Belmond has been a key player in the luxury travel industry since acquiring its first property, the legendary Hotel Cipriani in Venice, back in 1976. Now with 46 hotels, river-cruises and luxury trains spanning 24 countries, it’s a hospitality brand people have an affinity for across the world. Heritage and craftsmanship both define historic properties like Belmond Copacabana Palace, but it’s the pursuit for innovation in parallel to these characteristics that continues to set Belmond apart.

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The group recently launched its Good Living wellbeing program, and now tying in with this while responding to the current global crisis, Belmond has announced the creation of its new virtual experiences.

Designed to bring what you’d experience at Belmond properties into people’s homes, the brand has created a series of Belmond Invitations programs. Streamed on Belmond IGTV, the series launched this weekend with a performance by British pianist Joe Stilgoe who channeled the music of the Jazz Age in tribute to Belmond’s Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, which was originally set to host a Roaring 20s themed ride the same weekend. 

This will be followed on Friday, April 3rd, with a live meditation session led by celebrity yoga guru and one of Belmond’s Experience Makers, Nadia Narain, who’s co-author with her sister Katia of Self Care for the Real World and Rituals for the Everyday. This comes after the two sisters shared their philosophy of taking time to care for your body and mind to open yourself up for the full enjoyment of life in a wellness program at the Anguilla beach resort, Belmond Cap Juluca.

Each Belmond Invitations program is curated using the brand’s wellbeing philosophy of Good Living. Earlier this year, the brand partnered with a number of ambassadors who are specialists in cultural activities such as floral design and poetry. These ambassadors provide guests in each of Belmond’s locations with a more intimate look at the destination they’re in through memorable activities. This same philosophy of enriching body, mind and soul runs through the new series of virtual experiences.

In addition to the live performances within the new Invitations program, the brand has come up with a number of Digital Care Packages to share across its various social media platforms. Each of these packages is designed to encourage viewers to channel the feeling and experience of being on vacation.

Between these two virtual experience concepts, expect to see tips on recipes for making at-home spa therapies, classical music playlists created by broadcaster and musician Clemency Burton-Hill and photographs of nature tied to poetry. 

Live programming including wellness workshops and music and poetry inspired by travel will be announced over the coming weeks on Belmond’s Instagram profile. All content will then go live on Belmond’s IGTV feed for people around the world to watch in real time or re-watch at a later date. While it may not quite transport you to your favorite Belmond hotel, this virtual offering does give you a taste of the Belmond lifestyle while staying in the comfort of your own home.