As this Insider contains a lot of fantastic information - including the announcement of our new and very exciting members - I am going to keep this introduction brief. Thank you for taking the time to read our monthly updates; we greatly appreciate the support and remain always at your service. Continue reading to learn about:
Our newest members in Italy & the Indian subcontinent
Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Award Winners in our collection
What we love about the Talea Collection and why we just had to have them join us; pure, authentic and very distinctive, we are thrilled to welcome the Talea Collection to Waterstone.
Il Melograno's labyrinth of whitewashed walls and garden paths dotted with gnarled, ancient olive trees could only belong to Puglia. The first "masseria" - meaning a fortified country house typically found in Puglia - to open its doors to guests, Il Melograno is a place of simple beauty. Located outside of Monopoli, this country estate gives an authentic glimpse into the past lives of noblemen and farmworkers. Minutes away from Il Melograno is its private Tamerici Beach Club where guests can enjoy the clear blue Adriatic as it laps the shore. For further relaxation, there are two large pools on the property accompanied by their Petramare Spa full of wellness offerings intended to put guests in touch with the rhythm of the surrounding land. The essence of their Mùmmulo Restaurant, which offers authentic, local produce, is perfectly summed up by these words from the chef: "if it is not in season, it is not on the menu".
Upon arriving at La Peschiera, "blue" immediately takes over; the blue of the sea, the sky, and the property's expansive pools blend together to provoke peace and relaxation. With such a spectacular and dramatic backdrop, La Peschiera introduces nothing unnecessary; the décor they've chosen is simple and pure. Just 10 minutes from Monopoli, the hotel has a private beach and seven inviting pools with plunges and cascades to be shared between just 13 exclusive guestrooms. La Peschiera is home to the Saleblu restaurant which pairs uninterrupted sea views with sophisticated Apulian cuisine. Guests are invited to experience the Petramare Spa at Il Melograno (see above), and can do so via the resort's complimentary shuttle service.
Located in the town of Polignano a Mare, staying at Cala Ponte Hotel puts guests quite nearby Puglia's historic sights. There is also the benefit of having the hotel's privately owned marina on your doorstep which allows for unique opportunities to explore the delights of the sea. The peaceful pools, contemporary simplicity, and refreshing cocktails found at Cala Ponte Hotel provide the perfect setting to unwind after a day full of strolling stone streets and admiring 17th century architecture.
In addition, the Talea Collection offers destination touring and transfer services in their area.
Sita India's Leading Destination Management Company
If Waterstone were going to have a DMC in the Indian subcontinent, then why not choose the very finest? We could not be more pleased to welcome Sita as a new member of Waterstone. We are honored to represent Sita, a company with enormous scale and prestige.
The most awarded travel company in India, not to mention the biggest producer of luxury room nights on the subcontinent, Sitahas been in existence for over 55 years and excels in offering tailor-made travel to India, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. With a unique consultative approach and extremely personalized service, Sita strives to execute creative itineraries that reveal each destination's authentic character. Their 510+ local employees across 21 offices are wildly passionate about their locale; their willingness to go the extra mile has gained them many awards and recognition as a top achiever in the industry.
Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Award Winners
Congratulations to these Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Award winners! Each of these properties is so deserving of this award and we remain very proud to work with and represent them.
Pictured above (from left to right), the winners include:
Congratulations to Metropolitan Touring on being named South America's Leading Tour Operator 2018 by the World Travel Awards, an organization that recognizes leadership and excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry. We are very proud to work with this top DMC known for its seamlessly curated programs in Ecuador/Galapagos, Peru and Colombia.
In Luxury Travel Advisor magazine, Forte Village was highlighted in the form of a "Just Back" article written by Amie O'Shaughnessy, owner of Virtuoso agency Ciao Bambino. Click here to read about Amie's Sardinian sojourn. Forte Village was also the feature of an Insider Report interview; to view this update from their Director of Projects and Business Development, Paolo Mancuso, click here.
Recently, The K Club's Michael Davern was able to catch up with Insider Travel Report's James Shillinglaw for a quick interview. Click here to learn what makes The K Club such a special home in Ireland beyond its convenient location near Dublin Airport. Also mentioned is Straffan House - The K Club's private, 10-room home available for exclusive use which is especially perfect for large groups during the holidays - click here for more information.
This past June we took a group of advisors on a fam trip to Italy, starting at Hotel La Perla which sits among the stunning Italian Dolomites. We invite you to read about the experience (by clicking here) from the perspective of one advisor, Wendy Wood-Prince of Lake Forest Travel, who doubles as a columnist for Classic Chicago Magazine.
This inspiring interview conducted by Virtuoso Life goes behind the scenes with the highly respected owner of the Hotel Hassler Roma, Roberto Wirth. Click here to learn how Mr. Wirth shaped the hotel into the icon it is today, while simultaneously overcoming the challenges that come with being born profoundly deaf.
Upcoming Waterstone Webinars - Register Now
Off the Beaten Path: Family Travel to Italy Wednesday, November 7th at 1PM EST
For your family clients looking to experience Italy beyond the very busy cities, we recommend the following three Italian destinations: the coasts of southern Sardinia and Sanremo and the mountains of the Dolomites. Join us to find out why these destinations, along with our partners Forte Village Resort, Hotel La Perla and Royal Hotel Sanremo, shine especially when families come to stay.
Along the Tuscan Coast: An In-Depth Look at Hotel Byron & Hotel Il Pellicano Wednesday, November 28th at 12PM EST
During this webinar we will explore two icons along Tuscany's Coast - Hotel Byron in Forte dei Marmi & Hotel Il Pellicano in Porto Ercole. The General Managers at both of these properties, Salvatore Madonna & Alberto Pirozzini, respectively, are wildly supportive of the travel advisor community and fantastically passionate about their hotels. We very much look forward to hosting this webinar with them and hope you are able to join us.
