Belmond Unveils The List, A 'Must Do' Guide of Experiences for 2016

Showcasing the luxury travel collection's most coveted cultural experiences for 2016, The List brings together exclusive locations and exceptional sights in a month-by-month travel check-list of the world's greatest journeys, helping guests to navigate their next unforgettable adventure.

The List launches in January with voluntourism in Myanmar, as Belmond celebrates two decades of pioneering travel to the region since the launch of luxury river cruiser Belmond Road to Mandalay in 1996. Today guests are offered an extraordinary insight into local life in this beguiling destination though a range of social, health and welfare volunteering projects that give back to the native communities – the perfect New Year's resolution.

Moving on to February, Belmond turns up the glamour at Brazil's world-famous Rio Carnival. Belmond Copacabana Palace's (pictured at top) lavish Magic Ball attracts high-profile visitors from around the globe and 2016's Olympia-themed installment is set to surpass all others, paying homage to the upcoming Rio 2016 Olympics by taking travelers on a journey through Old Greece where it all began.

March invites aspiring artists to fulfill a lifetime ambition as a writer-in-residence at Belmond El Encanto in Santa Barbara, crafting their own Oscar-worthy original screenplay.

April launches an Italian renaissance with bespoke experiences at Belmond's collection of iconic Italian hotels as they reopen for the season.

Guests at Belmond Grand Hotel Europe in St Petersburg can ring in May with an exclusive performance of ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream' at the Mariinsky Theatre, enjoyed from the exclusive setting of the Tsar's private box.

Celebrating the pioneering days of rail travel, June brings the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express' inaugural journey to Berlin, linking the historic European capitals of London, Paris and Berlin.

Taking advantage of seasonal high water levels, the newly rebuilt Belmond Eagle Island Lodge in the Okavango Delta is the place to be in July to experience a range of activities at Botswana's most water-focused safari experience.

August offers the opportunity to take part in a new chapter of history as Belmond launches Ireland's first overnight luxury train, Belmond Grand Hibernian.

Taking a ‘moon-bath' in September, intrepid travelers can witness a spectacular lunar rainbow over the mighty Iguassu Falls at Belmond Hotel das Cataratas, the only hotel located in Brazil's Iguassu National Park.

In October Belmond invites travelers to take inspiration from their journeys and enter a travel writing competition, with the winning article being published in both Belmond's digital and print magazines.

As the year draws to a close, November is a time to give thanks and ask Pachamama (Mother Earth) for her blessings during a spiritual ceremony at one of the great wonders of the world – the Incan citadel of Machu Picchu in Peru's Andes Mountains.

Ringing out 2016 in style, in December guests can embark on a festive journey in the vintage carriages of luxury day train Belmond British Pullman, followed by an unforgettable gourmet lunch at the two Michelin star Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in Oxfordshire.

Full details of The List will be unveiled as the year progresses. More details can be found at belmond.com/thelist.