Mena Tours and Travel Feed

The Cruise Line Breeding “Super Coral” and Other Good News for World Oceans Day

Mon, 15 Jun 26 19:20:40 +0000

The private island for Explora Journeys and MSC Cruises, MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, is at the forefront of a cruise-industry-wide drive to support and sustain the world’s oceans. World Oceans Day is the perfect time to share some of those stories as we reflect that nearly three-quarters of our Earth is covered in oceans. Whether you live on one of the world’s coastlines or cruise, oceans affect us all.

The water dominating the surface of our “Blue Planet,” helps regulate the entire world’s climate and weather by absorbing heat and storing carbon dioxide.

Did you know oceans produce half of the oxygen we breathe, through microscopic marine plants - phytoplankton? The heat and movement of oceans also affect weather patterns, rainfall, and temperatures that affect farming and freshwater supplies far beyond coastal regions.

As a cruise lover, I’m proud that cruising stands up for oceans and our Blue Planet.

The cruise industry has a collective goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), every new generation of cruise ship is 20% more energy-efficient than the previous class of ships. So new cruise ships are about more than new design, dining, and entertainment experiences!

If, like me, the more you cruise, the more you fall in love with and want to protect the oceans.

On World Oceans Day, we can learn more about how cruise lines are being part of the solution, the projects they are supporting and spearheading - some of which you, as a cruise guest, can participate in! - and what we as individuals can do to make a difference.

MSC Cruises / Explora Journeys / MSC Foundation

Super Coral Program – Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Bahamas

WATCH VIDEO ABOVE: Meet the marine biologist helping develop ‘Super Coral.’

The Super Coral Program is one of the cruise industry's most ambitious coral-restoration initiatives. Scientists are identifying and propagating heat-resistant strains of endangered coral to help reefs survive warming oceans. Guests visiting Ocean Cay can see coral nurseries and learn about ongoing restoration efforts.

Mission Blue Partnership

The Mission Blue Partnership is a multi-year collaboration supporting marine protected areas ("Hope Spots"), ocean literacy programs and seagrass restoration projects in the Mediterranean.

“Oceans Day powered by MSC Foundation.”

To celebrate World Oceans Day this year, it has launched “Oceans Day powered by MSC Foundation.” It’s a new onboard program for children and families combining learning, creativity and participation and helping nurture the next generation of ocean ambassadors.

The onboard program is designed around three pillars – celebrating the ocean on every cruise, placing children and families at the center of the experience, and fostering ocean literacy. It draws on the MSC Foundation’s years of collaboration with conservation and education partners, combining lessons from its restoration work at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas with the expertise of organizations such as Mission Blue and Marevivo to create immersive experiences.

Viking Expeditions

Science Lab Program

Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris were designed as working research vessels with onboard wet and dry laboratories. Scientists sail alongside guests conducting research in polar regions, the Great Lakes and other sensitive ecosystems.

Genomics at Sea Program (GASP)

In partnership with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the J. Craig Venter Institute, Viking supports onboard environmental DNA (eDNA) sequencing to study marine biodiversity and monitor ecosystem health through its Genomics at Sea Program.

Fjord Phyto Citizen Science Program

Guests help collect phytoplankton samples for NASA-supported research. Phytoplankton produce roughly half of Earth's oxygen and are critical indicators of ocean health.

Great Lakes Research Partnerships

Viking's expedition ships support freshwater science, biodiversity monitoring and water-quality research throughout the Great Lakes—an important reminder that protecting waterways extends far beyond oceans.

WATCH VIDEO: Highlights of a Great Lakes Cruise on Viking with Scientists and Guest-included Research

HX (formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions)

Citizen Science Program

Widely considered the gold standard in expedition cruise citizen science. Guests can participate in collecting water samples, recording wildlife sightings, monitoring marine debris and supporting climate research.

HX Foundation

Supports projects focused on marine biodiversity, plastic pollution reduction, conservation education and community initiatives in destinations visited by expedition ships.

Ponant

Ponant Science Foundation

Funds scientific research and biodiversity studies and brings researchers on board the fleet in remote marine environments including Antarctica, the Arctic and Pacific islands.

Ponant and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) recently unveiled new initiatives to protect polar environments. Their enhanced partnership introduces:

The Polar Ocean Image Collection: A collaboration with WHOI and The Ocean Agency, this open-access bank provides non-commercial, media-quality images to scientists, educators, and journalists to raise awareness about rapidly changing cryospheric regions.
AI-enabled Whale Spotter Cameras and autonomous sensors on board ships to study remote sea ice and protect marine wildlife from vessel strikes.

Adelie Penguins, Antarctica image: Alexandre Herbrecht, Studio PONANT / Ocean Image Bank

Royal Caribbean Group

WWF Global Ocean Conservation Partnership

Royal Caribbean Group, the parent company of Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea, has a partnership with the renowned World Wildlife Fund supporting sustainable tourism, destination stewardship, responsible seafood sourcing, ocean conservation projects and environmental education.

World Wildlife at Sea

An onboard ocean education program, developed with WWF, helps guests better understand marine ecosystems and conservation challenges.

Celebrity Cruises

Galápagos Conservation Projects

Celebrity's Galápagos operations support a variety of conservation initiatives in partnership with the local community and the Galápagos National Park. Efforts have included giant tortoise restoration, invasive species management and habitat protection.

Cunard

ORCA Marine Mammal Monitoring Program

Passengers and trained volunteers help collect whale, dolphin and porpoise sighting data for the UK marine conservation charity ORCA. Decades of observations have contributed to marine mammal research and protection efforts.

Lindblad Expeditions/ Nat Geo

National Geographic-Lindblad Conservation Fund

Supports marine conservation, scientific research and habitat protection in destinations including Antarctica, Alaska and the Galápagos.

Research and Scientist-in-Residence Programs

Scientists frequently travel aboard Lindblad ships, conducting field research and engaging guests in ongoing conservation projects.

Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship

This program gives pre-K–12 educators the opportunity to sail on board ships to participate in field-based exploration, providing a transformative, real-world experience that teachers can bring back to their classrooms, schools, and communities, improving geographic literacy and awareness.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings

Coral Reef and Mangrove Restoration Projects

Through destination partnerships and sustainability programs, Norwegian's brands—including Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises—have participated in coral reef, mangrove and coastal restoration initiatives in destinations throughout the Caribbean and elsewhere.

Cruise travel is a choice and a privilege, and we hope cruise travelers will support cruise lines and projects that make a difference to preserve, sustain, and protect the vast oceans that inspire us to travel and sustain the planet.

START YOUR CRUISE TRIP!

Videos and story: Lynn Elmhirst, cruise/ travel journalist

Images courtesy of respective cruise lines or as noted

Scotland's Greatest Summer Spectacle: the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Mon, 15 Jun 26 19:19:58 +0000

Every August, something remarkable happens on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. The ancient fortress, perched atop the craggy remnants of a volcano in the center of Scotland’s capital city, becomes the backdrop for one of the world's most moving and evocative live performances: the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Not ‘That’ Kind of Tattoo

Don’t let the name fool you. There’s no ink involved! The word "tattoo" comes from a 17th-century Dutch military phrase “doe den tap toe,” meaning "turn off the taps"—a specific theme played by drummers in towns near barracks, signalling bartenders to stop serving and soldiers to abide by curfew. Scottish mercenaries took the term home, morphing it into referring tomilitary evening ceremonies with displays of music, marching, and pageantry of massed bands of bagpipes and drums played by Scots in full Highland military regalia.

Edinburgh turned the historic tradition of tattoos into an international phenomenon and spectacle that still today takes your breath away – and transports you to ancient Highland Scots culture.

I’ve always been moved by bagpipes and loved how the sight of a kilt or tartan reminded me of my Scottish ancestry.

But you don’t need even one drop of Scottish blood in your family tree to be pulled into another time, life and place at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Goosebumps

It’s the setting as much as the pipes and drums.

As the sun sets over Scotland's capital, the floodlit walls of Edinburgh Castle tower above tiered grandstands on the castle’s ramped esplanade, built specifically for the event. Massive torches flicker in the wind.

The castle isn't merely a backdrop; it's a character in the show, and a virtual time machine for everyone in attendance. Pipes echo off the stone ramparts, and kilts snap around knees. If you know your tartans, in your head, you start naming the clans and regiments represented.

Precision Scottish military bands aren’t the only ones marching across the parade ground. Every year, dancers, drummers, singers, and cultural performers from around the world are invited to Edinburgh to complement Scottish culture with dramatic international color. Think equestrian regiments from North Africa galloping in formation. Or precision rifle drill teams from elite American military units.

Alongside storied projection mapping, lighting effects, lasers, and fireworks that add contemporary showmanship without diminishing the Tattoo’s historic roots.

And just when you think there’s nothing more majestic than massed pipes and drums making the earth vibrate under your feet ….

The Tattoo draws to an end with a lone piper appearing on the battlements next to a single torch that extinguishes as the last note fades into the wind and the hair on the back of your neck rises.

Tattoo Tips for Travelers

The three-week Tattoo is perfectly timed for summer visitors to Scotland. It takes place during Edinburgh's famed August festival season, sharing the city with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the Edinburgh International Festival, and a host of other cultural events.

By day, explore the medieval Old Town, Georgian New Town, museums, whisky bars, and literary landmarks. By night, join thousands of spectators climbing Castle Hill for the Tattoo.

Travel tips:

Book early. The best seats often sell months in advance. We were lucky to be cruising in Scotland, and the Tattoo was an included shore experience with VIP seating, so our seats had already been secured. A cruise line or a tour operator books blocks of often the best seats in advance; another reason to let someone else take care of your travel details!
Dress for Scottish weather, which can change dramatically even during a single performance! The Tattoo is famously a rain-or-shine event.

In a world overflowing with festivals, the Edinburgh Tattoo remains genuinely unique. Part concert, part military tradition, part deeply meaningful Scottish cultural touchstone, and part theatrical spectacle, it is one of those rare travel experiences that moves you to the point of goosebumps and remains at the top of your memory for years to come.

START YOUR TRIP!

Images: Lynn Elmhirst, cruise/ travel journalist

The Natural Thrills of Costa Rica

Mon, 15 Jun 26 19:19:14 +0000

If you want the focus of your vacation to be an authentic immersion into raw nature, put Costa Rica on your list of outdoor adventure destinations. This Central American country is one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth. In a territory roughly the size of the state of Vermont, it contains nearly 6% of the world’s known species!

Even more amazing is that over 25% of Costa Rica – from its cloud forests and rainforests to volcanoes, mangroves, and coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea – is protected through a network of national parks, wildlife refuges, and conservation areas. A global model for conservation and sustainable tourism through decades of early vision and environmental leadership, including large-scale reforestation and ecotourism initiatives.

Embrace Your Wild Side

Immerse yourself in nature and push your physical limits in adrenaline-fueled expeditions like these:

White Water Rafting on the Pacuare River:

Often ranked among the world’s best rafting rivers, the Pacuare delivers 18 miles of heart-pounding rapids (Class III–IV) in just one day, through a lush, untouched rainforest. Also, with 52 rapids in a single day trip and sights like the towering Huacas waterfall, this is an unforgettable ride packed with natural beauty and pure excitement.

Catching Waves:

Witch’s Rock, located in Santa Rosa National Park, is famous for its powerful A-frame wave that breaks both left and right. Best accessed by boat, this remote surf spot offers consistent conditions, especially when southwest swells meet northeast winds. For those chasing one of the longest left-hand breaks in the world, Pavones is also a must. Tucked along the southern Pacific coast, it delivers legendary rides during Green Season swells.

Mountain Biking:

Explore the rugged beauty of Arenal’s rainforest on two wheels through trails deep within the jungle, zooming through farmlands, river crossings, and mud roads, while even getting to witness epic volcano views and the beautiful Lake Arenal. Whether you're up for short slope casual riding or tackling Arenal 1968's high-intensity downhill tracks with dramatic curves, this region offers challenging terrain and excitement.

Volcano and Cave Exploration:

Costa Rica's most active volcanic region offers a different kind of adrenaline. Hike through steaming fumaroles, bubbling mud pots, and volcanic landscapes before descending into lesser-known lava tube formations and caves created by past eruptions. The terrain combines geology, wildlife, and adventure, with opportunities for rugged backcountry trekking far from the country's more visited attractions.

Extreme Canyoning:

Canyoneering just outside La Fortuna is a full-body adventure through Costa Rica’s wild rainforest terrain. Rappel down waterfalls up to 200 feet in height, scramble up and down rocky cliffs, and leap into pristine deep canyon pools—some cliffs from as high as 40 feet. Prepare for a packed itinerary full of adrenaline-fueled experiences that blend challenges with panoramic scenic views.

Sea Kayaking and Bioluminescence Paddling:

For an adventure that unfolds after dark, paddle through mangrove channels and protected coastal waters in the Gulf of Nicoya, where microscopic organisms create glowing blue trails in the water with every stroke of your paddle. Night kayaking trips combine wildlife spotting, navigation by starlight, and the rare chance to witness one of nature's most remarkable phenomena.

