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PERU CARIBBEAN MEXICO FRANCE
URBAN SANCTUARIES TO
MEXICO
TRAINS & CRUISES OF LUXURY ADVENTURES A BEACH HIDEAWAYS
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THE ROYAL SCOTSMAN
LES BATEAUX SOUTHERN EUROPE BRAZIL
TO NEXT?
DEAR TRAVELER
Poe Travel’s love of all things Belmond goes back what feels like eons, and they’ve only gotten better with time. We are a proud Belmond Bellini Club agency, which means that all Poe Travel guests will receive extra amenities and VIP treatment at any Belmond property, train, or cruise.
So why do we love them so much?
Belmond was born from a passion for connecting discerning travelers with the world’s most remarkable properties, locations, and journeys. From hotels and trains to river cruises and safaris, Belmond curates incomparable experiences and crafts unforgettable stories.
With a sparkling legacy spanning 45+ years, beginning with the acquisition of Hotel Cipriani in Venice in 1976, Belmond has grown into a global collection of 46 properties spread across 26 countries. Exceptional destinations connected by legendary journeys are the very soul of Belmond, where the path that brings you to a place is as important as the destination itself.
A pioneer of slow travel, Belmond has been operating the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express since 1982. The group later expanded to include pristine beach resorts such as Maroma on the Riviera Maya, historic hideaways like Villa San Michele in the Florentine foothills, urbane icons like Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro, and gateways to UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as Hotel das Cataratas in Brazil’s Iguassu National Park.
Since 2019, Belmond has been part of the world’s leading luxury group, LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton). As proud custodians of storied properties, Belmond builds on the past to create a new legacy: the heritage of the future. Working with communities and local talents, together with the world’s most respected chefs, designers, and artists, Belmond perpetuates the legendary art of travel.
In this mini-issue of PoeGo, we are going to delve into all things Belmond, updating you on the latest and greatest from their wonderful world so you can choose which of their glittering jewels will become your next great adventure. As always, we implore you to
Please go away!
Your trusty travel advisors,
Margaret & Ellison
Copacabana Palace & Hotel das Cataratas
Peru? Don’t Mind if I Do!
BELIEVE IT OR NOT, Belmond has been in Peru for a whopping 25 years. They offer incomparable experiences to discover this special country while still enjoying the luxuries we all love. Belmond’s travel experiences in Peru are comprised of six hotels, two trains, and countless bespoke excursions in the country’s most spectacular destinations—and there are a LOT of those!
Unforgettable Peruvian Hotels
Uniquely positioned to the worldfamous Machu Picchu, you’ll find Belmond’s Sanctuary Lodge. This is the perfect example of Belmond’s portfolios simply consisting of the best locations in the world. This one-of-akind hotel can be reached on a scenic and convivial journey aboard the Hiram Bingham train, an experience in and of itself as you make your way to this storied part of the world.
Immersion in nature awaits at Rio Sagrado in Peru’s beautiful Sacred Valley—and high above in Cusco, sister hotels Monasterio and Palacio Nazarenas sit atop ancient Inca ruins. If you’d like to savor the pleasures of cosmopolitan Lima, Belmond’s Miraflores Park offers an all-suite oceanside retreat.
There’s just something romantic about boarding a train, isn’t there?
All Aboard the Andean Explorer!
Rekindling the mystique, bygoneera feel of train travel, the Andean Explorer is South America’s first luxury sleeper train. On your choice of a one- or two-night journey, you will glide across some of the world’s most elevated train routes, through the Andean plains between Cusco and Arequipa. Unique off-train activities, such as adventures on Lake Titicaca, are complemented by a gastronomic onboard experience.
A SPECIAL JOURNEY
This October, the train will partner with the illustrious Veuve Clicquot for the ultimate Peruvian escape. Journey from Cusco to Arequipa aboard the Andean Explorer, sipping on bubbly Veuve Clicquot champagnes as you go.
