olivemagazine
type: channel
link: https://www.olivemagazine.com
date: 2026-04-24T13:40:48.000Z
update period: hourly
update frequency: 1
update base: 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00
items: 8 secret Mediterranean coastal escapes to visit before everyone else does
items: 10 of the best Mediterranean islands for foodies
items: Best restaurants in Rome: where an insider eats and drinks in the Italian capital
items: My unexpected journey through Norway's fjords – saunas, seafood and striking views
items: Best restaurants in Folegandros: where to eat on this chic Greek island
items: The magic of the highlands of Peru - seen from a luxury sleeper train
items: 9 cities that should be on every foodie’s bucket list
items: 8 lesser-known Italian islands for a foodie trip

8 secret Mediterranean coastal escapes to visit before everyone else does
type: item
date: 2026-04-20T09:38:04.000Z
creator: Heather Steele
subject: Europe
subject: Travel
subject: Great Getaways
description: These are the Mediterranean secret spots for unspoilt beaches, clear blue seas and the perfect long-lunch restaurants
encoded: Hotspots such as Nice and Capri are popular for a reason – but there are plenty of other beachy Mediterranean getaways that can take you off the beaten track and away from the crowds. From Morocco to Albania, these are eight summer holiday-worthy places on our must-book list. For more travel inspiration, check out our picks of the 10 best Mediterranean islands for foodies and the best European city breaks. For a taste of the Mediterranean closer to home, book a table at one of London's best Mediterranean restaurants. 8 Mediterranean coastal escapes Cadaqués, Spain On the rugged Costa Brava in northeastern Catalonia, Cadaqués is a sun-drenched fishing town with an artistic edge, thanks to the great surrealist Salvador Dalí, who lived in the adjoining village of Port Lligat. His house is now a museum and one of the cultural highlights of a stay here. It’s easy to see where he got his inspiration from: whitewashed houses tumble down winding streets to a small harbour lined with grand cafés, seafood restaurants and views out to the Mediterranean. Our top food picks include Olibar, Talla and Batalla, which are all part of the same cool group of modern tapas restaurants. Compartir serves inventive plates inspired by the founders’ time at El Bulli, while Narita is a Japanese spot that makes the most of the daily catch. Away from the table, there are plenty of sheltered coves to explore and lots of great galleries and shops (we rate Pepa). To get to Cadaqués, you’ll need to traverse Cap de Creus natural park and wind down the twisty switchbacks that are the only way down to the bay. While you’re here, it’s well worth jumping on one of the 15-minute buses into the park itself. The views stretch to France, there are two beautiful, secluded beaches to swim at (Jugadora and Cala Culip), and you can spot some of the rock formations that inspired some of Dali’s most famous works. Read our guide to the best Spanish food trips for more ideas. Where to stay: Can Set overlooks the ma…

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10 of the best Mediterranean islands for foodies
type: item
date: 2026-04-13T16:48:29.000Z
creator: Heather Steele
subject: Europe
subject: Travel
subject: Great Getaways
description: For an island escape with a focus on food, look no further than these ten Mediterranean hotspots
encoded: For an island escape with a focus on food, look no further than these ten Mediterranean hotspots. Spend your days beach hopping, then graze your way around seaside tavernas, beach bars and farm-to-fork fincas to feast on grilled seafood, regional pasta and minerally volcanic wines. Take your pick of islands off Croatia, Greece, Italy, Spain or France for the ultimate summer foodie getaway. For more travel inspiration, check out our guide to the best Greek islands or our favourite Italian hotels to live the dolce vita. For a taste of the Mediterranean closer to home, book a table at one of London's best Mediterranean restaurants. Best Mediterranean islands for foodies Formentera, Spain Loved for its powdery white beaches, crystal-clear waters and largely untouched landscapes, Formentera is the smallest of the Balearic Islands – and arguably the most serene. Long favoured by those in search of a slower pace of life, the island draws travellers from across the world with its laid-back atmosphere and quietly bohemian spirit. Despite its growing reputation, much of the island remains undeveloped and there are strict limits on car use. Instead, visitors are encouraged to explore by bike or on foot, following sandy paths that wind through pine forests, salt flats and coastal dunes. Nature is central to the island’s appeal. Just offshore lies the vast seagrass meadow of Posidonia oceanica, a Unesco World Heritage-listed ecosystem that plays a vital role in keeping the surrounding waters so clear. Perhaps that’s why there’s so much great seafood to be found on the island. Chilled yet chic could be a motto for the whole of Formentera, but it especially applies to its restaurants. Beso Beach is a laidback yet lively restaurant that serves some of the best paella on the island. Juan y Andrea on Platja Illetes has been open since the 70s and is another place for piled-high seafood platters. For a fun sunset dinner, head to Restaurante Dunas de Formentera for croaker ceviche, loc…