TIP:

Look for reputable, accredited operators for the best advice and experienced guides that ensure you optimize the timing and safety of your adventure for the thrill of a lifetime.

As you’ll hear time and time again in Costa Rica: “Pura Vida!” or “Pure Life!” The unofficial national motto and mindset: the value of spending time outdoors, connecting with nature, prioritizing family and community, simplicity and a positive outlook.

It’s the perfect call to an adventure in the extraordinary embrace of Costa Rica.

START YOUR TRIP!

Images: Visit Costa Rica

Gaudí at 100: Barcelona's Most Famous Architect "Raising the Roof" of the City

Mon, 15 Jun 26 19:18:58 +0000

One hundred years after his death, Antoni Gaudí remains impossible to separate from Barcelona.

The Catalan architect died on June 10, 1926, one of the most defining architects of any era, tragically struck down by a tram. A century later, his extraordinary buildings are not only the city's most recognizable landmarks, but they have also become symbols of Barcelona itself. For most travelers, a first visit to the Catalan regional capital is as much about discovering Gaudí as it is about experiencing Spain.

Celebrating the Centenary: Momentous Milestone for Sagrada Familia

Throughout 2026, Barcelona is hosting a year-long program of events commemorating the architect's life and legacy with exhibitions, concerts, cultural programs, special tours, and commemorative events across the city.

The centrepiece of the anniversary is a milestone in the long story of the Sagrada Família, Gaudí’s masterpiece towering over Barcelona.

The basilica that is the greatest legacy of the architect is still being built. Construction on Sagrada Familia began in 1882. And although Sagrada Familia will not be fully completed until well into the next decade, it has already achieved UNESCO World Heritage designation.

In death, Gaudí remains with his life’s work. He is buried beneath the nave.

The 100th anniversary of his passing was commemorated on June 10, 2026, by the inauguration of the completed Tower of Jesus Christ, now the tallest church tower in the world.

It was a celebration for the ages, with Pope Leo XIV traveling to Barcelona, joining the King and Queen of Spain and other dignitaries for a commemorative Mass celebrating Antoni Gaudí, and inaugurating the Tower of Jesus Christ.

A cross that reaches the sky above Barcelona

The completion of the 172.5-meter (568-foot) tower fulfills one of Gaudí's most ambitious visions.

The Tower of Jesus Christ is the central tower of the Sagrada Família tower grouping, and the last one to be completed. It is surrounded by the four towers of the Evangelists and the tower of the Virgin Mary. It has 12 faces. The tower is topped with a three-dimensional four-armed cross, which itself is 17 meters (55 feet) tall and 13.5 meters (44 feet) wide.

Gaudí wanted the cross to shine both day and night. So it features white enameled ceramic and glass, two shiny materials that reflect the vivid Barcelona sun (and can also stand up to exposure to the elements). Spotlights will ensure the cross continues to be a beacon throughout the nights.

Inside, the church remains one of Europe's most phenomenal interiors. Gaudí designed the soaring columns to resemble a forest canopy, with stained glass creating an ever-changing play of light throughout the day.

The ceremonies were an exceptional tribute to the architect and his dream of building a temple conceived as a ‘great stone Bible,’ where art and architecture share with the world the values that inspired the basilica: faith, culture, nature, spirituality and the pursuit of beauty.

The Architect Who Became Barcelona

Gaudí's significance extends far beyond architecture. His work helped shape modern Catalan identity and became one of the defining expressions of Catalonia's artistic and cultural confidence at the turn of the twentieth century.

Inspired by nature, religion, geometry, and local craftsmanship, he rejected conventional architectural rules and created a style that remains instantly recognizable and completely unique today. Sagrada Familia is just one of seven of his works that have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Many cities are known for their architecture. Barcelona is unusual because one architect's vision became inseparable from the city's identity. Gaudí buildings are often the first images travelers associate with Barcelona.

The Essential Gaudí Sites

For first-time visitors to Barcelona, four landmarks form the core of any Gaudí itinerary:

Sagrada Família — Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece and Barcelona's most visited attraction.
Park Güell — A whimsical landscape of colorful mosaics, organic forms, and panoramic city views.
Casa Batlló — The architect's fantasy-like reinterpretation of an urban townhouse.
Casa Milà (La Pedrera) — Famous for its flowing stone façade and sculptural rooftop chimneys.

Together, they showcase the architect's mature style and his extraordinary ability to blur the boundaries between architecture, art, fantasy and nature.

Why Gaudí Still Matters

The anniversary gives us the opportunity to celebrate Gaudí's greatest achievement - the extraordinary, unparalleled Sagrada Familia - AND that his legacy was not that single building. Many destinations have famous architects and landmark structures.

Gaudí created a visual language so distinctive and even other-worldly that it became the visual and cultural identity of an entire city.

Just one hundred years after his death, a 2000-year-old city can’t be imagined without the vision and cultural signature Gaudí imprinted on this Mediterranean coastal city.

START YOUR TRIP!

Top images from video courtesy of Sagrada Familia

Bottom Image and story: Lynn Elmhirst, cruise/ travel journalist and expert

30% Off Plus Pre-Cruise Hotel, Air Offers on Crystal Cruises

Mon, 15 Jun 26 19:18:16 +0000

Only until July 31: Ultra-luxury Crystal Cruises is extending its Exceptional Savings Offer of up to 30% off – and it’s combinable with Crystal’s ‘More in the Med’ hotel offer or their ‘Caribbean Included Air’ Offer!

ASK US HOW TO MAXIMIZE THE VALUE OF YOUR NEXT CRYSTAL CRUISE!

Book by July 31 to Save

Exceptional Savings Offer:

Save up to 30% off eligible 2026, 2027, and 2028 voyages

Featured itineraries included in this offer:

Lisbon – Barcelona, 7 Nights: Aug 14, 2026 - Aug 21, 2026 aboard Crystal Serenity
Barcelona - Civitavecchia (Rome), 9 Nights: Aug 21, 2026 - Aug 30, 2026 aboard Crystal Serenity
Fusina (Venice) - Piraeus (Athens), 7 Nights: Sep 8, 2026 - Sep 15, 2026 aboard Crystal Serenity
Lisbon – Lisbon, 6 Nights: Oct 11, 2026 - Oct 17, 2026 aboard Crystal Serenity

For even more benefits, combine Exceptional Savings with other Crystal Cruises offers!

Caribbean Included Air

Get an air credit of up to $6,000 when you book your flights through Crystal, or up to $4,000 cruise credit if you arrange your own flight;
Available on select 2026 Americas & Caribbean voyages;
Guests booking Crystal air will receive up to USD $1,500/CAD $3,000 per person. Book your own air and receive an air credit of up to USD$1,000/CAD$2,000 per person, applied towards either your cruise booking or airport transfers.

Book by July 31, 2026.

More About Crystal

For more than three decades, Crystal has been synonymous with exceptional, award-winning voyages. In 2022, AKTG (Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group) acquired the Crystal brand and its two vessels, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, ushering in a new era of being ‘Exceptional at Sea’ following a $170 million refurbishment of the two ships. The globally renowned cruise line offers discerning travelers industry-leading, authentic, and enriching experiences both onshore and at sea. Crystal’s pioneering partnership with Abercrombie & Kent provides guests with unparalleled access to the most sought-after experiences and destinations around the world. The reimagined ships boast larger, updated suites with artisanal finishes, and almost one crew member per guest.

With a legacy of unrivalled service and commitment to sophistication and elegance at every touchpoint, once onboard, guests feel as if they are perfectly at home.

Crystal is home to the first-ever Casino de Monte-Carlo at sea as part of an exclusive partnership with Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM), and world-class dining includes Umi Uma, the only dining experience at sea by chef Nobu (Nobuyuki Matsuhisa), and the only Beefbar on the ocean, a collaboration with visionary restaurateur Riccardo Giraudi, and a specially curated Osteria d’Ovidio menu by three-time Michelin-starred Italian chef Massimiliano and celebrated restaurateur Raffaele Alajmo. The ships also feature cutting-edge wellness at the Aurōra Spa, and spectacular entertainment including Broadway-standard shows.

*** Images courtesy of Crystal Cruises

*** Terms & Conditions apply; ask us for full offer, itinerary, date and pricing details

Travel to Scotland and Ireland with Brendan Vacations and Save

Mon, 15 Jun 26 19:17:48 +0000

For a limited time, this Celtic travel-focused company is making booking your next trip to Ireland and Scotland even easier with hundreds of dollars in savings on 2026 and 2027 tours across all the company’s travel styles.

Book one of Brendan Vacations’ Ireland or Scotland trips, including Guided Vacations, Small Group Tours, and independent trip itineraries, and save during their summer promotion.

CONTACT US TODAY

AND

LET US HELP YOU FIND YOUR PERFECT CELTIC TRIP AND TRAVEL STYLE!

2027 Savings on Classic Guided Tours

Travelers can save 10% on select Signature and Premium Guided Tours in 2027, including a dedicated expert Travel Director, transportation, curated accommodations, and immersive sightseeing experiences.

The Early Booking Advantage offers travellers first access to the widest selection of 2027 departures with the best pricing and more flexibility to coordinate travel arrangements and runs through September 30, 2026. On-sale itineraries include:

Highlights of Ireland and Scotland (Signature): An 11-day tour from Dublin to Edinburgh covering the best of both countries, from the Giant's Causeway and the Ring of Kerry to the Scottish Highlands, historic castles, and scenic lochs.
Ireland's Icons (Premium): A 10-day round-trip journey from Dublin covering Ireland's most storied regions, including the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry, Connemara, Kylemore Abbey, and a “MAKE TRAVEL MATTER” Experience at Powerscourt Gardens.

Small Group Tours

On Brendan Vacations’ new Small Group Tours, travellers can save USD 500 per person ($650 CAD) on 2026 and 2027 departures limited to 18–24 guests.

This intimate style pairs premium accommodations, including select castle stays, with deep local connections and at least one “MAKE TRAVEL MATTER” Experience per itinerary. New itineraries include:

Scotland at Leisure: An eight-day journey from Edinburgh through the Scottish Highlands, combining sea crossings to Iona, the famous landscapes of Glencoe and the Isle of Skye, and immersive local experiences including whisky tasting and Harris Tweed craft.
Extraordinary Ireland: A 12-day circular journey tracing Ireland's story from Dublin's Georgian squares and Galway's cobbled streets to the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry, the Giant's Causeway, and the walled city of Derry/Londonderry.

Flexible Travel Styles

For travelers seeking freedom to explore at their own pace, Brendan Vacations’ flexible independent travel options combine personalized planning with on-the-ground support and trusted local expertise:

Self-Drive & Rail Vacations:

Travelers save hundreds depending on the total price of your independent curated scenic itinerary by car or rail, with hand-picked accommodations and seamless logistical coordination.

Ireland Coast to Coast (Self-Drive): A fully flexible journey through Ireland's most iconic landscapes, from the medieval streets of Kilkenny and the Cliffs of Moher to the charm of Killarney and Dromoland Castle.
Scotland's Festive Adventure (Rail, NEW): A nine-day winter rail journey through Edinburgh, Inverness, and Glasgow, taking in Christmas markets, whisky experiences, snow-dusted Highlands, and Scotland's festive seasonal charm.

Private Driver & Luxury Self-Drive Vacations:

Travelers save hundreds depending on the total price of your independent itinerary, which can combine customized routing, accommodations from Catherine’s Collection, and expert support with private drivers or luxury vehicles.

Irish Cities, Landscapes & Castles (Private Driver): A fully flexible journey through Ireland's contrasts, from Dublin and the ancient monastic site of Glendalough to the Ring of Kerry and a stay at Dromoland Castle.
Scotland's Highlands and Hidden Roads (Luxury Self-Drive): A ten-day journey through Scotland's Highlands, sparkling lochs, and charming villages, with the freedom to explore independently in a premium vehicle with accommodations from Catherine's Collection.

Brendan’s Every Season Sale is valid on select 2026 and 2027 Small Group Tours and independent departures and must be booked by July 31, 2026.

The Early Booking Advantage is valid on select 2027 Guided Vacation departures and must be booked by September 30, 2026. All offers are subject to availability at the time of booking, so book early to get your choice of date and trip!

*** Images courtesy of Brendan Vacations

*** Terms & Conditions apply; ask us for full offer, itinerary, pricing and date details.

Personalized Golf Cruises on Hapag-Lloyd

Mon, 15 Jun 26 19:11:46 +0000

Golf & Cruise voyages from Hapag-Lloyd Cruises combine international golf destinations with the comfort of the luxury ships and exclusive travel experiences, now with even more personalization.

In addition to the specially designed Golf & Cruise voyages, guests can add individual golf packages on all EUROPA and EUROPA 2 sailings. Options range from introductory lessons and advanced training programs to customized golf arrangements tailored to specific destinations and stages of a cruise. Onboard golf simulators allow guests to practice during sea days, while video analysis and year-round PGA professional support help players refine their technique.

