Autumnal stories from Belmond's Southern European portfolio - Mediahub

2 September, 2025

1. EXPLORE THE BEAUTIFUL COLOURS OF AUTUMN THROUGH THE VENICE SIMPLON-ORIENT-EXPRESS , A BELMOND TRAIN, EUROPE'S PICTURE WINDOWS

This autumn, the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, A Belmond Train's midnight- blue carriages continue to journey through Europe, linking some of the continent's best cities - Venice, Verona, Florence, Rome, Istanbul, Budapest, Cannes and Paris. Guests are invited to discover the changing seasons of each city, before stepping aboard to be enveloped by the glamour of the train. For the ultimate in luxury and comfort, L'Observatoire carriage-sized suite by artist JR offers the most exclusive and spacious accommodation type on the train. Other options include the lavish Suites with private marble ensuite bathroom and a lounging area by day converted to either double or twin beds, by night. Wh ilst the Gran d Suites offers ensuite, separate lounge and bedroom for extended space. Finally, for those looking for timelessness the original Historical Cabins magically transform from daytime lounge into cosy upper and lower berth beds at night. Seasonal menus feature in the exquisite jewel-coloured dining cars, expertly prepared and presented with creative flair. Following dinner, the social heart of the train awaits, Bar Car '3674', for an unforgettable evening of cocktails and conviviality while the pianist plays into the night.

HOW: Images - Website Open until 19 December

2. HOTEL CIPRIANI, A BELMOND HOTEL, VENICE WELCOMES A NEW ERA WITH RENOVATIONS BY PETER MARINO AND MORE

Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel, Venice commenced its multiphase renovation by Peter Marino with the unveiling of an elevated arrival experience with a new double-height light-filled lobby and 13 redesigned rooms, including two Master Suites – Serenissima and Laguna, each offering private salons, dining rooms, and lagoon views, as well as 11 Suites with private balconies. Adding to the hotel's legendary status, Dior takes up permanent residence with Il Bacaro Dior, the first Dior Bar in Italy, and a Dioriviera pop-up. The Bar offers an unrivalled vantage point to enjoy the city's famed sunsets over a curated menu of cocktails and cicchetti, typical Venetian finger-food. Whilst the pop-up showcases the House's seasonal creations alongside an exceptional collection of hand-made furniture. At Michelin-starred Oro restaurant, Head Chef Vania Ghedini and Culinary Maestro Chef Massimo Bottura revamp the menu to reflect seasonality: "Homage to Carpaccio," a creative and contemporary reinterpretation of Giusep pe Cipriani's original carpaccio, presenting a fresh perspective on this classic Venetian dish. Further afield, the hotel organises experiences to immerse guests in the magic of Venice, like experiencing the Venice lagoon in style aboard Ed ipo Re, the hotel's refined 16-meter sailing yacht. Guests can choose between a romantic sunset cruise or an early morning sail to witness the city awakening. These excursions offer a unique perspective on the lagoon's hidden gems.

HOW: Images - Website Open until 2 October

3. RESIDENCIA, A BELMOND HOTEL, MALLORCA: NEW VILLA ROBERT GRAVES BY STUDIO ASHBY AND THE FIRST EDITION OF "THE ART OF FLAVOURS" CULINARY FES TIVAL

La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel celebrates the autumn season by bringing local culture onto its grounds through gastronomy, arts, and design. From 3-4 October, the inaugural edition of the two-day culinary festival "The Art of Flavours" will take place in Deia. A much-loved gastronomic gathering initiated at Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Madeira, this event will welcome five Michelin-starred chefs from Spain, Portugal, and the UK for a six-course Star's Dinner, followed the next day by a showcase of 20 live cooking stations. The hotel gardens will transform into a lively and elegant marketplace, accompanied by exceptional local wines and live music. Returning this year in collaboration with artnet is "Artists in Residencia", an annual programme hosting three artists in residence. Throughout September and October, interdisciplinary artist Berta de la Rosa will take inspiration from her surroun dings creating new pieces which will join the hotel's collection of more than 800 curated pieces. For groups of friends or families, Villa Robert Graves – recently reno vated by Studio Ashby offers a private home for up to six, just a five-minute stroll from La Residencia and with full access to its amenities. Spread over three floors, the villa features a fully equipped kitchen, bar, dining, and living area, complimented by two terraces and a private pool. Ashby's design approach embraces the art of layering, blending strong shapes, vibrant patterns, expressive rugs, characterful antiques, and lush plants to create a space that feels both vibrant and deeply inviting.

