Digital Fasting: Why You Should Go Device-Free on Your Next Holiday

Digital Fasting: Why You Should Go Device-Free on Your Next Holiday

Word this summer of the introduction of the world’s first phone-free tourist resort island in Finland highlighted a growing holiday trend: digital fasting.  You read that right. Wellness travel has offered vacationers opportunities to undertake juice and other fasts on retreat trips to benefit their physical health. Now, with growing awareness of the benefits of unplugging from our devices, we could be...

What You Need to Know to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro

What You Need to Know to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro

Hiking up the tallest freestanding mountain in the world is on a lot of people’s travel bucket lists. From BFF getaways to rewarding yourself for reaching fitness goals, climbing the highest peak in Africa is the adventure of a lifetime.  Unlike other of the world’s highest peaks, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro takes endurance and a certain amount of fitness, but no specialized...

Christmas Markets, NYE, Ice World and Gala Balls: Why Visit Vienna in the Winter

Christmas Markets, NYE, Ice World and Gala Balls: Why Visit Vienna in the Winter

Don’t wait til spring or summer to visit Austria’s capital. Some of its most unique experiences take place during the frosty months, where one-of-a-kind local events warm your heart and reveal a side of Vienna you can’t see any other time of the year.   Viennese Christmas Markets:Advent, the four weeks leading up to Christmas, is a magical time in Vienna,...

These Resorts have been Named Top in the Caribbean for the 30th Time at the 30th World Travel Awards

These Resorts have been Named Top in the Caribbean for the 30th Time at the 30th World Travel Awards

30 times in 30 years. That’s an incredible vote of confidence in the resort chain named “The Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand” for the 30th time at the 30th annual World Travel Awards. It wasn’t the only win for Sandals Resorts International, either. It scored 13 more prestigious awards.  Sandals Resorts International is the parent company of two luxury, all-inclusive resort chains: couples-only Sandals...

Air France Celebrates its 90th Anniversary with - What Else? High Fashion

Air France Celebrates its 90th Anniversary with - What Else? High Fashion

Ever since it was inaugurated in October, 1933, Air France has been flying high as an international beacon of the uniquely French art of travel and art of life. 90 years later, flying to France on the airline remains the best way to become immersed in French “savoir vivre” and elegance before you even touch French soil.  Since its creation, the...

The Best Way to Experience the Most Romantic River in Europe

The Best Way to Experience the Most Romantic River in Europe

It is extraordinarily charming to cruise any of the rivers of Europe, but they call it “The Romantic Rhine” for a reason – at least three reasons! And on my most recent sailing on the Rhine on a Viking river cruise, I was reminded of why the Rhine is one of my – and many seasoned river cruisers’ – favorites.  On...

Oktoberfest on the Beach? Yes, You Can!

Oktoberfest on the Beach? Yes, You Can!

Every year, beer lovers look forward to the month that celebrates friendship over a stein of brew. The original Oktoberfest has returned full strength and has also inspired a world of imitators that look nothing like the beer tents and wooded hills of Germany’s Bavaria.  Wherever you celebrate, it’s all about the “Gemutlichkeit.” Some call it fellowship, friendliness, or even good...

New Ships Debut on Two Sensational Rivers: France’s Rhone and the Nile

New Ships Debut on Two Sensational Rivers: France’s Rhone and the Nile

More and more travelers are tuning in to the charms of river cruising through the hearts of some of the world’s most fabulous destinations. Two new ships have just debuted that will make exploring France’s fabled Rhone River and Egypt’s legendary Nile even more appealing.  VIKING ATON With the August, 2023 launch of the Viking Aton, the ocean, expedition and river cruise...

Here a Ship, There a Ship, Everywhere a New Ship

Here a Ship, There a Ship, Everywhere a New Ship

August, 2023 may go down in the cruise travel history books, with the launch of an exceptional number of new, ground-breaking ships that inspire us to take to the seas – and give us a glimpse into the direction cruise travel, design, and experiences are heading.  Five new ships sailed to sea in the first couple of weeks of the month,...

The Best Reasons to Visit Both of New Zealand’s Main Islands

The Best Reasons to Visit Both of New Zealand’s Main Islands

New Zealand consists of two main islands, the North Island and the South Island, and whether you call yourself a nature lover, adrenaline junkie, foodie, wine or culture aficionado, you’ll find reasons to visit both.  North IslandWhile New Zealand’s North Island is the smaller of the two islands, it has more people and the country’s major cosmopolitan cities, including the capital,...