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Best restaurants in Rome: where an insider eats and drinks in the Italian capital
type: item
date: 2026-03-23T16:31:07.000Z
creator: Heather Steele
subject: Europe
subject: Italy
subject: Travel
subject: Local city guides
description: Feast at the best spots for authentic carbonara, cacio e pepe and more Roman classics
encoded: I’m not a Rome local (yet!) but it’s a city I visit at least twice a year. Whenever I interview Italian chefs I’ll always trade recommendations for the Eternal City. From morning coffee spots to late-night drinking dens, the 10 places here are all on my list of favourite tried-and-tested Roman restaurants that I send to anyone who asks. For more local city guides, check out our guide to the best restaurants in Prague or the best restaurants in Athens. Best places to eat and drink in Rome Grab morning coffee at Sant’Eustachio I have the chef Skye McAlpine to thank for suggesting Sant’Eustachio to me five years ago. Just behind the Pantheon it’s been serving countertop espresso since 1938. It can be chaotic in here: you have to queue to pay for your €1.70 espresso, before you politely elbow your way to the counter, hand over your receipt, shoot your coffee and leave. They’ll automatically add sugar unless you ask otherwise. However you take yours, pair it with a pistachio or white chocolate cannoli. caffesanteustachio.com Have a stylish lunch at Salumeria Roscioli Bright, modern deli Roscioli has taken off so much that there’s now an outpost in New York. You shouldn’t let its expansion deter you – it remains an excellent place for a quick, relaxed lunch that spans the whole Italian larder (think Cantabrian anchovies or Pugliese mozzarella). Plates include everything from gnocchi cacio e pepe to raw Sicilian prawns with puntarelle. It’s also a lovely spot to pop in for a glass of wine – its cellar stocks more than 2,800 labels. salumeriaroscioli.com Experience a true trattoria at Da Danilo A tiny trattoria near Termini station, Da Danilo offers a perfect high-low experience: exceptional food in a traditional Roman restaurant, with walls covered in football shirts and signed photos of sports stars. It’s one of my favourite spots for a long lunch over cacio e pepe (here twirled in a whole wheel of parmesan at the tableside) and plates of various slow-cooked meats. I like…

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My unexpected journey through Norway's fjords – saunas, seafood and striking views
type: item
date: 2026-03-11T10:07:57.000Z
creator: Heather Steele
subject: Europe
subject: Travel
description: Immerse yourself in nature and dive into the pristine, rugged beauty of Norway's western fjords
encoded: For more inspiring travel stories, check out a scenic journey through Cape Cod by bike, or the highlands of Peru by luxury sleeper train. Juggling a black coffee in one hand and a cinnamon bun in the other, I look out across the ripples our boat is creating as it moves through the reflective waters of Hjørundfjord, and realise why Norwegians head to the fjords for restoration. The quiet in this particular valley is paired with a soaring, rugged beauty. Around its edges it’s not unusual to see people diving into the water or climbing up its peaks. These wellness rituals – which encompass saunas too, of course – are themselves a wonderful match for a local food philosophy that brings people together over flatbreads, rich stews and bowls of cloudberries and lingonberries foraged on mountain hikes. For a true taste of Norway – and to get up close with the country’s enviable bounty of seafood – the striking western fjords are the place to explore. Whether you’re arriving via Oslo or from the UK (flights are around five hours via Amsterdam), the views heading into the colourful, art nouveau port town of Ålesund will awe you. It’s from the sky that you’ll get the truest sense of the place, gazing down at countless islands and islets in the Norwegian Sea below. It’s the ideal springboard for a five- to seven-day trip, hopping from place to place, immersing yourself in the sublime landscapes and raw beauty of this extraordinary part of the world. For a first meal that sets you up for a fjordic escape, book a table at Sjøbua. Taking over a handful of former fishing warehouses on the edge of the harbour, the restaurant leans into its history, serving some of the finest seafood on the west coast. One of the local catches is clipfish and you’ll find it here in its traditional form: salted and served as a croquette. The kitchen also crisps up its skin as an accompaniment to goat’s cheese and grayling roe. Order the prawns from nearby Midsund too. Naturally sweet and complex thank…

