The best fine-dining restaurants have been named by Tripadvisor, with Restaurant Bougainville in Amsterdam taking the top spot. 

The Michelin-starred Dutch eatery has been awarded the accolade as part of Tripadvisor’s 2023 Travellers’ Choice ‘Best of the Best’ Restaurants Awards, which are decided by an algorithm that analyses the millions of reviews and ratings collected in a year from travellers around the world.

Ise Sueyoshi in Nishiazabu, a district of Tokyo, is the second-best restaurant in the global ranking, followed by the Old Stamp House Restaurant in the Lake District – last year’s number one – in third place, making it the top-ranking UK eatery. 

Number one in the U.S is Le Bernardin in New York City, which ranks 23rd overall. No Australian restaurants made it into the top 25.

The gold-medal-winning Restaurant Bougainville has more than 260 coveted ‘five-bubble’ reviews on Tripadvisor, with one user, ‘Linda K’, declaring the restaurant a ‘first-class dining experience’. 

Silver medal-winner Ise Sueyoshi, meanwhile, serves up ‘kaiseki’, which is a traditional Japanese dinner consisting of several courses. Reviewer ‘Tyler K’ described his meal there as ‘unforgettable’. 

Third-place Old Stamp Restaurant, which lies in the picturesque town of Ambleside, is housed in the former office of the Romantic poet William Wordsworth.

With head chef Ryan Blackburn at the helm, the 28-cover restaurant serves dishes that give a ‘unique glimpse into the food and cultural heritage of Cumbria’. A tasting menu might feature tomatoes from the north of Cumbria, mushrooms found in the woods around Ambleside, and turbot from the English Channel. 

MailOnline Travel Editor Ted Thornhill described the food as ‘winningly whimsical and sometimes breathtaking‘. 

Rounding out the rest of the top five are two more European eateries – the Michelin-starred Maison Medard restaurant in the French village of Boulleret and the three-Michelin-starred Ristorante Villa Crespi in Orta San Giulio, Italy. 

As for the UK fine-dining ranking, the Old Stamp Restaurant is followed by Paul Ainsworth at No. 6, a restaurant in Padstow, Cornwall, that presents ‘modern British’ fare.

The Kitchin in Edinburgh is third, Hide and Fox in Hythe, Kent, ranks fourth, and Cellar in Anstruther, Scotland, is fifth. 

In the U.S list, top-ranking Le Bernardin, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant, is run by Chef Eric Ripert and is famous for its seafood. Tripadvisor reviewer ‘213LAX’ wrote that the restaurant’s dishes ‘are visually stunning’. 

The rest of the U.S top five is made up of The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge in Blowing Rock, North Carolina (second); Halls Chophouse in Charleston (third); Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina in Nashville (fourth) and The Silver Fork in Manchester, Vermont (fifth). 

The awards also have five more subcategories – Everyday Eats, Date Night, Hidden Gems, Family-Friendly and Vegetarian. 

Brand-new category ‘Vegetarian’ celebrates meat-free restaurants around the globe, with Chia Vegan Restaurant, in Cusco, Peru, taking the top spot. 

It’s tailed by Blu Bar in Barcelona in second place and Time Traveller in the Indian city of Bengaluru in third. 

The UK bagged two top world spots in the inaugural Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants category – Mallow in Borough Market, London, has been named best vegetarian-friendly restaurant in the UK and 12th in the world, and Herb in Leicester takes 13th place globally. 

In the ‘Date Night’ category, it’s Waitui Bar & Grill on Denarau Island in Fiji that’s number one, followed by Restaurante 1621 in Cartagena, Colombia (second), and Mylos A La Carte Restaurant in Kolimbia, Greece (third). 

In the UK date-night ranking, it’s Uig Sands Restaurant in Timsgarry, Scotland, that ranks top, though it doesn’t make the global top 25. While in the U.S, it’s Hot Tin Roof in Key West, Florida (19th worldwide), that reigns supreme and in Australia, EXP Restaurant in Pokolbin, New South Wales, tops the podium – it’s 24th worldwide. 

For travellers who like to wander off the beaten path, the awards also points out the best ‘hidden gem’ restaurants to discover. Top of the list is Restauracja Future & Wine in Warsaw, Poland. It’s followed by Omakase in Braga, Portugal (second), and Kinara by Vikas Khanna in Dubai (third). 

The UK’s best ‘hidden gem’ restaurant? That accolade goes to Ganesha Authentic Indian Cuisine in Bristol. Meanwhile, in the U.S it’s ‘Cookie Dough Monster – Burgers & Shakes’ in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. 

And for foodie families, the world’s best family-friendly restaurant, according to Tripadvisor, is El Huaso Mirra in Tongoy, Chile. It’s tailed by two Brazilian restaurants – Pizzaria da Vila in Aquiraz (second) and Restaurante Casa do Tempero in Penha (third). 

One Australian eatery performed well in this category – Hatsuhana Japanese Restaurant in Gold Coast ranks as the world’s fifth-best eatery for families. 

Tripadvisor also analysed the best ‘everyday eats’ for the UK and the U.S. Top in Britain is La Boca Steakhouse in Doncaster, while Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille in St. Petersburg, Florida, is number one in the States. 

Commenting on the awards, Sarah Firshein, Head of Editorial at Tripadvisor, said: ‘Restaurants provide a great way for travellers to get immersed in a destination’s history and culture. 

‘This year’s Travellers’ Choice Restaurant winners -whose diversity and geographic reach reflect the fact that the last remaining pandemic-era travel restrictions have lifted – are especially exciting. 

