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Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
This Hotel Has Rome's First Three Michelin Star Restaurant and the City's Best Views—Here's What It's Like to Eat There
Key Points Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, sits on Rome's highest hill, Monte Mario. The property famously boasts some of Rome's best views, particularly during sunset and golden hour. Aside from this spectacular vantage point, the hotel's star is undeniably La Pergola, Rome's first three Michelin star restaurant. Chef Heinz Beck showcases his artistry through Rome's best tasting menu, which mirrors the hotel's commitment to art through its extensive on-site public galleries. No matter where I turned inside Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, I could not escape the feeling of magnificence. It seeps through the fine art on the walls, like the rare triptych by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo that hangs in the lobby. It's palpable from the hotel's balconies that peer over Rome's iconic landmarks. The magnificence can even be experienced through taste, as it is home to Rome's first three Michelin star restaurant, La Pergola. La Pergola is more than just the jewel in the hotel's crown, it is that to the city as well. The restaurant recently underwent a full renovation and reopened its doors last year, revealing an interior that pays homage to the grand city it calls home. The new design, executed by Paris-based Studio Jouin Manku, cleverly tells the story of Rome—think terracotta hues that mirror the city's rooftops, crystal chandeliers that allude to Roman rainfall, and a bar carved from travertine, the stone used for the Coliseum and so many Ancient Roman icons. Upon further inspection, you can see the design is laced with unexpected moments that serve as an amuse-bouche to the dining experience. My personal favorite is the masterfully embroidered wall nook by Atelier Montex, which showcases designs of chef Heinz Beck's most treasured flowers and herbs. The vast library of wine at La Pergola includes more than 60,000 bottles, including ultra-rare vintages in the cellar. These wines can be explored through the full 10-course experience with five wines (1,200 euros per couple), the abbreviated seven-course menu with four wines (1,000 euros per couple), or you can choose to order a la carte and drink by the glass. The premium beverage offerings trickle into a global water menu, where both mineral and bottled waters from around the world can be found. While many flock to Rome to get lost in its maze of frenetic trattorias, chef Beck provides a radically different approach to Italian cuisine—save for his signature dish, the Faggotelli La Pergola, an inverted version of Rome's classic carbonara, where pouches of handmade pasta are filled with the cheesy, peppery sauce, creating a flavorful explosion with each bite. Beck's methods are often scientific, balancing flavor with chemical precision—so much so that his work is cited in Italian academia. Most important to the Bavarian-born chef is focusing on balance and health. His risotto, for instance, is made without any milk or solid cheese, its indulgent creaminess created rather through technique. The meal begins with a slew of artistic small plates prepared tableside, an intimate, tone-setting moment between chef and patron. The tasting menu is a tour of local ingredients such as Alba white truffles, Mediterranean red shrimp, and Italian veal. As the final espresso hits your lips and your hands find the drawers of a fantastic biscuit cabinet, you'll understand how La Pergola has kept a firm grip on its Three Michelin Stars. While La Pergola is a gastronome's most prized work of art at Rome Cavalieri, it certainly has its competition. The hotel's private art collection of over 1,000 original pieces adorn the walls of its grand hallways, lobby, and suites. The public galleries make for a perfect moment pre- or post-dinner. Expect to find 17th-century paintings, such as "Judith with the Head of Holofernes," marble statues like "The Kiss," tapestries including "The Triumph of Mars," and the collection's true treasure, the aforementioned triptych by Tiepolo. A nightcap is best served at Rome Cavalieri's Tiepolo Bar, which is often brought to life with both a live piano and a front row seat to Tiepolo's masterpieces. The craft cocktail menu, called The Art Collection, draws upon the hotel's various art pieces for inspiration. "Each drink is a liquid interpretation of an iconic work of art, crafted to evoke emotions and inspiration—just as a great artist does with their brush," writes Angelo Severini, the chief mixologist. Drinks like " represent the hotel's private Andy Warhol "Dollar Signs" collection, which can be found in the penthouse suite. While it is easy to get lost in Rome Cavalieri's lavish amenities, some of its most memorable moments come from outside. Positioned atop Monte Mario, Rome's highest hill, the hotel's 15 acres provide sweeping views of the Eternal City, a reminder that it is both a spectator to Rome's magnificence and the keeper of some of its greatest stories. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
