VIDEO: Meet the Local Chef Bringing Greenland Fine Dining to Arctic Cruises

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If you’re thinking about an Arctic expedition cruise to experience extraordinary land and seascapes, iconic wildlife sightings, and Inuit cultural immersion… add to that list Quark Expedition's onboard Arctic fine dining experience -  a gastronomic tour de force that will open your eyes – and your palate – to an entirely new perspective on the flavors of the far north.  Quark Expeditions specializes in bucket list polar expedition cruising, and in the Arctic, it partners with Igapall, a Greenlandic collective of the next generation of Inuit chefs, to bring a fine-dining version of Arctic cuisine to guests onboard its expedition cruises. I recently had the privilege of being invited with other media, to experience their ‘Tundra to Table’ dining program for... more

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Is This the Largest, Most Expensive Cruise Ship Suite Ever?

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Regent Seven Seas Cruises has revealed the Skyview Regent Suite on the upcoming Seven Seas Prestige… and it’s the biggest – and the priciest – suite in cruise ship history! Fares for the nearly 8,800-square-foot, 2-level suite start at (!) $25,000 – per night! Regent welcomes the 822-guest Seven Seas Prestige in late 2026. The new ship marks the ultra-luxury, all-inclusive cruise line’s first new ship class in a decade, so it’s pulling out all the stops. The new class of ship is 40% larger, but with only 10% more guests. And, with 630 crew for 822 guests, a 1:1.3 crew-to-guest ratio, stellar service.  That approach of reaching for the stars applies especially to its top suite.When we say top, we mean... more

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Head for the Hills! Mexico's Coolest Mountain Towns This Summer

Story About Nayarit

Don’t fight the heat on holiday in Mexico this summer – escape it altogether! While Mexico’s coastal hotspots heat up for the summer, savvy travelers are moving up — literally — to uncover the breezy mountain escapes of the Pacific state of Nayarit. Away from the beach crowds and humid shorelines, these mountainous Magical Towns ("Pueblo Magico"), plus one volcanic lagoon, offer fresh air, cool climates, and immersive cultural experiences that make for the perfect summer hideout.With average temperatures in the comfortable low 70s, these highland havens offer a natural alternative to crowded beaches and sticky heat. Each town is rich with local culture, surrounded by impressive landscapes, and filled with welcoming residents eager to share their traditions, from hand-pressed tortillas and heritage... more

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Longest, Tallest and One-of-a-Kind: Royal Caribbean’s Newest ‘Perfect Day’ Plus New Beach Resorts

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“Bigger and bolder than anything” Royal Caribbean has done yet. That’s how the cruise line is describing Perfect Day Mexico, with never-seen-before attractions. Plus, Royal Caribbean has revealed more destination experiences on the way as it doubles down on Perfect Day and Royal Beach Club private island and beach resort cruise destinations. They’ll let cruise vacationers experience the best of Royal Caribbean's newest ships alongside shoreside adventures in Mexico, the Bahamas and the South Pacific. Perfect Day Mexico The mega-ship family cruise line debuts the latest in its ‘Perfect Day’ lineup. Perfect Day Mexico occupies 200 acres on the country’s Caribbean coast – the feature of upcoming Western Caribbean and Mexican cruise itineraries sailing from Galveston, New Orleans and all Florida homeports beginning... more

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The Best Destinations to See the “Clowns of the Sea”

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Puffins are a lot like penguins: among the most beloved, iconic and recognizable seabirds – yet occupying the opposite ends of the planet in some of the most remote regions of the Earth. So seeing either of them in the wild is a magical travel experience. Unlike tuxedoed penguins with their mostly monochrome coloring, puffins are often called the “clowns of the sea” for their vivid, almost carnival mask-like countenance that livens up their pudgy, black-and-white bodies, not to mention their endearing facial expressions. That’s not all that makes these seabirds unique.Puffin ParticularsThree Species of Puffins: We think of puffins as being residents of the North Atlantic, and the Atlantic puffin is the standard-bearer of the species. It can be found as... more

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Caviar and Other Ways this U.S. Airline is Flying High

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Competition between airlines is heating up, and a U.S.-based airline is the latest to up the ante to attract guests, especially to its premium cabins. We’ve heard lots about lavish life in the skies on some Asian and Middle Eastern airlines – now, United Airlines is giving the famously luxe airlines a taste of their own medicine. Well, a taste of caviar, actually. United Airlines is raising the bar for international premium travel among U.S. carriers. Its new 787 Dreamliners include two new styles of business class suites, Ossetra caviar, Starlink connectivity and the largest seatback screens among U.S. airlines.The new concepts for the Star Alliance group airline are part of the “United Elevated” initiative: a nose-to-tail transformation of United’s latest 787-9s... more

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Tips to Make Off-Season and Off-the-Beaten Track Travel Work for You

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It’s time to go ‘off’ travel. Yes, you read that right. Two of the smartest trends in travel are about visiting bucket list destinations when everyone else isn’t, and finding new destinations other people have yet to discover. Here’s why. OFF SEASONYour choice of travel season can make a big difference to your experience and travel budget. And the good news is that there’s more flexibility and options than ever. ‘High’ season is the historically most popular time to visit a particular destination. Or just the most popular time to travel, due to ‘non-negotiable’ travel events like school breaks and holidays. Whether or not you want to fight the crowds, risk delays caused by disruptive snowstorms, and pay through the nose, you’ll be... more

