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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

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!

LET US HELP YOU BOOK YOUR 2027 VIKING CRUISE CLOSE TO HOME!

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

Get In the Know About the Islands of Italy

Mon, 12 Jan 26 15:55:35 +0000

Travel beyond ‘the boot’ to Italy’s inspiring islands. With thousands of miles of Mediterranean coastline, some of the best Italian destinations are floating dramatically offshore, from the world-famous to others that feel like secrets shared over a late-night glass of local wine. Travel like someone in the know, island-hopping in Italy with insider info and tips.

Sicily

Epic, cinematic, and deeply delicious.

Famous for: Mount Etna’s volcanic drama, ancient Greek temples, glorious Baroque towns, Palermo’s markets, cannoli, granita, and that intense, layered history you can taste in every meal.
Pop culture moment: The Godfather filming locations in Savoca & Forza d’Agrò, and the White Lotus season that put Taormina back on everyone’s bucket list.
Insider vibe: Avoid high-season crowds by staying in smaller towns like Ragusa Ibla or Noto — and spend at least one night on the slopes of Etna at a vineyard hotel. Sicily rewards slow travelers.
Jet-setting note: Taormina is back — but book boutique, not flashy.

Sardinia

Wild freedom meets discreet luxury.

Famous for: stunning, clear turquoise waters, private coves and pristine beaches (especially Costa Smeralda), prehistoric ruins, rich cultural traditions, distinct cuisine featuring sheep's cheese and wine, mountainous landscapes, and as a "Blue Zone" known for longevity. It's celebrated as a "micro-continent" for its diverse ecosystems and strong identity, distinct from mainland Italy.
Pop culture moment: The Costa Smeralda’s golden era — think 1960s jet-set glamour — quietly continues today.
Insider vibe: Skip the headline beaches and go north to the La Maddalena archipelago by boat — or inland for shepherd lunches and slow travel.
Jet-set note: Billionaires flock to Sardinia's Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast), particularly Porto Cervo, a purpose-built playground for the ultra-rich featuring exclusive marinas for mega-yachts, high-end boutiques, private villas and luxury hotels.

Capri

Glamour, style… and lemons.

Famous for: The Blue Grotto, Faragliono Rocks (pictured above), Via Camerelle boutiques, cliff-top views, limoncello, lemon granita, and movie-star mythology.
Pop culture moment: Brigitte Bardot, Jackie O, and the endless parade of modern celebrities who still make Capri their summer stage. The above-the-ankle chic pants you wear with handmade sandals on a lazy seaside day even took their name from the style-setting island of Capri in the mid-century height of the jet set.
Insider vibe: Stay overnight. Day-trippers head back to the Amalfi coast mainland, the piazzetta empties, and suddenly Capri feels like a village again. Dinner at a family-run restaurant beats any “see-and-be-seen” spot.
Trending secret: Anacapri — quieter, more local, equally breathtaking.

Ischia

The spa island is overshadowed by Capri — and that’s exactly why insiders love it.

Famous for: Thermal waters, volcanic mud baths, gardens, and wellness retreats.
Pop culture moment: Featured in The Talented Mr. Ripley — but somehow still underrated.
Insider vibe: Spend a day drifting between pools of different temperatures, then seafood dinner by the castle. This is where Italians go to recover from life.
Hidden gem energy: Therapy in the sunshine.

Procida

Tiny, pastel colors, unpolished in the best way.

Famous for: sherbet-colored houses stacked above the harbor (pictured, top), fishermen mending nets, sleepy afternoons.
Pop culture moment: Il Postino was filmed here — and it kept that soft, poetic, slightly nostalgic atmosphere.
Insider vibe: Come for lunch, wander slowly, don’t rush. No big resorts, no attitude — just real island life.
Trend forecast: Becoming a “slow travel darling,” but still delightfully under the radar.

Elba

Elba has history, beaches and breezy, outdoorsy charm.

Famous for: the location of Napoleon’s exile, Mediterranean pine forests, snorkeling coves, and family-friendly towns.
Pop culture moment: referenced in films about the later years of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Insider vibe: Rent a bike, sail a bit, picnic on the beach. This is summer as Italians actually do it.
Hidden gem: Capo Sant’Andrea — incredibly clear water without the drama.

Ponza

Pretty, authentic, quietly glamorous and where the residents of Rome go when they want to get away from the world.

Famous for: grottos, striped cliffs, and tiny harbor restaurants (pictured above).
Pop culture moment: Italian celebrities have long escaped here, but avoid being photographed here.
Insider vibe: Rent a boat, swim in hidden coves, eat spaghetti alle vongole, repeat.
Trend alert: Slowly being “discovered,” but still wonderfully low-key.

From Capri’s glamorous touchstone, to Ischia’s wellness lifestyle, Sardinia’s rugged nature and a billionaire’s playground, there’s an Italian island calling your name for your next vacation.

START YOUR TRIP!

Images: Getty

Riverside Luxury Cruises’ Early Booking Bonus: up to 18% Discount

Tue, 30 Dec 25 18:52:48 +0000

For a limited time, Riverside Luxury Cruises offers double-digit savings for early bookings for 2026 and 2027 sailings as it opens reservations for its 2027 sailing season, featuring a full calendar of departures across its European fleet, with sailings from early spring through late December on routes ranging from short three-night getaways to extended 23-night journeys. Riverside has also added expert-led theme cruises to the 2026 sailing schedule, focusing on culinary, active pursuits and local celebrations.

ASK US ABOUT EARLY BOOKING BONUSES!

Act now while staterooms are still available.

