Anastassov Journal
Hotels worth travelling for, restaurants to remember, and curated guides to the destinations around them.
CR21 Palermo: A Modern Sicilian Dinner in the Historic Centre
CR21 in Palermo pairs a dark, polished dining room with playful Sicilian details, carbonara-filled pasta and a pistachio dessert I still think about.
ALI3I Palermo: Contemporary Dining on Via della Libertà
ALI3I offers a contemporary take on Sicilian dining in Palermo, with a five-course tasting menu, thoughtful service, local wines and a personal story shaped by Alice Di Gennaro and Liborio Mongiovì.
Dinner at Rimessa Dragotto: From the Olive Grove to Palermo
Rimessa Dragotto brings the Dragotto family’s olive-growing story into central Palermo, with their own extra-virgin olive oil at the table and a cassata-inspired dessert that became my favourite dish.
Grand Hotel Wagner: Art Nouveau Elegance in the Heart of Palermo
Behind the chandeliers, dark wood and old-world interiors of Grand Hotel Wagner is something increasingly difficult to replicate: genuinely personal hospitality.
Cappadonia Gelati Palermo: Sicilian Fruit, Snow and Brioche
Inside Cappadonia Gelati in Palermo, where Sicilian fruit, local growers and an old snow-and-salt tradition shape the gelato, before finishing with brioche con gelato.
Breakfast at Stilla Garden, Four Seasons Hotel Milano
Breakfast at Stilla Garden inside Four Seasons Hotel Milano, with manicured greenery, attentive service, smoked salmon croissants and a peaceful courtyard setting in the heart of the fashion district.
Ralph’s Bar Milano: Brunch Inside the World of Ralph Lauren
Inside Ralph’s Bar Milano for brunch: a secluded garden, dreamy music, refined Ralph Lauren details, gelato and one of the best burgers I have had.
Gloria Osteria Milano: Theatrical Dining in Brera
Dinner at Gloria Osteria Milano in Brera, with Cacio e Quattro Pepi, peach sorbet and one of Milan’s most expressive dining rooms.
Private Boat Day with Dubrovnik Boat
House music, clear Adriatic water, a personalised route and time on Lopud Island during our private day with Dubrovnik Boat.
Dubrovnik Dining Guide: Where to Eat in and Around the City
My personal dining recommendations in Dubrovnik, covering six restaurants across the Old Town, Mount Srđ, Lapad Bay and nearby Cavtat.
Dubrovnik City Guide: A Refined Adriatic Escape
My complete guide to Dubrovnik, bringing together the hotels, restaurants, swimming spots, cultural landmarks and coastal experiences worth building a trip around.
Hotel Dubrovnik Palace: A Seaside Stay on the Lapad Peninsula
A sea-view stay at Hotel Dubrovnik Palace, part of Adriatic Luxury Hotels, with private balconies, coastal access, restaurants, spa facilities and a calm base outside Dubrovnik’s Old Town.
La Bohème Cavtat: Waterfront Dining at Sunset
A waterfront restaurant in Cavtat, built around Mediterranean dishes, local wine and a relaxed coastal setting shaped by the harbour.
Restaurant More Dubrovnik: Dinner Above Lapad Bay
A first-hand look at Restaurant More in Dubrovnik, from Dalmatian prosciutto and Pag cheese to green tagliatelle with salmon, served above Lapad Bay at sunset.
Fish Restaurant Proto Dubrovnik: Historic Seafood in the Old City
A historic Dubrovnik seafood restaurant dating back to 1886, known for Adriatic fish, seasonal ingredients and a polished Old City setting.
Restaurant Arka Dubrovnik: Fun Dining by the Jesuit Stairs
Dining by the Jesuit Stairs, indulging into Mediterranean food, regional wine and experiencing a more playful approach to dinner inside the city walls.
Restaurant Marco Polo Dubrovnik: Dalmatian Flavours in the Old Town
A courtyard restaurant in Dubrovnik Old Town, built around Dalmatian flavours, Croatian wines and a more considered take on local tradition.
Milan City Guide: Design, Dining and Style in Italy’s Fashion Capital
A refined Milan city guide covering where to stay, eat, shop, and visit, with hotel areas, dining notes, design stops, a 3-day itinerary, and useful planning links.
Lake Como Journal: Villas, Gardens & Quiet Lakeside Details
A slower lakeside story shaped by Varenna, Bellagio, villa gardens, old stone paths, quiet terraces, and the soft rhythm of Lake Como.
Milan Journal: Easter Weekend Through Hotels, Design & Dining
An Easter weekend in Milan seen through hotels, design, dining, historic villas, fashion details, and the polished atmosphere of the city.