When to Go and What to Do | Travel + Leisure
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When to Go and What to Do

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When to Go

Late spring to fall is the best time to visit all of these monastery hotels. Temperatures range from the upper sixties, in northern Europe, to the mid eighties, in Italy. Some are in Europe's major wine regions and so are ideal as a base for the annual fall harvests. Abbaye de la Bussière and Relais San Maurizio are usually closed in January.

Where to Stay

Abbaye de la Bussière
Ten rooms in a converted abbey with private grounds surrounded by Côte d'Or vineyards and stately barge canals. La Bussière-sur-Ouche, Dijon, France; 33-3/80-49-02-29; www.abbayedelabussiere.fr; doubles from $362.

Kruisherenhotel
A two-hour train ride south of Amsterdam, this former church is close to Maastricht's fashion district. 19–23 Kruisherengang, Maastricht, the Netherlands; 800/337-4685 or 31-43/329-2020; www.chateauhotels.nl; doubles from $356.

Pousada Santa Maria do Bouro
The inn has a swimming pool and a sunny flagstone terrace facing a valley where grapes are cultivated and harvested for port. Lugar do Terreiro, Bouro Santa Maria, Amares, Portugal; 800/337-4685 or 351-2/ 5337-1970; www.pousadas.pt; doubles from $245.

Relais San Maurizio
Perched on a steep hilltop, this monastery hotel has a restaurant with an exceptional wine cellar. 39 Località San Maurizio, Santo Stefano Belbo, Italy; 800/735-2478 or 39-0141/841-900; www.relaissanmaurizio.it; doubles from $258.

Where to Eat

While each hotel above has at least one restaurant, there are other excellent options, including those below.

Dijon

Restaurant Le Charlemagne
Classic Burgundian cuisine (escargot, sweetbreads, and veal) with a Zen twist in a handsome dining room outside Beaune. Rue des Vergelesses; 33-3/80-21-51-45; www.lecharlemagne.fr; dinner for two $54.

Maastricht

Bistro 't Örgelke
Specializes in Indonesian satay, curries, and vegetarian dishes. 40 Tongersestraat; 31-43/321-6982; dinner for two $50.

De Bóbbel
Local beer on tap, genever (Dutch gin), and hearty onion soup at a wood-paneled bar in a narrow medieval street. 32 Wolfstraat; 31-43/321-7413; dinner for two $24.

Château Neercanne
A Michelin-starred dining room in a converted château about 10 minutes' drive from Maastricht. 31-43/325-1359; dinner for two $165.

Santo Stefano Belbo

Ristorante Stazione
Savor carpaccio with white truffles, gnocchi with butter and sage, and local Barbaresco and Nebbiolo wines at this homey trattoria. 6 Piazzale G. Manzo; 39-0141/844-233; dinner for two $150.

More Monastery Hotels

SPAIN

Hospes Amerigo
A former Dominican convent with 80 contemporary rooms, on Spain's Costa Blanca. 7 Rafael Altamira, Alicante; 800/337-4685 or 34/96-514-6570; www.hospes.es; doubles from $220.

HospederÍa Convento de la Parra
No modern distractions at this lovely 21-room retreat in the South Sierra foothills. 16 Calle Santa María, La Parra; 34/92-468-2692; www.laparra.net; doubles from $136.

ITALY

Relais La Suvera
Originally owned by Pope Julius II, this Renaissance villa has 32 rooms draped in brocade and velvet. Pievescola, Siena; 800/525-4800 or 39-05/7796-0300; doubles from $752.

FRANCE

Prieuré d'Orsan
You'll find impeccable medieval gardens and country-chic rooms at this priory northeast of Bordeaux. Maisonnais; 800/735-2478 or 33-2/48-56-27-50; doubles from $220.

BRAZIL

Pousada de San Salvador da Bahia-Convento do Carmo
A recently opened 79-room hotel in a convent near the beaches of Bahia, managed by the same group that runs Santa Maria do Bouro. 1 Rua do Carmo, Pelourinho; 55-71/3327-8400; www.pousadas.pt; doubles from $330.

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