‘The List' 2018 Belmond's Guide to the art of good living

Belmond reveals ‘The List’ and raises a toast to its beautiful new hotel openings, pioneering rail experiences and once-in-a-lifetime adventures on the horizon in 2018. 

This year’s glittering list of 12 experiences aims to inspire those with a thirst for ‘adventure with Champagne’; to always take time to master the art of Savoir-Vivre.  

1. NEW DAWN, FIRST LIGHT

Belmond’s partnership with Leica Sport Optics shines on with new First Light morning experiences bringing guests closer to some of the world’s most breath-taking natural wonders, including the mighty Iguassu Falls at Hotel das Cataratas, a Belmond hotel, Iguassu Falls, ethereal shores near La Residencia, a Belmond hotel, Mallorca and Cape Town’s dramatic Table Mountain beside Mount Nelson, a Belmond hotel, Cape Town.

1. FEAST OF A FESTIVAL

At the heart of Charleston's famous Food + Wine Festival Charleston Place, a Belmond hotel, Charleston’'s awarding-winning chef and Southern-food connoisseur Michelle Weaver - who invites hotel guests to join her and fellow culinary masters from around the globe to a series of special dinners, tastings and Champagne pairings taking place across the city from 28th February. 

1. THE ‘GRAND’ SUITE LIFE

Taking the golden age of travel experiences and craftsmanship to new levels of luxury is the welcome addition of three new Grand Suites joining the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, a Belmond train, Europe rake in March. 

1. WILD ISLAND WONDERS   

A private boat trip at sunrise to one of the wildest and lesser-known islands of Filicudi in the Aeolian archipelago, where artists living in caves and islanders share their foodie-and cultural secrets, await guests of Villa Sant’Andrea, a Belmond hotel, Taormina Mare this season.  

1. PITCH PERFECT PERU 

As a part of a series of extraordinary performances taking place across Belmond’s most inspiring locations, music by London Philharmonic Orchestra will fill the jungle-air on route to Machu Picchu and the banks of Urubamba River in the Sacred Valley with concerts held aboard Hiram Bingham, a Belmond hotel, Machu Picchu and Rio Sagrado, a Belmond hotel, Sacred Valley in Spring. Followed by a performance in the gardens of Hotel das Cataratas in front of the mighty Iguassu Falls, in winter.

1. MEXICAN MASTERPIECE 

A treasure trove of art, antiques and authentic artefacts, Belmond reveals its newly restored and redesigned Mexican masterpiece – Casa de Sierra Nevada, a Belmond hotel, San Miguel de Allende – a unique cluster of historic ‘Casonas’ that form an intrinsic part of street life and the thriving arts and crafts town of San Miguel de Allende.  

1. BEAUTY OF BARGES  

Floating serenely into view this spring are two new barges joining the Afloat in France fleet that will journey through the culinary regions of Alsace and Champagne, offering itineraries that feature private visits to family-owned vineyards and breweries.

1. HAPPY IN THE HIGHLANDS 

Strengthening Belmond’s position as a pioneer of spas on luxury trains, Andean Explorer, a Belmond train, Peru’s spa carriage joins the rake in May, offering a host of locally-inspired restorative and healing treatments while meandering through the epic Peruvian Highlands. 

1. SAIL BACK TO THE ‘60s

To celebrate the 60th birthday of the Venetian icon Cipriani, a Belmond hotel, Venice, guests are welcomed aboard the elegant and storied decks of ‘Edipo Re’ - a much-treasured vintage wooden sail boat from the 1960s to sail through the hotel’s nearby lagoon.  

1. SAVOIR-VIVRE AT SAVUTE 

Newly designed for the adventurous soul and inspired by history’s great explorers; Savute Elephant Lodge, a Belmond safari, Botswana reopens its tented-doors in June, inviting guests to explore, discover and connect with its African charms and earthy tones.

1. A CARIBBEAN ICON REBORN 

In November 2018 Belmond will open its flagship Caribbean resort, Cap Juluca, a Belmond hotel, Anguilla, following a fresh and beautiful redesign that is inspired by nature and the enviable beach views – offering a laid-back luxury escape, where the spirit and soul of this iconic property and island life runs through it.    

1. TAKING CARE OF A LONDON LEGEND

A shining moment in Belmond’s brand story; the eagerly anticipated Cadogan, a Belmond hotel, London throws open its historic front door this winter following a sensitive refurbishment that brings to life the hotel’s intriguing 131–year history and invites global travellers to explore its charming private garden and neighbouring boutiques of Chelsea. 

For more information or to make a reservation visit Belmond.com or call 0845 077 2222.