Is there any better way to spend summer than on a boat? This July, get “rowed over” by these aquatic offerings, with by-the-sea properties that invite guests to shun their inner landlubber and get on the water.
- The Coast(est) with the Most(est):A trip to the Mediterranean isn’t complete without a visit to the Amalfi Coast, and Belmond makes getting there a (sea)breeze. See the famous Italian villages when you stay at Belmond Villa Margherita and Belmond Hotel Caruso, as both offer guests a complimentary boat ride to the Amalfi Coast.
- Lake Life:Set on the shores of Lac Léman (Lake Geneva), La Réserve Geneva makes it easy for guests to get to and from the city center on the hotel’s private – and super chic – Venetian Motoscafo boat. After a quick, 15-minute ride, guests can visit the art gallery neighborhood, stroll through trendy Quartier des Bains, enjoy a cappuccino on the terrace of the iconic café Clémence, and shop in the town of Bon Génie.
- Elite Fleet:Nantucket’s White Elephant has teamed up with Barton & Gray Mariners Club to offer the White Elephant/Barton & Gray Hinckley, which guests can charter for half- or full-day private cruises. The 36-foot classic yacht, named “True Blue III,” is clad in navy, white, and elephant-printed fabric, mirroring the interior design of the White Elephant. Barton & Gray is a member-only yacht service, but guests of Nantucket Island Resorts also have the rare opportunity to charter their full fleet.
- An Offer You Can’t Refuse:Depart from Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea and cruise by the famed Isola Bella and Giardini Naxos – make sure to spot the railway station made famous in the third episode of The Godfather – before continuing onto the small fishing village of Acitrezza for a peek into the world of master ship making with a tour of the Rodolico family boatyard. The final stop is Catania, Sicily’s second largest city, for a whirlwind walk through the lively La Pescheria fish market and an Italian lunch with Rosalba Cutore and her family, longtime friends of the Trewhella’s, whose villa became Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea.
- One fish, two fish:As part of the hotel’s efforts to preserve the fragile ecosystems of Trancoso’s beaches and marine life, UXUA Casa Hotel & Spa completely finances the Trancoso Fisherman’s Association – a collective of 10 fishing boats and over 100 fishermen committed to using traditional net-less and pole-less fishing practices. Guests can learn to fish with a member of the Fisherman’s Association and have their catch prepared at the hotel by Chef Bernardo Silva.
- Eat Your Pie in the Sky: Now that it’s open, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi’s11 specialty-concept dining venues offer the largest culinary selection in the Maldives. The highlight is Terra: seven private dining pods on a treetop overlooking the Indian Ocean. Six can accommodate couples, and one is designed for a group of four diners. The restaurant will feature a multi-course meal with wine pairings.
- Under the Sea:GoldenEye in Jamaica offers daily complimentary glass bottom boat rides to explore Ian Fleming’s beloved reef and learn about the property’s efforts to preserve the coral.