Riverside rewards early planning for 2026 cruises:

• 15% discount for all bookings made by February 28, 2026.
• 10% discount for all bookings between March 1 and May 31, 2026.

Early Booking Discounts for 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

Curated Theme Sailings in 2026

New additions to the 2026 calendar include theme cruises designed to allow guests to explore their interests and curiosities while enjoying Riverside’s signature service.

GOLF

The six-night Pearls of the Danube Golf Cruise (July 23–29) brings guests to championship courses in five historic cities, including Hungary’s oldest golf course and several of Europe’s top-ranked venues. Personalized guidance from an onboard golf pro helps guests refine their game both on deck and on the fairway, complemented by enriching talks and swing sessions on the Vista Deck.

BEER

Beer enthusiasts can look forward to Hops & Heritage: Cruising Through Centuries of Brewing Craftsmanship (July 29–August 5) on the Rhine River. Curated and hosted by noted beer sommelier James Kellow, this first-of-its-kind luxury voyage through Europe’s legendary beer heartlands pairs regional brews with gourmet dining, celebrating beer’s cultural roots and craftsmanship.

FESTIVALS

The eight-night Destination Danube: Hungary National Day & Scenic Wachau Valley (August 19) coincides with Hungary’s National Day celebrations, when parades, folk traditions, fireworks, and regional cuisine fill Budapest, and Riverside guests will have the best view from the ship’s prime docking location. The itinerary continues to Bratislava, Vienna, and Linz before concluding in Passau.

What’s New for 2027

DANUBE

Riverside Mozart introduces new routing on the Danube River for 2026 and 2027, including many options sailing round-trip from Vienna. New 14-night itineraries allow travelers to explore the Upper Danube without repeating a single port and offer flexible embarkation options for a more customized experience. Riverside’s flexible scheduling model also includes shorter Danube sailings ranging from three to seven nights. In addition, Riverside Mozart will call on a guest favorite, the Lower Danube, again in 2027.

RHONE

In France, Riverside Ravel will offer a new highlight to their Rhône itineraries—an evening sailing through the Rhône Delta south of Arles, where the river flows into the Mediterranean Sea. This UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve is home to flocks of pink flamingos, free-roaming white horses, and black bulls. In the months of July through September, when water levels are more stable, Ravel will add the Saône River to the schedule.

RHINE

On the Rhine River, Riverside Debussy will continue to sail through the Netherlands and Belgium in spring 2026 and 2027, celebrating the magic of tulip season. During summer, Debussy will operate the classic Amsterdam–Basel route, including new four- and five-night sailings ideal for pairing with land tours. In spring and fall 2026, the ship repositions to the Danube, sailing a seven-night Bavarian itinerary before spending a month exploring the Lower Danube between Hungary and Romania.

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, earning awards for the best cuisine in European river cruising. 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, 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.

On board, guests enjoy butler service in every suite; gourmet cuisine made with high-quality, fresh ingredients 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.

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

*** Image courtesy of Riverside Luxury Cruises

“Free at Sea Plus” Package Returns at Norwegian Cruise Line

Tue, 30 Dec 25 18:52:21 +0000

Releasing its winter 2027/28 deployment, Norwegian Cruise Line has also announced the return of guest-favorite ‘Free at Sea Plus’ package - offering more unlimited amenities, including premium beverages, streaming Wi-Fi, Starbucks and more beginning this winter.

The Return of ‘Free at Sea’ Unlocks Premium Perks

Beginning with Sailings Departing from Feb. 1, 2026, you can opt in for Free at Sea Plus for Additional Unlimited Perks on Starbucks, Streaming Wi-Fi, Premium Drinks and More;
For even greater value and convenience.

Free at Sea Plus takes NCL's guest-favorite Free at Sea program to the next level, giving travelers even more ways to enjoy a seamless, stress-free cruise for USD $49.99 per person per day. This enhanced offering includes unlimited Starbucks beverages, unlimited streaming Wi-Fi, wine and champagne from NCL's signature collection, bottled water and 50% discount on any additional specialty dining cover charges.

Moreover, by opting for Free at Sea Plus, guests can also indulge in unlimited open bar at Great Stirrup Cay, the cruise line's private island destination in the Bahamas. Combined with Free at Sea's existing inclusions -- specialty dining, unlimited open bar onboard the ship, high-speed Wi-Fi powered by Starlink, and shore excursion credits -- Free at Sea Plus means even fewer logistics to manage, total budget control and more time to relax.

Guests can now add Free at Sea Plus to sailings departing from Feb. 1, 2026, forward.

ASK US HOW!

New Season of Sailings Features:

Over 370 Voyages Across Nearly 50 Countries, Including Two Prima Class Ships in San Juan, Expanded Caribbean Adventures as well as Once-in-a-Lifetime Journeys in Asia, Australia and New Zealand;
Longer port stays, overnight calls, and award-winning onboard experiences;
Many Bahamas and Caribbean itineraries will visit NCL’s exclusive private island destination, Great Stirrup Cay, which will feature a new pier, an oversized heated pool, and the Great Tides Waterpark.
Spanning over 370 voyages, the new season of sailings promises sun-soaked escapes, culturally enriching adventures, and the ultimate freedom and flexibility to design a personalized vacation experience – onboard and ashore.

San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Welcome Two Award-Winning Prima Class Ships

For the first time in the cruise line's history, two of NCL's newest ships will homeport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, offering week-long voyages to the Southern Caribbean, with each ship offering a distinct itinerary. From Nov. 13, 2027, through April 22, 2028, Norwegian Prima will feature Saturday turnarounds and seven-day itineraries calling to Road Town (Tortola), British Virgin Islands; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia; Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis; and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Complementing her sister ship's itineraries, Norwegian Viva will operate Sunday turnarounds from Nov. 14, 2027, through Jan. 23, 2028, with more south-bound seven-day voyages, including calls in Aruba and Curaçao, delivering vibrant cultural encounters and sun-soaked escapes.