Forbes
09-06-2025
- Forbes
Orient Express Launches Train Journey Through Italy For Truffle Lovers
Take a trip for truffles. You don't often see a luxury train journey dedicated to a fungus. But here we are. Not just any fungus, mind you. We're talking about the white truffle—the kind that shows up on menus with eye-watering prices and shows up in your dreams if you've had it done right. This November, the legendary Orient Express is leaning into truffle season with a new itinerary: The Truffle Route. Two nights, rolling through northern Italy aboard the swanky La Dolce Vita Orient Express, with enough food, wine, and countryside to make you forget your inbox exists. The trip kicks off in Rome, then winds up into Piedmont—a region that, if we're being honest, knows its way around a bottle of red and a truffle shaver. This isn't a tour for people who just 'like Italian food.' It's for those who can tell you the altitude of their favorite Nebbiolo vineyard. You know the type. Maybe you are the type. From the moment you step onto the train at Rome's Ostiense station, it's clear subtlety isn't on the menu. Think gleaming wood, artful brass, and seats that invite you to sink in for a conversation. If Wes Anderson and an Italian count collaborated on a rail car design, this might be it. There's a strong chance you'll be handed Champagne before your coat's even off. Dinner is served not long after departure—Heinz Beck is in charge, which tells you most of what you need to know. The mood is elegant, but it never veers into stiff. There's music, candlelight, and linen that definitely wasn't bought in bulk. You start to realize that, yes, you're eating truffle risotto on a train, and no, you're not dreaming. It's absurd in the most delightful way. By the time the sun rises, you're in Nizza Monferrato, a town that feels like someone photoshopped together every perfect Italian hilltop you've ever seen. It's quiet and beautiful, with a faint scent of soil and breakfast. In other words, you've arrived. Here's where it gets interesting: passengers get the choice to head off on two truffle-forward excursions. First is a visit to Tenuta Cucco, a winery that's been doing its thing for more than half a century. You're welcomed with a glass of local red and a quick stroll through the vines before heading underground to their aging cellar. Travel in luxury and sample white truffles. Then comes lunch, a multi-course celebration of Piedmontese cooking—rich, savory, and a little rustic, paired with wines that taste even better when someone else has chosen them for you. After lunch, it's time to chase truffles. Literally. You head into the woods with a trifulau (that's a local truffle hunter) and his dog, who frankly does most of the work. You'll learn how to spot the right terrain, why truffles are so hard to cultivate, and maybe—if you're lucky—witness the moment when the dog catches a scent and starts to dig. It's quiet, oddly suspenseful, and moving in an unusual way. This is not your average tourist experience. Of course, once you've found the truffle, it's time to eat it. Back in the village, lunch is served with the freshly found treasure shaved generously over dishes like tajarin or fonduta. It's indulgent, sure, but also kind of sacred. Truffles are weird like that. Later that afternoon, you're off to Canelli, home of the Underground Cathedrals (yes, that's really what they're called). These are enormous stone cellars cut into the hillside, where some of Italy's best sparkling wines are made and stored. A tasting is included, naturally, followed by another meal—because if there's one thing this trip isn't short on, it's reasons to eat. The train departs for Rome that evening. There's one more dinner onboard, one more chance to stare out the window at the Italian countryside as it fades into night. By the time you wake up the next morning, you're back in Rome. Hopefully, with a suitcase full of wine and a camera roll full of food photos, you won't be able to explain to coworkers. Prices start at $9,490 per passenger, which is, admittedly, not pocket change. But if you've ever dreamed of combining a truffle hunt, a wine tour, and a luxury train journey into one long, slow, delicious weekend—well, it might be exactly the splurge you've been waiting for.
