Gastronomy

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Gastronomic milestone trips

Armies march on their stomachs, but so do travelers. This collection of trips brings culinary culture to the fore. But it’s about more than just eating. Get into the kitchen, forage for ingredients, scour the night markets. Oh, and come hungry.


South Africa Italy Argentina

South Africa

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In recent years, South Africa has emerged as a bright, diverse and incredibly modern nation – and one of the best safari destinations in the entire continent.

You’d be hard pressed to find a better ‘venue’ for your milestones than this. The vibrant culinary scene of Cape Town. The lush winelands of Franschhoek. The epic wilderness of Sabi Sands. You’ll have it all – and all at your fingertips.

Where to stay

Grootbos

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

Between luscious forests and sublime beaches, you wouldn’t be wrong to call Grootbos ‘a haven’. It offers a dizzying array of experiences – from flower safaris to shark-cage diving.

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Babylonstoren | Luxury Hotels in South Africa

Babylonstoren, Franschhoek

This idyllic Cape Dutch farmhouse may be an authentic 17th-century estate on first glance, but step through the gates and discover a place which has since transformed itself into a contemporary home-away-from-home.

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The highlights

Cape Town view in South Africa

The cuisines of Cape Town

Food – and eating – is the beating heart of this coastal city. We’ll set you up with a gastronomic guide who’ll induct you into the tastes and flavors that feed this vibrant subwaypolis.

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Bo Kaap South Africa

Bo Kaap cooking class

Join a local cook for a hands-on Bo Kaap cooking glass (rooties, chilli bites, and Cape Malay curry).

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Elgin,Valley,,Grabouw,,South,Africa

Hike into the Elgin Valley

You could think of the Valley as a kind of transplanted Tuscany – a rolling, mountain- framed landscape that positively bursts with pears, olives, and flowers. A walk here is a stroll in paradise.

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Babylonstoren | Luxury Hotels in South Africa

From garden to table

Franschhoek is a culinary haven, where the emphasis is on local produce and al fresco dining. You’ll spend the day exploring the gardens, orchards, rivers and vineyards of one of our favorite places on earth. There’ll be plenty of sustenance throughout the day.

Best of South Africa & Mozambique: The Big Five

A sabi sands safari

Now for something with high adrenaline. Waking at sunrise, we’ll take you out to see the big cats in action, with a supporting cast of elephant, giraffe and hyena.

Best of South Africa & Mozambique: The Big Five

Italy

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The rugged regions of the Italian north – once the stronghold of Renaissance kingdoms – have long held a reputation as the down-to-earth heartlands of its most exceptional wine and cuisine. That it beats the archetypal image of the ‘Italian’ escape is firmly to its advantage.

Here, you could plot your entire celebrations around plates and glasses; where mountain rifugi boast Michelin stars and there are more DOCG regions than you can shake a stick at. You’ll eat well. You’ll drink well. And you’ll be feted with some of the most sublime landscapes in all of Europe. Saluti.

Where to stay

Lefay Resort & Spa Lake Garda | Luxury Hotels in Italy

Lefay Resort & Spa, Lake Garda

Located on the enticingly-named Riviera dei Limoni, this elegant resort – carved into the mountainsides themselves – places proper emphasis on three things: traditional spa treatments; cuisine; and landscape. There are few better or more soul-enriching boltholes in all of Italy.

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Dolomites | Luxury Holidays in Northern Italy

Rosa Alpina

For a change of view, Rosa Alpina is in the very heart of the Dolomites. The phrase ‘picture book’ beauty comes to mind. It is charming, refined, and outrageously cozy. And you’ll have some of the best Michelin- starred dishes in all South Tyrol at
your fingertips.

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The highlights

Luxury Holidays in Piedmont, Italy

Hunt for Truffles

Truffles – white or black – are a serious business in this neck of the woods. We’ll team you up with a truffle hunter. Once you’ve found your quarry, you’ll meet one of our local chefs with whom, together, you’ll cook up a feast.

Piedmont: Discover Truffles in the Italian Countryside
Luxury Holidays & Honeymoons in Italy

Take to the waters

On the waters of Lake Garda, we’ll charter you a sailboat. The route, the destination? That’s up to you. There are countless quaint coves and villages to explore. Take your time.

Lake Garda, The Dolomites & The Prosecco Hills: A Luxury Summer Vacation in Northern Italy
The night sky Italy

Dine beneath the stars

You’ll learn the lay of the stars during an educational evening at the Helmut Ullrich Astronomical Observatory. Just you and an astronomer. Having filled your eyes, we’ll take you to a perfect rifugi for a perfect mountain meal.