Florida Homeports Set the Stage for Diverse Bahamas, Caribbean and Panama Canal Voyages

With seven ships departing from homeports across Florida, guests can choose from a variety of itineraries sailing to the Bahamas, the Caribbean and the Panama Canal. Many of these itineraries include a stop at NCL's signature private destination in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay. The island will boast exciting upgrades and enhancements such as a new pier, an oversized heated swimming pool and Great Tides Waterpark, creating an elevated island experience that blends relaxation with adventure.

From Miami, the "Cruise Capital of the World", Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Jewel, and Norwegian Luna offer everything from short Bahamas getaways to extended Caribbean and Panama Canal voyages. Norwegian Joy will feature three- and four-day Bahamas escapes between November 2027 and April 2028, while Norwegian Jewel presents a mix of 10- and 11-day voyages to the Southern Caribbean and Panama Canal from November 2027 through January 2028. Norwegian Luna delivers seven-day Eastern Caribbean sailings from October 2027 through April 2028 with Great Stirrup Cay included on every itinerary.

Departing from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Fla., Norwegian Aqua, Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Epic provide even more options. Norwegian Aqua, one of NCL's newest ships, will operate seven-day Western Caribbean cruises departing every Sunday starting in October 2027 until April 2028, visiting the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Mexico, and Great Stirrup Cay. Beginning November 2027 through March 2028, Norwegian Breakaway offers a mix of shorter four- and five-day Bahamas and Caribbean voyages, and Norwegian Epic sails seven-day Eastern Caribbean itineraries departing on Fridays.

On November 19, 2027, Norwegian Dawn will return to Jacksonville, Fla., and kick off her second season from JAXPORT. Through April 2028, the ship will sail four- and five-day Bahamas itineraries calling to Freeport, Nassau, as well as Great Stirrup Cay.

NCL Continues Year-Round Deployment from Philadelphia

After restarting cruise operations from the Port of Philadelphia in April 2026, NCL remains committed to the homeport with Norwegian Pearl sailing an exceptional selection of five- to 12-day itineraries to Bermuda, the Bahamas, and the Eastern and Southern Caribbean from the SouthPort Marine Terminal Complex between October 2027 and April 2028. The ship's Bermuda voyages include overnight stays at the Royal Naval Dockyard, while its Bahamas sailings feature calls at Jacksonville and Port Canaveral (Orlando), Fla.; Grand Bahama Island, Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas. Eastern Caribbean itineraries include visits to Road Town (Tortola), British Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Longer, 11- and 12-day Southern Caribbean journeys will transport guests to stunning destinations such as Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Bridgetown, Barbados; and St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda.

Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Getaway to Sail Western Caribbean Itineraries from Two Iconic Gulf Coast Cities

Between November 2027 and April 2028, two NCL ships will sail Western Caribbean voyages throughout the season, offering guests convenient departures from two iconic Gulf Coast cities. Norwegian Escape will homeport in Galveston, Texas, operating a full first season of seven-day itineraries departing every Saturday. Meanwhile, Norwegian Getaway will sail from New Orleans on Sundays, providing another flexible option for travelers. Both ships will visit some of the region's most sought-after destinations, including Cozumel, Mexico; Roatán (Islas de la Bahía), Honduras; and Harvest Caye, NCL's resort-style private destination off the Belizean coast, delivering a perfect blend of culture, adventure and relaxation.

Mexican Riviera Adventures from Los Angeles

Throughout the winter season, Norwegian Encore will sail seven-day round-trip Mexican Riviera voyages, visiting Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta. From October 2027 through April 2028, Norwegian Encore departs every Sunday from Los Angeles and will offer a plethora of activities catering to families, including a multi-level racetrack, Spice H2O adults-only lounge, and award-winning entertainment featuring live music and world-class shows.

Culturally Enriching Itineraries Across Japan and Southeast Asia

From October 2027 through April 2028, Norwegian Jade will offer nine- to 14-day itineraries departing from homeports across the region, including Tokyo and Yokohama, Japan; Seoul (Incheon), South Korea; Hong Kong and Singapore, showcasing a new city nearly every day. With Japan ranking among the world's most sought-after destinations, guests can explore over 20 distinct ports, including Okinawa, Hakodate, Kagoshima and Akita, plus enjoy an overnight stay in Kobe with enough time to visit Kyoto's temples and dive into Osaka's nightlife. Select itineraries also feature an overnight in Hong Kong, blending iconic harbour views and a vibrant culture for guests to explore. In addition, six Southeast Asia sailings between Singapore and Hong Kong will visit tropical gems such as Ko Samui, Thailand; Phu My (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam; Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia; and the pristine beaches of Coron and Puerto Princesa in the Philippines.

Norwegian Spirit Brings Extended Voyages and Overnight Stays to Australia and New Zealand

Norwegian Spirit will mark its fifth consecutive season in Australia and New Zealand between December 2027 through April 2028, reinforcing NCL's dedication to the region. Homeporting in Sydney, Auckland, New Zealand, and Singapore, guests can choose from itineraries spanning eight to 21 days, including NCL's debut in Esperance and overnight stays in Fremantle, Melbourne and Adelaide, Australia for deeper cultural and culinary immersion. Redesigned with a refined, adult-focused atmosphere, Norwegian Spirit offers contemporary staterooms, elevated dining and world-class entertainment - perfect for couples and seasoned travelers seeking an upscale escape.