‘We know Tripadvisor travellers seek out first-hand intel and guidance, and that’s exactly the spirit of these lists – All of our winners were selected not by professional food critics or editors, but by real diners who have left their feedback on Tripadvisor within the past year.’ 

Passalacqua, a luxury boutique hotel on the shores of Lake Como in Italy has been named the best hotel in the world for 2023.

It tops the first-ever World’s 50 Best Hotels list, with the towering Rosewood Hong Kong, set in the city’s Victoria Dockside arts and design district with stunning views over the harbour, taking second place.

Twenty-one of the winning properties are in Europe, with London ‘solidifying its reputation as a global travel hub’, according to the awards, as it boasts four hotels on the list – Claridge’s (No.16), The Connaught (No.22), NoMad London (No.46) and The Savoy (No.47).

Two other UK properties are also winners: Gleneagles in Scotland (No.32) – recipient of the Art of Hospitality Award, announced in August – and The Newt in Bruton, Somerset (No.37), which has been awarded the Carlo Alberto Best Boutique Hotel Award.

The top-ranked U.S property is Aman New York, which MailOnline Travel reviewed in glowing terms last year. It ranks 25th on the list, way ahead of the next U.S entry – Equinox New York, which comes 48th. 

Flying the flag for Australia is The Calile in Brisbane, which comes 12th.

Winner Passalacqua is located in an 18th-century villa, explains the awards, with ‘spectacular terraced gardens running down to the water’. There are 24 rooms at the ‘exquisite’ property, which the judges say ‘has the feel of a private home’.

Tim Brooke-Webb, Managing Director for The World’s 50 Best Hotels, comments: ‘Huge congratulations to Passalacqua for the achievement of making it to No.1, just two years after opening. It’s a true testament to the vision of the De Santis family, who has created this sublime sanctuary for guests with painstaking devotion to design detail, exquisite hospitality and distinctive magic, which has clearly made a lasting impression on our Academy of expert voters.’

Meanwhile, Asia is home to 18 of The World’s 50 Best Hotels, including four properties at the top end of the list. After Rosewood Hong Kong in second place comes the Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River (No.3), The Upper House in Hong Kong (No.4) and Aman Tokyo (No.5).

Within 20 metres of a beach, Soneva Fushi (No.7), in the Maldives, is also named the Lost Explorer Best Beach Hotel.

Singita Lodges in the Kruger National Park in South Africa, the smallest property on the list with just 18 rooms, takes the No.15 spot, as well as the Flor de Cana Eco Hotel Award.

The awards says: ‘Known for their environmentally conscious hospitality, the lodges are located within 33,000 acres of pristine wilderness where a unique wildlife population thrives across four distinct ecological zones, offering travellers an exciting and luxurious way of experiencing African wildlife, without disturbing the environment.’

The gongs were handed out tonight at an awards ceremony at the historic Guildhall in London.

The list is created from the votes of The World’s 50 Best Hotels Academy, which comprises 580 international ‘well-travelled experts’ within the hotel and travel industry, with a 50-50 gender balance.

We do like to be beside the seaside – but there are plenty of stunning British towns and villages to discover away from the coast, Which? reveals. 

Helping you to figure out which ones to visit, the consumer champion has named the best inland towns and villages in the UK, with Wells in Somerset – not a town, but rather a small city – taking the top spot.

It’s followed by the Wiltshire village of Avebury in second place, while the Dorset village of Corfe Castle and the  Merseyside village of Port Sunlight tie for third place.

Languishing at the bottom of the table, meanwhile, is the Scottish town of Gretna.

The ranking was drawn up based on a Which? survey of over 9,000 holidaymakers, which asked them to rate their experiences of visiting 94 inland towns and villages in the past year. Destinations were rated across seven categories, including scenery, food and drink, peace and quiet, tourist attractions, and value for money.

First place Wells, one of the UK’s smallest cities, scored 83 per cent overall. Which? says: ‘A popular filming location, Wells has featured in major film and television productions including Hot Fuzz, Dungeons and Dragons and Wolf Hall.’ The watchdog notes that while there, visitors can imagine following in the footsteps of film stars including Cate Blanchett, Chris Hemsworth, and Emily Blunt.

The medieval city scored a full five stars for attractiveness and tourist attractions, and ‘boasts stunning architecture, including its famous cathedral’, Which? says. It scored four stars for shopping, scenery, food and drink.

Second-place Avebury, meanwhile, earned a destination score of 82 per cent, garnering five stars for scenery and attractiveness.

Which? says that the village is perfect for history lovers, as it’s ‘well-known for its 5,000-year-old Neolithic stone circle, which is free for visitors to explore’ and is situated close to Stonehenge.

The watchdog adds: ‘Avebury also has picturesque thatched cottages, Georgian townhouses and a 19th-century pub.’

Joint third-place Corfe Castle and Port Sunlight earned a score of 80 per cent each. The former, Corfe Castle, was built by William the Conqueror during the 11th century and went on to become one of author Enid Blyton’s favourite holiday destinations.

In the survey, the village was rated a full five stars for tourist attractions and scenery, ‘with visitors able to enjoy ambling through the castle ruins, which boast spectacular views over the Purbeck Hills to Poole Harbour’, Which? notes.

The consumer champion says that much like Corfe Castle, ‘Port Sunlight also offers visitors a unique glimpse into the past’.

It reveals: ‘The Merseyside village was built by William Hesketh Lever in 1888 to provide 900 homes to house the workers of his soap factory, and is named for his popular “Sunlight” soap.’

The village scored four stars out of five for attractiveness, tourist attractions and value for money – and a full five stars for peace and quiet.

Fourth place is another tie, with five destinations scoring 79 per cent – the town of Ludlow in Shropshire; the Lincolnshire town of Stamford; Lavenham village in Suffolk; the Cumbrian village of Grasmere; and the town of Llangollen in Denbighshire.

