With the rapid expansion of luxury travel over all corners of the world, it can be difficult to find a brand that remains true to providing authentic experience. With the Belmond portfolio, there are no such concerns. For 45 years, Belmond has offered unique opportunities to explore the globe and foster connections with inspiring destinations. Traveling with Belmond is much more than just a hotel stay!
The Belmond collection is not just limited to one-of-a-kind properties; trains, river cruises, and even safaris are all part of its portfolio. With so many ways to explore, there’s something for every traveler. The Luxury Travel Agency partners with Belmond and knows the best of its brand – check out our favorites!
Belmond Collection – Hotels & Resorts
The Belmond story began in Italy, where the brand’s first hotel, Cipriani, opened in the magical city of Venice. On the opposite coast, in the glorious seaside village of Portofino, reside two of their most romantic properties. The Splendido, a Belmond Hotel, is perched high in the hills overlooking the sea, a 16th-century monastery restored with effortless glamour and style. Rooms utilize light pastels and velvet fabrics, evoking a relaxed coastal charm without sacrificing its air of Italian elegance. Ristorante La Terrazza is one of the most sought-after restaurants in Portofino, if not all Italy; the gorgeous sea views from the terrace alone are worth the price of admission.
A lunch at La Terrazza is the epitome of Portofino living
Down on the shore, its sister property the Splendido Mare offers an intriguing counterpoint for guests. There’s no better base for exploring the Italian Riviera. Private motorboats, sailing yachts, sunset cruises – it’s all on your doorstep! Having just undergone a full redesign, and mere steps from the water, this is sure to be a property in very high demand for summers to come. Plus, guests at either property can use a complimentary shuttle service to get from one to the other, and enjoy the facilities of both. Why choose one when you can have it all?
At Splendido Mare, you’re steps away from the action
Belmond Collection – River Cruises
River cruising is one of the fastest-growing travel sectors, and for good reason. These journeys combine the convenience of cruising with the exclusivity of the world’s best hotels. Guests can visit a plethora of unique destinations without unpacking more than once, far from the congested cruise ports frequented by the massive ocean liners.
Belmond currently operates river cruises in France and Myanmar – two countries with so much to offer in their own way. The French fleet, Afloat in France, comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Seven different barges, each with their own character, float down the rivers of France in elegant style. Forget the feeling of being lost amongst the masses on a regular ship; these boats only carry 4-12 guests, guaranteeing personalized service at every turn. Their small size also makes them perfect for exclusive use, the ideal summer excursion for your family or group of friends. Provence, Burgundy, and Champagne are explored in all their splendour on these week-long sailings. Your ticket covers not just a splendid cabin and the best in French cuisine, but a litany of guided excursions and exclusive sightseeing as well. There’s no better way to explore the French countryside!
Serenely floating down the rivers of France in style!
In Myanmar, the Road to Mandalay is a larger boat – 43 cabins in all – yet the experience is anything but regular. This is an unparalleled adventure down the Ayeyarwady River, the lifeblood of Myanmar around which its ancient civilization flourished. Like any of the world’s longest rivers, there is immense historical, cultural, and ecological importance imbued in these waters. Again, this is more than just a cruise; guided expeditions range from hot air balloon rides over Bagan to explorations of the royal city of Mandalay. For a blend of comfort and adventure, look no further than this river expedition.
Hot-air balloons over Bagan are just one of the breathtaking experiences on the Road to Mandalay
Belmond Collection – Train Journeys
In the “golden age of travel”, there were no equal to the luxury trains that carried passengers to the ends of the earth. While planes and cars have changed the picture, a journey by train remains a special opportunity for adventure – more now than ever before. There’s simply no more comfortable and scenic way to travel over land than a seat in a luxury carriage!
Belmond is renowned for their train journeys, which span three different continents and some of the world’s premier destinations. Their South America routes are particularly beloved. The Hiram Bingham travels between Cusco and Machu Picchu, escorting travelers through the Sacred Valley to one of the world’s most breathtaking sites. Of all the ways to visit Machu Picchu, this is certainly the most stylish! For a slightly longer journey, check out the Andean Explorer. These trips are only one or two nights, so it’s an easy addition to your travel itinerary, and a magnificent one at that. Soar through the Peruvian Andes and visit the mystical Lake Titicaca on some of the highest train routes in the world.
The Andean Explorer brings you deep into the heart of the legendary Andes mountains
Over in Southeast Asia, the Eastern & Oriental Express winds its way through some of the continent’s most fantastic destinations. Connecting the metropolises of Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok, this route includes plenty of favoured excursions. A night of luxury “glamping”, island hopping in the Gulf of Thailand, and cooking classes aboard a raft on the River Kwai are just a few of the experiences on hand. There are few journeys through Asia as revealing as this one!
The magnificent Wat Arun in Bangkok is one to see on the Eastern & Oriental Express
Belmond Collection – Safaris
Last but certainly not least, we come to the Belmond safaris. The word itself is synonymous with adventure; if you haven’t been on safari, it’s surely near the top of your bucket list!
Belmond offers safari experiences in Botswana, bordering South African and Zimbabwe. This is a country which places a distinct emphasis on the preservation of its wildlife, and limiting tourist numbers as part of that plan. This results in a genuine safari experience away from the crowds, with nothing but the vast wilderness surrounding you. Three different lodges provide unique opportunities to enjoy Botswana, all of them offering swimming pools, spa facilities, modern as well as traditional dining experiences, and comfortable accommodations with private decks to take in the scenery. But you’re there for the wildlife, which never disappoints! Elephants, lions, leopards, hippos, rhinos…the list is nearly endless. For an exclusive safari experience, this is difficult to beat!
Elegance meets wilderness deep in Botswana at the Khwai River Lodge
Each feature of the Belmond Collection is part of a partner program with The Luxury Travel Agency. At every one of their beautiful properties, unique cruise and train lines, and safari camps, our Advisors will secure you the very best rates rates, along with a host of free perks perks such as room upgrades, daily breakfast, experience credits, early check-in/late check-out, VIP service, and much more! Contact us today to learn more and plan your next great Belmond adventure.
