Walnut Grove Cruise & Ltd Travel Blog

Belmond’s ultra-luxury hotels, resorts and rail experiences have become beacons of how to live your best life abroad. Two of its properties are adding spas in collaboration with luxe French beauty brands that will make it even more difficult to leave these oases of pampering and relaxation to return to the real world after your vacation. Taormina, Italy: Pop-up Treetop Spa... read more

It’s an architectural wonder 101 stories high in Chicago’s Lakeshore East neighborhood that transforms the Windy City’s skyline. Eleven of those floors make up the newly-opened, ultra-luxury hotel St. Regis Chicago.  Designed by the world-renowned architecture and urban design practice led by Jeanne Gang, the tower breaks new ground as the tallest building in the world designed by a female architect.  The... read more

As a thousand mile-long atoll in the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean, it’s no wonder that most of the Maldives’ most coveted experiences relate to the sea: over water villas, underwater resorts…and now, tastings of wine aged in what has been voted the world’s best underwater wine cellar and restaurant.  Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas has launched a new underwater-aged wine tasting... read more

It ranks right up there with the Statue of Liberty and the Washington monument. Not only is it a world-wide symbol of the United States. It’s also the country’s most famous sign – and visual shorthand for one of America’s most universally-consumed exports: movies, as well as the West Coast city where movie-making dreams come true.  In 2023, the Hollywood sign celebrates... read more

A new, ultra-luxury resort brings St. Regis glamor and hospitality to a new, exclusive development at a 600+acre nature reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site on one of Mexico's most popular beach destinations. The St. Regis Kanai Resort was inspired by the Sian Ka'an Reserve, from its avant-garde architecture to its upscale interiors. If you hadn't heard of Kanai yet, you're... read more

Early spring in Japan spells ‘sakura,’ or cherry blossom season, when the entire country is awash in the lacy, pale pink blooms on millions of cherry trees lining rivers, avenues, mountainsides and park walks. A culture obsessed with seasonality values perhaps cherry blossom season the most, and this may be the best time to immerse yourself in Japanese traditions. Sakura season... read more

There are over 100 Ritz-Carlton ultra-luxury hotels in 35 countries - but amazingly, none in Italy, one of luxury travel's top destinations. That's about to change. This elegant hotel brand is set to debut in one of Italy's most elegant locations. Ritz-Carlton is re-imagining and restoration of one of Italy's most acclaimed destinations for luxury travelers: the former Hotel Grande... read more

 The Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo recently opened in one of the most unique and rare locations: along a pristine, 6-mile stretch of coastline, part of a 3000-acre nature reserve on Mexico’s Pacific coast. Just 2% of the landscape will be developed, with the resort company saying it’s committed to preserving “the natural landscape, celebrating Mexico’s rich heritage and providing the... read more

National Margarita Day is February 22, but Margaritaville resorts has declared the whole month of February Margarita Month. It’s launched an annual, month-long event that celebrates the (un)official cocktail of the laid-back. If a light-hearted, flip-flop wearing tropical escape is on the agenda to reconnect with your loved one, Margaritaville resorts are the place, and of course, a frosty margarita... read more

In 2023, the game changing troupe that redefined ‘circus’ and became every couple’s must-do evening on the town in Las Vegas celebrates three decades in the city that put it on the global entertainment map. Cirque du Soleil started it all in Sin City in 1993, with the high-energy acrobatics and evocative choreography of Mystere at Treasure Island Hotel &... read more

 Planning a romantic escape with your sweetheart to Europe? This new list of the continent’s most romantic cities may help you narrow down your list – or add a few unexpected entries. A European yacht-charter company has analyzed data showing how many ‘romantic’ hotel and restaurants per capita can be found in a list of European capital cities to determine... read more

Waldorf Astoria hotels’ name and hospitality still reflect its founding family, the legendary Astors, who for more than a century were the pinnacle of American high society. The Astor legacy of good living is expanding worldwide and especially in Latin America, where three new Waldorf Astoria hotels and resorts are setting new standards in travel style.  CANCUN, MEXICO  The Waldorf... read more

The gift of travel can create precious memories of one of the best holidays ever, and Disney theme parks on both sides of the country have been arrayed in their festive best, unwrapping a full lineup of holiday cheer lasting into the New Year. There’s still time to plan a Disney version of the holidays this year in Anaheim or... read more

Mexico has some of the best beach destinations on the continent, and four new - or completely renewed - luxury resorts may inspire you to treat yourself to being one of the first guests to experience their unique ultra-luxe lifestyle – served up with Mexican hospitality.  Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya  By spring, 2023, this storied hideaway in the heart... read more

It’s one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. A UNESCO World Heritage Site. And the world’s largest waterfall. Africa’s Victoria Falls on the Zambezi river on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe is part of the legend and mystique of a trip to southern Africa – a must-see site that awes every visitor, with columns of its spray visible... read more

Peru's overwhelming claim to fame is the mystique and majesty of the ancient remains at Machu Picchu - deservedly named recently the 'South America's Leading Tourist Attraction.” But there's more to Peru than its fabled history, leading it to also earn the designation as 'South America's Leading Culinary Destination 2022' and 'Leading Cultural Destination 2022' in the region. Here are... read more

This may be the smallest type of cruise possible. Luxury travel company Belmond is building another mini-river cruise ship. This one will sail just 6 guests through the legendary Champagne region of France.  Part of its French collection, Coquelicot, A Belmond Boat, Champagne, launches in spring of 2023. It joins a fleet of so-called ‘barges’ in France called Les Bateaux... read more

“Water, water, everywhere, but not any drop to drink.” Being surrounded by seawater takes on new meaning in the British Caribbean island of Anguilla, where locals are rediscovering the luxury destination’s ‘salty’ history. Anguilla’s only 16 miles long and 3 miles at its widest; a slender length of coral and limestone fringed with green, ringed with 33 beaches. A gem of the... read more

Looking for inspiration for your next holiday close to home? These new hotel openings are the perfect excuse for a short haul vacation in an all-new environment. From sophisticated urban centers to the Great Outdoors, from beaches to deserts, mountains to cityscapes, these diverse hotels give you the perfect excuse to call your travel advisor to plan a getaway soon!Massachussets Life... read more

Koalas and kangaroos, beaches and beer and ‘bugs’ (lobster-like shellfish), deserts and mountains and rivers iconic in the Southern hemisphere, and that famous Aussie lifestyle and hospitality! There are so many reasons to put a trip to Australia on your travel list – including these new, luxury hotels that make a trip anywhere in Australia just a little more exciting... read more