Golf & Cruise: bookable on select cruises before departure

Selected Golf & Cruise voyages visit exceptional golf destinations around the world and are accompanied by renowned PGA professionals who assist guests both onboard and ashore. Destinations range from tropical rainforest courses to spectacular coastal fairways.

Alongside rounds on carefully selected courses, guests benefit from personalized coaching, simulator sessions, and training designed to improve their game.

Golf & Cruise package

The package includes PGA professional support, green fees, driving range warm-ups, transfers and logistics, trolleys or carts (subject to availability), presentations, training sessions with video analysis, luggage and club service, shoe cleaning, welcome events, golf gifts, and an exclusive dinner with the PGA professional.

Bespoke golf arrangements available on all cruises

Guests can also enjoy golf throughout any EUROPA or EUROPA 2 sailing with flexible options, including:

Golf taster package – introductory instruction for beginners (2 x 50-minute sessions, €169)
Golf training package – six coaching sessions designed to improve technique for all ability levels (€249 per person)
Golf à la carte – customized golf experiences including tee-time reservations, transfers, equipment logistics, and optional on-course coaching
Golf excursions ashore – small-group golf outings organized and led by the onboard PGA professional

Example Hapag-Lloyd Golf & Cruise voyages in 2027 and 2028

The charm of the Canary Islands meets oriental magic: golf pro Stefan Quirmbach

This 12-day voyage from Mallorca to Tenerife combines exceptional golf destinations in southern Spain and North Africa, concluding on the volcanic island of La Gomera. Accompanied by Stefan Quirmbach, President of the PGA of Germany, guests will enjoy play on carefully selected courses throughout the journey.

October 25– November 6, 2027

PLATINUM fare from €5,990 per person (double occupancy, early booking discount applies).

Golf package: Four courses, €1,890 per person.

A colorful start to the year on distant shores: golf pro André Sallmann

This 12-day sailing from Colombo to Singapore showcases premier golf destinations in Sri Lanka and Malaysia. Highlights include courses overlooking the Indian Ocean, rainforest fairways, and championship layouts designed by some of golf’s most respected names. The voyage is accompanied by André Sallmann, a former professional golfer and coach with Golf Team Germany.

PLATINUM fare from €5,020 per person (double occupancy, early booking discount applies).

Golf package: Three courses, €1,890 per person.

About Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is the leading luxury and expedition cruise brand in German-speaking markets. Its five small ships are the only fleet worldwide awarded the highest five-star rating by Insight Guides 2025. Since 2020, the brand has been part of TUI Cruises GmbH, a joint venture between TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

The entire fleet is now fully bilingual, offering all sailings in both English and German.

*** Image: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

*** Terms & Conditions apply; ask us for full itinerary, date and pricing details.

Early Booking Savings Up to 18% on 2027 Riverside Luxury Cruises

Mon, 15 Jun 26 19:11:21 +0000

Europe’s newest and most luxurious river cruise line is offering bonuses for advance booking of its distinctive vacations on the Rhine, Rhône, Danube, Moselle, and Main rivers in 2027.

The earlier you book next year’s cruise, the more you save!

Early Booking Discounts for Riverside Luxury Cruises Departing in 2027:

18% discount for all bookings made by June 30, 2026
15% discount for all bookings made between July 1, 2026 and February 28, 2027
10% discount for all bookings made between March 1 and May 31, 2027

Inclusive Luxury on Europe’s Rivers

Riverside Luxury Cruises has been recognized as the top luxury river cruise line, and for multiple years in a row, for Best Dining on river cruises.

The all-suites Riverside Mozart, Riverside Ravel, and Riverside Debussy offer the largest average river cruise suite size, all with king-size beds, the highest staff-to-guest ratio, and up to five onboard restaurants.

Enjoy butler service in every suite; gourmet cuisine made with high-quality, fresh ingredients prepared a la minute; included premium wines and spirits; complimentary StarLink broadband Wi-Fi; unlimited shore excursions to immerse in Europe’s history, cultures and landmarks; prepaid gratuities; and complimentary ground transfers.

Guests can choose active tours from a menu of Riverside Choice excursions; take out a pedal- or e-bike, stored on board, for self-guided exploration; and bask in a rejuvenating treatment in the onboard FEHI Spa.

On all itineraries, the ships stay late or overnight in some of Europe’s most captivating towns and cities, so guests can immerse themselves in authentic cultures and the destination’s social life.

Throughout, every member of Riverside’s exceptional staff and crew delivers intuitive and personalized service for an all-inclusive and luxurious experience.

Flexible / Modular Itinerary Schedules: Build Your Own Cruise!

While many river cruise lines structure itineraries in fixed weekly or 7-day blocks on busy Saturday-Saturday schedules, Riverside offers sailings of three, four and five nights that can easily be added to other vacation plans along with the classic seven-night itineraries. Longer sailings are also available, ranging from 10 all the way to 23 nights.

This flexible, modular structure allows guests to tailor their river cruise to their travel plans, choosing the sailing length, departure days and embarkation cities that best suit their itinerary. This unique arrangement makes it easy for guests to combine their land vacations with an amazing luxury sojourn on some of Europe’s best rivers.

The approach also opens a wider range of embarkation and debarkation possibilities – and flexible flight dates - along Europe’s rivers.

***Images: Riverside Luxury Cruises

*** Terms & Conditions apply; ask us for full offer, itinerary, date and pricing details.

Why Travelers are Following the Trail of South Africa’s Oldest Vineyards

Fri, 15 May 26 19:57:43 +0000

For wine travelers, South Africa’s Old Vine Project has transformed a tasting trip through the Cape winelands into a journey through living wine history.

Across the Western Cape, the tell-tale shapes of gnarled old bush vines — some planted decades ago — are now among the country’s most compelling travel experiences. Visitors in the know increasingly come not just to taste wine, but to stand among vineyards that survived turbulent decades of drought, shifting wine fashions, and the global race toward high-yield commercial wine production.

The Champion of South Africa’s Old Vines

At the center of this movement is Rosa Kruger, the South African viticulturist widely credited with helping save the country’s heritage vineyards.

I had the privilege of meeting Rosa at an event hosted by the Wines of South Africa, where she recounted her quest to rediscover, document, and preserve the country’s oldest vines. A tasting confirmed they were worth the effort – and visiting those wineries nurturing and making wine from these small and precious vineyards should be on every oenophile’s list of travel goals.

In the early 2000s, Kruger began traveling through the Cape searching for forgotten old vineyards. At the time, many were at risk of being uprooted because older vines naturally produce lower yields and were often seen as economically inefficient. Kruger believed exactly the opposite: that these mature vineyards represented some of South Africa’s greatest wine treasures.

The Old Vine Project

Her work eventually led to the formal launch of the Old Vine Project (OVP) in 2016. The project’s mission is to identify, preserve, and promote vineyards older than 35 years while creating financial incentives for growers to keep them alive rather than replacing them with younger, higher-yielding vines better suited to mass, commercial wine production.

The result has been transformative — not only for South African wine, but for wine travel.

South Africa did not invent the idea of old vines. European wine regions have revered ancient vineyards for centuries, and wineries in France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy long marketed “old vine” wines. Spain and Portugal, in particular, still have vineyards significantly older than many in South Africa.

What South Africa has done — arguably more influentially — has been to turn old vines from romantic wine marketing into a globally respected preservation movement.

Groundbreaking Initiative Preserving Ancient Vineyards

South Africa debuted the first nationally organized certification and preservation movement dedicated specifically to identifying, registering, protecting and commercially promoting old vineyards across an entire wine-producing country.

Before the South African model, “old vine” was often vague marketing language with no formal definition. One producer’s old vines might be 20 years old; another’s 80. The Old Vine Project introduced traceable vineyard records and a formal “Certified Heritage Vineyards” seal for vineyards older than 35 years, helping establish credibility and authenticity.

Global Impact

The idea resonated far beyond the Cape winelands.

For decades, many growers saw old vines as liabilities because they yield fewer grapes. The Old Vine Project helped flip that thinking. Lower yields could mean greater concentration, texture, and personality — wines distinctive enough to command premium prices and inspire wine lovers to travel halfway around the world to taste them.

Its impact can now be seen in the Old World and the New World, where wineries are embracing, codifying, and preserving their own oldest vines.

Kruger herself has become one of the most respected figures in global wine. In 2022, she became the first South African inducted into Decanter’s Hall of Fame.

Redefining Regional Wines and Wine Travel

The movement reshaped South Africa’s wine identity. For years, the country was associated with inexpensive bulk wine. The rediscovery of old Chenin Blanc, Cinsault, Semillon, Palomino, and Grenache vineyards helped fuel a premium wine renaissance centered on authenticity, terroir, and heritage.

In the glass, old vines often deliver wines with extraordinary texture, concentration, and sense of place.

For visitors planning a Cape winelands itinerary, the Old Vine Project has created a heritage wine route through some of South Africa’s most compelling vineyard landscapes: a quest that is part wine tasting, part road trip, part treasure hunt.

START YOUR TRIP!

Story and event images: Lynn Elmhirst, travel journalist and expert

Top image: Getty

Opera by the Sea: Where World-Class Music Meets the Waterfront

Fri, 15 May 26 19:57:28 +0000

The world’s waterfronts are undergoing incredible transformations, from no-go industrial sites to revitalized centers of urban lifestyle and community living. Increasingly, the centerpiece of that renaissance… is a landmark, architectural marvel music hall.

Often labeled ‘opera houses,’ these venues are the opposite of stuffy, formal halls that host exclusively traditional performances. Sitting directly on the water, these new icons of modern culture embrace the ebb and flow of the waves they overlook: relaxed and connected to the city around them. Ferries arrive nearby. Locals keep waterfront promenades bustling. Visitors come for the architecture as much as the performances that embrace modern, accessible and widely-interpreted versions of anything and everything musical.

And make the most of exceptional technology and acoustics.

These four venues have become defining landmarks not only because of what happens inside, but because of where they are built.

Sydney: The Harbor Landmark That Started it All

Few buildings are more recognizable worldwide than the Sydney Opera House. Its sail-like roofline rising above Sydney Harbour has become one of the defining images of Australia.

Since its opening in 1973, it has become one of the world’s busiest performing arts venues, hosting opera, symphony concerts, theater, comedy, and contemporary music.

Sitting beside the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the opera house is woven into the daily rhythm of the harbor. Travelers can arrive by ferry, walk the waterfront before a performance, or simply enjoy the outdoor restaurants overlooking the water.

Architectural tours are hugely popular, and many visitors experience the building without attending a formal performance at all. Projections on the exterior reflect cultural touchpoints, from Olympics, to indigenous culture, to ecofriendly themes.

Oslo: An Opera House for the People

The Oslo Opera House helped transform Oslo’s waterfront when it opened in 2008.

Built directly on the edge of the Oslofjord, the white marble structure appears to rise from the water. Its most unusual feature is the roof, which slopes to ground level so visitors can walk all over it.

That decision changed how people interact with the building. Locals use it as a public gathering place as much as a cultural venue. In summer, people picnic there and watch the sunset over the fjord. In winter, the stark white architecture stands out dramatically against dark Nordic skies.

Inside, the opera house is home to the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet. The warm wood interiors create a striking contrast with the minimalist exterior.

The building also reflects modern Oslo itself — a city where outdoor life and contemporary culture live side by side. Visitors can spend the afternoon kayaking or using the city’s floating saunas before attending an evening ballet or concert.

Hamburg: A Concert Hall Above the Port

The Elbphilharmonie Hamburg quickly became Hamburg’s modern symbol when it debuted in 2017. (pictured, top)

Built above a historic brick warehouse in the city’s harbor district, the glass structure resembles waves rising over the River Elbe, transforming the city’s waterfront.

The venue is known for exceptional acoustics, with seating designed to bring audiences unusually close to performers. Programming extends beyond classical music to jazz, contemporary concerts, and international productions.

Even visitors without tickets often head to the public Plaza observation level for panoramic views across Hamburg’s port, bridges, and canals. Unlike many grand concert halls, the Elbphilharmonie feels connected to the working harbor around it rather than separated from it.

Reykjavik: Music on the Edge of the Arctic

The Harpa Concert Hall opened in 2011 on Reykjavik’s waterfront and quickly became one of Iceland’s defining modern buildings.

Its geometric glass exterior was inspired by Iceland’s volcanic basalt formations and changing northern light. Depending on the weather and season, the building shifts dramatically in color and mood. The image of Harpa will remain one of your lingering memories of Iceland’s capital.

Harpa is home to the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, but its programming reflects Iceland’s broader music culture as well, hosting everything from classical concerts to electronic and indie music festivals.

The location gives the venue much of its character. Fishing boats and whale-watching tours still depart from the nearby harbor, while mountains and ocean frame the city in every direction. In winter, concertgoers can leave an evening performance to freezing sea air and, if conditions cooperate, the possibility of the Northern Lights overhead.

