Arguably one of the most celebrated ice cream destinations is Italy, where songs have quite literally been sung about having “just one cornetto”. Italian gelato is typically low on preservatives, and each region infuses its ice cream with a variety of local ingredients. In Piedmont and Lake Como, local ingredients such as apples and hazelnuts are used, while in Tuscany it’s not uncommon to see ice cream made of wine. Over in the cities, you will find more innovative flavour combinations such as limoncello-basil or tiramisu, which are either served in cones, cups, or scattered with almonds in silver bowls. If you prefer to eat “a casa”, you can even order large slices of gelato encased in plastic tubs or wrappers, which are cradled with care all the way home.

Despite the cold bursts of weather, ice cream is eaten throughout the year across Scandinavia. Popular desserts include ice cream cake, which has been combined with local sweet treats such as Daim for an alternative take on the traditional dish. In cities such as Copenhagen and Stockholm, ice-cream-making methods are becoming increasingly diverse (liquid nitrogen, anyone?) while in more rural areas, iced goods are infused with local fruits, herbs and spices such as bergamot, cinnamon, and hibiscus. 

With the abundance of produce available across France, it’s no wonder that the nation’s iced products are a real “cream” come true. Artisanal products are on the rise here, in part due to the push for healthy eating and the quintessentially French mindset of quality over quantity. Sorbets are infused with champagne and raspberries, while rich vanilla, caramel or dark chocolate ice cream is scooped next to generous servings of tarte tatin or profiteroles.

In the UK, ice cream quite literally comes on wheels. Come summertime, ice cream vans drive down streets blasting twinkly music and serving 99 Flakes – whipped vanilla soft serve in a cone topped with a Cadbury’s flake. A number of destinations across the UK are also known for vanilla - or cream-flavoured - ice cream made with minimal products. We suggest tasting Cornwall and Devon’s clotted cream products or County Antrim’s honeycomb-flavoured goods. Cities such as London offer an array of unique flavour combinations such as black sesame or kefir, while in theatres across the country, it is commonplace to enjoy a small pot of chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla ice cream during intervals.

Why not embark on an ice cream odyssey across the continent? We recommend booking a stay in a well-connected property such as 1 Hotel Mayfair in the UK or Ett Hem Stockholm in Sweden, where you can savour scoops of these iced delights from day to night. Explore all of these destinations - and more - with our curated stays on ASMALLWORLD Collection.