“To do nothing at all is the most difficult thing in the world,
the most difficult and the most intellectual” (Oscar Wilde)
19th March 2019 - Inspired by the Italian pleasure of
dolce far niente,
Belmond introduces The Sweet Art of Doing 'Nothing’ - a new series of
travel temptations across Italy - effortlessly curated to allow guests
to relax and savour the extraordinary.
From lazy
afternoons cocooned in Tuscan forests, to intimate parties at dusk on
magical Venetian rooftops; the sweetness of seemingly doing ‘nothing’
can be enjoyed from sunrise to sunset at some of Belmond’s most iconic
properties.
Nothing but enchantment
Nestled in the rolling Tuscan hills, Belmond Castello di Casole invites friends and family to connect with nature and the magic of its ancient forest with special dinners served at its
Enchanted Table. Suspended from a towering oak tree,
atmospherically lit by candelabra and twinkling lights; the scene is set
for a Tuscan feast of traditional fare, including pane al pomodoro and
local farmhouse cheeses.
From secret nooks to wide open vistas, Belmond Hotel Splendido launches a
Tastes Of The Lands bike and wine tour that starts with a ride
along one of Portofino’s prettiest trails; past the mount of Portofino,
through the Mills valley and protected parks to an eco-farm held by La
Portofinese. Here guests are treated to vineyard
tastings as they sample specialties grown on the sustainable farm and
enjoy views of the glittering gulf of Liguria. For those wishing to dig a
little deeper, a visit to the farm’s family-run “secret caves” and
underground tunnels back towards Portofino is
a fascinating insight into the heritage of locally produced sparkling
wines.
Belmond Hotel Cipriani elevates its
glamorous party credentials with the opening of its own exclusive Altana (wooden rooftop) bar – inspired by Venice’s authentic 13th
Century rooftops and the city’s love of enjoying life up on high.
Private parties of up to 10 can picnic
at dusk as they sip Bellinis on a twinkling terrace with the most
sensational panoramic views of San Marco and the bell tower of San
Giorgio Maggiore.
The hotel celebrates another high with a ‘First Light’
Silent
Serenissima
experience at Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, atop its striking 15th
century spiral staircase - the tallest and most architecturally
beguiling in Venice. In the calm of the early hours, before
the crowds begin to form, guests take a hypnotic boat ride to St Mark’s
square where they climb the gothic staircase to be greeted by a
delicious Venetian spread as the city awakes below.
A natural calm
Across the seas, Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea marks its 100th birthday with a
Tales of the Sicilian Sea celebratory boat ride that immerses
guests in the island’s storied past and family traditions. From the
hotel’s private beach, the cruise takes in the small island gems, Isola
Bella and Giardini Naxos and introduces guests to
working life on the sea with stops at a traditional picturesque fishing
village and lively fish market on Catania. An enriching day on Taormina
Mare concludes with a lunch served at the baroque aristocratic house of
Rosalba Cutore and her family.
At Belmond Hotel Caruso, on the Amalfi Coast, it’s back to dry land to experience the
Path Of The Gods where guests can hike this mythical coastal
trail - where legend claims the gods used it to reach the sea and meet
the Sirens, who attempted to bewitch Ulysses with their singing. Along
the way from Agerola to Nocelle, a picnic of local
delicacies is served as the jaw-dropping vistas emerge and tumble down
to the sea.
Reflections on art
This season Belmond Villa San Michele
and Belmond Castello di Casole unveil Art On The Move -
their boldest ever artwork project: a 1930s Fiat Musone customised by
Rome-based street artist Lucamaleonte. As well as being able to explore
both hotels’ beautiful surroundings and transfer
between properties, art lovers can visit the exceptional Tuscan
sculpture parks like the Pazzagli and secluded Garden of Sounds, or take
a sunset drive to the Florentine hills for a sparkling sundowner.
Timeless indulgence
Enlivening its culinary offering is Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo,
presenting season two of its popular Otto
Geleng Pop-up Restaurant,
this year welcoming diners from May through until October. Named after
the German painter who resided in Taormina, the intimate restaurant
designed to reflect the style of a classical
Sicilian villa, invites just 16 guests to dine alfresco on an Otto
(eight) course seafood menu prepared by chef Roberto Toro; whilst taking
in views of the majestic Mount Etna and Ionian Sea.