Aforementioned Llangollen – which is the top-rated Welsh destination – is nestled between the Berwyn, Ruabon, and Llantysilio mountains. It scored five stars for scenery and attractiveness, and four stars for tourist attractions, and food and drink. Which? says: ‘From canal boat cruises to horse-drawn boat trips, as well as its annual International Musical Eisteddfod festival, there’s plenty for visitors to enjoy.’

Meanwhile, Melrose (joint fifth) is the highest-rated Scottish destination, with an overall score of 78 per cent. Which? reveals: ‘Backed by the peaks of the Eildon Hills, once described as those “delectable mountains” by author and historian Sir Walter Scott, the town unsurprisingly scored five stars for scenery and attractiveness.’

Those polled awarded it four stars for its tourist attractions, which famously include Melrose Abbey, the final resting place of the heart of Robert the Bruce.

Looking to the other end of the ranking, last-place Gretna (24th overall), which lies near the England-Scotland border, earned a score of 49 per cent.

Joining Gretna at the bottom of the table – just one position behind in 23rd place – is Bodmin, Cornwall (50 per cent).

However, Which? says that in spite of their lower destination scores, these two towns still have plenty for holidaymakers to enjoy.

Though Bodmin, a town situated on the edge of Bodmin Moor, scored just two stars for tourist attractions and value for money, it did receive three stars for its scenery and peace and quiet. Which? notes: ‘Visitors can explore its historic jail, which now hosts a museum and hotel, or visit the Bodmin Keep, which houses an army museum.’

And last-place Gretna is ‘steeped in history’. 

Which? explains: ‘For hundreds of years English couples headed north of the border to elope in Gretna, with couples under 21 historically requiring their parents’ permission to marry – a law that didn’t apply in Scotland.’

While the law no longer stands, the area continues to be a well-loved destination for romantics, playing host to countless nuptials every year.

Commenting on the survey’s findings, Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: ‘From famed tourist towns to lesser-known villages, this year’s survey has captured the range of unique destinations the UK has to offer.

‘While the picturesque South West took the top spots, there are beautiful towns and villages in Scotland, Wales and from across England in the top ten – meaning there is a fantastic place to visit on your doorstep no matter where you live.’

Scotland’s Gleneagles hotel has the art of hospitality down to a fine art – and that’s official.

The luxury hotel, spa and golf resort has been named the hotel with the best service in the world in the prestigious The World’s 50 Best Hotels awards 2023.

The hotel, which lies beneath the Ochil Hills in the heart of Perthshire, has been bestowed the ‘Art of Hospitality’ award based on a vote by 580 hoteliers, travel writers, consultants and seasoned luxury travellers who were asked to name the property where they have received the single-best hospitality experience during a two-year period.

The judges took into account the ‘ambience created in the hotel, the delivery of unique experiential elements and the overall warmth of the hospitality and environment’.

This coveted award ‘celebrates a hotel’s outstanding service and attention to detail’ and is designed ‘to reward a property and its entire staff for the professional standards they uphold and the way they interact with guests, from the reception desk to housekeeping and its food and beverage teams’.

Tripadvisor reviewers agree with the judges’ verdict. User ‘CLP’ recently branded the service ‘delightful’ while ‘Mimi A’ said it was ‘outstanding’. Reviewer ‘Christopher W’, meanwhile, wrote: ‘This hotel is truly magical! The level of service is second to none.’ 

Gleneagles first opened in 1924 with a grand opening ball and, because of the beauty of its location, was soon nicknamed the ‘Riviera in the Highlands’ and the ‘eighth wonder of the world’. 

It has been a ‘must-go destination for discerning travellers for nearly a century’, a statement from the awards notes, adding: ‘A playground of country pursuits and activities, the 850-acre estate epitomises the natural beauty for which Scotland is famed.’

In 2015, Ennismore, a London-based owner and developer of hospitality properties and experiences, purchased the hotel and launched a four-year renovation programme, the biggest investment in the hotel’s history.

Post transformation, now the hotel boasts 11 different restaurants and bars including an afternoon tea lounge and the only two-Michelin-star restaurant in Scotland, Restaurant Andrew Fairlie.

On top of that, there are children’s adventure spaces; a beauty lodge; spa and wellness facilities and 232 ‘beautiful’ bedrooms and suites.

‘Its three golf courses are considered some of the best in the world, with one hosting the Ryder Cup in 2014,’ a statement notes.

Guests can also enjoy a programme of ‘country pursuits’ that includes everything from falconry and clay pigeon shooting, to fly fishing and horse riding.

Naturally, rooms at the five-star hotel don’t come cheap, with rates starting from £495 a night. 

Gleneagles’ win is the first of two special awards to be announced in the weeks leading up to The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2023 awards ceremony, which is taking place on September 19 at London’s historic Guildhall municipal building.

At the ceremony, the inaugural ‘World’s 50 Best Hotels’ list will be unveiled.  

Commenting on Gleneagles’ win, Tim Brooke-Webb, Managing Director for The World’s 50 Best Hotels, says: ‘Gleneagles has been a mainstay on the hotel scene since its original iteration in 1924 and continues to prove itself as an example of what it means to be truly hospitable.

‘We are leading with the Art of Hospitality as our first special award announced ahead of the inaugural awards ceremony, as we believe that it is the staff who bring one-of-a-kind experiences and hotels to life. In a world that is fascinated by the new, we are especially pleased to be celebrating the people behind this historic hotel – led emphatically by Conor O’Leary.’

