Savoia Excelsior Palace Trieste, Italy

• Exclusive past: Classical columns, glittering chandeliers, period frescoes, and a monumental white façade by forward-thinking Austrian architect Ladislaus Fiedler set the scene at this ravishing palace hotel on Trieste’s seafront. Dating back to 1912, when it was a huge draw for aristocrats, artists, and diplomats staying in the Italian port city, there’s still plenty here to impress; mostly timeless Adriatic views, a top-notch service, and lashings of old-world glamour with a mod twist.
  

• Local cuisine: Elsewhere, there’s a small library with a skylight and a sophisticated gourmet restaurant for next-level national cuisine (including Trieste classics) paired with wines from Italian and Slovenian producers. Equally impressive is Le Rive Bar - a divine-looking spot where you can happily chill out with post-sightseeing aperitifs, digestifs, and made-to-order cocktails while gazing up at the scalloped ceiling or out across the Gulf of Trieste.

• Home from home: Scoring high on the design front, all of the 142 uniquely-styled and very luxurious guest rooms and suites come with soothing hues, interesting artwork, high ceilings, carpeted flooring, and all mod cons. Complete with wonderful views, all the rooms have comfortable beds and bathrooms come with beautiful Calacatta marble finishes.
  
  

Entry requirements

The passport, visa and health requirements at the time of booking can be viewed on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for UK citizens, and on the Department of Foreign Affairs website for IE citizens. It is your responsibility to ensure that you and all members of your party are in possession of all necessary travel and health documents, and in compliance with any other immigration/entry requirements before you travel, including whether your passport must be machine readable or which visas/waivers may be required for entry, such as ESTA for USA travel and/or ETIAS for EU travel. Please also be sure to check the validity of your passport and allow up to 10 weeks for passport renewals.