Your glasses of the finest champagne will be paired with, but of course, the finest Peruvian dining. This six-day itinerary starts in Cusco with a three-day stay at the Palacio Nazarenas and includes a journey to legendary Machu Picchu. Finally, undertake an immersive discovery of the Andes aboard the Andean Explorer, ending in Arequipa. With exclusive, authentic tours and special “Solaire” activities with Veuve Clicquot pairings, this is the most stylish way to travel through the heart of Peru.
ABOVE Belmond’s Sanctuary Lodge puts you right on Machu
doorstep.
Picchu’s
BELMOND GLITTERS IN
T he Caribbean
Belmond’s Caribbean retreats offer enticingly different experiences. Choose to jet off to either one of them for a beachy escape—or treat yourself to a combination of the two!
When it comes to barefoot luxury, nowhere surpasses Cap Juluca. On heavenly Maunday’s Bay in Anguilla, gleaming Greco-Moorish villas are fringed by waving palms, their private terraces bordering the ocean.
The dining options here range from classic Italian to laidback Caribbean. A weekly barbecue is enlivened by reggae beats on the beach.
At the divine Spa by Guerlain, rejuvenating treatments are inspired by ancient Arawak rituals. Bocce, beach volleyball, and watersports can be enjoyed on-site. Further experiences range from sand buggy tours to snorkeling off Prickly Pear Cays.
On the other hand, La Samanna offers cosmopolitan glamor in St. Martin. Perched on dazzling Baie Longue, chic oceanfront suites and villas, an al fresco spa, and worldclass restaurants add up to a tropical paradise unlike any other.
Seafood specialties are prepared with Caribbean flair. An exceptional wine cellar doubles up as an atmospheric venue for sommelier-led private dinners.
Tennis, yoga, watersports, and magical sunset cruises are available on-site. Island-wide adventures
include ziplining through the rainforest and horseback riding along the shores.
New & Exciting at La Samanna
The villas at La Samanna were recently refreshed to celebrate the resort’s 50th year, offering you an elevated luxury experience.
La Samanna is home to La Cave, St. Martin’s first ever wine cellar. This year, they’re offering an extraordinary sensory journey with their newest concept, La Cave 200, where you’ll be whisked away on a tantalizing adventure through the distinctly Caribbean flavor of the world’s finest rums.
Step inside La Cave, La Samanna’s exclusive wine and spirits cellar, for a private tasting from their collection of over 200 carefully curated rums from top distilleries. Expertly trained staff will guide you through each rum’s nuances, providing incredible insight into their histories and flavors.
For a truly immersive experience, join a cigar-rolling workshop led by a local Caribbean tobacco merchant. Indulge in the art of cigar-rolling and savor the flavors of premium cigars, expertly paired with the finest rums. For something less smoky, there’s also the rum and chocolate tasting, a treat for your tastebuds. Explore the fascinating history of the sugar trade and learn about the stages of production while enjoying the flavors of delectable rums paired with the finest Caribbean cocoa. This session celebrates the similarities between sugarcane and cocoa, both grown in the same tropical climate, and their distinctions too!
RIGHT, FROM TOP Ocean views at La Samanna; swaying palms at Cap Juluca; La Samanna boat excursions; relaxed yet refined dining at La Samanna; private rum tasting at La Samanna; St. Martin beach bliss at La Samanna.
UNPARALLELED MEXICAN LUXURY (Times Two!)
From a timeless urban sanctuary to an enchanted beach hideaway, Belmond’s Mexican retreats offer incomparable charm.
SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE
Casa de Sierra Nevada is set in the heart of San Miguel de Allende. Authentic and inviting, the hotel is arrayed across six heritage mansions. Stone staircases lead to shaded patios and trickling fountains. A beautiful pool is fringed by lush foliage.
In the enchanting rooms, antiques, local textiles, and stone fireplaces blend with every modern comfort. Pampering rituals are offered at the spa. The acclaimed Sázon Cooking School offers classes in Mexican cuisine. The resident artist hosts traditional lessons.