And Conor O’Leary, Managing Director of Gleneagles, says: ‘It’s an incredible honour to be the first recipient of the Art of Hospitality Award, part of the inaugural The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2023. It’s all down to the incredible people that make up the team at Gleneagles, without them this wouldn’t be possible, and this award is a celebration of their hard work and commitment to making each and every guest’s stay a truly unique and memorable experience.

‘Gleneagles is unlike anywhere else in the world and we strive to offer service which is also second to none, so to receive this recognition is very special.’

The ‘most expensive’ grocery store in the Hamptons has raised eyebrows this week after a TikToker revealed the exorbitant prices on offer for the rich and famous. 

The tiny supermarket, Round Swamp Farm, has three locations in the ritzy area – in Montauk, East Hampton and Bridgehampton, just a short drive from the music producer Michael Rubin‘s mansion, which hosted a fleet of A-listers this month at his star studded annual White Party. 

Countless celebrities own summer homes in the area, allowing the store to jack up its prices up to 10 times higher than what regular folk find on their shelves. 

As reviewed by TikTok creator Jack’s Dining Room in a video viewed more than four million times, the store’s Montauk location is filled with outlandish prices including $15 for chipotle mayo and $32 for chips and guac. 

‘It’s really good, but I just don’t know how to quantify it,’ he said of the sky-high prices. ‘I wanted it to make me fly or something.’ 

The sun-soaked hub on the East Coast has long been a popular haunt for celebrities looking for a retreat from nearby Manhattan. 

And in the same week that stars including Steven Spielberg and Paul McCartney were spotted on the coastline, footage from inside the Hamptons most opulent shop has gone viral. 

Viewers were stunned to see how just a few items amounted to an eye-popping $200, which wasn’t helped by a tiny pack of grilled shrimp going for $42. 

‘You could probably buy a home,’ joked the reviewer, who slammed the price as ‘highway robbery’ while admitting that the three-inch prawns were ‘pretty big.’ 

For parties like Rubin’s with hundreds of guests, stocking up snacks for guests at Round Swamp Farm would set you back a fortune – where simple chips and guacamole are sold for $32. 

‘This makes Chipotle look like a f***ing steal,’ said the TikToker. ‘These chips and guac better blow my socks off.’  

One of the worst reviewed options was fast food favorite chicken tenders, which came with the store’s own brand $15 pot of chipotle mayo. 

The crazy pricing led Jack’s Dining Room to remark that Round Swamp Farm must be ‘hand farming these chipotles in Mexico and walking them to Montauk’ to justify charging that much. 

Despite its unreasonable cost, the quality mayo was noticeably ‘luscious’, which should have served as the ideal combo for the gigantic tenders. 

‘The girth of a tender… I’m rocking with that, that is a massive tender,’ he remarked.

However, the snack was given an anticlimactic review as the TikToker said it was ‘not worth it’, adding: ‘The chipotle mayo was good, but for $16 f***ing bucks it doesn’t even hold Jersey Mike’s jockstrap.’ 

Among the more inflated products in the lavish supermarket is a $25 bag of granola, which Jack’s Dining Room remarked likely cost the store under a buck to make. 

He said the tiny bag of nuts and grains ‘must be a joke’ at that price, because it was just ‘dry and chewy.’ The TikToker then slated the store for charging ‘whatever they want’, as he moved on to a $32 salmon ‘detox salad’. 

One viewer commented that adding the word ‘detox’ to a product must add $10 to the price, as the salad box only seemed to contain a salmon fillet and a bowl of quinoa. 

‘I would love to see the Erewhon moms and the Hamptons berry moms battle it out for this detox salad’, he joked. 

The creator ended his viral video with an item that Round Swamp Farm is ‘known for’ – its $11 sea salt caramel chocolate chip cookies.

‘I’m not going to lie, these cookies look f***ing crass,’ he began, before adding that Barstool Sports president Dave Portnoy gave them an 8.2/10 rating on his popular food reviews. 

Jack’s Dining Room described the pricey cookies as both ‘crunchy and chewy’, adding that they are ‘loaded with chocolate and some sea salt on top.’

‘These cookies are f***ing amazing… I might eat this entire bag,’ he concluded.

White Gladis was thought to have been pregnant when she first started ramming into boats, and has even taken her newborn calf with her on terror expeditions. 

The matriarch is among a pod of killer whales that have been attacking boats off the coast of Spain and Portugal since the summer of 2020.

The so-called ‘orca-uprising’, believed to have been instigated by White Gladis, has seen the species ramming and circling ships before wrenching away their rudders. 

Now, scientists believe the killer whale was pregnant all the while and, as the gestation period for orcas is 15 to 18 months, Gladis is thought to have given birth in 2021.  

Yet, rather than settling into motherhood, she continued her destructive endeavors, bringing her calf along with her. 

Commenting on her behaviour Mónica González, a marine biologist with the Coordinator for the Study of Marine Mammals, said during a webinar: ‘She went to the boats with this calf, so she preferred to stop the boats rather than keeping her baby safe.’

Surprisingly, orcas typically look after newborn calves for at least two years after they’re born, providing them with safety and nourishment until they learn how to hunt.

According to Robert Pitman, a marine biologist at Oregon State University’s Marine Mammal Institute, orca females have an average of five calves in their lifetime and are fiercely protective of each. 

The exact motive of her attacks remains unknown, but her peculiar behaviour has sparked theories from experts – the most prevalent being she may be acting out in response to a traumatic event.  

Gonzalez said on the webinar: ‘It was more important to stop the boats’ than to protect her calf, leading experts to believe ‘something bad happened’ to the mammal and that Gladis may have encountered a traumatic event with a sailboat.  

