Travel

The Italy of Yuki Kempees

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yuki kempees italy

Italiamo is the site for every Italy lover. Even if you are not heading to Italy, they know how to bring the Italy feeling to you. Because here you will read all about the best pizzas, the undiscovered gems of Italy, as well as the Italy of Yuki Kempees.

If you don't know Yuki Kempees, you must have been living under a rock. He is part of the DJ trio Kris Kross Amsterdam, has a significant solo career in music, and has participated in Expeditie Robinson. Oh yes, in addition, he has also published two books and writes a weekly column.

In October, his girlfriend Lizzy gave him a trip to Rome for his birthday. Although that is one of his favorite cities (after all, every man thinks about the Roman Empire three times a day), Yuki also has better insider tips. Like his favorite hotel where Justin Timberlake got married and the place where you can eat the best tiramisu – and he has tasted quite a bit. This is 3×3 the best of the best of Italy according to Yuki Kempees.

3x the best destinations in Italy

Piedmont
Yuki has been truffle hunting in Piedmont with Lizzy about twice. From autumn onwards, the truffle season kicks off there. ‘We were looking for the white truffle, one of the most special types that can only be found there. Everyone always thinks you go truffle hunting with pigs, but they find those things way too tasty themselves. That's why dogs are now used. The truffle hunting was such a special experience. We went with an old Italian with a gray mustache and he didn't speak a word of English. We actually found a truffle! Maybe it was a set-up, haha. Later we sold the truffles together with him at the market,’ Yuki says. There was also a wine tasting planned in Piedmont, at the Borgogno winery where they make Barolo. ‘This really became my favorite wine. It has now become a tradition to give this wine as a gift to my business relations every year. Then they have to listen to my truffle hunting story again, haha.’ If you want to discover Italy in a different way, Yuki says you should go to Piedmont in the autumn.

Puglia – Masseria Montenapoleone
Together with a pregnant Lizzy and their two-year-old daughter, Yuki made a road trip through southern Italy. When they drove from Bari south, Yuki was a bit shocked. ‘Northern Italy is of course beautiful with very rich cities where everything is well maintained, but the further south you go... Well, let's just say it doesn't really get prettier. The land becomes dry, grayish, and everything is not so well maintained. You drive past large dilapidated houses, but then suddenly it starts to get greener and you drive through a kind of gate. You then enter a resort-like place with a renovated farmhouse and all kinds of small houses around it. A kind of land within a land, an oasis-like place.’ Yuki talks about Masseria Montenapoleone. ‘A paradise within the wild landscape of Southern Italy. Everything here revolves around food. You find long tables among the olive trees where you can just keep eating all day. That's what I actually like about the south, you have different places that you can't imagine how beautiful they are. I've really become fonder of this part of Italy than the rest,’ Yuki says enthusiastically.

Ostuni
Do you know those typical white houses in Puglia? They are called trulli and Ostuni is the white town of Puglia. Yuki: ‘I can compare it to how my foreign friends see Amsterdam, as a kind of fairy tale village. You get that feeling in Ostuni too. It's a kind of strange dream that you walk through. You really have to go there outside the high season, otherwise, it's super crowded.’

3x favorite hotels

Borgo Egnazia
This is the place where Justin Timberlake got married and Madonna celebrated her birthday. It's not really a wellness hotel, because it's more of a five-star village. All the houses together form Borgo Egnazia, with its own piazza for partying, a church, a market, a huge wellness center, two swimming pools, and a golf course. ‘This is the most beautiful hotel I've ever stayed in. I've of course been to many hotels because of my work and have seen it all, from Asia to America. But this hotel always stays with me, it's extraordinarily beautiful. It is located in an old Italian village with small alleys surrounded by rosemary bushes. Almost all the houses have their own pool and there are even six restaurants. One has a Michelin star: Due Camini. In addition, you can walk to one of the two private sandy beaches. It's insane,’ says Yuki.
Borgo Egnazia – Strada Comunale Egnazia, Savelletri, Puglia

Masseria Salamina
‘Together with Lizzy and my daughter, I also went to Masseria Salamina. This is a kind of farm-castle where you can really help take care of the animals. They had everything, from horses to dogs, little kittens, and even turtles. The castle is located in an infinitely vast field of olive trees. Fantastic, of course, to go there with your child. You have to promise me you'll go there.’
Masseria Salamina – Via Case Sparse, 4, Pezze di Greco, Puglia

