EXPERIENCE THE ROMANCE OF AND WITH BELMOND IN 2017

Fall in love with Belmond’s hotels in Italy and Spain this year – That’s Amore

March 2017. Belmond’s hotels in Italy and Mallorca launch the new season with enchanting new experiences and activities that invite guests to discover the romantic culture of the region. From boat trips on the Lagoon in search of the hidden barene (sandbanks) known only to the locals, to following the trail of the Medici family in , each hotel offers unique moments for those looking to write their own love story in 2017.

THE DISAPPEARING ISLAND Belmond Hotel Cipriani (Venice) offers an unforgettable bike ride through the waterways of the scenic Lio Piccolo. In this lesser-known part of the Lagoon, a network of little roads along the edges of the marshland is the place to discover the nature of Venice including herons, flamingos and native fauna. A local fisherman, guides the way on a colourful, topetta, to visit the barene, a strip of sand exposed by low tide, and the place to hunt for caparossoli (local shellfish) – as the sun sets, a glass of locally produced Orto wine is served.

For younger guests, Belmond Hotel Cipriani offers an Instagram Tour to capture those magic moments in the city’s hidden quarters. Starting from the triforium window framing St Mark’s, specifically created and positioned on the Hotel’s foundations, lovebirds can head off on a quest for glimpses of atmospheric Venice. Ideas include the Scalinata del Bovolo (recently reopened to the public), St George’s bell tower, which offers one of the finest views of the city, or the entrance door to the birthplace of Hayez, the artist who painted the most famous “Bacio” in the history of art.

BACCHUS, VENUS AND LOVE IN Belmond Hotel Splendido (Portofino), inspired by Rosso Fiorentino’s famous painting, recreates the amorous encounter between Bacchus and Venus, with an invitation to discover two UNESCO heritage sites: Le and .

At Le Cinque Terre, the experience includes a tour of the vineyards where local wine-making traditions have stood the test of time throughout centuries. During a half or full day experience from to , guests meet the winemakers and sample the protected-denomination wines native to the region; native grape varieties include bosco, albarola, trebbiano and vermentino, and the famous Sciacchetrà, one of the best-known dessert wines in Italy.

The divine theme continues to La Spezia Gulf in Porto Venere, the ‘birthplace’ of Venus. Belmond guests can enjoy a private boat trip around the Bay of Poets, Porto Venere and Byron’s grotto followed by a tour of , and Tinetto islands. The day is completed with an aperitif and glass of champagne served on board at sunset, near the famous "la Via dell'amore".

THE MEDICI: KISSES AND INTRIGUE Belmond Villa San Michele (Fiesole) reveals what the history books won’t tell you; an exciting tale of intrigue, betrayal and mystery featuring the famous Medici family, between the centre of Florence and the Villa Medicea at Poggio a Caiano.

A guided walk through the city’s ancient winding streets includes a visit to some private rooms at Palazzo Vecchio, normally closed to the public. Here, the exquisitely painted frescoes of Eleonora di Toledo, the venerated, spoiled wife of Cosimo can be seen as well as the study where Francis devoted himself to mysterious studies of alchemy, and the secret passages that, for centuries, allowed prying eyes to observe the goings-on at the noble court.

The tour ends at Villa Medicea (Poggio a Caiano), the scene of the tragic end of two famously inseparable lovers: Francis I, Grand Duke of Tuscany, and Bianca Cappello, who died just a few hours apart, from what is thought to be arsenic poisoning.

FOR THE LOVE OF MUSIC ON THE Inspired by the famous Ravello Festival, Belmond Hotel Caruso offers private and exclusive concerts within the hotel grounds at dawn. Romantics will be seduced by the music as the sun rises across the Amalfi Coast to the sweet sounds of the mini orchestra.

Ravello (known as the “Città della Musica” - Town of Music) is home to the internationally renowned Ravello Festival founded in 1953 in honour of Richard Wagner, the German composer, who during a journey on the Amalfi Coast, felt in love with the town and the Villa Rufolo gardens so much to use them as inspiration for his Klingsor's garden in the second act of his masterpiece, Parsifal.

THE BLUE SEA OF Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo and Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea (Taormina) offer a private boat trip at sunset aboard a colourful Sicilian fishing boat through the hidden Grotta Azzurra in Mazzarò Bay, known for the vibrant reflections that illuminate the caves. The highlight of the evening is a surprise floating concert in the middle of the bay, performed by local musicians who set the scene for a romantic dinner either on a boat or in a private beach cabana at Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea – the exquisite meal is paired with the ‘wine of love’, Lamuri, produced by local winemakers, Tasca d’Almerita.

ROMANCE BENEATH THE STARS IN MALLORCA In May, Belmond La Residencia, in the village of Deià (Mallorca), opens a new panoramic terrace in the heart of this UNESCO heritage site.

Situated high on the mountainside surrounded by ancient olive trees and reached by foot along a Poets’ Walk, the private terrace is framed by a romantic pergola and offers a panoramic view of the sun setting as it gently sinks into the sea. This panoramic experience is available for private celebrations from marriage proposals to birthdays or a tête- à-tête under the stars. Chef Guillermo Méndez will serve a five-course Mediterranean dinner for the occasion, including a delicious surprise created individually each time for our guests.

For more information and reservations please contact the Reservations Dept. ph +39 0185 267809 Email: [email protected]

ENDS

Notes to Editors

For more information please contact:

Laura Di Bert Regional Director of PR Italy & Mallorca [email protected] T +39.041.2408805

Luana Mazzega Assistant Regional Director of PR Italy & Mallorca [email protected] T +39.041.2408805

For high-res images: www.belmondpress.it and www.belmond.com/media-centre

About Belmond Ltd. Belmond Ltd. is a global collection of exceptional hotel and luxury travel adventures in some of the world’s most inspiring and enriching destinations. Established almost 40 years ago with the acquisition of Hotel Cipriani in Venice, the Company owns and operates 47 unique and distinctive hotel, rail and river cruise experiences in many of the world’s most celebrated destinations. From city landmarks to intimate resorts, the collection includes Belmond Grand Hotel Europe, St. Petersburg; Belmond Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro; Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa, Riviera Maya; and Belmond El Encanto, Santa Barbara. Belmond also encompasses safaris, six luxury tourist trains including the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, three river cruises and ‘21’, one of New York’s most storied restaurants. belmond.com

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