Tilda Swinton and Belmond
Two things I love, deeply love, a perfect collab...
The world moves fast. But you don’t have to.
(Because it’s not about the time it takes, but the care that is given.)
Six minutes for al dente perfection.
Sixty minutes to feel healed.
Six days to embrace the art of slowing down.
Many years to grow a garden that nourishes the soul.
At Belmond, time isn’t spent, it’s invested.
Immersed in ancestral and contemporary cultures, in yesterday’s traditions and tomorrow’s rhythms, Surrounded by friends old and new,
We choose to linger, to contemplate, to savour.
In every journey, on every plate and in every mindful movement, we discover a new pace of travel.
I would say that Belmond has been in many ways a visionary leader in luxury travel. And I have been to dozens and dozens of their properties across the continents, and truly I am always surprised how exquisitely they do things.
And I love that they released this new brand film series, 'Discover A New Pace of Travel', narrated by Oscar-winning Scottish actress Tilda Swinton. And yes, I would argue that she is one of the most powerful voices in contemporary culture. I have been obsessed with her since maybe “The Beach” where I despised her deeply; proving what a genius actor she is. And most recently I have not stopped thinking about Almodovar’s new film, The Room Next Door. By far my favorite film of the award buzzy season.
Anyway, back to Belmond.
This series they released is the cinematic embodiment of the quintessential spirit of slow luxury. It is an invitation to guests to discover the Belmond pace of travel – intentional and mindful – expressed through all of Belmond's properties around the world, from hotels and trains to river cruises and safaris. The brand film will be accompanied by a further four thematic films dedicated to terroir, wellness, celebrations and epic journeys.
And I recently did a Belmond train trip in Peru, across the Sacred Valley. Llamas and llamas. And I can attest that yes, it was all of that and some. Slow, slower, slowest.
Belmond has long championed a form of travel that makes time valuable, creating space for stillness, for reflection, for awe. A pace that allows for deeper connections: with cultures, with people and with oneself. Each property cultivates the art of slow luxury, celebrating exceptional craftsmanship, local sourcing, curated exclusivity, genuine encounters and cultural richness.
Now slow travel, well it is something I wish so desperately I could do more of. I guess I think of slow travel as a way of shaping my travels so that I am fulfilling peregrinations and HOPEFULLY seeking some meaning, but definitely opposed to or rather than ticking things off an itinerary. It is deliberately unhurried, and I would say an attempt to immerse myself in place and time. But fuckit, when do I actually get to do this? Well, let me tell you - never enough. Please ignore this as a “trend” - and think about it more in terms of something you actually want to do.
I am inspired by a friend - whom I adore traveling with - who says the trip starts when you leave the house. And maybe that is the essence of slow travel, start it out the gate and don’t hurry through it. Just one tiny well heeled step in front of the other. Anyway, she’s a bundle of utter joy at all times. She enjoys everything - oh a layover of 9 hours in Dallas, no problem, she’s thrilled. DFW - oh the places I will see! OH a middle economy seat flying from Rwanda to Belgium, no worries I have a “pillow” and I will sleep like a baby. Delights, Elations - look at this delicious box meal with a tiny fork and knife. She even eats slowly. While I am clobber food down my throat she takes these teensy eeeeensy bitty bites savoring every last scantling.
Actually to be fair she had a “pillow” that was sort of more like a Medieval torture device that you can put your hands in, plus your face. I would try to explain it more, but really it almost defies existence. I took one look at this thing and told her to put it back in her bag as it was offensive.
And maybe this is what slow travel is about, it’s just being in the moment. And this friend always does that. She camps in deepest Yosemite with no hiccups, she flies to South Korea with multiple stops and a sundry of delays (plus traveling with her children and in laws!) and still no issues. Oh Paris, no problem, I will sleep on a friend’s hotel sofa or share a bed no problem. She’s just game for adventure.
I mean, she’s a guru. She’s the zen master/mistress.
In fact, my husband spends time with her and then he’s guzzled her yummy delulu (as the kids say) kool aid, so he needs to see her ever-so-often to top up. I mean, it works, it’s total magic. Her lucky husband benefits endlessly.
And back to slow travel. See what I did there, I slowed us right down. A little meander down story land.
Next week we head to Hawaii for a week of culture and sun. My goal is to ensure we lallygag it as much as possible. I want to understand Hawaii better, spend time with locals and really uncover its augustness. Maybe a week isn’t enough, but it is what I have and I plan to have it smidgen by smidgen.