About Norwegian Cruise Line

Over the past 6 decades, Norwegian Cruise Line has revolutionized cruising by offering guests the freedom and flexibility to design their ideal vacation on their preferred schedule with no assigned dining and entertainment times and no formal dress codes. With award-winning entertainment, globally inspired dining and thoughtfully designed accommodations, including solo staterooms, Club Balcony Suites, and The Haven, the brand's exclusive ship-within-a-ship concept, NCL, ensures every guest enjoys a seamless and personalized journey.

Norwegian’s signature Free at Sea package provides added benefits and inclusions such as unlimited open bar, specialty dining credits, high-speed Wi-Fi, shore excursions credits; and with select sailings, guests can enjoy free airfare as well as third and fourth guests sail free.

NCL’s fleet of 20 contemporary ships sails to nearly 350 of the world's most desirable destinations, including Great Stirrup Cay, the company's private island in the Bahamas and its resort destination Harvest Caye in Belize.

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

*** Images courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line.

Regent Launches Epicurean Enrichment Studios; Part of Multi-Million Dollar Refurbishment

Sat, 13 Dec 25 00:59:30 +0000

The immersive, state-of-the-art culinary theaters feature the ‘Epicurean Passport Series,’ chef-hosted dining, and destination-inspired shore excursions. Epicurean Enrichment Studios debuts in spring 2026 exclusively on board 2 of the ultra-luxury cruise line’s fleet of ships: Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Voyager.

The Epicurean Enrichment Studio was inspired by the phenomenal success of the Culinary Arts Kitchen on board Regent’s newer, Explorer-class ships: Seven Seas Explorer, Grandeur, and Splendor. The Epicurean Enrichment Studios are part of thoughtful and extensive, multi-million-dollar refurbishments for Mariner and Voyager.

Foodies will love the inspiring culinary experiences that connect them to destinations through flavor, history, and storytelling, from mastering the art of spice blending in India to savoring premium Mediterranean olive oils.

Embark on a series of enriching experiences designed to deepen your appreciation for global cuisine and cultural traditions.

The experience on board Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Voyager will begin each cruise with an open-house, sparkling wine reception, where guests may meet the resident chefs and sign up for programs and events around the following 5 pillars of the Epicurean Enrichment Studio.

The 5 Pillars of the Epicurean Enrichment Studio: Ship and Shore

Epicurean Passport Series
The cornerstone of the Epicurean Enrichment Studio program is the Epicurean Passport Series, which features destination-focused, immersive lectures focusing on a region’s culinary history, signature ingredients, and recipes. Participants will also receive a keepsake passport stamped upon completing each culinary region, along with illustrated recipe handouts. The program offers exclusive culinary experiences across more than 20 distinct culinary regions, including Polynesia, Southeast Asia, Iberia, India, and Patagonia, ensuring that every destination becomes an opportunity for gastronomic discovery.
Chef’s Circle
Available exclusively to Epicurean Passport Series participants, this dynamic programming varies by region and chef instructor, ensuring fresh and relevant experiences throughout each voyage, with epicurean trivia competitions, author-led book readings and signings, expert mixology classes, culinary film screenings, and captivating storytelling sessions.
Chef’s Table
The Chef’s Table program is made up of 2 elements: intimate small-group culinary lectures and cooking demonstrations led by Regent's chefs. The culinary lectures will cover sophisticated topics such as Olive Oils 101 or Spices of the World, allowing for direct Q&A. The casual and convivial cooking demonstration by the chef will be reflective of regional cuisine, for example, paella in Spain, biryani in India or Scandinavian Gravlax, offering a memorable and interactive culinary experience.
Chef-Led Epicurean Enrichment Tours

With this carefully curated collection of over 70 culinary shore excursions, guests join Regent chefs in exploring destination highlights such as vibrant local markets, prestigious vineyards, and authentic kitchens, with optional post-tour recaps conducted in the Epicurean Enrichment Studio to expand upon the day's discoveries.
Chef-Hosted Dining

Invitational-only dinners, seating no more than eight guests, with Regent’s culinary team in the ultra-luxury cruise line’s exquisite specialty restaurants. Each evening begins with a cocktail hour and culinary insights into the different cuisine served on board.

More About Regent Seven Seas Cruises 

Carrying between 496 and no more than 822 guests, the line’s perfectly sized ships - Seven Seas Explorer, Grandeur, Mariner, Navigator, Splendor, Voyager, and Prestige, which is scheduled to be delivered in 2026 - form “The World’s Most Luxurious Fleet.” Offering immersive exploration in more than 550 destinations across seven continents, guests travel the world in luxurious space featuring sumptuous all-suite accommodations, nearly all with private balconies, which are among the largest at sea. Regent’s heartfelt personalized service can be found throughout lavish public areas and expansive outdoor spaces, or while savoring incomparable culinary experiences in a range of specialty restaurants and al-fresco dining venues.

Guests cruise in all-inclusive luxury, with amenities such as unlimited shore excursions, exquisite cuisine, beverages including fine wines and spirits, entertainment, Starlink Wi-Fi, free valet laundry, gratuities, a one-night, pre-cruise hotel package for guests staying in Concierge-level suites and higher, and more. In addition, Regent’s Ultimate All-Inclusive Fares include round-trip flights with the flexibility to choose desired air class, transfers between airport and ship, and exclusive Blacklane private executive chauffeur service for guests to personalize their journeys.

START YOUR TRIP!