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VIDEO: Incredible Tulip Time Scenes from an Emerald River Cruise in the Netherlands

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Windmills and tulips and river cruising, oh my! Springtime serves up the most iconic sights and moments of Dutch culture – and a river cruise may be the best way to experience them all. Our Emerald river cruise sailed round trip from Amsterdam, navigating the Netherlands’ vast network of inland waterways, canals and rivers through countryside, picturesque villages and dynamic cities. We dipped into Belgium, then swung up again to complete our circuitous route back in Amsterdam. It was a celebration of spring and a hit parade of the most charming elements of Dutch culture. Windmills tie with tulips as the symbol of the country, and one of our shore excursions was to Zaanse Schans, a living museum along the river, where several... more

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Amsterdam at 750: Still the City of the Future

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In 1275, no one could ever have imagined that a simple dam on the Amstel River would become a city that pioneered so many elements of modern life in the 21st century. As Amsterdam marks ¾ of a millennium, travel lovers with 20/20 hindsight can celebrate the European capital’s contributions to shaping our world today, as well as what continues to make it a beacon for visitors. The Dutch capital marks its official start by that 13th-century document granting it city rights and allowing local residents to build a dam to manage the flow of the Amstel river without paying tolls. This pivotal moment was the foundation of transforming a tiny fishing village into a thriving urban center. And it didn’t take... more

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Celebrate Jane Austen's 250th Birthday in Britain

Story About England

If the famous line, "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife,” makes you smile affectionately and fantasize about the green pastures, elegant architecture, style and social intrigues of Regency Britain, you are not alone. For two centuries, Jane Austen’s witty, observant and kind novels have delighted readers and inspired travelers to discover the world of the author and her cast of beloved characters. This ground-breaking female author’s books still among the most-read English-language classics. And they are also among the most-adapted into film and television, engaging fans who may not even realize they are immersed in the world of Jane Austen. The 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride... more

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When is the Jamaican Rum You're Drinking Not Jamaican?

Story About Jamaica

It’s only champagne if it’s from Champagne. Ham from Parma is equally exclusive. And now, some rum producers in Jamaica are causing quite a ‘stir’– working to tighten rules that identify varieties of the Caribbean’s most famous spirit by ‘appellation’ or geographic origin. Champagne, Parma ham, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and many other foods, wine and spirits work to get these designations to protect the authenticity, heritage and production methods of a uniquely-produced regional food or drink. The appellation or GI (Geographical Indication) label verifies to buyers that the product has guaranteed qualities, characteristics and even reputation inherent to that specified region, even if made by different producers within the destination. For travelers, tasting and buying products with an appellation ensures you’ve got... more

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Norwegian Aqua has Arrived!

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Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship has arrived in North America ahead of its christening – and its Aqua Slidecoaster, the world’s first hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide, is already going viral. The latest attraction at sea features a high-speed powered launch that propels adventurous guests through one of two different courses across three decks. With dual slides, guests can have two unique experiences on this first-of-its-kind attraction. WATCH THE AQUA SLIDECOASTER VIDEO HERE! The new Norwegian Aqua is 10 percent bigger in size and capacity than her sister ships Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva. Norwegian Aqua offers activities bow-to-stern for everyone. For the guests who prefer to kick back and relax, the adults-only Vibe Beach Club provides even more space with outdoor loungers and cabanas... more

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Big Changes at the World's Most Popular Museum!

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More people visit the Louvre in Paris than any other museum in the world. The French President has announced a sweeping renovation plan for the iconic institution, to the tune of about 800 million euros over the next decade. It’s hard to believe that the last time the Louvre had a makeover was over 30 years ago! That’s when I.M. Pei’s glass pyramid was added to the courtyard to serve as the museum’s main entrance. Remember when that contemporary glass pyramid in the courtyard of the 16th-century royal palace in the heart of historic Paris was controversial? Now, next to the Eiffel Tower, it’s the most iconic view of Paris. But when that pyramid entrance was opened in 1989, it was designed for... more

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A Whole New River Cruise Destination as AmaWaterways Launches 1st Colombia Ship

Story About Colombia

AmaWaterways has debuted the AmaMagdalena, the first-ever major river cruise line ship to navigate Colombia’s Magdalena River. The launch opens a completely new cruise destination for fans of river cruising looking to add to their collection of exotic river cruises beyond Europe. With the launch, you can now cruise on AmaWaterways or other river cruise lines on the Amazon in South America, as well as Africa’s Nile and Chobe rivers, the Ganges in India, the Mekong in Vietnam, and more. About the AmaMagdalenaThe AmaMagdalena was custom-designed for river cruising on Colombia’s Magdalena River, including her intimate size, for just 60 guests. The cruise line collaborated with Colombian designers, craftspeople and woodwork specialists to bring the heart and soul of the region onboard. The... more

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What's the Castle Capital of the World... Outside Europe?

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Castles top the list of sights we want to discover when we travel. They let us walk in the very footsteps of history, where battles were won and lost and epoch-changing events took place. Castles were inhabited by history-makers and doers of deeds that became the basis for fairytales and legends that defined the romance of centuries past. As defensive fortifications, they were often extraordinary structures built in extreme landscapes, and we marvel at the ingenuity and craftsmanship that managed to perch massive castles on hilltops, the edges of cliffs, on remote islands and in other impossible places. As I describe castles, you are probably picturing Europe – those turreted, stone buildings that are central to fairytales and fantasy fiction.But Europe is... more

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