The dining is simply exceptional, with fresh and piquant specialties served at
Andanza Restaurant. A stroll away is Restaurante del Parque, a leafy venue for traditional cuisine and live music. On the hotel’s doorstep, thrilling experiences range from art tours of San Miguel and wine tastings to horseback rides in the Mexican heartlands.
While a visit here is enchanting no matter the time of year, it can be really special to visit Mexico during the Dia de los Muertos time in early November. Soak up the singular culture in San Miguel de Allende. The city adorns itself with vibrant colors, with celebrations surrounding you at every turn.
RIVIERA MAYA
A world—and yet only a short flight—away, on Riviera Maya, a secret haven like no other awaits. Hidden away, untouched, and mysterious, Maroma blends Mayan mystique with refined vitality. Here is where the true spirit of the Riviera Maya was born, between the jungle and the wide-open sea. This secluded hideaway captivates with the sights, sounds, and scents of authentic Mexican culture. Beautifully renovated and fully reimagined, the resort boasts light, airy, art-filled rooms by acclaimed designer Tara Bernerd.
Beachfront restaurants offer zingingly fresh and mouthwatering cuisine, while the bars serve up artisanal mezcals and rare Mexican wines. Unique experiences invite you to dive into Mayan culture, from swimming in millenary cenotes to discovering Mayan heritage. Unrivaled wellness rituals await at the acclaimed Maroma Spa by Guerlain, the very first in Latin America. This is a place to feel more alive than anywhere else. For the best of both worlds, why not combine stays at the two? Discover a charming San Miguel de Allende at Casa de Sierra Nevada and indulge in beach-front bliss at Maroma.
ABOVE
ABOVE LEFT Casa de Sierra Nevada, A Belmond Hotel
RIGHT The newly renovated Maroma, A Belmond Hotel
LEFT San Miguel de Allende’s cultural and foodie experiences, with Casa de Sierra Nevada in the thick of it all.
RIGHT Tequila and mezcal at Maroma in Riviera Maya.
FRENCH AND FANCY-FREE WITH LES BATEAUX
Les Bateaux Belmond, a fleet of seven luxurious barges, offers intimate, personalized cruises through France, including Burgundy, Champagne, Canal du Midi, Camargue, and Provence. Sensational cuisine and tailor-made excursions are part of every adventure. Itineraries cater to the culturally curious, embracing private wine tastings, chef-guided market visits, and behind-the-scenes tours. A private crew, chef, and guide take care of your every need.
POP THE CORK IN CHAMPAGNE
While all the itineraries and French destinations for Les Bateaux Belmond are fabulous, let’s look a little closer at the sparkling Champagne region onboard Coquelicot, A Belmond Boat.
Step aboard and sail into the sensational with Coquelicot, a graceful sanctuary on the water and your key to the Champagne region. Feast in style on the top deck against an ever-changing backdrop, while unforgettable experiences and exclusive partnership with Ruinart, the world’s oldest champagne house, take you deeper into the effervescence of the region.
The top deck really is the crown jewel of Coquelicot. Venture up at dawn to catch a golden sunrise with a steaming mug of coffee and a plate of pastries. Dine al fresco for lunch, getting to know your chef and crew as you admire the backdrop of passing vine-
yards and watercolor chateaux. Gather your loved ones for a glittering evening beneath an open canopy of stars.
When it comes to champagne moments, Coquelicot reigns supreme. Belmond’s exclusive partnership with Ruinart allows for a deeper journey into the liquid gold of the region.
When you charter a journey aboard Coquelicot, visit the Ruinart vineyards for a behind-the-curtain tour full of decadent moments and artistic surprises. Return to the boat for an exclusive lunch, created by Ruinart’s chef and accompanied by their sommelier’s premiere selection of labels
You may board Coquelicot for a seven-day Champagne itinerary, but while you’re there, you’ll discover the secrets of the wine of kings in true Belmond style.
LEFT Discover the Champagne region onboard your private barge with Belmond.
RIGHT The stunning living area on Coquelicot, A Belmond boat in France.