Images courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Christmas Quirk: Global Holiday Traditions Worth Traveling For

Sat, 13 Dec 25 00:58:16 +0000

Christmas has traveled around the world – and along the way, it’s picked up local flavors, traditions and folklore. You may have traveled to sip gluhwein at Germany’s Christmas markets, attend midnight Mass at the Vatican, or even been to Bethlehem at Christmas, but you haven’t really experienced Christmas as a global phenomenon until you’ve explored some of the twists and turns the holiday has taken as it's traveled far and wide.

There may be no place like home for the holidays, but traditions like these inspire us to find new ways - and new places - to celebrate the festive season.

Spain’s Pooping Christmas Log (pictured, top)

In Catalonia, Spain, children nurture a wooden log — complete with a painted face and jaunty hat — by feeding it sweets in early December. On Christmas Eve, they beat the log with sticks while singing songs, encouraging it to “poop” presents. Yes, really. And the parents encourage this! It’s bizarre, joyful, and somehow heartwarming, proving that festive magic comes in all forms.

Iceland’s 13 Yule Lads

Forget one jolly man in a red suit — Iceland’s folklore describes 13 mischievous trolls who show up one by one in the days before Christmas. Their names say it all: Spoon-Licker, Door-Slammer, Sausage-Swiper. They leave small gifts in children’s shoes, provided the kids behave on an island believed to be home to countless trolls and elves or “Hidden People” inhabiting the rocks and hills of the Land of Fire and Ice.

Czech Republic’s Christmas Shoe Toss

In the Czech Republic, single women have a delightfully old-fashioned way to predict their romantic future for the coming year. On Christmas Eve, they stand with their backs to the door and toss a shoe over their shoulder. If the toe points toward the door when it lands, wedding bells might be on the horizon. If not… well, there’s always next Christmas. It’s more fun than swiping left!

Japan’s ‘Christmas Cake’ and KFC

Yes, that KFC. Thanks to a 1970s marketing campaign, “Kentucky for Christmas” has become a national ritual. Families order buckets weeks in advance. It’s quirky in a way that only Japanese pop culture can be. And they serve it up with another Japanese staple: ‘Christmas cake,’ a layered sponge cake filled with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. In North America, that’s a summer favorite, but in Japan, its festive red and white (also colors of the Japanese flag) make it part of the Japanese adaptation of Western Christmas.

South Africa’s Christmas Worm

Christmas KFC is nothing compared to South Africa’s holiday protein twist. In some places, fried Mopane worms (really, large caterpillars) are considered a festive delicacy. They’re often dried and then crisped up with spices, creating a surprisingly savory, almost nutty holiday snack. It’s a tradition rooted in Indigenous culinary heritage, and a new flavor for you to try for the holidays, if you dare. Would cranberry sauce help them go down?

Portugal’s Festive Feast with the Departed

In parts of rural Portugal, families set an extra place at the Christmas table for loved ones who have passed away. Bread or small treats are often left out overnight, in the belief that welcoming the departed brings good fortune for the year ahead. It’s a custom that emphasizes family across the generations during one of the most family-focused holy days of the year.

Australia’s Beach Barbecues

When it’s 30°C and sunny on December 25, the festive season shifts outdoors. Across Australia, families head to the beach for prawns, cold drinks, and sand-between-the-toes celebrations. Santa might show up on a surfboard. And nobody bats an eye. It’s Christmas… Down Under.

Wherever you travel or gather this holiday season, Christmas proves one delightful truth: the world and its cultures may be vast, but we all love to get together to celebrate.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Images: Getty

Celebrating the Night: Seabourn’s ‘Noctourism’ Experiences

Thu, 27 Nov 25 18:17:41 +0000

During the shortest days and longest nights of the year, ultra-luxury cruise line Seabourn is shining a spotlight on ways it gives guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in the primal allure of the night, as part of the growing ‘noctourism’ trend of exploring destinations after dark and connecting with destinations in new and meaningful ways.

Select sailings feature experiences from stargazing and late-night wildlife encounters to cultural and indigenous performances and private evening events under the stars. Whether ashore or on deck, guests are invited to embrace the wonder, stillness, and energy that emerge when the sun goes down.

SHORE

Evening at Ephesus

One of Seabourn’s most treasured signature events in the Eastern Mediterranean, An Evening at Ephesus (pictured, below) transports guests into history. As twilight falls, the ancient Odeon theater is illuminated for an exclusive concert under the stars. Guests sip wine, enjoy canapés, and listen as classical music fills the ruins of one of the world’s great archaeological treasures — a private night available only to Seabourn guests.

Expedition Experience: Baining Fire Dance (pictured, top)

In the shadow of the Baining Mountains in Papua New Guinea, guests experience this extraordinary sacred dance usually reserved for precious life’s milestones. Adorned in ornate, outsized masks, dancers leap across flames to the sound of chanting and drumbeats that reverberate across the island and through you.

Evening at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary – Hobart, Tasmania

As dusk descends in Tasmania, Bonorong Sanctuary awakens. Guests will encounter the island’s remarkable nocturnal life, including Tasmanian devils, quolls, wombats, and friendly, free-roaming kangaroos and wallabies. With the setting sun, the sanctuary comes alive with energy and sound, offering an intimate, after-dark experience found only in this extraordinary corner of the world.

Manta Ray Magic: A Nighttime Snorkeling Adventure – Kona, Hawaii

Under a canopy of stars, sail along Hawaii’s glowing coastline before slipping into the waters of Kona’s famous Manta Ray Village. Illuminated by soft light, graceful manta rays glide effortlessly around guests, creating a breathtaking nocturnal encounter found nowhere else on earth.