Lake Garda, The Dolomites & The Prosecco Hills: A Luxury Summer Vacation in Northern Italy
Laek Garda | Luxury Holidays in Northern Italy

A UNESCO pairing

Conegliano Valdobbiadene can now boast its status as a newly UNESCO-listed DOCG region. You’ll see why on this cheese and wine tasting foray through its rolling hills and valleys.

Lake Garda, The Dolomites & The Prosecco Hills: A Luxury Summer Vacation in Northern Italy

To the heights of Monte Baldo

For centuries, Amo Bay has been home to the ‘ama’ female free divers who collect shellfish, seaweed and sea urchin. You’ll dine on a fresh catch alongside an ama in her amagoya hut; discovering an ancient way of life and the traditions that underpin it.

Lake Garda, The Dolomites & The Prosecco Hills: A Luxury Summer Vacation in Northern Italy
Prosecco | Luxury Holidays in Northern Italy

Go to the source

When in Prosecco, it would be improper to miss out on the good stuff. On this day, we’ll take you to one of our favorite regional wineries. Why favorite? Because they also produce their own cheese. Perfect.

Lake Garda, The Dolomites & The Prosecco Hills: A Luxury Summer Vacation in Northern Italy

Argentina

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Argentina is a wide and wild country; framed by the Andes, shaped by the tectonics of long-extinct volcanoes. From the cultural highs of Buenos Aires to the alpine air of the lake district, you’ll find the perfect landscape in which to celebrate your milestones.

Between tango steps and gaucho horsemanship, this is a destination which revolves around culture and cuisine. Asado cookouts, vineyard lunches – we’ll tell the story of Argentina from plate to plate and glass to glass. Come hungry. Come curious. This is one for the ages.

Where to stay

Casa de Uco, Mendoza

Waking up to the sight of the Andes Mountains – a vast wine estate stretching before you. This is the grandeur of Casa de Uco, a truly world- class wine resort. Not a bad place in which to mark your milestones.

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Argentina

Llao Llao, Bariloche

This is a lustrously green place in which to build a camp. After all, Xigera’s creators know the value of place – a choice location in the Moremi Game Reserve, with all its rooms and spaces championing some of the continent’s most bohemian designs.

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The highlights

Empanada making in Argentina

The art of the empanada

You’ll join chef Ezequiel Gallardo for a food-first tour of the markets of Buenos Aires, taking your discoveries back to Treintasillas, his restaurant, for a hands-on cooking masterclass.

Buenos Aires & Bariloche: An Argentina family vacation
Argentina

The way of the gaucho

The gaucho – skilled horsemen of the South American pampas – are famed for their bravery and independence. You’ll learn first-hand about their way of life in the gaucho town of San Antonio de Areco. Mate-tasting, polo-playing, and a traditional Argentine asado (or, barbecue).

Inspirations
Red Wine tasting

Wine-making experience

At artisanal winery Bodega Tempus Alba, you’ll be guided through the vineyards and cellars by the family who lovingly own and operate it. Not only will they teach you how to blend your own wine, but you’ll join them for lunch on one of the most beautiful terraces in all of Mendoza. From here, you’ll visit a selection of the region’s most iconic wineries.

Tasting Notes of Argentina with Fernando Trocca
Vineyards in Mendoza

Uco Valley

You’ll embark on a deep delve into the startling, mountain-fringed Uco Valley; joining up with an expert viticultural guide. Blind-wine tastings will be de rigeur. For lunch, you’ll head to one of our favorite restaurants in Mendoza – Finca Piedra Infinita, whose chef will give you a personal introduction to their menu.

Tasting Notes of Argentina with Fernando Trocca
Bariloche lake, luxury vacations Argentina

All about Bariloche

Before dining at exquisite Il Gabbiano, you’ll have the entire region at your feet – from the sparkling waters of Nahuel Huapi Lake to the trekking, skiing and mountaineering on offer around this charming Alpine city.

Tasting Notes of Argentina with Fernando Trocca

A memorable, and special trip

Black Tomato helped plan a beautiful, memorable, and special trip for our family. We will always use them for our travel.

Lara, Black Tomato Traveler
Traditional yurts in Mongolia

WILDCARD MILESTONE TRIPS

Themes are flexible. So are celebrations. For a trip with a great deal of difference, there’s our ‘wildcard’ selection. They’re some of our favorites.

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Family holidays

OUR FAMILY VACATIONS

These tried-and-tested family-friendly vacations are guaranteed crowd-pleasers, regardless of how large – or small – your family happens to be, there’s something for everyone.

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THE TRAVEL CALENDAR

With these immersive family experiences, we’re celebrating the transformative power of the books we loved when we were young, and the stories our children have come to adore themselves.

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