Travel News: 15 Openings, Renovations, and New Trips to Book This June
The buzziest happenings in the world of travel this month.

Cristallo Resort & Spa Opens in Cortina, Italy
Italy’s most stylish mountain resort town, Cortina d’Ampezzo, has some glamorous new digs. Cristallo Resort & Spa pays homage to Cortina’s storied past and alpine traditions. Each of the 74 rooms and suites mix modern décor with classic alpine touches. Two presidential suites featuring private spas with saunas and Turkish baths honor Frank Sinatra and Peter Sellers, both known to frequent Cortina. Dining options range from rustic Italian cuisine served in the intimate, four-table La Stube 1872 to a tasting menu of regional specialties, like venison polenta, at the Chef’s Table. After a day of hiking or skiing, guests can retire to the expansive spa and do a wellness circuit of the hammam, Finnish sauna, thermarium, solarium, and pool. From $300; cristallo.it.

The Resort at Paws Up Opens a New Camp
The Resort at Paws Up, a Montana glamping resort, debuts its sixth and largest camp on June 1. Perched on a rocky, timbered bluff overlooking the Blackfoot River, North Bank Camp can accommodate larger groups and families, with four two-bedroom tents and two three-bedroom, two-bathroom tents (a first for the resort). North Camp offers the same amenities and services as other camps, such as Wi-Fi, bathrooms with heated floors, and camping butlers, but every tent has a riverfront location with a spacious deck and water views. The camp’s dining pavilion, the resort’s largest, boasts a stone fireplace and floor-to-ceiling sliding glass windows so guests can watch for eagles during breakfast. Tents at North Bank start at $2,985 per night; pawsup.com.

Belmond Launches Two New River Barges
Belmond Afloat in France introduces two new barges, set to cruise the canals and rivers throughout Alsace and Champagne. Four en-suite cabins accommodate eight guests and six-night itineraries feature visits to family-owned vineyards, breweries, and châteaux. Belmond Pivoine will cruise between Meaux and Châlons-en-Champagne along the River Marne and Canal Lateral de Marne. Highlights include a visit to the historical city of Reims and Château Vaux-Le-Vicomte, famous for its beautifully manicured gardens. Cruising the Canal de la Marne au Rhin through the heart of the Alsace region, Belmond Lilas will stop at small villages and towns including Lutzelbourg and Saverne as well as Strasbourg, the culinary capital of Alsace. From $6,983 per person for a six-night cruise; belmond.com.

The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills Opens its Doors
The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills brings a dose of old world glamor to Beverly Hills on June 1. With a prime location on the corner of Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevards, a signature restaurant from star chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and a salon from cult stylist Tracey Cunningham, the hotel is sure to be a hit with the city’s “it” crowd. The hotel’s biggest bragging rights come from its 5,000-square-foot spa and rooftop pool, the largest of its kind in Beverly Hills and the only La Prairie Spa in Los Angeles. Interior design legend Pierre-Yves Rochon masterminded the modern coastal California look of the 170 rooms, and 51 suites come with oversized balconies that offer sweeping city views. From $815; waldorfastoriabeverlyhills.com.

Aracari Launches a Private Homes Collection in Peru, Plus a New Trek
Marisol Mosquera, the founder of boutique South American travel outfitter Aracari, has opened her little black book of contacts to launch a new Peru Private Homes Collection. Guests will gain unrivaled access to local life, stepping foot in the homes of some of Peru’s most revered artists, long-standing families, and private architectural gems. In addition, Aracari has introduced a new five-day trek to the rarely visited northern part of the country. Located at the junction between the Amazon Rainforest, the Andes and the coast, Chachapoyas is an undiscovered corner of Peru filled with archaeological treasures including the largest ancient stone structure in South America and eight Chachapoyan mummy sarcophagi. Eight-day Peru Private Homes package from $6,837; Five-day trek from $1,660; aracari.com.

Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco Debuts New Villa
Villa Agresto is the latest addition to the luxury villa collection at Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, Massimo and Chiara Ferragamo’s lavish Tuscan resort. Surrounded by olive trees and located in its own private vineyard with views over Montalcino, Siena, and Pienza, the villa is the perfect summer retreat for families and groups of friends. Five double bedrooms comfortably sleep ten guests, and gathering spaces range from a living room with an original fireplace to a shaded internal patio. A fully equipped kitchen can be stocked with local wines and artisan foods, and a private chef is on call to prepare meals. Villa Agresto is the only villa in the 11-home portfolio with a steam room in the master bathroom and a Jacuzzi by the wow-factor outdoor infinity pool. $5,565; rosewoodhotels.com.

Ian Schrager’s Public Opens on New York’s Lower East Side
Visionary hotelier Ian Schrager has chosen New York’s hip Lower East Side neighborhood as the location of his highly-anticipated Public Hotel concept, opening June 7. Celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten will oversee the health-focused restaurant concept, which will feature a smoker and wood burning grill. An outdoor terrace, inspired by the Tuileries Garden in Paris and the gardens of Italy, will offer al fresco dining and late-night drinks. Louis is like a mini food hall—part grocery, part coffee shop, part market with a range of fast-casual bites ranging from sushi and dim sum to pastrami sandwiches and smoked brisket. Public Arts will host film screenings, open mic nights, art exhibitions, and dance parties, while the roof will host DJs from around the world as well as weekend barbecues. From $150; publichotels.com.

Wilderness Safaris Opens Bisate Lodge in Rwanda
Wilderness Safaris continues to pioneer conservation efforts in Africa with its latest and most visionary project to date, Bisate Lodge. The property is located on a hill adjacent to Volcanoes National Park, an important corridor for the preservation of Rwanda’s endangered mountain gorillas. Wilderness Safaris is reforesting the 66-plus-acre area to enhance the animals’ habitat. Six hive-shaped forest villas have been designed to resemble Rwandan monarchy homes and have views of the Mikeno, Bisoke, and Karisimbi volcanoes. Gorilla viewing is the main draw, and guests are allocated one of the ten habituated gorilla groups to visit for an hour. Other activities include golden monkey trekking and visits to a local coffee farm and village. A spectacular wine cellar will host educational talks by the resident gorilla tracker as well as Rwandan coffee tastings. From $1,100; wilderness-safaris.com.

Aqua Expeditions Launch Jean-Michel Cousteau Cruises
Aqua Expeditions has announced a new collaboration with world-renowned ocean conservationist Jean-Michel Cousteau, offering travelers a series of three, four, and seven-night cruises in 2017 and 2018 hosted by the famed explorer on both the Aria Amazon and Aqua Mekong vessels. Travelers will experience the environmentally rich Amazon and Mekong rivers from Cousteau’s perspective and learn first-hand about his experience exploring the Amazon and other remote areas around the world. Each voyage will include evening talks with Cousteau and screenings of his award-winning films. Mekong departures begin in September 2017 and Amazon in February 2018. Three-night itineraries start at $4,350 per person, based on double occupancy, and four-night itineraries start at $5,600 person, based on double occupancy. Seven-night voyages start at $11,150 per person, based on double occupancy; aquaexpeditions.com.

Domaine Misincu Opens in Corsica
The opening of Domaine Misincu in Cap Corse marks the arrival of Corsica’s first five-star, eco-certified hotel on June 17. Located on the island’s wild northern shores, the hotel is the perfect base for active travelers who like to get their hands dirty by day but relax in comfort at night. Hiking paths curl around the property past olive trees and beehives, and the staff can arrange hiking, sailing, diving, and waterskiing. The design pays homage to Corsican heritage, and each of the 29 rooms showcase basket lamps and local woods. Ten villas boast private pools, and guests have access to a private stretch of beach as well as an outdoor pool and spa. From $250; phoenixhotelcollection.fr.

