January, the month of inhospitable weather, hard work in the gym and long nights spent in the office. While we are all planning new budgets, strategies and goals at home and at work, it is necessary to leave a little of ourselves to dream about brighter, warmer months. There is nothing better than planning where you will go this year, so if you like to experiment in Alain Delon journal we have selected for you the top destinations that you cannot miss in 2017.
Mantua
If you love Italian cuisine, Mantua is a must-see on your list of destinations. Famous for its pumpkin tortellini and thick, slow-simmered sauces, Mantua is home to some of the best restaurants in Italy. After all, where else would you find three Michelin-starred restaurants within a forty-kilometer radius? In addition to great food, Mantua is one of the last historic cities undiscovered by tourists, where you will be in vain listening to any language other than Italian in the crowded night streets.
Where to sleep:
Hotel Casa Poli
The fact that Mantua has hotels on the fingers of one hand says more than anything else that this city is truly an undiscovered treasure of Italy. The four-star Casa Poli has everything you need for a short visit. Rent a bike from reception and set off to explore the beautiful historic city.
Where to go for a drink and dinner:
You don't have to head to one of the aforementioned Michelin-starred restaurants (Dal Pescatore in Canneto sull' Oglio, L'Ambasciata in Quistello and Il Bersagliere in Goito) to have a once-in-a-lifetime culinary experience in Mantua. Osteria Al Ranari, like many of Mantua's restaurants, is now run by the third generation and offers simple, yet all the more fantastic, home-style Mantuan cuisine. After dinner, head to the main square to the Duke's Palace and watch the bustling square full of locals over a glass of Aperol Spritz in one of the countless bars.
What you must not miss:
Even a simple walk around Mantua is an experience in itself, with Renaissance architecture lurking in every building. Follow in the footsteps of the Gonzaga family, who ruled Mantua for many years, and visit the majestic residences of the Palazzo Ducale and the Palazzo del Te. Cycle along the outskirts of the city to enjoy the view of the artificial lakes that have protected the city from all sides since the twelfth century.
When is the best time to go here:
Mantua is known for its humid, hot summer months and cold, foggy winters, so it's best to head in this direction in late spring or early summer.
Dublin
Famous for its home-brewed Guinness and Jameson whiskey, Dublin has become a modern European metropolis in recent years, bridging traditional Ireland with the 21st century. A vibrant city with something for everyone, from its thousand-year-old history to its hipster cafes. With companies like Google, Facebook, and LinkedIn having their European headquarters here, Dublin is booming, quickly becoming one of the most attractive destinations for a long weekend.
Where to sleep:
Dylan Dublin
A historic Victorian-style building hides a hotel decorated in Baroque style with a touch of the third millennium. A perfect interpretation of what Dublin is all about.
Where to go for a drink and dinner:
Kehoe's
There's no better combination than poets and a good old pub. Kehoe's is a literary bar where all the famous Dublin bohemians pondered the meaning of life over a glass of stout. The mahogany doors and small rooms will show you how Dublin has been for two hundred years.
What you must not miss:
Guinness Storehouse
This is the most popular attraction in all of Dublin, no matter how cliché it may sound. A visit to the legendary Stout Museum will not only show you how the beer is made, but will also take you to Dublin's highest bar, where you can exchange your ticket for a pint of Guinness. A good deal, right?
When is the best time to go here:
The city has the fewest tourists in spring and autumn, so if you like peace and quiet, definitely choose these periods. But on March 17th, you will experience the most fun in the city. St. Patrick's Day needs no introduction, but book your hotel well in advance.
Marrakesh
A divine blend of sensual luxury and aesthetic simplicity, the historic city of Marrakech constantly draws crowds to its streets seeking warmth during the winter months. Colorful, undiscovered, full of spicy scents, this is Marrakech, one of the best destinations of 2017.
Where to sleep:
Riad Kheirredine
A small hotel in the very center is an oasis of peace and luxury. With typical Moroccan architecture, you won't forget where you are, while pampering you with a wonderful pool and impeccable service.
Where to go for a drink and dinner:
Locals usually eat traditional Moroccan cuisine at home and seek out dishes from other countries in restaurants. However, Al Fassia Restaurant is a perfect exception. The elegant premises with typically colorful furnishings will enhance the atmosphere of Morocco in you, which is perfectly complemented by traditional food. Try the roasted lamb shank, you will definitely not regret it.
What you must not miss:
Ali Ben Youssef Medersa
Among the amazing Moroccan architecture, you can't miss the Ali Ben Youssef Medersa, a school from the early sixteenth century. It was renovated to its current form in the late 1990s, and its breathtaking interiors are indescribably beautiful.
If you haven't visited one of Morocco's famous markets (Souks), it's as if you weren't even in Marrakech. In the heart of the old city, the markets fill the streets north of the central square and stretch in long rows as far as the eye can see. The number of shops is incredible, in some places you can find more than a hundred shops in a space smaller than the average apartment building. Each section of the market is dedicated to a different commodity, from ceramics to the famous spices.
Don't miss the Criée Berbére, which used to be a slave market. Fortunately, you won't find anything like it today, but it's the center of the carpet market. The most photogenic is the Souk des Teinturiers, where hundreds of kilometers of colorful wool hang from the stalls.
When is the best time to go here:
Summer in Marrakech is hot, so November to February is ideal for exploring the city, with temperatures around 25 degrees. However, keep in mind that the nights are very cold.
Photo source: Guinness, ireland.com, Dylan Dublin, spazioweb.it, Osteria al ranari, Visit Mantua, 123rf.com, booking.com, imgur.com, inspirationseek.com