Hong Kong Nightlife by Tram

Guests can embark on a scenic evening adventure through Hong Kong, beginning with a ride to Victoria Peak aboard the historic Peak Tram for sweeping nighttime views of the illuminated city and harbor. Then, hop on a classic double-decker tram for a leisurely tour of Hong Kong Island’s vibrant nightlife before returning to the pier.

SHIPBOARD

Stargazing at Sea: Kimberley, Australia, South Pacific & Beyond

Clear skies and minimal light pollution in the Kimberley region and South Pacific and beyond make nightly stargazing a can’t-miss experience for guests bound for remote destinations with Seabourn. Stretch out on deck, relax on your private veranda or take part in guided stargazing sessions with Seabourn’s Expedition Team, who share insights into the constellations and celestial navigation, enhanced by the complimentary Swarovski Optik binoculars available on every suite on the expedition ships.

Northern Lights: Alaska, Greenland & Arctic

Explorations of Alaska, Greenland and the Arctic may provide the opportunity to see the natural phenomenon of Northern Lights, with itineraries offering wake-up calls to maximize viewing opportunities if the lights make an appearance.

Guests can bundle up and head out on deck or enjoy panoramic views indoors at the Constellation Lounge, the highest vantage point on Seabourn’s expedition ships, or at the Observation Bar on the rest of the fleet. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls wrap around the space, offering stunning 270-degree, outward-facing views as far as eyes can see.

DINING UNDER THE STARS ONBOARD

Across the fleet, Seabourn’s signature open-air venues transform at night, offering globally inspired menus, atmospheric settings, and warm ocean breezes to allow you to savor the night:

Select itineraries offer “Dinner Under the Stars” at The Retreat on Seabourn Encore and Seabourn Ovation, featuring an intimate, private setting with cabana seating, live music, and elegant table service under the night sky.
Earth & Ocean, the beloved poolside eatery, becomes a refined al fresco destination where guests dine beneath the stars, savoring inventive dishes infused with international flair.
Solis: Seabourn’s new fine dining restaurant invites guests to indulge in Mediterranean cuisine while enjoying ocean views in an elegant open-air setting.
In-Suite Dining: As the sun sets, Seabourn’s culinary experience extends to the suite, where guests may enjoy a full dinner from The Restaurant, served course by course in the comfort of your suite or private veranda for an intimate evening under the stars.

More About Seabourn:

Seabourn’s six modern ships represent the pinnacle of ultra-luxury ocean and expedition travel. 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. Complimentary Signature Events include Marina Day, Caviar in the Surf, Evening at Ephesus, Shopping with the Chef, Caviar on the Ice, Polar Plunge, and more

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.

START YOUR TRIP!

Images courtesy of Seabourn.

This Year’s European Christmas Capital is…

Thu, 27 Nov 25 18:17:25 +0000

Rekindle your love of Christmas traveling to the official – yes, official! - European Christmas capital. Each year, the Christmas Cities Network, with support from the European Parliament, designates a different European Christmas capital, recognizing how that destination brings the local essence of the celebration to life for residents and visitors.

In 2025, the European Christmas Capital is Vilnius, the capital city of Lithuania, one of the Baltic countries in north-eastern Europe.

You may think of some of the more famous Christmas destinations – often associated with their Christmas markets, like Nuremberg, Germany, with its mother of all Christmas markets, Strasbourg, France, the largest and oldest in that country, or grand, imperial Vienna, which are all visited by Danube and Rhine River cruises and land travelers alike. Cities like London and Paris are known for their epic lights, shopping and holiday displays. And of course, the religious pilgrimage destinations - like Rome for a Mass or the Pope’s Christmas message – are perennial favorites.

A visit to one of the European Christmas Capitals can not only connect you to favorite and new local traditions, but it can also give you a quieter celebration than the marquee destinations. At Vilius’ celebrations, locals outnumber tourists, and visitors can discover living local traditions that date back to the country’s pagan times.

“I invite everyone to rediscover that sense of wonder and curiosity, as if you were five years old again. It will also be a wonderful opportunity to learn about Lithuanian holiday traditions and sample some seasonal delicacies, including curd doughnuts, sea buckthorn tea, and hot beer,” said Audrius Vainonis, the Lithuanian Santa Claus at the gathering of Santas in Vilnius (pictured, top.)

The official holiday season in Vilnius begins on November 29 with the lighting of the city’s main Christmas Tree in Cathedral Square. Christmas markets, a sparkling Old Town, and even more festive events will keep the Christmas spirit going strong for over a month.

Christmas Day itself is coming early to Vilnius, which is establishing a new tradition of celebrating Christmas Day twice – with the first “Vilnius Christmas Before Christmas” on December 13, 2 weeks before the big day itself.

Highlights of the special day and the entire season include

a special Christmas currency that can be spent on tasty treats across the city,
a free Christmas card postal service to anywhere in the world (simply write your message, add the recipient’s address, and drop the postcard into one of the special Christmas mailboxes scattered around the Old Town. Vilnius’ Christmas elves will take care of the rest),
a 200-strong choir singing Christmas carols in a singalong atmosphere on an outdoor ice rink,
a square featuring 144 uniquely theme-decorated fir trees,
free guided tours with a festive theme, including the legends and secrets of Vilnius, how the nobility celebrated Christmas, and unique holiday traditions, and
Christmas-themed trains running through the holiday period (pictured below).

City organizers hope these experiences help visitors reconnect with their magical childhood holiday memories – and establish some new ones.

You’ll have plenty of time to soak up the magic in the European Christmas capital. The holiday season will close on January 6 with the Three Kings procession from the Gates of Dawn to Cathedral Square.