Nohasi Palace
The best tiramisu Yuki has ever eaten? That was at Hotel & Spa Nohasi Palace. Yuki: ‘This hotel is located in Noha, a small village in Puglia where no one ever comes, haha. The bizarre thing is that they have a breakfast playlist at breakfast by a Dutchman. I suddenly heard my own music during breakfast. That was one of the craziest things I've ever experienced. Here I am in Italy, hearing my Dutch music. By the way, they also have the best breakfast and the best tiramisu I've ever had. When Lizzy and I drove through Southern Italy, I really tried tiramisu everywhere. I think it's one of the tastiest desserts. Here in the Netherlands, you always get a square slab on your plate, in Italy it's a small bite but the flavors are so much better. Especially at Nohasi Palace, really, the best in the world.’
Nohasi Palace – Via Castello, 19, Noha, Puglia

3x favorite restaurants

Trattoria da Lele
When I ask about his favorite restaurants, Yuki immediately opens up. ‘In Piedmont, there's a mountain to Murrazano, and when you drive up and think you can't go any further, you suddenly come to a tiny village with seven houses. In one of those houses is Trattoria da Lele. If you really want to eat Italian, rural Italian, you have to go there. You eat what the pot provides. There is no menu to choose from. You sit among the Italian families, a bottle of wine comes to the table, and you get the most delicious food you've ever eaten. Everything is served by old ladies straight from large pans onto your plate. You get about ten courses and by the seventh course, you can no longer eat. But everything is so delicious that you keep eating. This is one of the most special moments that has always stayed with me. It's such a beautiful, authentic place,’ he says.
Trattoria da Lele – Piazza Cerrina, 21, Murazzano

Villa Di Noi
Not really a restaurant, but one of the places where Yuki has eaten very well. And you can also sleep there. Win-win. Yuki: ‘In Italy, there are of course also people who move there to live their dream. I met a Belgian family, they converted an old governor's house into a B&B: Villa Di Noi. It's a kind of palace with three rooms and a swimming pool. It was such a quiet and serene place. That woman was a bookkeeper before, but her passion was cooking. Her husband was a hobby handyman and the whole family helped to renovate it completely. The special thing about this place was that the woman was cooking every evening. She would come in the morning to ask what we wanted to eat and then went to get everything fresh from the market. Then you would see her cooking all day and you could chat with a good glass of wine. You felt more like you were sitting at their kitchen table. A combination of a great B&B with a private restaurant.’
Villa De Noi – Via dei Monti, 4, Arnesano

Ciro Pizzeria
Yuki loves pizza, but not those fluffy Neapolitan pizzas. He prefers the Roman variant with a crispy base. ‘I asked friends for tips on where to eat the best pizza in Puglia and everyone actually came up with the same pizzeria. When you go there, you won't believe it, because it's a super crappy little place against the street, with high bar stools and such. But there is a huge line for this place. And I have to be honest: although the decor didn't look great, the pizza was fantastic!’ he says.
Ciro Pizzeria – Via Principi di Savoia, 18, Lecce

Do you want to follow more of Yuki's adventures? Then check his Instagram.

Update 2025: Are these places still worth a visit?

Italy doesn't change quickly, but it's always good to check if everything still exists and is worth it. Good news: the gems from this article by Yuki are still alive and well in 2025, with a nice addition here and there.

Borgo Egnazia – Puglia

Still one of the most luxurious resorts in Italy. The wellness offerings have been expanded with new holistic retreats and outdoor treatments. Perfect for those who want to completely reset themselves.

Masseria Salamina – Fasano

This masseria remains a classic. The breakfast is now completely organic and there are also vegan dishes on the dinner menu. Authentic and future-oriented.

Nohasi Palace – Galatina

Unchanged elegant. Nohasi Palace is still an oasis of peace and beauty. No updates needed, except maybe: stay longer than you planned.

Trattoria da Lele – Murazzano

Yes, they still exist. And better than ever. House tip: book a table on the courtyard during sunset. Extra fun: they occasionally organize wine tastings with local farmers.

Villa Di Noi – Arnesano

For those seeking peace near Lecce: Villa Di Noi is still a secret favorite. Everything is still perfect, from the silence to the pool to the starry sky above your bed.

Ciro Pizzeria – Lecce

The pizzeria of Lecce is alive and well. And even better: there is now a second location just outside the center, for those who don't want to wait in line. The margherita tastes just as good.

Extra tip from Yuki

“Put on a good playlist in the car (I suggest: Ludovico Einaudi mixed with Stromae), roll down the windows and stop as soon as you see a sign that says ‘Degustazione’. No reservation needed, just join in and taste.”