Belmond whisks guests on evocative journeys across land and water. Rail adventures include the legendary Venice SimplonOrient-Express, which glides between beguiling European cities; the Eastern & Oriental Express, unfolding the lush landscapes of Malaysia; the British Pullman, a quintessentially British day experience; and the Royal Scotsman.
SCOTLAND
Retreat on the Rails
The Royal Scotsman, a Belmond Train in Scotland, rekindles the romance of travel on luxurious Highland escapes. Along with your fellow passengers (with a maximum of 40 in total), relax on journeys winding past pine-clad mountains and mirror-perfect lochs. The train’s interiors marry Edwardian elegance with countryhouse comfort. Private en-suite cabins feature mahogany marquetry and tweed furnishings.
Dine on succulent Scottish fare, admire breathtaking scenery from the Observation Car, and unwind in the Bamford Haybarn Spa, the most unique spa experience in Scotland.
Two- to seven-night itineraries depart from Edinburgh, inviting you to embrace
the infectious sophisticated camaraderie spirit you’ll find onboard. Itineraries feature exciting off-train activities, including private visits to castles and distilleries, wild swimming, foraging, and more.
Special interest journeys are themed around malt whiskey, gardens, and golf and depart several times a year for those who just can’t get enough of their particular interest!
New on The Royal Scotsman! Launched this year, the train’s spacious new Grand Suites mirror the look and feel of a luxury country house, brimming with elegant references to Scottish culture and its outstanding natural beauty.
The interiors of the suites take their inspiration from the destination, featuring
hues of green, gray, beige, and blue in the handcrafted wall coverings, upholstery, and furniture. Local materials like stone and wood are abundantly used in the lavish ensuite bathrooms, while decorative patterns echo Edwardian flair, Pictish stones motifs, and Celtic symbolism, all artfully designed by Tristan Auer.
Dark wooden wall paneling embellished with intricate marquetry forms the backdrop for a double bed with embossed bedhead, dressing table with stool, Scottish larch dining table, and places to relax on a sumptuous sofa and armchair. As a Grand Suite guest, you will also benefit from private transfers and a complimentary rejuvenating treatment in the train’s moving spa.
ITALY FROM VENICE TO SICILY
Belmond’s Italian Jewels
Belmond’s collection of hotels in Italy began with the legendary Hotel Cipriani in Venice. It now comprises ten iconic retreats set in the country’s most beguiling destinations. They range from the Splendido, keeping the dolce vita dream alive in Portofino, to Renaissance Florentine masterpiece Villa San Michele, to the timeless Grand Hotel Timeo in Taormina.
Let’s look at some of them. . .
PORTOFIN-OH!
Along with Splendido, Portofino is also home to Splendido Mare, a charming guesthouse on the Piazzetta. It blends a nautical spirit with relaxed sophistication. The restaurant Dav Mare, a destination all on its own, was created in partnership with an icon of Italian gastronomy, the Cerea family. It serves up exquisite Ligurian fare, fresh flavors with an expert modern touch. Enjoy a complimentary sailing excursion on a traditional fishing boat, private loungers on the nearby secluded beach of Paraggi, and the exceptional facilities at sister hotel, Splendido.
AMALFI COASTING
Caruso, A Belmond Hotel, is a haven of romance above the Amalfi Coast. View
unrivalled vistas from this layered Ravello estate, an elegant 11th-century palace at its heart. Enjoy creative cuisine, a sublime infinity pool, and a mesmerizing spa. A private beach and enchanting cruises exude “coastal relaxation.”
Explore the benefits of the dieta mediterranea at the Caruso. The hotel partners with the Parco del Cilento and Vallo di Diano to bring a raft of new projects and events that celebrate this nutritious, local, and sociable gastronomic philosophy. Chef Armando Aristarco embraces a “zero kilometer” food philosophy (meaning the food has traveled as close to zero kilometers as possible before landing on your plate!), offering new experiences based on authentic local products and traditions of Cilento, the cradle of the Mediterranean Diet.