START YOUR FESTIVE TRIP!

Images courtesy of Go Vilnius.

Swap Stress for Serenity this Season with Locally-Inspired Wellness Escapes in Latin America

Thu, 27 Nov 25 18:16:00 +0000

Marriott hotels and resorts are inviting you to escape and unwind in the Caribbean and Latin America through personalized treatments, healing rituals, therapies using natural ingredients, immersive sensory experiences, and holistic lifestyle activities that help you balance body, mind, and spirit.

Reset, rejuvenate, and relax in coveted destinations, relying on modern wellness experts who also tap into local, regional and sometimes ancient practices you can’t experience anywhere else.

COSTA RICA

At W Costa Rica in Guanacaste, nature-lovers can practice shinrin-yoku, the Japanese art of "forest bathing." This mindful walk through a natural setting invites participants to breathe deeply and connect with the surrounding landscape. According to ancient traditions, embracing trees—believed to hold vibrational energy- can help balance emotions and revitalize the body, thanks to the trees' phytoncides and deep-rooted connection to Mother Earth. Studies have shown that the practice reduces stress and reawakens the senses.

At The Mangroove, Autograph Collection, a beachfront hotel in Guanacaste, enjoy a wide range of holistic treatments suited to every traveler—from multi-instrument sound journeys to detoxifying coffee massages—all surrounded by the country's stunning mangroves. For a revitalizing experience, the property offers a sound therapy session featuring Tibetan singing bowls, whose powerful vibrations are known to restore emotional and spiritual balance, a deeply healing experience for both body and mind.

A perfect complement is the Juanilama Flower Massage, featuring a sacred plant in Chorotega cosmology long valued for its calming properties and exquisite aroma. Traditionally used to soothe pain, inflammation, and digestive ailments, the essence of Juanilama envelops the body in tranquility while the ocean views invite the soul to drift peacefully.

Experience a seashell massage inspired by the ocean's natural abundance at The Westin Reserva Conchal on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast. This exclusive Heavenly Spa treatment is designed to balance the body and revitalize the spirit. The ritual combines the soothing warmth of sand-filled seashells with the nourishing benefits of organic coconut oil. As the gentle heat relaxes deep muscles, the oil hydrates the skin and awakens the senses, creating an exquisite experience that restores both body and mind.

At the Spa at Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, on the Papagayo Peninsula, you are invited to reconnect with Costa Rica's natural rhythms through the ancestral wisdom of the Nicoya people, known for their longevity and holistic approach to life. Perched atop a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Spa offers an elevated experience in every sense. Inspired by ancient healing traditions and the power of local botanicals, the exclusive Ritual Sagrado treatment invites guests to transcend the physical realm, awaken their inner light, and return to the roots of simple yet colorful living, creating space to be fully present and self-aware. This deep massage harmonizes body and mind, revitalizing every system through the skilled touch of expert therapists.

COLOMBIA

Surrounded by nature, The Brown, Autograph Collection in Guatapé, around an hour and a half's drive from Medellín, offers a range of wellness experiences, including outdoor yoga sessions, energy awakening classes, sound bathing, and relaxing massages that leave you feeling completely renewed. It is the ideal destination to reconnect with your body, mind, and the serenity of Guatapé's natural landscape.

Coffee lovers will find their bliss at W Bogota, where the AWAY Spa offers a coffee-inspired ritual featuring San Alberto coffee. The treatment is a coffee experience from start to finish, where guests are first delighted with a welcoming coffee syrup, followed by ground coffee for a body exfoliation, and finally, experience the flavor of San Alberto coffee.

PERU

At JW Marriott El Convento Cusco, experience an ancestral ritual inspired by the Inca era. This exclusive treatment uses traditional medicinal plants such as muña, eucalyptus, and other Andean herbs renowned for their healing properties. Combined with natural oxygen therapy, the massage helps alleviate the effects of high altitude, promotes acclimatization, and restores balance between body and mind. Miskychayamuy is the perfect way to welcome Cusco—a soothing experience that harmonizes, revitalizes, and prepares the body to fully embrace the energy of the Andes.

Hidden among Inca stone walls and colonial balconies in Cusco, Andes Spirit Spa, located at the Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection hotel, is a sanctuary of ancient wisdom. Its Andean therapies—such as Samay Inka, Fango del Inka, and Renewal in the Andes—draw from ancestral ingredients like quinoa, coca, muña, and sacred clays from the highlands, combined with energetic rituals and the mystical traditions of the Peruvian Andes. Its signature session, the Andes Spirit Spa Experience, is a three-hour ritual blending exfoliations, body wraps, and massages inspired by Inca practices, offering deep renewal that honors the sacred elements of Pachamama. Combined with a water circuit and thermal loungers, the journey creates a perfect alchemy of earth, water, fire, and air—a way to connect with the Apus and the healing vibrations of this energetic center of the earth. Among its Luxury Therapies, standout treatment Destellos de Oro is inspired by Inca treasures and features a 24k gold body wrap.

Meanwhile, in Urubamba, Peru, nestled in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort, is home to Kallpa Spa, considered one of the country's finest. Enjoy a thermal circuit, underwater beds, a couple's suite witha jacuzzi, and relaxation rooms under a starlit ceiling, all designed to ease muscle tension and activate the body. It is also the only hotel in the region boasting an authentic Andean forest within its grounds.

START YOUR WELLNESS TRIP!

