MOST READ TRAVEL
Enjoying a picnic with friends and family is a classic summer pastime. You might pack up some sandwiches, snacks, and drinks, roll out a blanket and spend a few relaxing hours outdoors. That’s precisely the vibe The Bvlgari Hotel in Milan wanted to recreate, but with a five-star twist.
This summer, the luxury hotel launched a new “picnic experience” where you have a traditional woven rattan basket filled with delectable dishes and set up in the property’s garden. But that’s probably all that’s traditional about it. Instead of turkey sandwiches and potato salad, lobster and avocado tramezzino, macaroni frittata and crispy shrimp, orata, bomba, and a pork cutlet are on the menu. And don’t be surprised if you see a touch of caviar. Plus, the Italian-style courses are all curated by three-Michelin-starred chef Niko Romito.
Although the dishes are packed into the basket in “the traditional way,” don’t expect Tupperware containers. Each one is served in stunning fine china; no paper plates in sight. Even the seating was kicked up a notch as diners can lounge on a variety of square, round, and lumbar-supporting cushions. If that’s not enough, you’ll also get a bottle of Dom Pérignon to sip on during your low-key picnic.
The picnic set feeds groups of two to six, and you can choose between dining at lunch or dinner. Either option takes place in Il Giardino, a private garden designed by landscape architect Sophie Agata Ambroise. Despite being in the heart of the Brera neighborhood—home to the famous Pinacoteca art museum—, you’ll feel secluded in your hidden oasis.
The summertime picnic is just one of the many amenities the hotel offers to guests. The high-end property will also hook you up with a personal shopper, personal trainer, luxury rental car, in-room check-in, and even help you pack and unpack.
