AM/PM NEWS #4: Inspired by Travel News and Culture Trends

June 30th, 2021

Discovery Channel’s ‘Shark Week’ will turn 33 next month and if 45 hours of programming is sufficient to entice you for an enthralling trip, opt for Belmond’s brand-new offer in Cape Town with a shark scientist. As many Americans are dusting off their passports, we have compiled a list of summer destinations from the Caribbean and Mexico to Europe before work-from-hotel is no longer an option. And for when you are ready to travel with the extended family, we have the choice in Marrakech, ready to meet all expectations by all ages. More than ever, nostalgia is a significant element in entertainment (shout-out to fellow fans of Cobra Kai, The Mighty Ducks and Gilmore Girls) and there are some similarities in travel, especially on the heels of the past year. One of our beloved travel icons, Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, is back on track and with more itinerary options than before. Maybe it is this heatwave in New York City, but we are already thinking about ski trips and as Switzerland welcomes Americans, Zermatt stands out with its 300-day bluebird conditions. 

Marine biologist for the day:

Mount Nelson, a Belmond hotel in Cape Town, now offers an exclusive, private experience with shark scientist Justin Blake. Conservation-minded adults and kids as young as eight years old can partake in the ocean boating and snorkeling expedition to explore the Cape kelp forests, featured in Oscar-winner ‘My Octopus Teacher’ and recently named one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Lucky adventurers might spot an octopus and even hear a tagged shark. Maximum capacity is six guests at $265 per person; double-occupancy at $700 per person.

Last hurrah for remote work:

As offices are reopening, the next two months might just be the last chance for fully-remote office hours. Even though we have invested in our standing desks, striking plants and library-inspired bookshelves in our apartments/houses, it is hard to beat an ‘office’ inside a luxury hotel. Some of our favorite options include: Cap Juluca on the pristine Maundays Bay of Anguilla; Nayara Tented Camp in Costa Rica where hot spring-fed pools are dotted amidst the lush rainforest; La Reserve Paris overlooking the sparkling cityscape; Splendido Mare surrounded by the refreshing scents of Portofino’s orange blossoms; Dromoland Castle in Ireland with a walled garden by the very designer behind the gardens of Versailles; Paradero Todos Santos situated within the Le Mesa farming community; and Ian Fleming’s original five-bedroom home in Jamaica. We can share the latest and greatest on travel regulations to these destinations.

This three-story riad will not disappoint in-laws:

Thinking about an extended family holiday? Opt for the four-bedroom Grand Riad at Royal Mansour in Marrakech. The nearly 20,000-square-foot residence features a private library, two swimming pools with built-in water current, cinema, hammam, gym, multiple dining and living rooms, and a glass-enclosed split-level terrace with a retractable roof. With a private entrance, the Grand Riad feels more like a private home than a hotel. No detail is overlooked thanks to a dedicated staff, including a chef, watchman, housekeepers, and butlers.

Nostalgic about train travel?

Evoking the Golden Age of glamour, Venice Simplon-Orient-Express by Belmond expands its immersive, slow travel experiences across Europe with five new boarding points in Rome, Florence, Geneva, Brussels and Amsterdam. Aboard the train’s restored Art Deco carriages, guests will be whisked along one-night journeys from Florence and Rome, passing the Italian lakes and snowy Swiss mountains, before arriving in Paris. Wind through the Brenner Pass as the train crosses from Geneva to Venice or take off on a grand tour of three European Capital cities – Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam – during a Venice to Amsterdam itinerary.

Zermatt by the numbers for skiers:

Switzerland is the birthplace of ski tourism and home to Europe’s largest glaciers. Skiing is available 365 days a year in Zermatt and the destination has over 300 days of sunshine. There are more than 220 miles of ski runs for all levels and the area around the Matterhorn has pistes up to 12,700+ feet above sea level – the tallest in Europe. With 54 ski lifts, Zermatt will unveil a new one this year that will complete an ‘Alpine crossing’ by connecting the Klein Matterhorn to Testa Grigia in Italy’s Aosta Valley for the first time. Designed in an Alpine-chalet style, Schweizerhof is situated on the main thoroughfare of Bahnhofstrasse at the base of the Matterhorn. Oak walls and marble bathrooms create a cozy yet contemporary environment while fun touches like wooden hiking sticks, cow bells, and comforters emblazoned with the Matterhorn lend a sense of place. The Kid’s Club has everything a child could dream of: Arcade games? Check. Climbing wall? Check. Movie nights? Check. Sports gear is available to rent and an in-house ski expert can assist first-timers.

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