Alfredo López Fernandez, a biologist at the University of Aveiro in Portugal who is a representative of the Atlantic Orca Working Group, told LiveScience: ‘The traumatized orca is the one that started this behaviour of physical contact with the boat.’

A ‘critical moment of agony’ made White Gladis aggressive towards boats – and this is now being taught and copied by other orcas, the biologist told LiveScience. 

It seems White Gladis has become a pioneer for other enraged orcas, as The Atlantic Orca Working Group has seen a 298% increase in orca-boat interactions from 2020 to 2023. 

Consequently, in the last few years, three boats have been capsized as a result of orca encounters and over 100 more have been damaged. 

Like humans, orcas pass down knowledge from one generation to the next. It’s certainly possible that White Gladis, the leader of her family, taught her calf and others in the pod how to damage ships in what she believed was a protective action.

It’s likely other orcas, especially younger mammals, may engage in the behavour out of curiosity or playfulness – ‘like a child playing with a football in the kitchen and breaking a window’ – but, Gonzalez explained that adults are more likely to interact with the boats out of trauma. 

The orcas show no sign of slowing down and, on June 22, three orcas attacked a boat participating in an endurance sailing race near the Strait of Gibraltar. Luckily, the vessel was not damaged and resumed the race following the encounter. 

A few days later, off the coast of southern Portugal, another boat was attacked. The boat’s captain Troy Torres responded to a Facebook post about the encounter. 

On the same day, a catamaran was targeted off Culatra Island by six orcas for 50 minutes, Bertrand d’Enquin, who was on the boat, wrote in a Facebook post.

He said: ‘One orca returned and batted the rudder one last time, as if to confirm it was broken. It was a harrowing experience.’

Some experts are now concerned about how the game will end, Deborah Giles, the science and research director at Wild Orca, said: ‘I am worried that people will take the situation into their own hands and use lethal or harmful tactics to try and, you know, get the whales to stop or at least, you know, stop an attack at the moment.’ 

Which? has produced a ranking of the best self-catering accommodation providers – and it’s Jet2Villas that has come out top.

It’s followed by Brittany Ferries and Gites de France in joint second place. Tripadvisor, meanwhile, is at the bottom of the table – though it still scores highly.

The ranking is based on a survey in which respondents were asked to rate 11 self-catering accommodation providers across seven categories, including cleanliness, whether the description matches the reality, customer service and value for money.

Top-ranking ‘Jet2Villas’ has a score of 82 per cent, receiving five stars for its range of properties, booking process and description matching reality.

Which? Travel says: ‘It offers villas in dozens of Mediterranean and Canary Island resorts, with customers impressed by the range of properties – from no-frills terraces with shared pools to stylish mansions with hot tubs and gyms.’

The watchdog notes that all its package holidays also include return flights and car hire, with one respondent declaring Jet2Villas an ‘easy company to deal with and good value’.

Summing up its verdict, Which? says that ‘whether you’re on a tight budget or looking to splash out, Jet2Villas covers popular sun-soaked destinations and still delivers the personal touch’.

Joint-second Brittany Ferries and Gites de France, meanwhile, receive a score of 81 per cent. Looking at the former, Which? says that the holiday rentals offered by Brittany Ferries ‘are all near the company’s ports of call on France’s Atlantic coast and in Spain’s verdant north’.

It says: ‘Choose from rustic cottages and apartments in family-friendly complexes, with your return ferry included as part of the package – you get a cabin on an overnight crossing to Santander or Bilbao.’

The watchdog does note that there’s one ‘niggle’ to booking with Brittany Ferries – ‘although you can browse the properties online, you must call to check availability and to book’.

Filling out the survey, one respondent said of their experience with the firm: ‘The whole experience was great from booking, to travelling by ferry, and then arriving at our destination.’

What is the watchdog’s verdict? It says: ‘For a self-drive getaway with all the protections of a package holiday, look no further than Brittany Ferries.’

As for Gites de France, Which? says: ‘This French organisation lists tens of thousands of properties across France, from alpine chalets to chic seaside villas (along with B&Bs and campsites). Each is vetted and given a rating out of five epis (ears of wheat) for amenities and comfort.’

The watchdog notes that most Gites de France properties can be booked online, and though its terms and conditions are in French, you can request English versions from the firm’s Paris call centre.

Which? does note that one respondent said that it’s ‘easier to get superb service’ from the company if you speak French.

Sharing its verdict on the provider, Which? says: ‘The cheapest provider in our survey, Gites de France can help you to explore the more hidden corners of France.’

Third place goes to British Airways Holidays, which bags a score of 79 per cent and five stars in the ‘description matching reality’ and ‘range of properties’ categories.

Overall, Which? notes that big-name booking websites are instinctively people’s first port of call these days – more survey respondents booked with Airbnb (4th, 78 per cent) and Booking.com (joint 5th, 77 per cent) than all the other self-catering providers put together – but it’s specialist firms that rank top overall. 

Last place Tripadvisor, meanwhile, received a decent score of 69 per cent, bagging four stars across the majority of categories, including for quality of accommodation and range of properties.

Commenting on the ranking, Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: ‘A self-catering holiday can be the perfect way to enjoy your very own home away from home, but with so much choice out there, it can be difficult to know who is best to book with.

‘While the majority of respondents to our survey used big-name booking sites, the most glowing reviews were for more specialist providers like Jet2Villas and Brittany Ferries, who rather than acting merely as middlemen between you and the owner of the property, can provide a more personal touch. These companies also have the advantage of letting you book a package, which offers more protection in the event something should go wrong.’

‘Central’ restaurant in Lima, Peru, has earned the title of the World’s Best Restaurant 2023 – and incredible new YouTube footage reveals what it’s like to dine there.

