Luxury Travel: European Destinations

Naples – home to real pizza, silk, and mozzarella di bufala

Serious pizza-appreciators are probably already familiar with Da Michele, the holy grail of Neapolitan Pizza but instead of joining the queues at the pizzeria Eat, Pray, Love featured, why not sign up for a local pizza course to learn the artisanal tricks of the trade yourself?

Get a deeper understanding of precisely why the pizza tastes that good by visiting a local mozzarella farm where visitors can witness buffaloes living in luxurious modern stables, laying back on mattresses and chilling to new age music.

Beyond the food, Naples is an invitation to explore the House of Bourbon, the 18th century silk factory established by King Ferdinand. To this day it produces silk flags for the White House and Buckingham Palace. For an even deeper look into the long history of Italian commitment to quality, visit the archaeological park of Baia, where one can don a diving suit and admire the ancient Roman ruins hidden beneath the water.

Porto – home to Port

Strung along the banks of the Douro River, the old town of Porto emanates an air of romance and mystery. Between visits to Cas da Musica and the Museu de Arte, indulge in the fine tipple that is the city’s namesake.  Of the many glorious European destinations Porto is undoubtedly underrated.

Geneva – home to the masters of chocolate

Although not officially a part of the European Union, Switzerland could count as one of the fine European destinations purely by virtue of its tasty offerings. From Rudolphe Lindt to Francois-Louis Cailler the workshops of master chocolate-makers live in Geneva, and there’s no better way to consolidate your love for the luxury than through a tour of the chocolate shops where a sweet heavenly aroma wafts through the halls.

Ile-de-France – home to French Brie

On the grass beside a grand cathedral, savour the texture and flavour of the finest French brie in the city that invented it.  Admire Monet’s Water Lillies at Giverny where beside the famous lily pond one can wander through the great artist’s home and walk the streets of the Impressionist master like a traditional flaneur.

Tuscany – home to extra virgin olive oil  

There’s no better way to explore the olive oil farms dotting Tuscany than on the saddle of a bike. A cycle tour through the gorgeous region offers the finest views, an opportunity to explore at your own pace and a perfect excuse to build up an appetite for the abundance of local feasts there are to indulge in. On the Via Francigena guests can stomp grapes in season, rest in luxurious villas and in the balmy summer evenings sit beneath the olive groves to sip wine and dip chunks of ciabatta into the finest quality olive oil.

For more information about delicious European destinations and private tours of Italy, contact Charme & Adventure.