The National
08-05-2025
- The National
Eight luxury train journeys for slow travellers, from Maharajas Express in India to Andean Explorer in Peru
In January, Saudi Arabia added a luxury train to its growing list of tourist attractions. Set to be the Middle East's first super-luxury train, Dream of the Desert will allow travellers to explore the kingdom's heritage and natural sites through its 1,250 kilometres from Riyadh to Al Qurayyat in the north of the country, close to the Jordanian border. The 14-carriage Dream of the Desert will house 34 luxury suites and one restaurant, and will aim to cater to the growing slow travel trend as more and more people opt for longer, more sustainable journeys. With the popularity of the age-old leisurely train travel once again picking up speed, here are some of the world's most luxurious trains to hop on for an experiential journey. The newest kid on the block, this 12-carriage luxury train launched in April and transports up to 62 passengers for one, two or three nights around Italy, with the journey beginning and ending in Rome. Passengers can pick from two cabin classes: Deluxe, which comes with a sofa bed, and Suite, which has a double bed, sofa, and desk. Each cabin comes with an en suite bathroom and an in-room call button for a dedicated steward, who will answer to all of the guests' needs. Outside the cabins, passengers can also lounge in the bar cart or the restaurant cart, with a menu put together by three-Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck. There are eight itineraries to choose from currently, from a one-night Shores of Italy trip (€4,990 for two passengers in a deluxe cabin) to a two-night Tastes of Tuscan Vineyards journey, starting at €8,320 for two passengers in a deluxe cabin. One of the most luxurious – and expensive – train journeys in the country, the aptly named Maharajas Express or Kings Express takes guests through historic north India, with stops including the Taj Mahal and the grand palaces of Jaipur in Rajasthan. The 14-carriage trains can accommodate up to 88 guests per journey, who can choose from Deluxe Cabin, Junior Suite, Suite or the lavish Presidential Suite, which spans an entire carriage and comes with two bedrooms, a dining room, a spacious living area, and a modern private bathroom with a bath tub. Dining options include two restaurants as well as a lounge and bar cart, serving Indian as well as international cuisines. Four itineraries are on offer, of which three – Indian Splendour, Heritage of India and Indian Panorama – are seven-day trips, while Treasures of India is a four-day journey. Prices start at $7,800 per person for a Deluxe Cabin occupancy, with additional charges per extra guest. Passengers can also add on a journey with Golden Chariot, another luxury train that services southern India. Owned by Belmond, which operates a number of luxury trains around the world, the Eastern & Oriental Express offers three-night journeys across Malaysia, from royal towns to rice plantations. The 31-carriage train features luxury cabins, two restaurants, a piano bar, an observation car and a Dior Spa. Guests can choose from three cabin types – Pullman, Deluxe and Presidential Suite – with prices starting at $4,650 per person for a three-night Wild Malaysia journey in the Pullman Cabin. There's also a six-day Tiger Express journey, starting at $8,500 per person, which begins in Singapore. Organised in partnership with Save Wild Tigers, the trip includes stops in ancient rainforests where guests can learn about conservation efforts to protect the Malayan tiger. Taiwanese chef Andre Chiang, whose restaurants in Singapore and Taipei have multiple Michelin stars, is in charge of the menu. This long-running luxury train offers journeys across the African continent, from South Africa to Namibia and Zimbabwe. Comprising 36 suites, it can accommodate up to 72 passengers per journey. Passengers can choose from a variety of tours, from a two-night safari tour in Durban to a 15-night trip across Southern Africa, starting in Cape Town and ending in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. Three cabin classes are on offer – Pullman, Deluxe and Royal – with prices starting at $2,200 per person for a two-night tour. On board, guests can also enjoy a meal in the dining cars or lounge car (±26 seats) or views from the observation car with an open-air balcony. There's also a gift shop and smoking lounge. Another Belmond train, South America's first luxury train takes guests through Peru's breathtaking landscapes, from Lake Titicaca to the ruins of Raqch'i and high into the Andes. On board, passengers can indulge in Peruvian cuisine, relax in the Spa Car and take in the scenery from the lounge car. The 35 cabins are all air-conditioned and come in three options: Bunk Beds, Twin Beds and Suite. The Andean Explorer offers numerous journeys; Spirit of the Islands, Spirit of the Valley, Spirit of the Water and Spirit of the Andes are one-night routes. Andean Plains and Islands of Discovery and Peruvian Highlands both span two nights. Prices start at $3,238. Promising to offer 'parts of Australia no other holiday can come close to,' this luxury train journey takes guests through the country's outback and beyond. Passengers can pick from a number of cabin options – Gold, Gold Premium, Platinum and Aurora Australis Suites – or enjoy the journey from two lounge cars and two restaurants. There's also a Platinum Club, exclusive to Platinum and Aurora Autralis Suites guests. The Ghan offers four journeys, including a one-night trip from Darwin to Alice Springs, starting from $1,100 per person. A two-night trip from Adelaide to Darwin starts at $1,800 per person. Ancient Silk Route meets modern luxury in this train journey, which ceased operation in 2019 and is now accepting bookings for 2026. Three journeys are currently on offer: Ancient China by Private Train (12 days), China and Tibet Rail Discovery (13 days) and The Grand Silk Road (22 days). On board are two dining cars, one serving an international menu and the other serving Chinese cuisine. Guests can choose from two cabin options – Superior Cabin and Han Dynasty Suite – both with modern and luxury amenities. The bathrooms in the suites also come with their own bathtubs. Prices start at $19,900 per person for double occupancy. You'd be lucky to get a seat in Japan's first luxury train, demand for which is so high the company employs a lottery system for bookings. The all-suite train takes passengers across the mountainous island of Kyushu, and has only 10 guest rooms, of which two are Deluxe Suites. On board is a restaurant, a lounge bar, a salon and a small shop. Trips include a one-night Kyushu Tour Journey, a three-night Unzen Journey and a three-night Kirishima Journey, each highlighting different aspects of the island, from its traditional handicrafts to food and culture. Prices start at $5,400 per person.