It was shot by Alexander Varga, the co-owner of one-Michelin-starred restaurant ’42’ in Esztergom, Hungary, who describes eating at Central, which is set in a beautiful botanic garden, as ‘an adventure that will warm your soul’.

Central doesn’t have a Michelin star – its inspectors don’t cover Peru – but Alexander has eaten at over 50 three-star restaurants and tells MailOnline Travel that it ‘certainly deserves the title of world’s best’. So, if they ever get there, three stars could well be on the cards.

Alexander’s fascinating video explains that the philosophy of Central’s chefs – Virgilio Martinez and wife Pia Leon – is to present courses that each showcase a Peruvian ecosystem at a specific altitude.

‘The menu is really something to marvel at,’ Alexander says.

The dishes are crafted using 180 ingredients, with around half of them unknown.

Some of them are presented on a huge stone table at the entrance, with Alexander revealing that ‘each one is grown and cultivated by Chef Virgilio and his team’.

‘He cooks food that belongs to his land and people,’ he says.

The 14-course ‘Altitudes’ tasting menu on offer costs 250 euros (£215/$273), with drink pairings that cost from 50 (£43/$54) to 115 euros (£99/$126).

Alexander opts for the local spirits and wines pairing and then begins his culinary odyssey.

Dishes include Peruvian potatoes grown on trees – called ‘flying potatoes’ – served with a coriander dipping sauce; bites made with seaweed, clams and squid; algae from a mountain lake; vegetarian piranhas served with some of the nuts and plants they feed on, and wine poured from a clay bottle.

He describes the flavours he experiences as ‘out of this world’. 

Your browser does not support iframes.

Did the restaurant live up to the hype of ‘world’s best’?

Alexander told MailOnline Travel: ‘Absolutely. Actually, it exceeded the hype, and my expectations too.

‘I obviously watched some content about it, and had a picture in my head, but when I was there, it was something else. Peaceful, elevated, an almost church-like feeling filled with exciting and unknown things to discover.

‘I don’t even look at it as going to a restaurant. I went to a philosophy workshop. And for me, that beats everything.

‘The “best in the world” thing is an interesting subject. In my humble opinion, there’s no such thing. Most of the world’s top-tier restaurants are no better than the others. Central isn’t better than the others, but it is different.

‘I thought about it a lot, and I always ask this question: “If I die tomorrow, which restaurant would be the one where I’d go back right now?” Everyone would have different answers, and all of them would be “The Best”. But obviously if we consider the fact that there are objective aspects, which we base the No.1 choice on, then yes, I’d say right now Central absolutely deserves the title.’

How does Central compare to three-Michelin-star restaurants Alexander has been to?

He says: ‘I’ve been in at least 50 three-star restaurants, and each of them is different in some ways. But at the end of the day it is a high-end restaurant, and in that aspect, it doesn’t really differ. 

‘It has extremely professional service and staff, a stellar kitchen and super-talented people in it, so things you can usually say about the world’s best restaurants. But with these tools, Central tells – in my humble opinion – a unique story and they have a different mission. And that’s what makes them different.’

What does he think the secret to the success of the restaurant is?

Alexander says: ‘If I had to highlight something, I’d say the people. I saw the passion and joy in everyone there. It was more like an obsession in a good way. They really believe in what they do, and it’s honest. They are loyal to the roots of Peru and its people, and this unconsciously (or consciously) creates magic.’

And the part of the trip that was most memorable?

Alexander reveals that it was actually his visit to Chef Virgilio’s food lab and interpretation centre – ‘Mil’ – located at an altitude of 3,568m (11,706ft) in the Andes, near the famous Moray ruins.

Here visitors can see for themselves how food for Central is researched and cultivated.

Alexander said: ‘It was uplifting to see how a modern restaurant in a modern world becomes a bridge between the new and old generation. I saw how they draw from the wisdom of the past with respect and humility. This kind of respect is really rare today. The whole place and all the people radiated a really good vibe, and I was under its effect for a good while.’

For more fascinating foodie videos from Alexander visit www.youtube.com/@alexandertheguest and follow him on Instagram at www.instagram.com/alexandertheguest and on TikTok at www.tiktok.com/@alexandertheguest. Follow his restaurant on Instagram at www.instagram.com/42restaurant. Click here for the Central video.

The Austrian capital of Vienna has been ranked as the world’s ‘most liveable city’, while Copenhagen and Melbourne followed close behind in The Economist’s annual rankings.

The list was dominated by Western European, Australian and Canadian cities, with nine of the top ten spots (taken by 11 cities) in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2023 Global Liveability Index. 

Only two cities outside of Europe, Australia and Canada made it onto the list – Osaka in Japan and Auckland in New Zealand. The cities came in joint 10th place.

The Economist ranked 173 cities on a variety of factors, including political stability, culture and environment, education and infrastructure. 

Authors said the latest liveability index showed that living conditions in cities across the world have fully recovered from the deterioration caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.  

Big cities like London, Los Angeles and Stockholm have dropped in the annual ratings, with London losing 12 ranks to move to 46th place, Los Angeles losing 17 positions to 57th in the ranking and Stockholm losing 22 to land on the 43rd rank. 

Kyiv is back in the annual survey after it was forced out last year due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but the city ranks low in 165th place due to the instability and damaged infrastructure. 

Here, MailOnline takes a look at the top 10 ‘most liveable cities’: 

1. Vienna, Austria

Vienna, home to nearly two million people, topped the rankings in 2023 as the most liveable city with a score of 98.4 out of 100, as it did in 2022, 2019 and 2018.

With its mix of stability, good culture and entertainment, reliable infrastructure, and ‘exemplary’ education and health services, the Austrian city leads the ranking yet again, with only the Covid-19 pandemic causing the city to vacate its top spot.

