Travel: You’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat

Stay dry high above the trees when you dine at Terra at the new Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi.
Stay dry high above the trees when you dine at Terra at the new Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi.

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.

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