Escape Velocity

Culture

1. Villa Cimbrone's gardens and its marble-bust terrace above the sea
2. A private boat to the grottoes and swimming coves
3. The Path of the Gods hike, with an early start and a ferry home
4. Limoncello tasting in the Amalfi paper-making valley

Where to eat

• Da AdolfoLaurito beach, PositanoReached only by its own little boat; grilled fish and white wine with peaches. Lunch only.
• La SpondaLe Sirenuse, PositanoLit by some 400 candles every night. Book well ahead.

Culture

1. A fado night in the Alfama
2. Tram 28 end to end, early, before the queue
3. Sunset at Miradouro da Senhora do Monte
4. A day trip to the palaces and forested hills of Sintra

Where to eat

• Cervejaria RamiroIntendenteGarlic prawns, clams and crab, then a steak sandwich for dessert, as tradition demands.
• BelcantoChiadoJosé Avillez's two-Michelin-star dining room, for the big night.
• ManteigariaChiadoThe custard tarts, hot from the oven every few minutes.

Culture

1. A concert or sunset visit at the Teatro Antico
2. A jeep or hike to Etna's craters, with lunch at a winery on its slopes
3. Isola Bella's tiny nature reserve and pebble beach
4. The hill village of Castelmola, with almond wine at the top

Where to eat

• Otto GelengGrand Hotel TimeoA Michelin-starred terrace looking straight at Etna.
• Bam BarVia di GiovanniGranita and brioche, the classic way to start a Taormina day.

Culture

1. The full city-wall circuit, about 1.2 miles
2. The cable car up Mount Srđ at sunset
3. A kayak around Lokrum island
4. Island-hopping by boat from Hvar to the Pakleni islands

Where to eat

• NautikaOutside the Pile Gate, DubrovnikTerraces over the sea between two fortresses. The anniversary table.
• ProtoOld town, DubrovnikAdriatic seafood, served on the same street since 1886.

Culture

1. A Bosphorus cruise to the Black Sea mouth and back
2. The Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Basilica Cistern
3. A traditional hammam, such as the Kılıç Ali Paşa
4. The Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar

Where to eat

• MiklaThe Marmara Pera, BeyoğluModern Anatolian cooking on a rooftop with the whole city laid out below.
• Çiya SofrasıKadıköy, Asian sideRegional Turkish home cooking, worth the ferry ride on its own.
• Karaköy LokantasıKaraköyA tiled, buzzing meyhane for meze and rakı.

Culture

1. The Jardin Majorelle and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum
2. A hammam and argan-oil massage
3. The Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs
4. A night trip to the Agafay desert, for dinner under the stars

Where to eat

• Al FassiaGuelizRun by women; order the slow-roasted lamb shoulder when you book.
• Dar YacoutThe medinaA candlelit palace feast, with mint tea on the roof.
• NomadNear the spice squareA modern Moroccan rooftop for lunch above the souk.

Culture

1. Tirta Empul's holy springs (a sarong is provided)
2. A Legong dance performance at the Ubud palace
3. A sunrise walk on the Campuhan Ridge
4. A Balinese cooking class with a market visit

Where to eat

• Locavore NXTUbudA tasting menu built entirely from Indonesian produce, with its own farm and lab.
• Hujan LocaleUbudWill Meyrick's Indonesian cooking in a breezy two-storey house.
• Ibu OkaUbudBabi guling, Bali's famous suckling pig, at lunchtime.

Culture

1. St John's Co-Cathedral and its Caravaggio
2. Mdina by night, when the day-trippers have gone
3. A boat to the Blue Lagoon early, before the crowds
4. A day on Gozo, at the citadel of Victoria and the salt pans

Where to eat

• NoniVallettaModern Maltese cooking with a Michelin star.
• Under GrainVallettaA Michelin-starred restaurant in a converted townhouse.
• MarsaxlokkSunday fish marketLunch at the waterfront, from what came off the boats that morning.