THE FAT DUCK, Bray, Berkshire

It’s the appliance of science, by the von Frankenstein of the kitchen, Heston Blumenthal (we mean that in a nice way), who also has three Michelin stars. Expect the unexpected: I’m still not sure why I enjoyed the bacon-and-egg ice cream, but I did. Budget for £100pp.

How to book: the reservations line (01628 580333, www.fatduck.co.uk) is red-hot, so expect a three-month wait. However, you might have better luck at the Hinds Head (01628 626151), the adjacent pub, also owned by Blumenthal. It serves simpler, but equally tasty, food.

Where to stay: the old-school Waterside Inn (01628 620691) has doubles from £160. The restaurant also has three Michelin stars, so you can compare the science of Blumenthal with the art of haute cuisine.

Getting there: Bray is just off the M4 (leave at junction 8/9).

EL BULLI, Roses, Spain

Welcome to the crazy world of Ferran Adria. The £100 set menu, of between 25 and 30 courses, will take up a significant portion of your life. It will include seemingly mundane items such as a ham sandwich, which is, of course, the best ham sandwich in the world, and more esoteric fare: carrot foam with blood orange, say, and popcorn dust soup with butter.

How to book: for every cover available in its six-month summer season, El Bulli gets 40 calls. This year is booked up, but if you e-mail bulli@elbulli.com or fax 00 34 97 215 0717 now, they might squeeze you in for September 2006.

Where to stay: nearby Roses is overdeveloped, but the Almadraba Park Hotel (00 34 972 256550, www.almadrabapark.com), the best in town, stays aloof from the masses on its perch above the beach. Lovely views, great sunsets, decent food; doubles from £90, B&B.

Getting there: Ryanair (0871 246 0000, www.ryanair.com) flies to Gerona from seven UK airports, including Luton, Blackpool and Glasgow, from £26; and from Dublin, from €88.

THE FRENCH LAUNDRY, Yountville, California

Last year’s winner, this is the place Anthony Bourdain claims supplied the best meal of his life. Menus (a nine-course tasting menu, or vegetarian version; or a seven-course dinner) are £90, excluding wine. Trademark dishes include black sesame cornets of Atlantic salmon tartare with red-onion crème fraîche, “oysters and pearls” (Nova Scotia oyster and Iranian ossetra caviar with tapioca), and the best duck you will ever taste.

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