‘Wave’ of the Future

More major cities are using waterfront concert halls and opera houses as cultural anchors for redeveloped harbor districts. Keep your eyes on the horizon for these:

Korea:
The Busan Opera House is designed by the same architects behind Oslo’s opera house. It’s rising directly on Busan’s waterfront and is scheduled to open in 2027. Like Oslo, it’s designed as a public waterfront space as much as a performance venue, with a walkable roof and harbor views. It will be Busan’s first major opera house and part of a huge redevelopment of the city’s former industrial port area.
Spain:
Another ambitious project is the planned Palacio de la Opera on the Costa del Sol waterfront, set to begin construction soon. Málaga has spent the last two decades reinventing itself as a serious cultural destination — adding museums, galleries, and performance venues beyond its traditional beach-tourism image. The proposed opera house sits near the port and includes a large waterfront auditorium and cultural complex.
China:
Shenzhen has proposed an enormous new waterfront opera complex overlooking Shenzhen Bay, designed by architect Jean Nouvel. Plans include multiple performance halls and architecture explicitly inspired by the movement of water and sails. Once completed, it will be one of the world’s largest waterfront performing arts complexes.

A new generation of modern waterfront concert halls increasingly behaves more like public squares with every kind of music under the sun inside, rather than traditional elite cultural institutions.

START YOUR TRIP!

Top images: Getty

Bottom image: Lynn Elmhirst, travel journalist and expert

Fall Fam Jam at Beaches Resorts: Free Night’s Stay and More for Families

Fri, 15 May 26 19:57:08 +0000

Make fall family time at Beaches Resorts’! The all-inclusive family resort company has launched Fall Fam Jam seasonal offer, featuring a lively lineup of complimentary, toddler-friendly programming designed especially for families traveling with little ones. Plus special offers parents will love, too!

Offer available until October 31, 2026 on stays of five nights or longer at Beaches Turks and Caicos and Beaches Negril.

ASK US FOR MORE DETAILS!

At both resorts: Beaches Turks and Caicos and Beaches Negril, Fall Fam Jam includes two complimentary Caribbean Adventures with Sesame Street® experiences—a Character Breakfast and Sunrise Yoga with beloved Sesame Street friends—along with a spa credit so parents can enjoy some well-deserved relaxation.

At Beaches Negril, families receive even more value with one complimentary night on stays of six nights or longer.

Plan Ahead! Beaches Fall Fam Jam Travel Windows are already scheduled, so you can look forward to fall family travel in advance:

August 23 – October 31, 2026
August 23 – October 31, 2027
August 23 – October 31, 2028

From splash-filled playtime and hands-on creative activities to joyful moments shared together, the seasonal event invites families to slow down, connect, and experience the magic of the Caribbean in a way that feels perfectly your own.

As a requirement to receive the offer, travel advisors must register the booking within 72 hours at: https://www.beaches.com/beaches-fall-fam-jam-registration/

More About Beaches Resorts

Beaches Resorts is the Caribbean playground where families can live their best island life. With all-inclusive family resorts in Turks and Caicos and Jamaica, and soon-to-come locations in Barbados, The Bahamas, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Beaches offers fun-forward family all-inclusive vacations – from a dynamic selection of restaurants and vibrant food trucks to all-you-can-enjoy water sports, live shows, and epic water parks.

Kids discover magic with Caribbean Adventures with Sesame Street, Kids Camps, and hangouts for teens, while parents enjoy peace of mind with certified nannies, engaging programming, and multi-bedroom villas perfect for bringing generations together.

As an Advanced Certified Autism Center (CAC) through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), Beaches staff are specially trained to understand and cater to the unique needs of neurodivergent guests, so that every member of the family finds joy, connection, and memories made to last a lifetime.

*** Images courtesy of Beaches Resorts

*** Terms & Conditions apply: ask us for full offer, pricing and date availability.

Orient Express Launches World’s Largest Sailed Cruise Ship

Fri, 15 May 26 19:52:35 +0000

The Golden Age of Sail is returning – with a 21st century twist! Storied travel company Orient Express made its first appearance at Seatrade, just ahead of the debut its first cruise ship: a 720-foot, 100-guest solid-sail ship that marries exquisite French hospitality, design and craftsmanship with next-generation, eco-friendly maritime innovation.

Orient Express Corinthian isn’t just a first for the ultra-luxury travel company known since the 19th century for its exquisite trains and hotels. It’s a first for cruising itself.

The ship’s christening in France at the end of April came as a result of 10 years of research and development on the part of French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

Credit: Maxime Castric

The remarkable, ‘solid sail’ construction is a “concrete, technical response to the decarbonisation challenges facing maritime transport” according to the shipyard’s CEO.

It’s not about re-living the past. It’s about the future.

A Technological Feat Under Sail

OE Corinthian is the first cruise ship equipped with the “SolidSail” wind propulsion system, developed by the shipyard drawing on expertise gained in offshore racing. Her three rigs, each rising to over 320 feet, are fully automated and capable of delivering 100% wind-powered propulsion.

Rotating through 360 degrees, they maintain optimal trim on any point of sail, whatever the wind direction. With carbon masts that can tilt to 70 degrees, the ship can clear the world's great bridges, so the world is this ship’s oyster in terms of destination access.

In sea trials, in 20 knots of wind, this vessel made 12 knots under sail alone. A first for a ship of this size.

And when the ship is sailing under wind power, it’s not consuming any fuel at all. Therefore, zero emissions. What about when there’s no wind?

The solid sails are complemented by hybrid liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion and numerous energy efficiency features, earning her the best EEDI (Energy Efficiency Design Index) rating in her class, far ahead of any other vessel of comparable size.

In addition to this ‘what’s old is new again’ sailing technology, the OE Corinthian employs next-generation technology to advance other eco-friendly features:

An AI-assisted detection system continuously monitors for marine mammals and objects in the water to reduce collision risk.
Dynamic positioning preserves the seabed by doing away with the need to anchor.

All-Inclusive, French Hospitality and the Finest Craftsmanship

Orient Express Corinthian’s interiors draw on the golden age of travel, the age of the Orient Express train and the great ocean liners, with contemporary updates, undertaken by 2000 French artisans.

Credit: Alice Mesguich

The ship accommodates 54 suites, ranging from 45 to 230 m2, across four decks. Each suite features a panoramic window and high ceilings. Interior finishes include leather, precious wood veneers, and marbles.

Credit: Alice Mesguich

A dedicated butler attends each cabin.

Five restaurants and private dining rooms are placed under the culinary direction of multi- Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno.

Eight bars, including an Art Deco speakeasy, a 115-seat cabaret, and a recording studio, complete the offering.

Credit: Alice Mesguich

The Guerlain spa, a swimming lane, a pool, and a marina are at passengers' disposal throughout the voyage.

All is offered on a fully inclusive basis.

Itineraries

Following the christening, Orient Express Corinthian embarked on her inaugural Mediterranean season.

From May to October 2026, she sails the Mediterranean and the Adriatic, before crossing the Atlantic in autumn to winter in the Caribbean.

In 2027, a new collection of itineraries extends her range to the eastern Mediterranean and Northern Europe.

Each route leads to carefully chosen ports of call, storied harbours and quieter shores alike, where culture, craftsmanship and landscape compose an open invitation.

Itineraries of one to four nights offer a freedom of pace: each passage can be combined with another to build an entirely bespoke voyage.

Two of a Kind

OE Corinthian is the first of two ships planned for Orient Express. The Orient Express Olympian launches in 2027.

START YOUR TRIP!

Images courtesy of Orient Express; credits as noted.

Top image credit: Macha Kontchakova — Frontline Studio and Jean-Marie Liot

Top Souvenirs from a Springtime Trip to the Netherlands

Fri, 15 May 26 19:52:17 +0000

Tulip season in the Netherlands is a feast for the senses: ribbons of technicolor flowers beside canals, market squares bursting with spring blooms, and river cruise ships gliding through landscapes that look suspiciously filtered (even when they’re not!)

You’re going to love your trip so much that you will want to savor the moments for as long as possible.

Emerald river cruise ship docked in Willemstad, the Netherlands

I don’t believe in souvenirs that collect dust or worse! End up in landfills. Here are some mementos that fulfill the saying, “If you ain’t Dutch, you ain’t much.’ Many you’ll consume or share with loved ones, and others you’ll get lots of use from for years to come.

Cheese, Please!

Cheese may be the most delicious example. Markets in towns with name-sake cheeses like Gouda and Edam have been trading wheels for centuries, and a spring cruise often includes excursions where travelers can sample cheeses still made on family farms. Aged Gouda is the superstar!

Tip: Vacuum-packed wedges travel well. Don’t forget to check the import regulations about bringing food into your home country.

A Blooming Gift

Then there are tulips themselves, the official symbol of the country. Cut flowers are perishable, of course. But the Netherlands produces billions of spring flower bulbs annually, and you can shop for exotic varieties at gardens, flower farms, and markets – even the airport on your way home!

Tip: Many countries regulate the import of agricultural products like tulip bulbs. Check your local laws and also look for ‘export ready’ tulips with certification they will pass inspection. OR, if Keukenhof, famous as being the largest spring flower garden in the world, is on your agenda, you can order bulbs from Dutch growers there, and they will be shipped to your home, customs cleared.

Then you can look out your window every spring, see the tulips, and remember your trip to the Netherlands!

A Room with Blue

Like the cities of Gouda and Edam whose names have lent themselves to their most famous product, the city of Delft is known for its porcelain – or that one-of-a-kind color of Delft blue. Iconic Royal Delft has symbolized Dutch craftsmanship since the 17th century. Originally inspired by Chinese porcelain brought to Europe by trading ships, Delftware evolved into something unmistakably Dutch: windmills, canal houses, floral motifs, all painted in cobalt blue on creamy white ceramics.

You may not be able to resist the Dutch canal house figurines you can collect and line up as a street scene. But practical Delft items, from Christmas ornaments, to tea and coffee services, to a tulip vase that brings two Dutch symbols together, all marry beauty and utility in iconic blue and white.

Tip: beware of fakes. You’ll see all kinds of blue and white ceramics in the Netherlands. But for the quality of porcelain and artisanal hand-painting, nothing matches real, Royal Delft.

Clogged Up

Traditional wooden clogs – or klomps - remain a beloved symbol of Dutch culture. Clogs began as practical footwear for Dutch farmers, fishermen, and laborers at windmills. Over time, they became a cheerful national symbol, painted with regional designs. But clogs are not just folklore or crafts. Today, they’re still worn by farmers and millers and are legally certified safety footwear!

Tip: Instead of wooden folk art, fuzzy clog slippers in the Netherlands’ national colors, orange, yellow, or red, make a cozy, lightweight, unapologetically kitschy, and completely charming souvenir that will warm your feet and your heart every winter’s day you put them on!

There’s No Wafel like Stroopwafels

No visit to the Netherlands is complete without eating – and bringing home – stroopwafels: thin waffle cookies sandwiching a layer of spiced caramel filling. Fresh, warm, market stroopwafels are life-changing. If you’re wondering what every passenger on your river cruise ship is carrying in a thin, paper sleeve, now you know!

Tip: Follow the Dutch and re-create that just-cooked gooey-ness! Balance your souvenir stroopwafels out of the tin over a hot cup of coffee so the steam softens the filling.

START YOUR TRIP!

Story and images: Lynn Elmhirst, cruise/ travel journalist and expert.

Save up to 15% on Summer Seabourn Voyages

Fri, 15 May 26 19:51:45 +0000

Luxury cruise and expedition line Seabourn has launched The Exploration Event, offering you savings of up to 15 percent on select summer ocean and expedition voyages ranging from seven to 82 days between 2026 and 2028.

The Exploration Event spans destinations worldwide, from Alaska and the Mediterranean to the Arctic, Northern Europe, and Australia.

Every sailing included in “The Exploration Event” features Seabourn’s signature onboard experience, with highly personalized service, ocean-front suites, complimentary premium spirits and fine wines, and curated culinary experiences.

Savings Plus Shipboard Credit

Seabourn is also offering a separate shipboard credit promotion of up to USD 1,000 per suite on select 2026-2028 winter voyages sailing October through March to Japan, the Caribbean, South America, and Antarctica.

Use your onboard credit on onboard and shoreside experiences, and it may be applied toward shore excursions, spa treatments, boutique purchases, reserve wine selections, Stream Wi-Fi powered by Starlink, and other destination-focused experiences, including private guided tours and culinary exploration.

Select Ocean and Expedition Summer Voyages for ‘The Exploration Event:’

Alaska

Explore southern Alaska’s fjords, glaciers, and wildlife on a voyage designed to reach places larger ships cannot. Optional Ventures by Seabourn experiences, led by the Expedition Team, include Zodiac cruises, kayaking, hiking, and enrichment focused on the region’s landscapes and ecosystems. Destinations include Hubbard Glacier, the Inian Islands, Icy Strait Point, and Haines.

July 9, 2027 – Seabourn Encore – 7-Day Glaciers & Alaska Inside Passage

The Mediterranean

Sailing from Istanbul to Venice, this eastern Mediterranean journey connects historic cities and island cultures, with calls in Çanakkale, Patmos, Santorini, Kotor, Hvar, and Koper. Each destination offers opportunities for exploration rooted in history, architecture, cuisine, and more.