Sir Hotels Opens its Fifth Hotel in Ibiza
Following the opening of Sir Adam in Amsterdam and Sir Nikolai in Hamburg earlier this year, the design-minded Sir brand debuts Sir Joan in the center of Ibiza on June 29, overlooking the port and the old town. The 38 rooms and suites feature stripped wooden yacht flooring and highly polished stainless steel wall panels, which, when hit by the incoming sunlight, visually mimic the movement of waves. Each room features a balcony, while the suites have up to three balconies plus an indoor living area. Two penthouse suites are on the top floor, each boasting a private balcony encircling the room with outdoor seating and a private cabana. Sir Joan’s public area—the heart of the hotel— feels like a member’s club. The iconic Amsterdam restaurant, IZAKAYA Asian Kitchen and Bar, will be a new hotspot for the island, while a high-end burger bar will cater to Ibiza’s late-night revelers. From $843; sirjoanhotel.com.

London’s Milestone Hotel Offers Exclusive Access to Wimbledon
The Milestone Hotel’s exclusive Wimbledon package gives tennis fanatics the ultimate VIP experience at the oldest tennis tournament in the world. The package includes three days of access to the tournament, two center court tickets to the men’s quarterfinals on Wednesday, July 12, plus a behind-the-scenes tour of Wimbledon, including a private visit to the Trophy Room. Guests will stay in a luxury suite at the Milestone Hotel, the London flagship of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection, and chauffeured Bentley transfers are provided to all London destinations. Off-court perks include a private 60-minute helicopter flight over the River Thames, a curated tour of Kensington Palace pre-public opening, and a private tasting at Champagne Lanson. From $26,000 based on two people; redcarnationhotels.com.

Lindblad debuts the National Geographic Quest
The 100-passenger National Geographic Quest will make its inaugural voyage along British Columbia’s coast and Alaska’s Inside Passage on June 26. Lindblad’s newest expedition ship will also sail the coasts of Costa Rica and Panama and through the Panama Canal to Belize. Of the Quest’s 50 cabins, 22 have step-out balconies and there are six sets of connecting cabins for families and groups. Highlights of the 13-day Treasures of the Inside Passage: Alaska & British Columbia itinerary include kayaking with naturalists in search of killer whales and watching a traditional First Nations performance. A special permit gives the ship permission to sail Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park. A photo instructor and undersea specialist are on-hand during daily excursions. From $9,390; expeditions.com.

Join a Ryder Cup Champ on Belmond’s Royal Scotsman
Hit the links with Ryder Cup champion Sam Torrance, host of Belmond Royal Scotsman’s Scottish Golf Tour. The four-night journey departs June 26 and includes the chance to play at three of Scotland’s top courses, including Castle Stuart Golf Links, Trump International Golf Club, and 18 holes with Scottish golf star Torrance at Royal Durnoch Golf Links. Non-golfers can opt to visit bucket-list sites like Glenmorangie, Pitmedden Gardens, and Dunrobin Castle. While on board, Torrance will share stories of his Ryder Cup days and his top golf tips over a glass of scotch in the train’s Observation Car. From $6,637; belmond.com.

Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay Opens
Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay will be the first Small Luxury Hotels of the World property in Ibiza when it opens on June 30. Located on Cala Talamanca Beach, the hotel boasts two seafront saltwater swimming pools and a Six Senses Spa. Rooms have a bohemian, seaside feel with an ivory color scheme accented with gold and blue touches and beachy décor, including pendant lighting reminiscent of sea glass. All 152 rooms have terraces, and suites come with mini cocktail cabinets (mixologists are on call to prepare in-room drinks). In addition to the signature Nobu restaurant, the hotel will offer a Mediterranean restaurant and a health-minded, gluten-free restaurant. From $521; nobuhotelibizabay.com.
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