Sydney Morning Herald
22-04-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
On board the world's most luxurious new train
An ambitious programme of eight one and two-night itineraries covering 14 Italian regions has been devised, most starting and ending in Rome and the most elaborate entailing a transfer of the train across the Straits of Messina on a privately chartered vessel to Sicily for visits to Taormina and Palermo. Some thought two nights was the right duration, others wanted longer, but all agreed that more time at our destinations would have been welcomed, and that will be reflected in tweaks to tours. As invariably happens on hotel trains, guests from half a dozen countries soon bonded in the lounge car, where the bar and piano were placed between an area of sinuous banquettes and seats arranged in twos and fours. The youngest in the surprisingly wide age range were a couple from South Korea, evidently on their honeymoon. Other passengers included an investor who had been successful enough to retire early and become a professional bridge player, and a couple from Delhi in the legal profession. Most of us matched the glad rags of the pianist, saxophonist and singer entertaining us after dinner. The near extinction of proper dining cars on so many railways has increased the pleasure of eating in one, and we began lunch to views over a glittering bay to the island of Napoleon's first incarceration, Elba. Our creative and high-quality six-course tasting menu with paired wines was created by Heinz Beck, who runs Rome's only three-Michelin-star restaurant, and produced by one of his protégés, Walter Canzio. The train stops for four or five hours every night, and over breakfast it was evident that the world divides into those who can sleep on moving trains, and those who can't – however comfortable the bed. Italy had the wit to retain many of its cross-country railway lines, which often venture into its equivalent of la France profonde, so it was a pleasure to reach Siena by the single-line route from Montepescali through remote countryside. Between woods, an avenue of slender cypresses led to a characteristic Tuscan farmhouse with arcaded veranda on the upper level, surrounded by fields of artichokes, vines and apple orchards. On distant hilltops, a jumble of pale brown houses rising above wooded slopes recalled a turbulent past, when villages were safer on high ground. Another form of endemic rivalry was the subject of our visit by minibus to meet the winning jockey of last year's Palio at his stables and training fields just outside Siena. Remarkably self-effacing for the man who had become the city's hero until the next Palio, Dino Pes took us through the Byzantine rules that govern the world's oldest horse race and the highlight of the Siena calendar since 1283. So fierce is the rivalry between the contrada, neighbourhoods traceable back to medieval guilds, that he has to be protected against malfeasance by four bodyguards from the moment he is selected until he enters the bareback race around the Campo. The three circuits took him just 75 seconds. Before lunch in the kind of unpretentious restaurant that Italy does so well, we had time to admire the jewel in the city's glorious Gothic cathedral, the Carrara marble pulpit sculpted in the 1260s by Giovanni Pisano, with its seven narrative panels of Christ's life and a cast of almost 400 figures. He also sculpted the statues encrusting the lavish facade, which still looks astonishingly crisp and unweathered. Because the train has to dovetail with passenger and freight trains or replenish water tanks, there are occasional longueurs in stations, but that is all part of slow travel. The train never exceeds 120 km/h, and – unlike on high-speed services – this lack of velocity makes it possible to actually admire the landscapes. As we headed back to Rome, morning mist was rising over the broad plain flanking the Tavere river. A long double avenue of umbrella pines shading a farm track spoke of the forethought of past generations. We skirted the lagoons enclosed by the peninsula of Monte Argentario, where the rackety life of Caravaggio came to an end in 1610, and as we approached Ostiense station, a large section of the Roman walls still stands beside the line. All this luxury and exclusive access comes with a steep price tag, of course: a single-night itinerary costs from $5480 per person. But strong forward bookings suggest there is healthy demand for this sort of five-star experience, and I was told some celebrities have booked the whole train. Arsenale certainly expects it to continue – a second train will be finished later this year, intended for a Rome to Istanbul journey, among others, and it is building a train for Saudi Arabia with plans for others in Egypt, UAE and Uzbekistan. The sweet life is going global, for those who can afford it.