May 29, 2027 – Seabourn Ovation – 15-Day Hidden Gems of Turkey, Greece, Croatia & Slovenia

Northern Europe

Experience Norway’s coastline during the height of summer, with extended daylight illuminating fjords, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and communities above the Arctic Circle. The voyage continues to Amsterdam before returning to Dover.

June 19, 2027 – Seabourn Quest – 14-Day Midsummer in the Land of the Midnight Sun

Australia

Explore remote stretches of the Kimberley coast, where tidal movements and local conditions shape each day’s itinerary. Zodiac cruises and nature walks bring guests close to dramatic landscapes, wildlife, and ancient rock art.

July 1, 2027 – Seabourn Pursuit – 10-Day Kimberley Expedition: Waterfalls & Wanjinas

Arctic

An expedition voyage along Iceland and southern Greenland highlights dramatic fjords, Norse history, and Inuit culture, guided by Seabourn’s Expedition Team of experts and the Southern Greenland Experience.

July 3, 2027 – Seabourn Venture – 14-Day Southeast Greenland and Iceland

Select Winter Voyages with the shipboard credit offer:

Japan

Sail Japan as winter transitions toward spring, with calls in smaller ports and culturally focused experiences including regional festivals and forest bathing, plus a visit to Busan, South Korea.

February 27, 2027 – Seabourn Encore – 14-Day Sea of Japan & Plum Blossoms

South Pacific

An extended World Cruise segment crossing the South Pacific and the Equator, with island calls, cultural encounters, and a journey from Australia to California via Hawaii.

April 15, 2027 – Seabourn Quest – 27-Day World Cruise: South Pacific Explorer & Hawaii

Caribbean

Island hop through the eastern Caribbean with stops in St. Barthélemy, Montserrat, St. Kitts, Dominica, and Jost Van Dyke on a roundtrip voyage from Miami. In Carambola Beach, guests will enjoy the line’s “Caviar in the Surf” signature event, where uniformed Seabourn team members plunge into the water and serve chilled champagne and caviar from a surfboard bar.

November 23, 2027 – Seabourn Quest – 11-Day Leeward Islands & Dominica Dreams

Antarctica

Spend five full days exploring Antarctica with Zodiac landings and guided shore walks led by the Expedition Team. Soak in breathtaking views of the towering icebergs and enjoy wildlife viewings of penguin colonies, seals and whales.

February 20, 2027 – Seabourn Venture – 11-Day The Great White Continent

South America

Explore the remote Falkland Islands and South American coastline, with wildlife encounters and cultural experiences from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro.

March 22, 2027 – Seabourn Venture – 15-Day Wild Falkland Islands & South America

Ask us for a complete list of applicable sailings, benefits, and combinable promotions for The Exploration Event.

More About Seabourn:

Seabourn represents the pinnacle of luxury ocean and expedition travel and operates a suite of six modern ships. The all-inclusive, boutique ships offer all-suite accommodations with oceanfront views; award-winning dining; complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available at all times; renowned service provided by an industry-leading crew; a relaxed, sociable atmosphere that makes guests feel at home; a pedigree in expedition travel through the Ventures by Seabourn program and two new ultra-luxury purpose-built expedition ships, including Seabourn Venture that launched in 2022 and Seabourn Pursuit in 2023. Seabourn takes travelers to every continent on the globe, visiting more than 400 ports, including marquee cities and lesser-known ports and hideaways. Guests of Seabourn experience extraordinary offerings and programs, including partnerships with leading entertainers, dining, personal health and wellbeing, and engaging speakers.

Seabourn at a glance:

Intimate ships with a private yacht-like atmosphere
All ocean-front suites are luxuriously appointed, most with a private veranda
Intuitive, personalized service provided by a team passionate about exceeding guests' expectations
Complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available on board at all times
Complimentary caviar throughout your voyage
World-class dining and culinary experiences
All dining venues are complimentary, dine where, when, and with whom you wish
Welcome Champagne and complimentary in-suite bar stocked with your preferences
Tipping is neither required nor expected
Seabourn Conversations, connecting with visionary experts
Curated voyages to all seven continents, delivering award-winning, authentic experiences
‘Ventures by Seabourn’, optional shore excursions, enhance and extend your experience in select destinations**^
Complimentary entertainment experiences, offering a variety of shows and live music
Complimentary Wi-Fi packages with unlimited minutes powered by SpaceX's Starlink
Complimentary Signature Events: Marina Day, ‘Caviar in the Surf’, Evening at Ephesus, Shopping with the Chef, Caviar on the Ice, Polar Plunge, and more
Committed to environmental stewardship and sustainability

*Seabourn Encore, Seabourn Ovation, Seabourn Venture, Seabourn Pursuit

**Optional programs, for additional charge

^Available on Seabourn Quest, Seabourn Encore, Seabourn Ovation

Images courtesy of Seabourn

Terms & Conditions apply; ask us for offer, itinerary,

Discovering the Future of Wellness Travel in Sweden

Mon, 30 Mar 26 19:19:16 +0000

Recently in Sweden, I experienced ancient wellness practices intertwined with new science and artistic sensibilities. In many ways, Sweden wrote the book on wellness as a way of life and a travel destination. And my stays at two sister hotels in Stockholm proved the country is in the vanguard of redefining wellness travel again.

In case you missed it, in 2025, Sweden became the first country where doctors can prescribe travel for wellness. The global leader in quality of life, renowned for its thousands-year-old sauna culture, is an inspiration for wellness lifestyle – and a beacon for wellness travelers… and now this:

The “Swedish Prescription”

In a wellness ‘first,’ Sweden has become the first country where patients can download a medical referral form to take to their physician for wellness travel to the country!

The Swedish Prescription isn’t a marketing gimmick. The program is rooted in deeply-held Swedish beliefs and practices, like

‘fika:’ social rituals of connecting with loved ones;
‘lagom,’ or achieving balance, moderation, and sustainability in your way of life;
love of getting outdoors, no matter what the weather, and of course,
sauna and thermal hot/cold practices,

all of which combine to create meaningful and scientifically supported health benefits.

Hagastrand and Hotel J: Beyond the Spa Hotel

All that said, why would anyone go to Sweden in the winter, far enough north that the sun rises after 8 am and sets mid-afternoon?

I went to spend a week immersed in the wellness experiences at 2 of Stockholm's Nobis Hospitality Group hotels: Hagastrand and Hotel J.

The company has set a new gold standard for wellness travel, following a three-year renovation program, masterminded by Alla Sokolova, its Head of Wellness.

“I think every human being has an innate wish to be in their best form,” she explained to me. Her vision for the wellness program at the hotels is for a stay there to be part of a “never-ending learning journey” to help create winning conditions for guests to achieve their maximum performance, their best selves.

HAGASTRAND SPA AND HOTEL

When it re-opened in Fall, 2025 as part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, Hagastrand Spa and Hotel was already billing itself as a “new social wellness destination” in Sweden’s capital. A post-modern building attached to a historic military barracks in the quiet, seaside location of Stockholm’s Royal Park, Hagastrand re-launched with a 27,000 square foot, cutting-edge wellness center with some practices that are the first of their kind.

If you’re imagining a clinical, white-jacketed, James Bond-style European health retreat, think again. Instead, Hagastrand offers warmth, along with a masterful and welcoming blend of ancient practices and advanced therapies, including modern technologies that deliver wellness experiences to guests in one-of-a-kind ways, all under one roof.

There’s also a focus on music, “a universal language” that “everyone can relate to,” Alla adds.

“Tuning our bodies and our minds,” as she puts it.

Hagastrand’s facilities incorporate both traditional Nordic and international wellness practices, as well as sensory design and the newer concept of ‘biohacking.’

Along with treatment rooms and private suites you expect to find in a spa or wellness center, Hagastrand’s includes:

Underwater therapeutic music in its 18-meter indoor pool;
A Thermal center, with multiple saunas, including herbal and hammam, and also:
- Sweden’s first "Event Sauna," one of the few in the world, for up to 60 guests. As an ‘event,’ one of Hagastrand’s trained sauna masters invites guests in the wellness center to join them in a paced series of rituals where the sauna master employs herbs, music, infused ice, and spoken word to lead guests through a wellness journey that changes every time.
- Scandinavia's largest snow room for cryotherapy
Experience showers, red light therapy, and neuro-acoustic massage loungers.
Gongs, handmade in Italy, including a giant (as tall as a person) gong at the end of the pool played by hand by sauna masters, and
- in the ‘Gongmatic’ room (pictured, top), a ‘self-playing’ gong – also the first in the Nordic countries – which plays in timed performances as guests lie on warm ceramic lounge beds. The audio art installation immerses guests in vibrations and invites them to embark on a meditative journey.
Cardi suit – like a giant diving dry suit with hands and feet, except that a therapist fills this suit with carbon dioxide. The therapy increases blood flow to the cells, resulting in improved oxygen delivery, performance, and rest. Cardi suits are already used extensively by high-performance athletes, but are rarely available to the wellness-seeking public – including me!

The state-of-the-art wellness experiences flow harmoniously with the new versions of familiar practices and are woven seamlessly into a hotel stay that includes warmly Nordic accommodations, stylish bars, and a fine dining restaurant (no restricted, seaweed smoothie diet here unless you wish!) that even drew a member of the Swedish Royal Family while we were dining one evening.

HOTEL J

Sister property Hotel J draws inspiration from its location on the Stockholm archipelago in a Newport, Rhode Island-type neighborhood of illustrious and historic seaside homes.

The nautical and natural themes run deep, from stunning water views and terraces overlooking the sea, extensive gardens that are not just visual but also harvested for wellness herbs and botanicals, and, of course, its wellness offering.

Hotel J’s Sauna by the Sea is a ritual all the more memorable for its location in the Panorama Sauna perched on rocks rising from the waves. The sauna itself is on the second story, with floor-to-ceiling windows providing the perfect vantage point over the sea to become part of your herbal-infused sauna ritual. And a cold plunge into a wintery sea is just steps out the door to conclude your authentic Swedish sauna!

But we also got off property, accompanied by ‘nature therapist’ Lisen Sundgren, who took us on a Swedish interpretation of that famous Japanese wellness practice, ‘forest bathing.’ During a walk in a nature reserve next door in the twilight, where dimming sight helped sharpen our other senses as we were guided to literally feel, hear, and smell the woods. We ended up on a rocky lookout over the sea and the lights of Stockholm on the opposite side of the archipelago, sipping her homemade Swedish rosehip soup and communing by the mystical twinkles of lamp light.

SANCTUM

From the primal forest… to a wellness rave!

In another ‘first,’ Hagastrand and Hotel J’s parent company has introduced ‘Sanctum’ to the Nordics as part of its wellness experience offering. We were invited to the launch party at the Nobis Hospitality Group’s event space at the Stockholm Opera House.

Sanctum hosts these ‘wellness raves’ around the world for a growing community drawn to the euphoric release of its hour-long, high-intensity, music-led 55-minute sessions that combine HIIT, Kundalini yoga, breathwork, and meditation. Ours in Stockholm was candle-lit in the awe-inspiring historic surroundings… in complete silence, with sound healing, music, and guidance delivered through headphones.

***

Embracing the widest interpretations of wellness lived through ancient traditions, Nature, technology, art, and the most welcoming Scandinavian culture and lifestyle… these Swedish hotels are setting the stage for a new global approach to wellness travel.

The Nobis Hospitality Group’s founder gives all the credit for the hotels’ pioneering wellness journeys to Head of Wellness Alla Sokolova – a risk, but a calculated one, with a simple foundation of beauty and hospitality.

“Everybody today is talking about longevity and all these things, and sometimes it's too much,” Alessandro Catenacci, owner and CEO of the family-owned Nobis Hospitality Group, told me.

“I hate the word ‘trend.’”

He acknowledges that the groundbreaking wellness offerings of the two hotels are “a new thing for us,” but “things are not so complicated usually if you do it in the right way.” He points out that wellness practices are a natural way of life for Swedes.

“We are a sauna family.

“And this is very important because you, you can't go on doing things if you don't like that. I love it, really.”

Hagastrand and Hotel J may be on the leading edge. But advanced wellness experiences for travel are no longer a novel trend.

As more travelers intentionally incorporate their wellness practices from home into their travels to new destinations, and expand their wellness horizons while traveling, wellness hospitality will take the lead from Hagastrand and Hotel J in helping us discover the destinations’ best experiences to hone our mental, physical, and spiritual health.

START YOUR TRIP!

Images and story by: Lynn Elmhirst, travel journalist and expert

Why is it Called ‘Easter’ Island?

Mon, 30 Mar 26 19:18:12 +0000

You likely already know that’s a trick question. This tiny dot in the eastern South Pacific Ocean, but technically a territory of Chile, is actually properly called Rapa Nui.

The world over, Easter Island has been synonymous with exotic mysteries of an impossibly distant, long-lost civilization and mind-boggling human endeavor.

