Stories

Why More and More People are Giving the Gift of Travel this Season

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Why More and More People are Giving the Gift of Travel this Season

‘Tis the season for good cheer, family togetherness and dreams coming true… and for us, that all adds up to travel. More than ever before, this may the year to give the gift of travel - to yourself or to your family. More and more people are trading in exhausting entertaining for holiday trips where you’re not the one doing all the work – instead, you’re being pampered and living your best life as you celebrate the season.Others are pulling the plug on lengthy, stressful shopping wish lists, and going all-in giving loved ones a special trip in the coming year.They’re giving themselves or their loved ones a thoughtful, heart-felt, and memorable gift they’ll cherish and remember forever. Here are some more reasons... more


The World's Top Luxury Train Journey is Closer to Home Than You Think

Story About North America
The World's Top Luxury Train Journey is Closer to Home Than You Think

The phrase ‘World’s Leading Luxury Train’ evokes images of glass-domed rail cars revealing breathtaking vistas, gliding through otherwise-inaccessible landscapes that awe pampered travelers within. It’s the romance of travel at its best – and it’s much easier to achieve than you may realize. That’s because a passenger train company rather close to home has been awarded the title of ‘World’s Leading Luxury Train’ at the latest World Travel Awards. Of all the epic train journeys in all the most incredibly scenic places in the world… Rocky Mountaineer has rolled away with the title.Based in Western Canada, Rocky Mountaineer is the largest, privately-owned upscale tourist train company in the world. It offers luxury rail journeys that showcase some of the most... more


Travel Black Friday Deals are Back!

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Travel Black Friday Deals are Back!

Travel is back! And after a couple of quiet years, so, at last, are Black Friday travel deals. If you have any thoughts of traveling in the next year or so, now’s the time to get some of the best prices on dream vacations. We’ve selected some of our favorite Black Friday travel deals to show you here, but we have plenty more on offer. And they represent some of the best pricing, perks, upgrades, terms, and bonuses you’ll find for travel this winter, into 2023 and even 2024.Whether you fancy a family beach resort vacation or romantic island getaway this winter… a European odyssey… a bucket list trip to the Galapagos, an African safari, or South Seas overwater dream escape…... more


Celebrity Beyond's "GOAT" Godmother Christens Ship; Sets it Sailing in its Inaugural Caribbean Season

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Celebrity Beyond's

Trail-blazing women is a theme of Celebrity Cruises in general, and it was a triple play at the christening of the Celebrity Beyond. The newest of Celebrity's Edge-class ships was christened by Simone Biles, nicknamed the 'G.O.A.T.,' or 'Greatest of all Time' U.S. gymnasts, in Port Everglades, Florida on November 5th. Biles is a 19-time World Champion, seven-time Olympic Medalist and most decorated American gymnast in history. In addition to the renowned godmother, the naming ceremony was also attended by Celebrity Cruises' Captain Kate McCue, who remains the first and still only American woman to be named captain of a large cruise ship.“It is an honor to be selected as Beyond’s Godmother and to join such a distinguished group of... more


3 Unique Ways to Get Active Outdoors in French St. Martin

Story About St Martin
3 Unique Ways to Get Active Outdoors in French St. Martin

The twin-nation island of St. Martin is one of the Caribbean's most popular destinations. It's the smallest place in the world divided between two countries: the south end is Dutch and the north end is French. Famous for its beaches, shopping and gastronomy, there's much more to St. Martin. Whether you're in St. Martin on a cruise ship port of call or an extended stay at a hotel or resort, we recommend you explore the wild side of French St. Martin. Here are three very different ways to enjoy its outdoors:Fort LouisGood for: sightseers, novice hikers, history buffsOne of French St. Martin's most noticeable remains of its colonial history, Fort Louis is part of a coastal string of historic naval... more


Be Among the First to Try These 4 New Luxury Resorts on Your Next Mexico Beach Vacation

Story About Mexico
Be Among the First to Try These 4 New Luxury Resorts on Your Next Mexico Beach Vacation

