coast is having its time in the sun. Check out our sunsoaked slideshow below and click here for Pat Nourse's take on the best of the coast. PHOTOGRAPHY ANSON SMART

You won’t find these eating spots in any glossy guide. Most don’t offer menus, and some serve only one (superb) dish. Sue Dyson and Roger McShane follow the locals for an authentic taste of Thailand.

Kendall Hill arrived in Mexico City expecting chaos but left marvelling at the charisma and sophistication of this modern-day metropolis.

From the city's best sandwich bar to its favourite charcuteria, our gourmet guide to Barcelona has it all. WORDS KENDALL HILL PHOTOGRAPHY SHARYN CAIRNS

Madrid is a city of – wait for it – 350,000 bars. Undaunted by the scale of the task, Kendall Hill explores the scene and nominates 10 of the Spanish capital’s most distinctive drinking holes.

From the dry, rocky soils of Priorat, in remote Catalonia, has sprung an ancient winemaking tradition, awe-inspiring monastic architecture and a proud cuisine both frugal and flavoursome.

Pat Nourse ate his way through trolleyloads of chicken feet and tripe to pick Hong Kong’s top yum cha spots.

Dishing up everything from dan dan noodles to grapefruit Danishes, and boasting a wave of Michelin stars, Hong Kong dining has never been hotter. Pat Nourse headed to China’s most vibrant territory in search of gustatory awesomeness.

Cosy bars, world-class wine, historic towns and farm-trail foraging are all part of the landscape in Mudgee. Rob Ingram takes a break in the picturesque NSW region where boundaries blur between heritage and hot new experiences.

It’s no secret that recent times have been tough for Australia’s favourite holiday island. But with a raft of gorgeous new resorts, glam bars and clubs and, above all, the love of a good party, there’s no keeping Bali down. Dive in – the water’s fine. PHOTOGRAPHY JULIAN KINGMA

“Water can rust iron. Imagine what it does to your insides. It’s much better to drink wine.” Such is the catchcry in Burgundy, where locals worship at the altar of the grape. Richard Cooke ventures to the region filled with rich traditions (and lots of wine). PHOTOGRAPHY JOHN LAURIE

“Water can rust iron. Imagine what it does to your insides. It’s much better to drink wine.” Such is the catchcry in Burgundy, where locals worship at the altar of the grape. Richard Cooke ventures to the region filled with rich traditions (and lots of wine).

After diligently taste-testing her way through the macarons, crêpes and soufflés of her home city, Paris correspondent Rosa Jackson has come up with 10 of the best cheap eats in town.

Quick weekend escape? Head over the Tasman to Matakana, Auckland’s version of the Hamptons and a cornucopia of produce from both orchard and ocean.

Looking for a recession-proof international holiday that delivers easy access, affordable luxury, cultural experiences and downright fab food? Welcome to Vietnam.

Rome, Florence, Naples, the Amalfi... the list of our favourite Italian destinations goes on and on and on.

Nestled in Victoria’s gorgeous Ovens, Kiewa and King valleys is an exciting crop of producers and providores. Luxe restaurants and accommodation abound – and The Kilns, a modern homestead built around historic tobacco kilns, just adds to the package. Check in.

Follow in the footsteps of a great explorer and lose yourself in the lunar landscape and teeming waters of South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula.

The Harbour City is passing on the pie, stepping away from the schooner and heading to a wine bar instead. We’ll drink to that.

If you fancy a Parisian ‘petite initiation gastronomique’, let the Victoria Palace Hotel guide you through the neighbourhood’s very best food and wine.

It’s known for its spectacular scenery, but the outstanding wineries and fine food outlets are an even better reason to visit Victoria’s Surf Coast, says Max Allen.

For the real romance of the high seas, step aboard a working cargo-passenger ship for a journey through the far-removed and fabled Marquesas Islands.

Richard Cooke searches for the road less travelled in Hawaii, island-hopping from Oahu to the Big Island, Lana’i and Maui, and finds there’s more to this Pacific oasis than grass-skirt clichés and Barack Obama. Just don’t take the rocks.

Like Alice tumbling into Wonderland, ex-Sydney girl Carla Coulson reveals a portrait of Paris and its prized gardens that is both familiar and fantastic.

Marseille may be the oldest city in France, but it’s one of the country’s most vibrant. Diverse ethnic influences have given this port hub a richness and complexity not unlike its most famous dish, bouillabaisse.

From utterly decadent hotels and awe-inspiring art collections to a thriving pub scene and great food, welcome to the Scottish capital.