SICILIAN RETREAT
Further south, on the island of Sicily, are two legendary hotels: Grand Hotel Timeo and Villa Sant’Andrea. Grand Timeo is perfect if you want to be right in the thick of things in Sicily, but for beach lovers looking for a retreat, Villa Sant’Andrea is the one! Subtropical gardens border an exclusive Sicilian beach at his Belmond resort with a private-home feel in Taormina Mare.
At the acclaimed restaurant, freshly caught fish and decadent desserts are enhanced by shimmering sea views. Relax in the heated infinity pool or wellness center or flock to the stylish beach cabanas.
Reinforcing Villa Sant’Andrea’s status as the ultimate Sicilian beachside summer home, the newly opened Lido Villeggiatura is a chic, family-friendly beach club promising an Italian summer like no other. With facilities including a vibrant beach bar, private cabanas, and a beach concierge, the new club is a place for families and friends to revel in each other’s company, whether stretching it out with sunrise yoga, snorkeling the Sicilian waters, or indulging in coastal cocktails and seafood barbecues.
ABOVE, FROM LEFT Friends enjoying a sumptuous meal at Villa Sant’Andrea, A Belmond Hotel; staggering views at Belmond’s Caruso on the Amalfi Coast; the Venice icon that is Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel.
From the City
to the Jungle
Belmond’s Brazilian hotels take guests from the buzz of Rio de Janeiro to thundering Iguassu Falls, showcasing the best of all things Brazilian.
AT THE COPA .
. .
Since its doors swung open in 1923, Copacabana Palace has undeniably been Rio’s most glamorous address. Overlooking iconic Copacabana Beach, it’s a sanctuary of calm just steps from the bustling city.
The semi-Olympic swimming pool is bordered by three of Rio’s finest restaurants, two of which boast Michelin stars. For a taste of Carioca nightlife, Copacabana Piano Bar hits the spot with gin cocktails. In the spa, heavenly treatments harness the power of Brazilian botanicals. As for
where you’ll rest your head, individually designed rooms are nothing short of inviting havens. Seven penthouse suites share a private swimming pool, which enjoys spectacular views.
Tailor-made excursions include samba school visits, architectural tours of Rio, and experiences atop Sugarloaf Mountain. Experience Rio at its most extravagant during the festive season or at Carnival, or if the hustle and bustle isn’t your thing, visit during a quieter time of year. Your Poe Travel advisor can help you decide which works best for you!
FALLING FOR IGUASSU FALLS
A short flight away, Hotel das Cataratas enjoys an unparalleled position directly beside Iguassu Falls. Surrounded by rainforest, the pastel-pink hideaway grants you exclusive, out-of-hours access
to the majestic cascades and wildlife-rich parkland, a truly priceless experience.
Hotel das Cataratas is South America’s first and only Forbes five-star hotel, and as such, its rooms and suites offer Portuguese colonial-style luxury blending rich woods and decorative tiles. Lush gardens of palms, mango trees, and jewel-like orchids encircle the infinity pool.
In the restaurants, fine dining is on the menu. Tables on the veranda offer views over the falls. Gourmet picnics can be savored on the lawn. At the bar, more than 60 varieties of cachaça are available.
We can arrange bespoke activities in advance, or the concierge can help you on arrival. Go on a behind-the-scenes visit to the Bird Park, set flight yourself on a helicopter tour over the cascades, or rise early for a dawn walk through Iguassu’s hidden paradise.
LEFT The iconic Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel in Rio de Janeiro, shining brightly on the Brazilian beachside
RIGHT Jet off on a private helicopter excursion over Iguassu Falls from Hotel das Cataratas, A Belmond Hotel.
Poe Travel’s Bolton arriving at CAP JULUCA
Poe Travel’s Breana onboard Belmond’s Royal Scotsman SCOTLAND
Trencher & Balter Family on Hiram Bingham Train PERU
Poe Travel’s Bolton with our pal Max from Belmond on a boat excursion at CAP JULUCA