Vienna is renowned for the glorious architecture of its imperial past with gilded palaces and decadent opera halls filled with classical music.

In addition to the stunning surroundings, it is known as ‘red Vienna’ for its left-wing tendencies and those who live there can expect good healthcare, stability, cheap public services and abundant social housing.

2. Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen had another perfect score for infrastructure, education and stability in this year’s Global Liveability – and an overall score of 98, the same as in 2022.

The city has kept its second place due to a low crime rate, due to Copenhagen’s focus on preventative initiatives. 

Copenhagen has a population of 1.3 million people, which is only a slight growth since last year for Denmark’s capital city.

Denmark became the first European Union country to lift all of its domestic Covid restrictions – meaning those living in the country could go back to life as normal and enjoy cultural events and restaurants again, which also helped Australian cities like Melbourne and Sydney to bounce back.

3. Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne has been a fixture in the top ten in the last few years and has yet again been Australia’s highest-ranking city with a score of 97.7.   

The great healthcare, education and infrastructure – which all got a score of 100 – has helped the city land the 3rd spot in the ranking.

The shift towards normality after the pandemic has helped Melbourne since seeing its healthcare score improve since last year, when they were still affected by the strain of the pandemic on the healthcare systems. 

Melbourne has moved up seven places in the ranking after placing a joint 10th with Osaka, Japan, last year. 

4.  Sydney, Australia

As the second most liveable city in Australia, Sydney scored a 97.4.

While the healthcare, education and infrastructure scores are just as perfect as those in Melbourne, the culture and environment lacks behind its Australian neighbour.

Nevertheless, the city is among the most liveable in the world and has banished European cities like Frankfurt and Amsterdam from the list after bouncing back after the pandemic.

Sydney has a population of 5.2million, which has grown by about 60,000 people since last year.

5. Vancouver, Canada

Canada also has two of its cities represented in the top 10 most liveable cities – and Vancouver was one of them with a score of 97.3, which even improved on last year’s score while the ranking in 5th place remained the same.

Perched on the west coast of Canada, Vancouver has the highest population in the country and is one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities there – with 50 per cent of residents belonging to minority groups. 

Vancouver, one of the greenest cities in the world, is also one of the most expensive cities to live in.

The stability score in Vancouver is up compared to last year, when the city was impacted by anti-vaccine protests. 

6. Zurich, Switzerland

Zurich ranked third in the liveability index with a score of 97.1 – largely due to it being a safe and green city, which is also a major financial centre.

The mid-sized city is also extremely wealthy – and the index’s authors said that this combination meant that the city fared very well in the survey. 

The city has rebounded since the pandemic on the back of its stability, good infrastructure and services. 

The education score has risen from 2022 and now sits at 100.

7. Calgary, Canada and Geneva, Switzerland

Calgary dropped from 3rd position last year to a joint 7th place shared with Geneva, which also dropped down from 6th. Both scored 96.8. 

The cities scored best due to its citizens’ access to good healthcare and education, with Calgary scoring 100 on infrastructure and stability, but just a low 87.3 on culture and entertainment. 

Geneva beats the Canadian city in culture and entertainment, likely due to it being a financial centre and a centre for diplomacy due to it being the headquarters of many UN agencies. 

Geneva therefore ranked highly for its stability and infrastructure with 95.0 and 96.4 respectively.

9. Toronto, Canada

Toronto scored 96.5 overall and a perfect score of 100 for its healthcare and education in the index. 

The city’s 2.9million residents can visit iconic landmarks such as the CN tower and museums. 

The city also has diverse neighourhoods, each being a micro cultural hub with different restaurants and parks. 

Like Vancouver, the stability score in Toronto is also up compared to last year when the city was disrupted by anti-vaccine protests. 

10. Osaka, Japan and Auckland, New Zealand

Asia-Pacific cities have made some of the biggest gains in the liveability index, accounting for eight of top ten movers up the rankings as economies recover from the pandemic. 

Auckland has soared by 25 places to a shared 10th with Osaka, which already held this position in 2022. They share a score of 96.0.

Osaka was the only Asian city to land in the top 10 this year, while Auckland is only Zealandian city to make it.   

The strong stability and good infrastructure are the main charms of the two cities, supported by good healthcare and opportunities for culture and entertainment, although the latter is significantly higher in Auckland, while Osaka scored better for stability.

Another one of New Zealand’s cities moved up in the ranking, which Wellington gaining 35 places to rank 23rd.

Perth and Adelaide, both in Australia, came shared 12th place after moving up 21 and 19 ranks respectively. 

Among the cities moving down the ranking were UK cities Edinburgh (-23 for 58th place), Manchester (-16 for 44th place) and London (-12 for 46th place). 

Edinburgh was the biggest mover down in the ranking this year. While none of these cities has seen a particularly sharp decline in their index scores, but they have failed to ‘make the gains that many other cities—particularly those in Asia—have made in the past year’, the Economist analysts explained in their report.

Other European cities dominating the list of the top ten fallers down the ranking are Stockholm, Sweden, after losing 22 places to rank 43rd, Rotterdam, Netherlands, after losing 16 places to 44th and Lyon, France, after losing 12 places to 37th.

Western European cities have slipped down the rankings in the 2023 survey due to increased instances of workers’ strikes and civil unrest, which have hurt their stability ratings.

Damascus, Syria, and Tripoli, Libya, are still at the bottom of the list and are the least liveable cities, held back by social unrest, terrorism and conflict. 

However, while Damascus has seen no improvement since last year despite the regional political comeback of its president, Bashar al-Assad, scores for Tripoli and other cities in the bottom ten have improved as the pandemic has receded. 