It may be the most remote inhabited island on the planet. Only a few thousand people live on this remnant of oceanic volcanoes sticking out of the sea, and that's the first miracle itself. The closest inhabited island is 1300 miles away (Pitcairn Island with only 50 people), and the nearest continental point is Chile, over 2000 miles away. Local tales say a 2-canoe Polynesian expedition around AD 700 was the start of Rapa Nui's extraordinary story.

Today, Easter Island is on the map as one of the corners of the millions of square miles of the Pacific Ocean known as Polynesia – the other corners for easy reference are Hawai’I and New Zealand. And it’s on the map of global travelers who want to come face to face with the island's nearly 1000 moai at its UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Monuments to the Past

These stately, solemn statues were carved during a 500-year period in the island's history, beginning a thousand years ago. The moai share artistic characteristics with Polynesian carvings, confirming the origin tale of the Rapa Nui people. Chiseled with only stone tools out of volcanic rock in the 'quarry' of an extinct volcano, each statue took a team of half a dozen artisans about a year to complete. The largest is over 30 feet long and weighs 90 tons. They were an incredible feat of creativity, production, and organization.

You probably think of them as 'Easter Island heads'. But the moai actually have torsos, and some even have complete lower bodies; they were just buried up to their necks over the centuries by shifting sands.

These monumental statues represented deceased ancestors. And only about a quarter were originally installed; others were left in the quarry or remained en route to their intended locations. All but 7 faced inland, the spirits of the deceased 'watching over' the living and their lands. The 7 facing the sea stood as wayfinders for seafarers.

Many moai were toppled after the mysterious collapse of the Rapa Nui society in the 19th century. In recent decades, local and international efforts have restored and re-mounted a number of moai. This dot on a map in Chilean Polynesia still seems as awe-inspiring and as full of hidden secrets as when explorers first arrived.

Timing is Everything

Which brings us to: Why is it called Easter Island? The Dutch explorer who was the island's first-recorded European visitor arrived on Easter Sunday in 1722 – he came upon it while searching for another island. (He must have been pretty lost!) So 'Easter Island' it was dubbed, and its current official Spanish name in Chile is still Isla de Pascua, while its Polynesian name is Rapa Nui, in the local language: the 'naval of the world'.

There's more to Rapa Nui than the silent witness of the moai to the island's past. Visitors experience the local version of Polynesian culture, explore pink-sand beaches, caverns, and dive sites, cycle, hike, or ride horses across prairies and volcanic hillsides, and even surf on those waves so distant from other shores.

How to get there? You can fly from both Chile and Tahiti, participate in tour packages offered by expedition and exotic travel experts, arrive by small or expedition cruise ship, or by private yacht.

There may be nowhere else in the world where a traveler can feel the greatness of human achievement and small in the face of a culture so far across the waves.

START YOUR TRIP!

By: Lynn Elmhirst, travel journalist and expert.

Images: Getty

The April Fools of Travel Destinations

Mon, 30 Mar 26 19:17:54 +0000

World travel is easier than ever. But it seems world geography is not! Some destinations remain stubbornly — and even hilariously — confused by travelers, media, and even governments. The result is a mix of comedy, branding opportunity, and unsuspecting travelers finding themselves in the wrong place.

In some cases, people simply don’t know the difference, and it’s a case of mistaken identity and some embarrassing social media posts. Others are tiny spelling errors that have landed travelers on the opposite side of the world from where they expected to be. There are cities, countries, and regions that regularly get confused.

Admit it: even an intelligent and savvy traveler like you gets some of these destinations mixed up!

So what better time than April Fools to run through the hit parade of trickster travel destinations?

Australia or Austria?

Australia and Austria are as different as two countries can be. And in different hemispheres!

Australia is a young, vast, sun-drenched country defined by distance—beaches, reef systems, and cities like Sydney that feel plugged into the Pacific. It’s long-haul, laid-back, and larger-than-life.

Old World Austria is compact, landlocked, and classically European—Alpine peaks, imperial history, and cultural heavyweights like Vienna and Salzburg.

Yet their confusion is so persistent that Austria’s tourism board leaned into it with the now-famous line: “No Kangaroos in Austria!”

Sweden or Switzerland?

This is possibly the most politely awkward confusion in global travel.

So common, in fact, that Visit Sweden launched an entire campaign to address it—complete with a straight-faced “negotiation” video proposing a formal division of national identities.

The messaging is brilliantly deadpan:

Switzerland has banks; Sweden has sandbanks

Switzerland has yodelling; Sweden has a silent nature

The Swiss keep the watches; the Swedes offer the luxury of forgetting about time

It’s funny because it’s true. The confusion shows up in headlines, speeches, and travel plans more often than any half-experienced traveler would like to admit.

Grenada or Granada?

“Tomayto”, “Tomahto.” Grenayda, Granahda. Two destinations thousands of miles apart, and cultural worlds apart.

Grenada is a Caribbean island nation where there’s nutmeg in the air, rainforest spilling into the sea, and long, languid afternoons on Grand Anse. It’s called the “Spice Island” for a reason.

Granada, on the other hand, is a city in Spain: Moorish palaces, tapas culture, and the architectural marvel of the Alhambra rising above the city like a mirage.

One is barefoot, the other is baroque.

Dominica or Dominican Republic?

This is less a mix-up and more a recurring travel identity crisis. They’re both countries, and both in the Caribbean. But that’s where the similarity ends.

Dominica (dom-in-EE-ka) is volcanic, rainforest-thick, and defiantly underdeveloped. You go here to hike, to soak in hot springs, to earn your cocktail off the beaten track. You have to work a little harder to vacation in Dominica. You won’t find direct flights from North America. Instead, you connect on Island Hopper Airlines through regional hubs like Barbados, San Juan, and St. Lucia.

The Dominican Republic is a hub. It’s one of the Caribbean’s largest countries and most popular beach resort destinations —built for sun-seeking travelers, with resort areas like Puerto Plata and Punta Cana, and a rich colonial history in Santo Domingo. All-inclusive resorts line the country’s beaches, and airlines and packaged tour operators serve the country well.

Slovakia or Slovenia?

Here’s a quick test: can you place these two Central European countries on a map?

Slovakia and Slovenia don’t just sound similar—they both fly under the radar of popular European travel destinations, so they’ve gotten used to handling the non-stop cases of mistaken identity.

Embassies have long reported receiving each other’s diplomatic pouches. Invitations to official events have arrived in the wrong capital. Trade documents, cultural exchanges, even the occasional VIP correspondence—misaddressed, misrouted, and then, very politely, forwarded along. The postal services of the two countries meet regularly to exchange misaddressed mail!

Meanwhile, the destinations themselves couldn’t be more distinct. Slovakia leans into its Danube River culture, castles, and Carpathian drama; Slovenia into alpine lakes and storybook perfection—hello, Lake Bled.

Baltics or Balkans?

This one is a classic travel-writer slip—and a reminder that “similar-sounding” regions are not all created equal.

The Baltics are the three countries on northeastern Europe’s Baltic Sea coast: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. They share a common history shaped by Northern and Eastern Europe and are today known for compact capitals, medieval old towns, and a blend of Nordic and Eastern European influences. Cool, composed, and increasingly design-forward. Think Tallinn’s medieval perfection, Riga’s Art Nouveau swagger.

The Balkans refer to a broader region in southeastern Europe that includes countries such as Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia. The region is culturally diverse, shaped by Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian histories, and ranges from Adriatic coastlines to inland mountains. Sunshine and history weave through a tangle of cultures that stretch across southeastern Europe, from Adriatic coastlines to inland capitals shaped by empires.

Same opening syllable. Entirely different narratives.

The Moral of the Story

It always happens to someone else you can laugh at - until it’s you landing in the wrong country. Even the most seasoned travelers can be tripped up by a familiar-sounding place and a hastily confirmed booking.

Work with an expert travel advisor, and always double-check your travel documents.

Happy April Fool’s Day… and

START YOUR TRIP (TO THE RIGHT DESTINATION!)

By: Lynn Elmhirst, travel journalist and expert

Images: Getty

Celebrity River Cruises Reveals Experiential Approach to Shore Excursions

Mon, 30 Mar 26 19:17:32 +0000

The hotly anticipated new river cruise line has shared how it’s planning to offer its guests a new way to experience the river communities of Europe when it debuts in 2027. Four curated categories of exclusive and included shore excursions reveal how guests will river cruise, Celebrity-style.

Local insiders lead the Storyteller Series and Skillmaster Series, while the Keys to the City Series gives guests the tech-driven power to explore on their own with insights curated to their own interests and passions. Available once per sailing, the Celebrity Takeover Series delivers one-of-a-kind, bespoke experiences.

The shore excursions are available across all 2027 and 2028 Celebrity River Cruises itineraries, and pre- and post-cruise stays in Prague, Budapest, and Amsterdam.

Storyteller Series: Included locally led experiences that go beyond what guidebooks can capture

Celebrity River Cruises' Storyteller Series offers experiences guided by residents, artists, and cultural insiders who call each destination home. Guests can choose from multiple included experiences at each port, each balancing iconic landmarks with hosts’ personal favorites and hidden stories only locals know. Here are a couple of examples:

Amsterdam

A canal captain will share Amsterdam's centuries-long relationship with water, showing guests an unseen side of the city’s iconic waterways. Guests will cruise hidden passages, through the eyes of someone with deep family ties to the region, as they admire the city’s oldest building, Oude Kerk, board a legendary Dutch trading ship, and learn about modern canal engineering.

Prague

Guests who enjoy discovering a city through food and drink will be led through the city’s rich brewing traditions by a local brewer. From the brewer’s unique perspective, guests will explore historic breweries like the bustling U Vejvodu Tavern, as well as beer-infused artisanal shops. Taking a journey that blends history and hospitality into every pour, the brewer will show guests how centuries-old recipes shaped the city’s culture of connection and celebration.

Skillmaster Series: Included, hands-on experiences invite guests to actively participate in local culture

Guests craft, cook, and create alongside the artisans and makers who shape each destination's cultural identity in shore excursions like these:

Budapest

A local Mamika (grandmother) will lead aspiring culinarians through generations-old Hungarian recipes from her own home kitchen. After selecting ingredients at the local Central Market Hall, guests will uncover dishes that bring Budapest’s soul to the table through Mamika’s treasured family recipes and cooking secrets.

Amsterdam

A local artist leads a painting class that immerses guests in Van Gogh's imagination. After exploring the famed painter’s works at the iconic Van Gogh Museum, guests will discover the settings that influenced some of his greatest pieces while learning some of the techniques he used to turn emotion into color and movement into meaning.

Keys to the City Series: Included independent digital discovery tools with complimentary behind-the-scenes access and stationed local hosts

Through an innovative digital platform, guests access curated route maps tailored to specific interests such as art, history, food, and architecture.

Interactive maps, audio guides, and video content lead guests off the beaten tourist path to interest-led locations, where stationed local hosts provide behind-the-scenes access and exclusive experiences at working studios and craft sites, creating moments of surprise and delight. For example:

Bratislava

Architecture enthusiasts will follow their curiosity to St. Martin’s Cathedral, hearing from a local historian who brings its coronation past to life, before hiking to Bratislava Castle to see how the fortress has watched centuries of change, then pausing beneath the modern span of the UFO Bridge with an architect who explains its bold vision.

Uncover the city’s authentic Slovak flavors from raising a glass in a traditional Slovak pub while a generational brewer pours his stories into every craft drop, to tasting delicate sweets in a family-run pastry shop where the baker shares recipes passed down through decades. Guests will curate their adventure, shaping their own path to uncover the stories of cities exactly as they choose.

Celebrity Takeover Series: Included one-of-a-kind experiences for bucket list memories

Once per sailing, these exclusive, bespoke experiences transform must-see European attractions and unassuming plazas into elevated private events available only to Celebrity River Cruises guests. Celebrity says these are “indulgent bucket-list experiences” designed to be the defining memory of your river cruise

Pre- and Post-Cruise Stays the Celebrity Way

Celebrity River Cruises guests can extend their journey with multi-day pre- and post-cruise stays that carry the same locally-led, small-group discovery philosophy as every sailing.

Available in Prague and Budapest beginning in 2027, and also Amsterdam in 2028, each stay includes daily small-group tours with local hosts, premium hotel accommodations, dedicated concierge service for dining reservations and private experiences, daily breakfast, and airport transfers.

The result is a seamless, end-to-end journey from arrival to departure with no gap between the onboard Celebrity River Cruises experience and the destination discovery that defines it.

Bookings for 2027 and 2028 pre- and post-cruise stays in Summer 2026 open, and all other destination experiences will open for booking in 2027. Celebrity River Cruises sailings are on sale now.

START YOUR TRIP!

Images: Celebrity River Cruises

“Modular” Itineraries from Riverside Luxury Cruises Allow you to Build Your Best Trip

Mon, 30 Mar 26 19:16:03 +0000

Rather than sticking to the classic, week or 10-day river cruise format, Riverside Luxury Cruises is making waves with its “modular” cruises. The goal is to give guests more flexibility, freedom, and choice – a “Build a Cruise” approach to European river cruising.