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Best restaurants in Folegandros: where to eat on this chic Greek island
type: item
date: 2026-01-27T10:03:08.000Z
creator: Heather Steele
subject: Europe
subject: Travel
description: From coastal tavernas to five-star hotels, these are the Folegandros foodie destinations to know
encoded: Near to Milos, the diminutive Greek island of Folegandros is becoming a foodie destination for those in the know. From cocktails at a five-star hotel to regional cuisine you'll only find on the island, these are the must-visit places to eat to add to your list. For more Greek travel inspiration, check out our guides to 5 lesser known destinations to visit in mainland Greece or the best Greek food trips. 5 of the best places to eat in Folegandros Irene’s Folegandros has lots of reasons to visit, including deserted rocky beaches and its own riff on Greek cuisine. One of the dishes you’ll only find on the island is matsata. This thick, homemade pasta is best eaten at Irene’s, a roadside restaurant run by a grandmother and granddaughter. You can’t miss it – there’s only one real road that cuts through this 6-mile by 2-mile island – though it looks unassuming from the outside. You’ll get a warm welcome within, plus heaps of matsata with slow-braised rooster or pork ragu (it’s not a looker, but it is delicious). @irene_restaurant_folegandros Pasithea Another classic local dish is fava, a hummus-like dip made with yellow split peas that makes the perfect accompaniment to hot, fluffy flatbread. The best we’ve tried on the island is served at Pasithea, which overlooks Folegandros’s most popular beach, Agali. It’s just the spot for a languid lunch of fried red mullet and filo feta with honey as you watch swimmers roll out their colourful towels onto the sand below, contemplating your own dip after lunch. @pasithea_folegandros To Goupi In a pretty, tree-covered square in the main town of Chora, To Goupi is as good for people watching as it is for dinner – amble down to it after seeing the sun sink into the sea from beneath the hilltop Panagia church. On its outdoor chalkboard you’re likely to see specials such as meat and cheese balls, grilled octopus and a moussaka-like dish of potato, cheese and aubergine. Gundari The bar is the best thing about rugged-luxury five-star hotel…

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The magic of the highlands of Peru - seen from a luxury sleeper train
type: item
date: 2026-01-15T14:31:34.000Z
creator: Heather Steele
subject: South America
subject: Travel
description: Heather Steele winds through the country's highlands and lakes aboard a luxury sleeper train
encoded: For more inspiring travel stories, check out a scenic journey through Cape Cod by bike, or browse our picks of the most breathtaking train journeys across the world. The colourful Peruvian city of Cusco is best known as the gateway to Machu Picchu. It’s also the starting point to a slower adventure, one that ascends over 2,000 metres above even the Lost City of the Incas. Along one of the world’s highest train routes, the Andean Explorer, A Belmond Train takes three days to travel fewer than 200 miles, winding its way through the Peruvian highlands and expanses of the Andes that would otherwise be inaccessible. The ‘explorer’ part of the train’s name is key. This isn’t just a mode of transport, it’s an experience that immerses travellers in the landscapes and Andean way of life, from the moment your eyes first fall on a herd of wild llamas roaming the grasslands to the final pisco sour in the Piano Bar. Think luxury train travel and you probably picture the Agatha Christie era Orient Express snaking its way splendidly through Europe. This is exactly the elegance that Belmond wanted for its Andean Explorer, which arrived in 2017 as the first luxe sleeper train in South America. The lengths to which they were prepared to go to get that elegance were remarkable: all 20 midnight-blue carriages came from Australia via a three-month voyage across the Pacific. In situ, that blue hue pops against the earthy oranges of the Peruvian plains, perfectly mimicking the night sky above. Interior design details were inspired by the texture of Peru’s traditional hand-woven fabrics, the soft tones of alpaca wool and the slate greys of the Andes. Best of all, though, the 35 private cabins – there are double suites, twins or bunk beds – come with large windows to gaze out of. On one joyful morning I saw hares, chinchillas and alpacas in the space of just five minutes. The days begin early in the Andes and on both mornings we were up at 5.15am for sunrise. Clouds over Lake Titicaca consp…