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants for 2023 have been named – and it’s an eatery in Peru that claims the top spot.

‘Central’ restaurant in Lima has earned the title of the World’s Best Restaurant 2023, rising from second place in last year’s ranking. The flagship restaurant of chefs Virgilio Martinez and Pia Leon, its dishes are crafted using 180 ingredients, with around half of them unknown outside Peru. How much will dinner at the eatery, set you back? Tasting menus are priced from £226 ($288/1045 Peruvian Soles).

One previous dish to appear on the restaurant’s menu was named ‘Mil Centro’ and was comprised of native potato, chaco – a type of edible clay – and ‘high altitude’ leaves. Another dish, named ‘sea brain algae’, featured octopus, sea lettuce and codium – a type of algae. 

The gold-medal-winning eatery is followed by Disfrutar in Barcelona in second place and Madrid restaurant Diverxo in third. Britain’s top entry, meanwhile, is Kol, a Mexican restaurant in London that ranks 23rd. Two more London restaurants make it into the top 50 – the two-Michelin-starred West African restaurant Ikoyi (35th) and modern British eatery The Clove Club (38th).

The U.S claims a top 10 spot with New York restaurant Atomix (eighth), an intimate 14-seat restaurant serving ‘distinctive Korean food’ that’s run by husband-and-wife team Junghyun’ JP’ and Ellia Park. Climbing 25 places from its position in last year’s ranking, the restaurant also wins the Villa Massa Highest Climber Award. Manhattan’s fish-focused Le Bernardin restaurant also makes it on the list, ranking 44th.

The competition, which is in its 21st year, revealed this year’s ranking in a ceremony hosted in Valencia, Spain, on Tuesday evening.

Commenting on the awards, William Drew, Director of Content for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, says: ‘It gives me great pleasure to share the list of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023 and celebrate the fantastic achievement of Central as the new No.1. Virgilio Martinez, Pia Leon and the whole Central team have truly paved the way in celebrating indigenous ingredients through their innovative dishes and warm hospitality.

‘Their commitment to research, respect for their country’s heritage and promotion of Peru’s unique biodiversity is unmatched… this year’s list continues to show the breadth of culinary talent across the globe, and we look forward to seeing how it evolves even further in 2024 and beyond.’

In general, South America has won big this year, with the continent boasting nine restaurants overall in the top 50, including two new entries: Pia Leon’s Kjolle (28th) in Lima and El Chato (33rd) in Bogota, Colombia.

Asia follows with seven restaurants on the list, including Singapore’s Odette (14th) – also named The Best Restaurant in Asia – along with new entries Le Du (15th) and Gaggan Anand (17th) in Bangkok, Thailand, and Sezanne in Tokyo (37th).

Two Dubai restaurants make the list for the very first time, with Tresind Studio (11th globally) named The Best Restaurant in the Middle East and Africa, ahead of Orfali Bros Bistro (46th).

Looking at how restaurants manage environmental and social responsibility, the Flor de Cana Sustainable Restaurant Award is this year bestowed on Cape Town’s Fyn (75th), where founding chef Peter Tempelhoff’s mission is to ‘blur boundaries by interpreting South Africa through techniques largely rooted in Japanese cooking’.

The winner of the Highest New Entry Award, sponsored by Aspire Lifestyles, is Table by Bruno Verjus (10th) in the French capital. ‘The self-taught French chef serves simple, seasonal, no-fuss cuisine at this Paris restaurant, which has developed a loyal following among the city’s gourmands and is rapidly becoming an international dining destination,’ a statement reveals.

The Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award goes to Copenhagen’s Alchemist (fifth), which is said to offer an ‘almost mystical dining experience in a remote, industrial corner of the city’. 

The awards reveal: ‘An evening here is divided into several ‘acts’ where guests of head chef Rasmus Munk and his team are led through different locations, types of art and storytelling moments, alongside exquisite food born from Munk’s obsessive search for the finest ingredients.’

Julien Royer of Odette in Singapore wins the Estrella Damm Chefs’ Choice Award. Voted for by the world’s leading chefs, this special prize is awarded to a chef who has had a significant positive influence on the culinary community.

Pia Salazar of Nuema, Quito, Ecuador, is the recipient of The World’s Best Pastry Chef Award, sponsored by Sosa. 

Already crowned Latin America’s Best Pastry Chef 2022, the Cuenca-born chef is ‘helping put Ecuador on the culinary map with her experimental creations, turning fruit and vegetables into sweet masterpieces, like coconut with umami-rich yeast and black garlic, or leek and vanilla with cedron, a herb resembling lemon verbena’, the awards reveals.

In its second year, the Beronia World’s Best Sommelier Award goes to Miguel Angel Millan, sommelier of Madrid’s Diverxo. A statement says that he ‘expertly curates pairings to match [Diverxo] chef Dabiz Munoz’s ever-changing menu and takes the restaurant’s beverage programme to an exceptionally high level, establishing himself as one of the most important sommeliers on the international restaurant scene’.

The evening also celebrated those honoured with pre-announced special awards, including the Champions of Change winners Nora Fitzgerald Belahcen, founder of Moroccan social enterprise Amal, and Othon Nolasco and Damian Diaz, the duo behind food-security project No Us Without You LA.

Central takes the number one spot from the 2022 winner, Geranium, Copenhagen, which has now been elevated to the ‘Best of the Best’ hall of fame – a category of number-one ranked restaurants that have ‘more than proved their worth’ and are therefore not eligible for voting.

The award winners have been determined based on votes cast by 1,080 international restaurant industry experts and ‘well-travelled gourmets’ who make up The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy. For more information go to theworlds50best.com.