Italian Escapades to Indulge In

Subodh Gupta’s art installation, Cooking The World, will be on display at the Casanova gardens in Hotel Cipriani until the end of the year.

At Belmond, a host of wondrous collaborations and activities await guests vacationing all around Italy.

Italy never ceases to delight and amaze. From the country’s culinary offerings to its many sweeping vistas, it’s hard not to be captivated by the many experiences, sights and sounds. Belmond’s luxury properties around the country present an intrinsic part of Italy’s landscape, paying reverent attention to its arts and culture, cuisine and luxury.

Those hoping to catch the last rays of Summer in Italy are spoiled for choice in each of the properties they visit. The Italians call their style of vacationing ‘Villeggiaturra’ – a long, leisurely stay in one place for a total immersion into the locale one has chosen, all in harmony with its local customs and rhythms.

Start the slow travel journey by arriving in style and luxury via the Venice-Simplon-Orient-Express. The legendary train’s coterie of stars and dignitaries include the likes of Agatha Christie, who was inspired to write her most famous novel based on her many travels on it. The famed Hotel Cipriani, another legend in Belmond’s Italian collection of hotels, awaits as you alight in Venice. Still the preferred hotel of luminaries for the Venice Film Festival, the Hotel Cipriani provides an awe-inspiring view of Piazza San Marco and the Zattere promenade beyond the jade-freen waters of the Giudecca Canal.

In Portofino, The Splendido takes its place high on the hill, standing out among the enclave of colourful houses. Guests can enjoy a drink at sunset, and spend sun-soaked days by the large, saltwater infinity pool. Those looking to be in the heart of the action will love Splendido Mare, located in the centre of the Piazzetta.

Continue your leisurely journey in Tuscany with its bucolic vineyards and arresting scenery. It is the stunning setting for Castello di Casole, a heritage property steeped in history. The gorgeous Villa San Michele, previously a stately 16th-century monastery in Fiesole, offers a fantastic view of Florence in the distance.

Those choosing Ravello on the Amalfi Coast as their holiday destination will no doubt be taken by Caruso, an 11th-century palace, with its cascading bougainvillea, endless views, a private platform on the Lido degli Artisti, private trips to Capri, and more.

The Grand Hotel Timeo, situated by an ancient Greek theatre with a spectacular view of Mount Etna and the town of Taormina provide an exquisite and exceptional stay that draws from the mountain’s mythical status. In Taormina, Villa Sant’Andrea overlooks the crystal clear waters of the Bay of Mazzarò. This 19th-century villa offers sumptuous subtropical gardens, epic vistas and more.

Belmond has also embarked on an art initiative, MITICO, alongside internationally acclaimed art gallery Galleria Continua. The initiative reinterprets universal customs while celebrating the talents of four prominent artists. MITICO debuted at the 59th International Art Exhibition La Biennale di Venezia in the Casanova gardens at Cipriani, kickstarting with Subodh Gupta’s work Cooking The World. In Viewing The World, Argentinian artist Leandro Erlich installed Window & Ladder at Villa San Michele in Florence. Loving The World sees Castello di Casole playing host to Italian artist Michelangelo Pistoletto’s four Etruscan bronze sculptures. Cameroonian artist Pascale Marthine Tayou presents Colouring The World at Grand Hotel Timeo. All are still on display until the end of the year.

To add to one’s Villeggiaturra odyssey, Belmond has also teamed up with Dior for a new well-being experience in the gardens of Splendido in Portofino where two Dior spa gazebos offer exclusive skincare treatments and techniques. At the exclusive Bagni Fiore beach club, the limited edition Escale à Portofino perfume, Splendido Edition, is launched. There, a special concept store has been set up, and two Splendido decks are transformed with Dior’s signature Toile de Jouy pattern.