Mexico has some of the best beach destinations on the continent, and four new - or completely renewed - luxury resorts may inspire you to treat yourself to being one of the first guests to experience their unique ultra-luxe lifestyle – served up with Mexican hospitality.  Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya  By spring, 2023, this storied hideaway in the heart of the Riviera Maya will re-open, completely re-imagined. Nestled between 200 acres of lush tropical jungle and the secluded white sands of Mexico’s Caribbean coast, the legendary property’s renovations focus on Mayan culture, design and nature influences, with 10 new waterfront suites, a nature-focused wellness experience in partnership with Guerlain, ground-breaking sustainability initiatives and a new gastronomic era under Mexican-born Executive... more


25th Anniversary of the 'Star-chitecture' that Put this Spanish Port on the Map

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25th Anniversary of the 'Star-chitecture' that Put this Spanish Port on the Map

Coinciding with news that Spain has joined the rest of the EU in removing all pandemic entry restrictions for overseas travelers – is the 25th anniversary of a Spanish landmark that transformed modern travel. Before celebrity architect Frank Gehry, not many travelers could put their finger on Bilbao, Spain on a map. Despite being the largest city in northern Spain and its Basque country, and on the estuary into the Atlantic Ocean’s Bay of Biscay with a coastal beach culture all its own, Bilbao didn’t have the pull of Spain’s magnetic Mediterranean.But on October 18th, 1997, Frank Gehry changed all that, with the opening of his boldly-designed, ultra-modern Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.Built on derelict docklands on the riverbank at the edge of the... more


Belmond Debuting New 'Barge' for Luxury Micro-Cruises in Champagne, France

Story About La Champagne
Belmond Debuting New 'Barge' for Luxury Micro-Cruises in Champagne, France

This may be the smallest type of cruise possible. Luxury travel company Belmond is building another mini-river cruise ship. This one will sail just 6 guests through the legendary Champagne region of France.  Part of its French collection, Coquelicot, A Belmond Boat, Champagne, launches in spring of 2023. It joins a fleet of so-called ‘barges’ in France called Les Bateaux Belmond. The fleet includes intimate vessels sailing in France’s Du Midi, the Camargue, Provence, two in Burgundy, and one in Lilas.They call them 'barges,' but that word may evoke images of hauling cargo along canals and rivers. Your actual experience on the 'bateaux' couldn't be farther from that image.Belmond is the company behind the iconic Hotel Cipriani in Venice, the... more


This Airline's Unique Anniversary Collectible Celebrates Aruba's Centenary of Flight Service

Story About Aruba
This Airline's Unique Anniversary Collectible Celebrates Aruba's Centenary of Flight Service

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is marking the 103rd anniversary of its founding on October 7 with the creation and presentation of a new Delftware miniature house that is a tiny replica of a Dutch building in one of the destinations where it flies. This charming tradition provides a new addition to the dozens of miniatures that have become niche collectibles for fans of air travel and the famous Dutch porcelain.  Haven’t heard of this? Don’t take my word for it – do an online search and you’ll see what a phenomenon KLM’s Delftware miniature houses are for collectors around the world. Since the 1950s, KLM has been presenting Delftware miniature houses filled with Bols Dutch genever (the centuries-old Dutch forerunner of English gin) to its... more


There's More to Peru than Machu Picchu

Story About Peru
There's More to Peru than Machu Picchu

Peru's overwhelming claim to fame is the mystique and majesty of the ancient remains at Machu Picchu - deservedly named recently the 'South America's Leading Tourist Attraction.” But there's more to Peru than its fabled history, leading it to also earn the designation as 'South America's Leading Culinary Destination 2022' and 'Leading Cultural Destination 2022' in the region. Here are some of the reasons why:Annual Día de la Canción Criolla Celebrates Music and Dance on October 31Move over, Hallowe'en. There's a different, time-honored tradition on the last day of October in Peru. Día de la Canción Criolla (‘The Day of Creole Song’) is a performance event hosted by the Ministry of Culture every year on October 31.  The event is hosted... more