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9 cities that should be on every foodie’s bucket list
type: item
date: 2025-10-28T10:55:08.000Z
creator: Heather Steele
subject: Travel
subject: Great Getaways
description: Expand your holiday horizons and tick new countries off your travel list with these bucket list destinations
encoded: Food can define a holiday. If it’s bad, it casts a shadow. But, eat well and you will deepen your connection with a place. Here, we’ve chosen nine world cities where the food isn’t just good – it’s one of the big reasons to go. Cape Town, South Africa South Africa’s wines are famous for a reason. In Cape Town, you’re within easy reach of the best growing regions – including Stellenbosch and the Cape Winelands – and there are plenty of companies offering day trips to the most storied vineyards (try the Franschhoek wine tram). We suggest an overnighter at Babylonstoren, the original sister property to The Newt in Somerset. A modern wine producer, the garden hotel has a gorgeous selection of accommodations, a spa and lots of overnight guest-only experiences, including one of the most varied and delicious breakfast buffets we’re ever had (we still think about the five varieties of butter). Back in Cape Town itself, the restaurant scene is popping. Down at the V&A Waterfront, Pier offers a high-end heritage experience; Salon serves a highly rated 13-course tasting menu; over in Paternoster, Wolfgat brings together foraging, fermenting and storytelling to create a 20-seat culinary retreat; and Ryan Cole’s Salsify at the Roundhouse rightfully won ‘Restaurant of the Year' at South Africa's latest Eat Out Restaurant Awards. Locals will tell you that Arthur’s Super Mini is the place for breakfast, while the terrace at Belmond’s striking pretty-in-pink hotel Mount Nelson is the spot to book for sundowners. Hong Kong, Hong Kong Hong Kong has so many incredible places to eat, it’s hard to know where to start. So we’ll begin with the first meal of the day. For something sweet and savoury, make a beeline to Cheung Hing Coffee Shop for freshly baked pineapple buns filled with ham and a fried egg. Lin Heung is the oldest dim sum restaurant in Hong Kong and draws a queue from 7am. Its traditional breakfast is served from a vintage trolley, piled high with bamboo steamers filled with …

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8 lesser-known Italian islands for a foodie trip
type: item
date: 2025-09-25T12:56:30.000Z
creator: Heather Steele
subject: Italy
subject: Travel
subject: Europe
subject: Italian
description: Swap Sicily and Sardinia for some lesser-known gems and a truly memorable Italian island holiday away from the crowds
encoded: Whether you’re searching for some late-summer sunshine or are one of those enviably organised people who’s already looking ahead to next year, a week on an Italian island is hard to beat. And while Sicily, Capri and Sardinia are popular for good reason, sometimes the best trips are the less obvious ones. Boats, beaches and bowls of pasta… Here are some of our favourite isles for a foodie escape. 8 lesser-known Italian islands to visit Ponza Ponza is the ultimate Roman getaway. A couple of hours from the capital by train and ferry, it’s the perfect island to tack onto a long weekend in the Eternal City. There are three ways to get around small but mighty Ponza: scooter, e-bike and boat. Water taxis will get you to all the major beaches, but we loved hiring a bike and zipping up and down the hills to get to the best, smaller beaches such as Cala Gaetano and La Caletta. It’s also the ultimate way to work up an appetite – La Marina at Cala Feola beach is one of the best on the island. Book in advance and you might snag one of the tables on the rocks. It’s just the place to enjoy bottarga pasta while the waves lap at the restaurant. In the main town, some of the best dining spots are Restaurant EEA, Oresteria and Lanterna da Silverio. That said, one of our favourite meals was on board a five-hour boat tour, which took us around the island and over to neighbouring Palmarola. There are no hotels here, but O’Francese is the island’s one (cash-only) restaurant, right on the sand. We saved our stomachs for the captain-made tuna and tomato pasta back on the boat, which we ate while bobbing about in the sea. Where to stay: Villa Laetitia is a gorgeous boutique hotel owned by one of the Fendi sisters. Overlooking the main port (every bedroom has a sea view), this is a sumptuous boutique option, complete with tiled floors, striking beds and lovely design details, such as branded crockery and pretty linen curtains. Pantelleria One thing to know about Pantelleria: there will be cap…