The Age
22-04-2025
- The Age
On board the world's most luxurious new train
An ambitious programme of eight one and two-night itineraries covering 14 Italian regions has been devised, most starting and ending in Rome and the most elaborate entailing a transfer of the train across the Straits of Messina on a privately chartered vessel to Sicily for visits to Taormina and Palermo. Some thought two nights was the right duration, others wanted longer, but all agreed that more time at our destinations would have been welcomed, and that will be reflected in tweaks to tours. As invariably happens on hotel trains, guests from half a dozen countries soon bonded in the lounge car, where the bar and piano were placed between an area of sinuous banquettes and seats arranged in twos and fours. The youngest in the surprisingly wide age range were a couple from South Korea, evidently on their honeymoon. Other passengers included an investor who had been successful enough to retire early and become a professional bridge player, and a couple from Delhi in the legal profession. Most of us matched the glad rags of the pianist, saxophonist and singer entertaining us after dinner. The near extinction of proper dining cars on so many railways has increased the pleasure of eating in one, and we began lunch to views over a glittering bay to the island of Napoleon's first incarceration, Elba. Our creative and high-quality six-course tasting menu with paired wines was created by Heinz Beck, who runs Rome's only three-Michelin-star restaurant, and produced by one of his protégés, Walter Canzio. The train stops for four or five hours every night, and over breakfast it was evident that the world divides into those who can sleep on moving trains, and those who can't – however comfortable the bed. Italy had the wit to retain many of its cross-country railway lines, which often venture into its equivalent of la France profonde, so it was a pleasure to reach Siena by the single-line route from Montepescali through remote countryside. Between woods, an avenue of slender cypresses led to a characteristic Tuscan farmhouse with arcaded veranda on the upper level, surrounded by fields of artichokes, vines and apple orchards. On distant hilltops, a jumble of pale brown houses rising above wooded slopes recalled a turbulent past, when villages were safer on high ground. Another form of endemic rivalry was the subject of our visit by minibus to meet the winning jockey of last year's Palio at his stables and training fields just outside Siena. Remarkably self-effacing for the man who had become the city's hero until the next Palio, Dino Pes took us through the Byzantine rules that govern the world's oldest horse race and the highlight of the Siena calendar since 1283. So fierce is the rivalry between the contrada, neighbourhoods traceable back to medieval guilds, that he has to be protected against malfeasance by four bodyguards from the moment he is selected until he enters the bareback race around the Campo. The three circuits took him just 75 seconds. Before lunch in the kind of unpretentious restaurant that Italy does so well, we had time to admire the jewel in the city's glorious Gothic cathedral, the Carrara marble pulpit sculpted in the 1260s by Giovanni Pisano, with its seven narrative panels of Christ's life and a cast of almost 400 figures. He also sculpted the statues encrusting the lavish facade, which still looks astonishingly crisp and unweathered. Because the train has to dovetail with passenger and freight trains or replenish water tanks, there are occasional longueurs in stations, but that is all part of slow travel. The train never exceeds 120 km/h, and – unlike on high-speed services – this lack of velocity makes it possible to actually admire the landscapes. As we headed back to Rome, morning mist was rising over the broad plain flanking the Tavere river. A long double avenue of umbrella pines shading a farm track spoke of the forethought of past generations. We skirted the lagoons enclosed by the peninsula of Monte Argentario, where the rackety life of Caravaggio came to an end in 1610, and as we approached Ostiense station, a large section of the Roman walls still stands beside the line. All this luxury and exclusive access comes with a steep price tag, of course: a single-night itinerary costs from $5480 per person. But strong forward bookings suggest there is healthy demand for this sort of five-star experience, and I was told some celebrities have booked the whole train. Arsenale certainly expects it to continue – a second train will be finished later this year, intended for a Rome to Istanbul journey, among others, and it is building a train for Saudi Arabia with plans for others in Egypt, UAE and Uzbekistan. The sweet life is going global, for those who can afford it.
