Although Villa Crespi may not be as well known as other Italian fine dining establishments, it is undoubtedly one of the best in Europe – if not the world.

With views onto the banks of Lake Orta, this Relais & Châteaux hotel and restaurant is housed in a late nineteenth century Moorish villa with stunning arabesque architecture.

Head Chef Antonino Cannavacciuolo prepares traditional Mediterranean cuisine which charts his culinary journey from the Sorrento coast northwards. The emphasis is mainly on seafood, with dishes that range from red mullet with smoked cheese broth and turnip tops to homemade salt cod dumplings with seaweed and venus clams.