Take Flight in a Microlight Aircraft above Africa’s Victoria Falls

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Take Flight in a Microlight Aircraft above Africa’s Victoria Falls

It’s one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. A UNESCO World Heritage Site. And the world’s largest waterfall. Africa’s Victoria Falls on the Zambezi river on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe is part of the legend and mystique of a trip to southern Africa – a must-see site that awes every visitor, with columns of its spray visible across the landscape for miles. Now, there’s an even more life-changing way to experience this legendary falls – if you have a head for heights!The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel by Anantara, located right on the banks of the Zambezi River, doesn’t just provide an ideal launching pad for exploration of Victoria Falls nearby. As part of the hotel’s African... more


Another River Cruise Line to Begin Sailing on the Douro in Portugal

Story About Portugal
Another River Cruise Line to Begin Sailing on the Douro in Portugal

Douro river cruises are among the fastest-growing itineraries in European river cruising, and one river cruise line is building a new ship to join the rush to Portugal. Beginning in 2024, Avalon Waterways will be the latest river cruise line to embark on this increasingly popular route, joining Uniworld, Tauck, AmaWaterways, Scenic, Emerald Cruises and others on this western-most European river cruise route.Calling its new itinerary “a new view on the Old World,” Avalon Waterways says the new route will provide guests with “the grandest views in cruising and whim-powered itineraries to Southwestern Europe.” Avalon's new river cruise roundtrip from Porto brings guests into the heart of hillside vineyards and historic villages in this famous wine region all the way to... more


What Size Cruise Ship is Right for You?

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What Size Cruise Ship is Right for You?

If you're ‘sizing up’ your next cruise trip - whether you’ve never cruised before or you’re curious about what life’s like on different sized ships – this is essential travel information for you. It’s all about match-making, and one type of ship is going to be “just right” for your cruise travel lifestyle and preferences. An expert travel advisor can help you find your own best type of cruise ship. Hopefully, my tips here about each type of cruise ship will help you get started in discovering your own ship “sweet spot.” Big ShipsThe biggest of the big ships are aptly called ‘mega ships,’ and the world’s biggest cruise ships carry several thousand guests and thousands of crew on top of that. In... more


Get a Glimpse of Real New Zealand in the Fantasy World of the New Lord of the Rings Series

Story About New Zealand
Get a Glimpse of Real New Zealand in the Fantasy World of the New Lord of the Rings Series

Fantasy fans are heading back to Middle-earth with the release of the highly-anticipated TV series ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.’ Which means New Zealand’s real-life fantastical landscapes are taking center stage as the backdrop for the epic new series.  Of course, this isn’t the first time that film-makers have found that the unique and diverse geography of New Zealand is the nearest thing on Planet Earth to J.R.R. Tolkien’s imaginary world of Middle-earth. The country also had a starring role as the location for The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and The Hobbit. As you immerse yourself in a new Tolkien epic on screen, or re-visit past favorites, watch out for these locations on New Zealand’s North... more


7 Festivals and Events that Make Hawaii Irresistible This Fall

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7 Festivals and Events that Make Hawaii Irresistible This Fall

You may think of Hawaii as a Pacific paradise. But there’s so much more than mind-boggling sunsets over endless beaches, tropical breezes and scents, hula and ukeleles, surfing and luaus, poke and shave ice. The fall months bring some of Hawaii’s most beloved events and festivals that add new focus and memories to a trip to the islands, as well as opportunities to “malama Hawaii,” helping work to protect the islands for residents and visitors alike. As if you needed any excuse, here are seven reasons to book a trip to Hawaii this fall. MALAMA (GIVING BACK) HAWAIIIsland of Hawaii: Get hands-on in conserving the Waikoloa Dry Forest habitat. Hawaii Forest & Trailhas launched a new voluntourism program for visitors, the Maunakea Summit... more


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