HOW: Images - Website Open until 16 November

4. TUSCANY WITH CASTELLO DI CASOLE, A BELMOND HOTEL: STATE OF THE ART SPA, REINVIGORATED MENUS, AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Castello di Casole, A Belmond Hotel welcomes autumn with a season of self-care and fitness, as it promotes its new hollistic wellness philosophy inspired by its breathtaking 3,200-acre Tuscan farm estate. Located in the former 10th-centu ry wine cellar, the Essere Spa offers a revamped wellness menu blending traditional practices with technological innovations. New highlights include the Zero Gravity Floating Tank, a restorative ritual where the body floats effortlessly in a tank of magnesium salt-infused water simulating the absence of gravity, and red-light therapies to treat skin conditions and stimulate muscle recovery. Wellness extends into the great outdoors with sound healing, mindful walks, dynamic meditation and breathwork sessions amidst the surrounding woods. Just a five-minute walk away, the hotel's oak forest hosts new tennis, padel, and pickleball courts in partnership with LUX tennis, whilst premium e-bikes from renowned Italian cycling brand Bianchi are available for guests to explore the estate. For those seeking creative pursuits, the hotel hosts clay workshops and botanical eco-printing. At Tosca, Executive Chef Daniele Sera presents seasonal tasting menus and celebrates "La Domenica del Villaggio" every Sunday from 21st September to 26th October, both honouring Tuscan culinary traditions For longer stays, groups of families and friends can book Villa Thesan and Villa Usil, each accommodating up to seven guests. These villas feature large private gardens, outdoor kitchens with wood-fired ovens, and infinity pool, providing a luxurious home-away-from-home experience in the heart of Tuscany, with panoramic vistas.

HOW: IMAGES | WEBSITE Open until 1 December

5. REID' S PALACE, A BELMOND HOTEL, MADEIRA UNVEILS A BOLD NEW CULINARY ERA

This year, Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Madeira, announced a considered refresh of its dining experiences, building up on its legacy of world-class cuisine by Execu tive Chef José Diogo Costa at the Michelin-starred William restaurant. New additions include Gelateria San Giorgio - an artisanal gelato destination, the reimagined 1891 Bar and Tea Library, and the return of the seasonal Brisa do Mar restaurant. 1891 Bar offers a sophisticated cocktail menu emphasising indigenous Madeiran ingredients and unique flavour combinations, where guests can also enjoy live jazz and DJ sets. The Tea Library, in partnership with Companhia Portugueza do Chá, presents a curated selection of fine teas, including the exclusive Reid's Blend and the rare "1,000 Years Tea", paired with delicate pastries and panoramic ocean views. Brisa do Mar, the hotel's al-fresco and seasonal restaurant, showcases contemporary Portuguese cuisine un der Chef Zélia Santos' guidance, highlighting traditional recipes accompanied by live Portuguese guitar performances and a refined cocktail selection. For the best of Madeira, the hotel organises a trip to the Desertas Islands, home to a colony of monk seals. After a swim in the crystalline waters, a private butler serves champagne and lunch then guests are invited to step off the yacht to explore Deserta Grande with an expert guide. After a fascinating hour, set sail homewards, perhaps spotting dolphins or pilot whales along the way.

HOW: Images - Website Open all year-round

6. TARUSO, A BELMOND HOTEL UNVEILS AMALFI' S AUTUMN CHARMS & CULINARY DELIGHTS

This autumn, Caruso, A Belmond Hotel, Amalfi Coast, invites its guests to uncover the region's hidden treasures. From exploring the sun-drenched vineyards of Tenuta San Francesco in Tramonti, to trekking the legendary "Path of the Gods" - an ancient trail with breathtaking vistas connecting Agerola and Nocelle - guests can immerse themselves in local landscapes and traditions, including experiences right in the hotel's gardens. Closer to home, the hotel recently launched La Piscina, A Caruso Pool Club, the first of its kind on the Amalfi Coast. With a day-to-night programme of experiences and events, the club redefines poolside luxury amidst a breathtaking backdrop, suspended between sea and sky. For the ultimate in relaxation and seclusion, guests can enjoy two new cabanas with dedicated butler service, as well as spa treatments surrounded by the fragrant blossoms, pines and lemon trees. Wh ether relaxing at La Piscina or dining on Caruso's outdoor terrace at fine dining Ristorante Belvedere, guests can savour Execu tive Chef Armando Aristarco's culinary creations inspired by local provenance, showcasing products from the Amalfi and Cilento coasts. At the Caruso Grill, La Dieta Mediterranea is at the heart of the menu, enriched by complimentary pizza, pasta and limoncello making classes, all Neapolitan classics. Here, guests will discover the gastronomic treasures of Cilento, the birthplace of this renowned diet, and enjoy authentic Campanian ingredients crafted into traditional recipes.