Here’s how it works:

Riverside offers sailings of three, four, and five nights that can easily be added to other vacation plans along with the classic seven-night itineraries. Longer sailings are also available, ranging from 10 all the way to 23 nights.

Now, we can help you tailor your river cruise by sailing length, departure days, and embarkation cities that best suit your personal plans and easily combine land vacations with an amazing luxury sojourn on some of Europe’s best rivers.

WATCH VIDEO, TOP: TOUR RIVERSIDE MOZART,

ONE OF THE LARGEST RIVER CRUISE SHIPS IN EUROPE

The approach also opens a wider range of embarkation and debarkation possibilities along Europe’s rivers. On the Danube, for example, travelers can choose itineraries that begin or end in cities such as Vienna, Budapest, or Passau, including round-trip sailings from Vienna—an option not commonly offered in traditional river cruise programming.

Because Riverside sailings operate on a variety of departure days throughout the week, travelers are not limited to the standard Saturday-to-Saturday cruise schedule. That opens up more flexibility in flight dates, too.

ASK US HOW YOU CAN PLAN A RIVER CRUISE THAT FITS YOU, NOT THE CALENDAR!

Sample itineraries

A short exploration of the South of France | Scenes of Southern France With Rhône Delta | 4 days/3 nights | Departures from April to October 2026
A grand tour of Europe’s rivers | Three Rivers: Rhine and Main With Upper & Lower Danube | 18 days/17 nights | Departs May 6, 2026, and Sept 2, 2026
A Vienna-to-Vienna roundtrip | Danube Serenade: Iconic Capitals & Wachau Valley | 8 days/7 nights | Departures from April to November 2026

WATCH VIDEO HERE: GET A ‘TASTE’ OF

RIVERSIDE LUXURY CRUISES’ AWARD-WINNING DINING

More About Riverside Luxury Cruises

Riverside Luxury Cruises is Europe’s newest and most luxurious river cruise line, offering distinctive vacations on the Rhine, Rhône, Danube, Moselle, and Main rivers. The all-suites Riverside Mozart, Riverside Ravel, and Riverside Debussy offer the largest average suite size, all with king-size beds, the highest staff-to-guest ratio, and up to five onboard restaurants. Guests can choose active tours from a menu of Riverside Choice excursions; take out a pedal- or e-bike, stored on board, for self-guided exploration; and bask in a rejuvenating treatment in the onboard FEHI Spa. On all itineraries, the ships stay late or overnight in some of Europe’s most captivating towns and cities, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the destination’s culture and social life. Throughout, every member of Riverside’s exceptional staff and crew delivers intuitive, personalized service for an all-inclusive, luxurious experience.

On board, guests enjoy butler service in every suite; gourmet cuisine made with high-quality, fresh ingredients a la minute; premium wines and spirits included; complimentary StarLink broadband Wi-Fi; unlimited shore excursions to immerse in Europe’s history, cultures, and landmarks; prepaid gratuities; and complimentary ground transfers.

Despite its status as a newcomer in river cruising, it’s already stacking up awards:

Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards for 2024,
Cruise Critic’s 2023, 2024, and 2025 Editors’ Pick Award for Best Dining in the River Category and
Best River Cruise Line for Luxury in 2025.

*** Images courtesy of Riverside Luxury Cruises

*** Video: Best Trip TV

*** Terms & Conditions apply; ask us for full itinerary, pricing, and date details.

Savings for Solo Travelers on Tauck River and Land Journeys

Wed, 11 Mar 26 22:35:45 +0000

Tauck has announced that it’s reducing the single supplement or eliminating it entirely on dozens of 2026 land and river journeys, making this the best time for solo travelers to book their next trip. The single supplement is waived entirely on Category 1 river cruise staterooms and reduced across dozens of other river and even land tours.

Solo River Cruise Travel Savings in Europe

On Europe’s rivers, Tauck will again waive the single supplement on all Category 1 riverboat cabins, eliminating it entirely on every departure of each Tauck river cruise itinerary—more than 250 departures in total in 2026!

These solo-friendly sailings will include a new itinerary, Bordeaux, Paris & The Seine, which sails aboard the newly launched ms Serene.

In addition, Tauck will reduce the single supplement by USD 1,000 on certain other cabin categories (typically Categories 4 and 5) on select European river cruise departures in 2026.

Solo Land Touring Savings Worldwide

Solo travelers exploring the world on Tauck land itineraries will also enjoy meaningful savings in 2026, with single supplements reduced by up to $600 on 105 departures of 37 itineraries spanning North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.

In North America, Tauck will reduce the single supplement by up to $300 on 34 departures of 12 itineraries, including journeys to iconic national parks, cultural capitals, and scenic regions across the U.S. and Canada, such as the newly introduced A Week in… Nova Scotia.

On European land itineraries, solo travelers will enjoy savings of up to $400 on 52 departures of 18 itineraries, with destinations ranging from Italy and France to Spain, Great Britain, Scandinavia and Central Europe.

Elsewhere in the world, the single supplement will be reduced by $600 on seven departures of seven Tauck global journeys in Asia, Africa and Latin America — the highest savings offered across Tauck's land portfolio, reflecting the company's commitment to making these bucket-list destinations more accessible to solo travelers.

ASK US TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR NEXT SOLO TAUCK TRIP!

Travel Value Beyond Savings

In addition to single supplement savings, solo travelers benefit from the sense of ease, confidence and connection they feel from the very beginning of a Tauck river cruise or land tour.

Every detail is thoughtfully taken care of — from hotel and restaurant reservations to sightseeing and transportation — with guests supported and welcomed by the expertise of Tauck Directors or the camaraderie that naturally develops within the group. It allows guests to relax, explore and fully immerse themselves in the journey.

More About Tauck

Founded in 1925, Tauck has been family-owned for four generations. The company is a world leader in upscale guided travel, with more than 170 land tours, safaris, river cruises, small-ship ocean cruises, and family travel adventures to 65+ countries and all seven continents.

Tauck was named “Best Tour Operator” in 2025, and in each of the last 28 years, has been honored in the “World’s Best Awards,” and has been named to the Best River Cruise Lines list for13 consecutive years, most recently in 2025.

*** Images courtesy of Tauck

*** Terms & Conditions apply; ask us for full offer, itinerary, date and pricing details.

Beyond the Beach: Unforgettable March Break Family Adventures

Wed, 11 Mar 26 22:35:23 +0000

Break the boredom of March Break getaways. There’s still time to make March Break about more than the beach. This time of the year presents a whole planet of excitement – and it’s not too late to plan the family break that will create memories of a lifetime. If swapping flip-flops by the pool, with the wonder and exploration that bind families together, appeals to you, here are some inspiring alternatives to all-inclusives.

Viking History Immersion in Norway

For families with budding historians (or kids obsessed with Viking mythology), Norway delivers.

In Oslo, real Viking ships more than 1,000 years old bring sagas to life.

WATCH VIDEO, TOP: Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, Norway

Outside the city, snow-covered fjords and forests invite cross-country skiing — a national pastime kids can try with beginner lessons.

Storytelling traditions, stave churches and dramatic winter landscapes make the past feel close enough to touch. And you won’t leave Norway without falling in love with its ubiquitous trolls!

Mid-March sweet spot: lingering snow, lengthening daylight, far fewer tourists than summer.

Safari During Calving Season - Tanzania

Make this March Break the trip of a lifetime with a family safari. In parts of the Serengeti, mid-March aligns with calving season — when thousands of wildebeest give birth within weeks. It’s dramatic, educational and utterly unforgettable.

Family-friendly tented camps offer guided game drives and conservation talks. Lions, elephants and giraffes appear not on screens but in living color in one breathtaking scene after the next.

Mid-March sweet spot: wildlife intensity before heavy long rains begin.

Samurai, Robots and Bullet Trains in Japan

Japan in mid-March hums with anticipation of the cherry blossom season. Even if peak bloom arrives later, the energy is electric — and the crowds are lighter than April.

Families can ride the Shinkansen bullet train at 300 km/h past the snowy peaks of Mount Fuji, dress as samurai in Kyoto, explore ancient temples one day and immersive digital art museums the next. Kyoto’s gardens and temples strike a mystical chord, and castles evoke history and legends.

Tokyo’s neon skylines, anime and tech districts fascinate teens, and no one will forget its iconic fish market and tasting sushi the way it was meant to be! And fill up on Japanese comfort food in the pleasantly cool climate.

Mid-March sweet spot: mild weather and pre-blossom buzz.

Alpine Storybook Adventure - Austria

March snow in Austria’s Tyrol region is often excellent, and ski schools are among the most family-friendly in Europe. But this isn’t just about downhill runs. The ski scene in Europe is a different experience from that in North America, giving your family the opportunity to broaden their horizons in a worldly way.

Think torchlit evening walks through medieval villages. Tobogganing down floodlit mountain tracks. Lunch in alpine huts serving hot chocolate so thick it feels like pudding. In Innsbruck, colourful townhouses and imperial history add cultural depth between ski days.

Mid-March sweet spot: strong snow conditions, sunnier skies, fewer January crowds.

Camel Caravans and Sahara Stars in Morocco

Summer in the Sahara can be blistering. March? Glorious. Warm days, cool nights.

Families can ride camels across golden dunes near Merzouga, try sandboarding, and gather around Berber campfires under a sky pierced with stars. With no city lights, the Milky Way feels almost close enough to touch.

Explore markets and casbahs, drink iconic sweet mint green tea and indulge your palate in new and appealing flavors you’ll crave once you return home. Maybe take a family cooking class to share your family’s newfound culinary favorite with loved ones at home!

Mid-March sweet spot: ideal desert temperatures.

Fire and Ice in Iceland

March in Iceland is a full-scale natural theater.

Families can walk across moss-covered lava fields, explore ice caves, and soak in geothermal pools while snowflakes fall. Waterfalls thunder against icy cliffs, and you can stand steps from the world’s original ‘geyser’ as it erupts high into the air.

If the skies are clear, northern light sightings are still possible before spring fully settles in.

And don’t miss unique Icelandic foods like their iconic street food, their one-of-a-kind mutton hotdog!

Mid-March sweet spot: winter landscapes without the deep-dark January days.

***

This March, trade forgettable pool time and buffets for wonder and lifelong memories. Trips like these – even just the week of the break- will carve this family time together into young minds and create shared stories to relive forever.

START YOUR TRIP!

Video, Iceland images: Lynn Elmhirst, travel journalist and expert

Images, unless otherwise noted: Getty

Princess Cruises Celebrates Margarita World Record – and Winning Celebrity Partnership

Wed, 11 Mar 26 22:34:25 +0000

Cruise lines love to break records – competing for the biggest ships, introducing firsts-at-sea, and of course, creating record-breaking events that give thousands of guests the chance to make history… well, until the record is broken again!

Princess Cruises is no stranger to world records. In 2024, the cruise line set a record for the largest pizza party at sea, with guests consuming over 60,000 slices across 16 ships. The event marked a partnership with 13-time World Pizza Champion chef Tony Gemignani, who developed exclusive artisanal pizzas for the fleet.

Now they’ve done it again, shifting from a favorite food to a favorite holiday cocktail.

And their margarita world record is one piece of an even bigger celebrity partnership mosaic.

On February 17, 2026, during a 7-day Western Caribbean cruise from Galveston, Texas, the Regal Princess became the location for another record-breaking party. The event turned the ship into a floating fiesta for the ship’s 3500 guests to celebrate Princess Cruises’ most popular cocktail.

Over 8 hours, the guests did their part to help break the Guinness World Record for most margaritas sold in 8 hours.

How many, you ask? Well, raise your salt-rimmed glass to the guests of the Regal Princess, who ordered 3410 handcrafted margaritas. That easily tops the previous record of 2,728 for the iconic lime-and-tequila cocktails.

What’s more, the occasion coincided with Princess Cruises marking the sale of over 1 million of its signature “24K Margaritas” between January, 2025 and January 2026.

The 24K Margarita is the fleet’s most popular signature cocktail, made exclusively with Pantalones Organic Blanco Tequila, co-founded by Matthew and Camila McConaughey.

The million-margarita milestone arrives just over one year after Princess Cruises and Pantalones Organic Tequila launched their fleetwide partnership in October 2024, quickly becoming one of the most successful beverage collaborations in cruise line history.

Camila and Matthew McConaughey are also the godparents of Princess Cruises’ most recently-launched ship, the Star Princess, the newest Sphere-class ship from Princess Cruises. They officially christened the vessel in Fort Lauderdale on November 6, 2025, using none other than a bottle of their tequila. For the world record-breaking, the couple sent a congratulatory video message that was played onboard to the guests of the Regal Princess as the record was announced, with the audience roaring its approval.

While made with Pantalones Tequila, Princess Cruises’ most popular cocktail is otherwise a classic margarita: handcrafted with Cointreau, Grand Marnier, margarita mix, and served over ice in a salted-rim glass.

