Good News if You’re Flying to Europe: New Passenger Protections
It only took 13 years! And resistance from the air industry. But finally, European lawmakers have passed updated regulations adding even more starch to what are already the stiffest air passenger protection rules in the world. They apply to all passengers... Read more
Discovering the Japan You Didn’t Expect Beyond the Main Island
For many travelers, the increasingly popular destination of Japan begins and ends on the island of Honshu – literally, it’s ‘Main Island.’ I can’t blame them – so much of the energy and contrasts of Japan are to be found... Read more
Scenic Expanding River Cruising to India, Sri Lanka
In October 2027, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours is launching the Scenic Aura on the Hooghly River, debuting a collection of itineraries in India and Sri Lanka. Scenic Aura River Cruising During its inaugural season from October 2027 to March 2028, Scenic... Read more
New European Hotels in Landmark Historic Sites to Inspire your Next Trip
London. Venice. Lisbon. Each powerhouse travel destination already has its share of iconic hotels. But new properties opening in 2026 give visitors the unique ability to live inside the history and culture of these storied cities, not just peer at... Read more
Italy with Christine - May 2026
Rome to Naples • Lazio & Campania Regions • May 2026Every trip I make to Italy leaves me with something new — a new story, a new favourite meal, a hidden street I somehow never noticed before, or a conversation... Read more
The Natural Thrills of Costa Rica
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... Read more
Scotland's Greatest Summer Spectacle: the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
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... Read more
The Cruise Line Breeding “Super Coral” and Other Good News for World Oceans Day
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... Read more
Gaudí at 100: Barcelona's Most Famous Architect "Raising the Roof" of the City
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... Read more
Do You Know Your Mediterranean A, B… Seas?
When is the Med… not just the Med? The Mediterranean Sea and its iconic coastal towns, yacht harbors, fishing villages, beaches, cliffs, and cultural touchpoints are on nearly everyone’s list of favorite escapes. But – pop quiz - did you... Read more
Keeping Time: Why a Timepiece is Still the Best Souvenir of Switzerland
For more than 400 years, Switzerland has been the world’s watchmaking and time-keeping capital. And unlike many luxury industries in other countries that outsourced production decades ago, the most respected Swiss watch brands are still made in Switzerland — often... Read more
Holland America Launching Year-Round Cruises in Europe
The seasons for cruise and travel are changing – even disappearing altogether! Holland America Line has become the latest cruise line to expand to year-round sailing in Europe, joining the likes of Viking and Windstar to make the coasts of... Read more
When Your Overwater Bungalow Sails with You in Tahiti: Paul Gauguin Cruises' Room Tour
It’s a tropical vacation fantasy: staying in an overwater bungalow over breathtaking, warm, turquoise waters in the legendary and romantic South Pacific. But what if your overwater bungalow floats with you to a new, incredible destination every day? That’s one of... Read more
New Zealand - November 2025
I was a guest of Tourism New Zealand on an 9-day Familiarization trip to the North Island of that unique country.If you ever decide to take a trip to New Zealand, I do recommend taking more time as it was... Read more
Why Travelers are Following the Trail of South Africa’s Oldest Vineyards
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... Read more
Opera by the Sea: Where World-Class Music Meets the Waterfront
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... Read more
Top Souvenirs from a Springtime Trip to the Netherlands
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... Read more
Orient Express Launches World’s Largest Sailed Cruise Ship
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... Read more
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