HOW: Images - Website Open until 26 October

7. PORTOFINO LATE SEASON AT SPLENDIDO MARE AND SPLENDIDO, BOTH BELMOND HOTELS

Situated on Portofino's charming Piazzetta, Splendido Mare, A Belmond Hotel is an intimate 14-room guesthouse, offering the perfect setting for unforgettable gatherings. Buyout options are available, allowing for complete personalisation of special events and group menus. For a taste of the best of Ligurian cuisine, DaV Mare, Splendido Mare's celebrated restaurant, serves signature Italian creations, such as mezzo pacchero alla DaV and tun a spaghetti with Monterosso anchovy bagnacauda. Nearby, the renowned Gelateria San Giorgio tempts guests with innovative gelato flavours like apple and cinnamon and spicy chocolate with chili pepper. Beyond the hotel, guests can explore Genoa's historic palaces or embark on guided excursions on Mount Portofino, where the region's rich marine and terrestrial biodiversity awaits.

Perched in the Portofino hills, Splendido, A Belmond Hotel overlooks the Ligurian coastline, offering a spectacular setting for dinners with panoramic views and nature walks to local ancient vineyards and San Fruttuoso. Guests can enhance their stay with a variety of daily activities, from wine and olive oil tastings, immersive mixology classes and inspiring watercolour workshops to revitalising yoga sessions. The property also offers easy access to a tennis court and gym with personalised training upon request. Splendido's recently laun ched Dior Spa is the perfect autumnal hideaway, with intimate treatment gazebos set in Le Jardin des Rêves.

HOW: Images - Website Splendido Mare, open until 6 January

HOW: Images - Website Splendido, open until 2 November

8. EXTENDED SUMM ER AT GRAND HOTEL TIMEO & VILLA SANT'ANDREA, BOTH BELMOND HOTELS

Throughout autumn, Grand Hotel Timeo and Villa Sant'Andrea, both Belmond Hotels, Taormina invite guests to relish extended holidays on their sun-soaked terraces with panoramic views of the Sicilian coast and Mount Etna. Immediately adjoining Grand Hotel Timeo, guests can enjoy guided tours of the ancient Greek Theatre, with a chance to savour local culture followed by the region's culinary delights at the hotel' s Michelin- starred Otto Geleng restaurant. A 15-min drive away, nestled in the secluded bay of Mazzarò, Villa Sant'Andrea invites guests to enjoy the final warmth of the season with exclusive access to its private beach club, Lido Villeggiatura. On Sundays throughout October, the beachside residence celebrates “La Domenica Italiana” at the coastal Brace Grill, a traditional Sicilian gathering of friends and families over a feast of local flavours and live music. Guests staying from 2-5 October can also join Taormina's first Cocktail Week, the four-day event will showcase the best of Sicilian mixology surrounded by abundant nature and inspired by farm to table philosophy at Bar Sant'Andrea and Bar Timeo. For champagne enthusiasts, Timeo's Executive Chef Roberto Toro will host the ico nic annual Krug dinner on the 11 October, dedicated to this year's ingredient: the Carrot. Seasonal complimentary activities at both hotels include guided silent walks immersed in nature, rejuvenating outdoor yoga sessions, mixology classes, and delicious tastings of Sicilian wine, honey and olive oil, providing opportunities to connect with the island's rich culture.

HOW: IMAGES | WEBSITE Grand Hotel Timeo, open until 30 November

HOW: IMAGES | WEBSITE Villa Sant'Andrea, open until 3 November

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Anastasia Aya Aroukatos

Manager, Global Brand Communications

Belmond Ltd

anastasia.aroukatos@belmond.com

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