And in addition to the 24K Margarita, guests can toast their cruise with any of a lineup of handcrafted cocktails created by Princess’s Mixologist Rob Floyd has designed a menu of other margaritas using the McConaugheys’ tequila, too, like

Pants on Fire – with Reposado tequila, fresh lime juice, Campari, smoked paprika and agave
Sea Legs – Reposado tequila, Luxardo Maraschino, fresh lime juice, grapefruit juice, agave syrup and soda
Hot Pants – Blanco tequila, fresh lime juice, pineapple juice, fresh jalapeno and agave
Fancy Pants Paloma – Reposado tequila, fresh lime juice, Fever Tree grapefruit

To ensure your cravings for the cocktail never go unsatisfied, there’s even a roaming ‘Pantalones Organic Tequila Custom Cart’ capturing the ‘spirit’ of the McConaughey brand throughout the voyage.

In just over a year, having one of these cocktails on board has become an essential Princess Cruises experience fleet-wide.

And now, with the margarita world record, Princess Cruises has put a cherry on top of a celebrity brand partnership that’s a template for the kind of wild success that cruise lines – and avid cruise travelers! – are looking for.

START YOUR TRIP!

By: Lynn Elmhirst, cruise/ travel journalist and expert

Images courtesy of Princess Cruises

New Viking Cruises on the Mississippi Open for Booking

Wed, 11 Mar 26 22:34:12 +0000

Viking is expanding its river cruises in North America with the launch of two new itineraries on the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, celebrating the region's history, culture and culinary traditions. Both are now open for booking for 2027 sailings.

DON’T WAIT FOR THESE CAPACITY-LIMITED CRUISES TO FILL UP!

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NEW 15-day Bayous, Blues & Bluegrass itinerary, which operates between New Orleans and Louisville, featuring ports of call along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers.
Explore the rich heritage of the American South, the birthplace of some of the country’s most beloved culinary and musical traditions. Along the Mississippi River, grand homes preserve the South’s past. Step into Civil War history at Vicksburg and feel the rhythm of the blues in Greenville. Further north, sample smoky barbecue in Tennessee and discover Kentucky’s legacy of craftsmanship, from the powerful Louisville Slugger to smooth bourbon.
NEW 8-day Mississippi & Ohio River Explorer itinerary sails between Memphis and Louisville for a shorter option.
Sail on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers as they wind past scenic wetlands, quaint towns and storied cities. Classic American musical genres—the blues, rock ‘n’ roll and bluegrass—arose along these waterways. Discover the legacies of icons such as B. B. King and Elvis Presley in Memphis, Tennessee. In Kentucky, Louisville’s baseball museum preserves the spirit of America’s favorite pastime while its bourbon distilleries honor generations of craftsmanship.

These 2 new itineraries join Viking’s existing cruises on the Mississippi:

Mississippi River Odyssey (22 days; New Orleans – St. Paul) – Revel in the charm of “America’s Great River” as you set sail along the Mississippi. Admire the historic mansions and grand homes atop its bluffs, and delve into America’s Civil War history. Delight in the region’s famed Southern cuisine and sample Memphis’s renowned barbecue, alongside artisan beers. Birthplace of American music—blues, jazz and soul—the Mississippi celebrates its musical heritage in the towns and cities that line its legendary shores
Mississippi Delta Explorer (8 days; New Orleans – Memphis) – Discover Darrow, the gateway to the grand homes of the Lower Mississippi and explore the fascinating towns along the banks of the Mississippi that preserve the memory of the American South’s early history. Learn about Natchez’s French and Acadian heritage and pay your respects at the Vicksburg battlefield. Savor delicious Cajun and Creole cuisine, as well as Memphis’s famous barbecue, as you celebrate musical legends in the birthplace of rock ’n’ roll.
Heartland of America (8 days; St. Louis – St. Paul) – Journey along the Upper Mississippi while you hear stories of intrepid pioneers and the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Walk in the footsteps of famed writer Mark Twain and learn about the Norwegian migration to the Midwest. Enjoy the view as your ship navigates through the river’s intricate lock system and experience the region’s many cultural treasures—from ragtime, polka and Norwegian folk music to Wisconsin cheese, craft beer and hearty stews.
New Orleans & Southern Charms (8 days; New Orleans roundtrip) – The Lower Mississippi is rich with charm, history and hospitality. Explore historic estates and visit notable Civil War sites. Sample the bustling French-flavored port cities of New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Sway to the tempos of Dixieland jazz, gospel and blues. Savor gourmet Cajun and Creole cuisine, as well as traditional Southern fare. Join us, and see why local Cajuns say, “Laissez les bons temps rouler” (Let the good times roll).

Your Ship: The Viking Mississippi

Hosting 386 guests in 193 all-outside staterooms, the state-of-the-art Viking Mississippi is inspired by Viking's award-winning river and ocean ships and features elegant Scandinavian design, as well as public spaces that are familiar to guests but reimagined for Mississippi River voyages.

The ship’s cutting-edge design, expansive windows and comfortable amenities make the Viking Mississippi the first truly modern ship in the region.

More About Viking

Viking is a global leader in experiential travel with a fleet of more than 100 ships, exploring 21 rivers, five oceans and all seven continents. Designed for curious travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers experiences For The Thinking Person™. Viking has more than 450 awards to its name, including being rated #1 for Rivers and #1 for Oceans five years in a row and is also rated a “World’s Best” - no other travel company has simultaneously received such honors by both publications.

*** Images courtesy of Viking

*** Terms & Conditions apply; ask us for full itinerary, date and pricing details.

Equine Travel Experiences to Celebrate Year of the Horse

Wed, 11 Mar 26 22:33:50 +0000

Whether you are a devotee of the Chinese/ Lunar calendar, for many of us, horses are our spirit animals, and the Year of the Horse reminds us why. Since the earliest civilizations – is any other creature so well-represented on the world’s cave walls, ancient scripts, wall carvings? - Humans around the world have fallen in love with the majesty, power, elegance, intelligence and awe-inspiring beauty of horses. Not to mention utility. Horses became invaluable companions in agriculture, early industry, war and transportation. In connection with what may be human’s / history changing relationship with a single animal.

As technology advanced, our relationship with horses everywhere has changed… but in many places, our love affair with horses and riding traditions continues.

Here are just a few of the best experiences in some cultures with rich, storied equestrian traditions. As a spectator or an active participant, here are places to celebrate your inner equine spirit.

Spain

In sun-washed Andalusia, horses are woven into the fabric of history, life, and human drama. They even become high art at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art.

Here, gleaming Andalusian stallions perform intricate dressage choreographed to Spanish music — precision elevated to poetry, with distinctive historic costumes that remind us that to be Spanish is to ride (pictured, top).

The main attraction is the performance itself, but visitors can tour the stables, watch training sessions and even book riding lessons with school-trained instructors for a deeper connection.

It’s refinement rather than raw adventure — and utterly mesmerizing.

Austria

Beneath the extraordinary chandeliers at Vienna’s palatial, Baroque Spanish Riding School, legendary Lipizzaner stallions perform their famed “airs above the ground” — levades, caprioles, equine dance movements that seem to defy gravity.

The atmosphere is hushed, reverent. Attend morning exercise sessions for a more intimate look at training in progress.

Visitors cannot ride the Lipizzaners themselves, but private carriage tours in Vienna and riding schools throughout Austria allow travelers to connect with the broader equestrian culture.

Its heritage is preserved in military tailcoats and centuries-old tradition.

England

Meanwhile, English polo is outdoor summer theatre -with a competitive edge and Royal pageantry.

At Guards Polo Club near Windsor and Cowdray Park Polo Club in West Sussex, the British season unfolds on immaculate emerald fields. Spectators sip the classic British polo cocktail, Pimm’s punch, picnic beside the pitch and stroll out to stomp divots between chukkas.

The matches are fast and tactical — ponies pivoting sharply, mallets striking with precision.

Travelers can attend major tournaments as spectators, book hospitality enclosures, or – if you’re a rider - arrange beginner polo lessons at affiliated clubs outside tournament play.

It’s sport wrapped in ceremony — linen, horsepower and long golden evenings.

Chile

In Chilean Patagonia, horses aren’t a novelty or a nod to history — they’re part of everyday ranching life.

On remote Argentine estancias, herding days unfold on horseback across grasslands beneath Andean peaks. Gauchos ride with effortless authority over the landscape, horse and rider equally proud. Rivers are crossed without fuss; sheep are herded with quiet whistles.

Travelers don’t just watch — you can jump into the saddle too. Ride alongside working gauchos on half-day, full-day or multi-day estancia programs. No elite experience required; the horses are steady, the pace immersive rather than intimidating. You’re traveling at the speed of sheep, after all.

Evenings end with asado around an open fire and the deep sleep of a day spent outdoors. You won’t need reminding to forgo your devices and stop worrying about wifi. Patagonia teaches rhythm.

Morocco

Few silhouettes are more cinematic than an Arabian horse against the Sahara sands. On your next trip to Morocco, forgo a camel ride in favor of a horse expedition.

Canter along Atlantic beaches near Essaouira or venture inland for guided desert treks across golden dunes. Fabled Arabian horses are spirited but sure-footed, led by Berber guides who balance adventure with safety.

You may even witness a fantasia — ceremonial horsemen charging in synchronized bursts of thunder.

***

Make the Year of the Horse the year you reconnect with the ancient, primal human tie to hoofbeats in the world’s epic landscapes and cultures.

START YOUR TRIP!

Images: Getty

Oceania Cruises Goes Adults-Only: A New Trend?

Mon, 12 Jan 26 16:04:15 +0000

Oceania Cruises has joined an exclusive cruising club, announcing that it’s joining the ranks of cruise lines banning kids. You may be surprised which – and how few - cruise lines are truly adults only.

If you’ve done any luxury, especially small-ship cruising, you’re likely used to NOT seeing many children. That’s certainly about to be true on Oceania Cruises.

Oceania Cruises has announced that, effective January 7, 2026, new bookings will “welcome guests aged 18 and older.” Bookings made before that date that include young people will be honored.

The cruise line says the move follows “extensive research” and feedback from guests, and is about “elevating the onboard ambiance and responding to the preferences of its guests.”

According to Oceania, “Feedback consistently showed that guests choose Oceania Cruises for its serene atmosphere, sophisticated service and unhurried pace, traits that are highly sought after and valued by mature, affluent travelers.”

"Our guests have consistently shared that the tranquil environment aboard our ships is one of the primary reasons they return time and time again," stated Jason Montague, (tellingly titled Chief Luxury Officer of Oceania Cruises). "By transitioning to an adults-only experience, we are enhancing the very essence of the Oceania Cruises journey – one defined by sophistication, serenity and discovery."

Is the adults-only announcement part of a transition to full-on luxury for Oceania Cruises?

Recently, the cruise line has increasingly indicated that it now considers itself in the ‘luxury’ category. It’s part of the family of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, which includes family-friendly, mega-ship Norwegian Cruise Lines, Oceania, previously considered to be more in the ‘premium’ category, with sister cruise line Regent Seven Seas Cruises positioned as the ‘luxury’ brand in the family.

Aren't Kids Banned from All Luxury Cruises?

Oceania’s announcement may come as a surprise to you – there is an impression that all of the more luxurious, and especially smaller-ship lines are already adults-only.

Not so.

In fact, many luxury and small-ship cruise lines – ocean and river, including Seabourn and Scenic – do welcome younger family members, just without the theme park environment.

However, you really only see the children of officers (always impeccably behaved), or families on those luxury and small-ship cruises during the school holiday periods and particularly in family-friendly cruise destinations. Alaska during the summer holidays, for example. Christmas market river cruises.

Other than Oceania, only two ocean cruise lines explicitly ban kids – and for completely opposite reasons! Which 2 cruise lines already banned kids – and why??

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT IN THIS VIDEO

Is this a Sign of Luxury Cruising to Come?

Since Oceania’s announcement, there’s been a resounding social media chorus of Oceania and other cruise lovers praising the move. But at least one cruise line is absolutely bucking this trend.

Relative newcomer, ultra-luxury, small-ship cruise line Explora Journeys embraces younger cruise travelers with open arms. Not only are babies, children, and teens accepted, but Explora Journeys is designed for families and their kids, with:

Savings: Infants (6-23 months) sail free, and children (2-17) get up to 50% off.
Nautilus Club: A dedicated kids' club for ages 6 to 17 (even 3-5-year-olds, if accompanied by an adult) with age-appropriate activities and hosts.
Family Amenities: Connecting suites, child and baby amenities like smaller bathrobes, slippers and hangers, cribs, with blankets, linens and pillows. For infants aged six months to two years, toys are also available in the suite.
Age-Specific Fun: Activities include sports (football, pickleball), games, and themed evenings.
Dining: The culinary team accommodates younger guests, and kids can even dine with their hosts in the club.

So whether your vision of luxury cruising involves family and multi-generational vacations or an adults-only haven, you still have many excellent options.

START YOUR TRIP!

Story and video by: Lynn Elmhirst, cruise /travel journalist and expert

Top Image: Oceania Cruises' Gérard Bertrand Food and Wine Pairing lunch

Bottom Image: Explora Journeys' Nautilus Club