You Can Join the Biggest Search for Scotland's Loch Ness Monster in Half a Century

You Can Join the Biggest Search for Scotland's Loch Ness Monster in Half a Century

Scotland’s most famous legend… may not remain a mystery for much longer. A new Loch Ness Centre at the famous lake in the Scottish Highlands is promising to unleash the biggest search for “Nessie” in over half a century. And visitors can join in the quest!  Nessie may be the biggest attraction in the Scottish Highlands that no one can prove they’ve...

Ports of Call You Can't Miss in the Eastern Mediterranean’s Newest Cruise Hub

Ports of Call You Can't Miss in the Eastern Mediterranean’s Newest Cruise Hub

The Mediterranean is full of ancient maritime cultures, but some seaside countries are just recently becoming popular cruise destinations. One up-and-coming cruise hub in the eastern end of this historic sea offers the best of Mediterranean, modern European, and Middle Eastern cultures and lifestyles. Not to mention the spiritual attractions of the home of Jewish, Christian and Islamic faiths.  And the...

Can’t-Miss Events this Fall that Celebrate Celestial Wonders

Can’t-Miss Events this Fall that Celebrate Celestial Wonders

What’s the fastest-disappearing natural phenomenon? Dark skies. As cities expand, the night skies are flooded with light, dimming our views of the complex, mystical wonders of the heavens that inspired our ancestors.  We are still fascinated by the night skies, and many of us take time on vacation to spend our evenings outdoors gazing up into the darkness and its mysteries.  Luckily,...

Tips for Visiting a Japanese Hot Spring

Tips for Visiting a Japanese Hot Spring

Japan is famous for its volcanic peaks, which also hint at a national treasure underground: geothermally-heated mineral spring waters. For longer than records have been kept, Japanese have been bathing in natural, hot spring-fed ‘onsen’ to benefit from their restorative and healing powers.  For travelers to Japan, a visit to an onsen is an essential cultural and wellness experience, but, like...

The First Caribbean Resort to Get an Ocean Pool

The First Caribbean Resort to Get an Ocean Pool

Why choose between a dip in the sea and basking in a resort pool? The Caribbean now has its first resort ocean pool that lets you do both at once.  Tapping into saltwater sources for swimming pools is not exactly new. Over a hundred years ago, seaside communities, especially in Australia and also Europe, started tapping into the ocean to provide...

Now You Can Cruise on the Tennessee River

Now You Can Cruise on the Tennessee River

Those who love – or would like to try – river cruising close to home can rejoice: there’s a new river to sail on.  In the summer of 2023, American Cruise Lines launched a new river route that explores the charming towns of America’s Tennessee Valley.  The cruise line, which operates a 17-vessel fleet of river and small ships, has dedicated three...

Explore Egypt from These 3 Four Seasons Hotels

Explore Egypt from These 3 Four Seasons Hotels

History, culture, the romance of travel and 21st century diversity all await you in the ancient destination of Egypt – home to the only remaining entry on the list of the original Seven Wonders of the World, not to mention other archaeological and architectural marvels, markets and local cuisine and lifestyle.  And you can explore Egypt’s antique wonders and modern life...

Where do Expedition Cruises Sail? And Where Will You be Able to Go Next?

Where do Expedition Cruises Sail? And Where Will You be Able to Go Next?

Many people have heard about luxury expedition cruises to the Antarctic. But there’s a whole world of expedition cruising out there you may never have heard of.  Cruise/ travel journalist and expert Lynn Elmhirst sat down with ultra-luxury cruise line Seabourn’s director of expedition development Jen Martin to dispel the myth that expedition cruises only go to Antarctica.  WATCH VIDEO ABOVE  Jen is the...

Four Places You Can Try the Newest Tropical Resort Trend

Four Places You Can Try the Newest Tropical Resort Trend

The latest craze at tropical resorts will really ‘float your boat.’ Swim up bars have become standard at many of your favorite resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico, and floating trays are the newest way to serve guests who love to hang out in the pool.  Maybe one of the best things about floating trays is that, while swim-up bars are...