Images courtesy of Marriott International

Top image: Westin Reserva Conchal

VIDEO: A New Kind of Expedition Cruising by Atlas Ocean Voyages: Epicurean Expeditions

Thu, 27 Nov 25 18:15:34 +0000

Expedition cruises are a fast-growing, life-changing way to see the world in a different way. Atlas Ocean Voyages, with its fleet of small, yacht-like ships that also have polar capabilities, has expanded the definition of expedition cruising in new directions with ‘Epicurean Expeditions.’

The ‘classic’ expedition cruise is polar: Antarctica or increasingly, the Arctic. Other remote maritime destinations that have natural or even cultural treasures to discover are also being added to the list of global expedition cruise itineraries for ships equipped with zodiacs for landings off the beaten track of cruising infrastructure.

Epicurean Expeditions combine that spirit of adventure with culinary curiosity. We sailed aboard an Atlas Ocean Voyages Epicurean Expedition cruise from Lisbon, Portugal, to the north coasts of Spain and France – all rich in food, wine and spirits traditions, stories, and flavors.

On this voyage, the expedition team isn’t composed of geologists, naturalists or ornithologists. Instead, the expedition team leader is a ‘Master Foodie,’ who works in tandem with a celebrity guest chef to provide expert insights and context to culinary experiences on shore and lead gastronomic adventures on board.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE as ‘Master Foodie” Mara Papatheodorou shares the magic, signature events and features of Atlas Ocean Voyages’ Epicurean Expedition Cruises

Here are some of the culinary activities from our itinerary:

Lisbon: making Portugal’s famous dessert: custard tarts
Porto, Portugal: shopping in the local market with guest celebrity Chef Ippy Aiona;
Onboard: cooking a dish from market ingredients as a live demonstration during dinner
Onboard: a presentation and tasting by Master Foodie Mara Papatheodorou – the world’s oldest and most widespread sweetener: honey
Vilagarcia de Arousa, Spain: discovering the region's famous, shellfish with destination designations: farmed mussels, and we even joined local women digging in the shallows at low tide for clams
Onboard: Chef Ippy Aiona’s seafood bouillabaisse
Nantes, France: a private tour and tasting of Muscadet wine at Chateau de Goulaine, the oldest commercial winery in the world!
Nantes, France: “Queen of the Salt Marshes:” a tour of the Iron Age seaside salt marshes, learning how to extract salt using millennia-old techniques
Onboard: demonstration by Chef Ippy Aiona about salt as a global culinary tool, not seasoning!
“Beer and Breton Bites” in Brest, France: an exclusive, evening shore excursion just for guests of Atlas World Voyager in the restored, rejuvenated historic docks
Sweet and savory crepes, the signature dish of Brittany and one of the most famous French dishes worldwide
Honfleur, Normandy: The signature spirit of Normandy, apple brandy or Calvados
Onboard: An Atlas Ocean Voyages’ Epicurean Expeditions feature event onboard: the ‘Yachtsman’s Cookoff’, where teams of guests volunteer to compete against each other cooking an unknown, new dish inspired by their voyage.

START YOUR TRIP!

By: Lynn Elmhirst, cruise/ travel journalist and expert

The Best Way to Avoid Crowds on a Cruise to Santorini

Sun, 16 Nov 25 18:30:48 +0000

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruise guests are getting a private beach escape on one of Greece’s most famous – and famously busy - islands. The new Royal Beach Club Santorini is set to open in summer 2026. It’s the first Royal Beach Club in Europe, and one part of the Ultimate Santorini Day that also includes tours of the island’s hot spots.

Royal Beach Club Santorini will combine the breathtaking volcanic beaches and Mediterranean beach club culture of this bucket list island with signature experiences featuring villages, Greek spirit and culture to create the ultimate Santorini experience.

Ultimate Santorini Day will include a tour of must-see landmark gems of the island, from the white-washed buildings and blue-domed churches in Oia, to a stroll through the shops, cafes and art galleries in Fira.

Your day includes a scenic ferry ride along Santorini’s breathtaking coastline as you make your way to Royal Beach Club Santorini. Stretch out on the island’s black sand beach, enjoy gourmet dining overlooking the Aegean Sea, and unwind beneath a swaying umbrella on a private lounger. Each pass provides entrance to Royal Beach Club Santorini, which includes access to a volcanic black sand beach along the Aegean Sea, complimentary gourmet beachfront dining, umbrellas, loungers, Wi-Fi, and so much more.

Your day also includes visits to the charming village of Oia and the vibrant capital of Fira, each offering incredible views of the caldera framed by iconic blue-domed rooftops.

The Ultimate Santorini Day and Royal Beach Club Santorini are innovative ways to alleviate congestion throughout the island by better distributing cruise guests arriving in Santorini. Arriving by Celebrity or Royal Caribbean cruise ship to Santorini, you can start your journey in one of three locations, minimizing crowding while maximizing time spent enjoying sights and sounds.

That makes it a better experience for guests and a more responsible and sustainable tourism plan in one of the most popular Greek islands.

Ultimate Santorini Day is featured on a number of Mediterranean itineraries on both sister cruise lines: Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean International.

As the first Royal Beach Club experience launches in The Bahamas in December 2025, Royal Beach Club Santorini is the latest in the company’s growing lineup of exclusive land-based destinations, which includes the renowned and award-winning Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Alongside Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas and Labadee in Haiti, Royal Caribbean Group’s pipeline of land-based vacation offerings include Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in The Bahamas (2025), the Southernmost Hotel on Earth The Cormorant at 55 South in Chile (2026), Royal Beach Club Santorini (2026), Royal Beach Club Cozumel in Mexico (2026), Perfect Day Mexico (2027), and Royal Beach Club Lelepa (2027).

START YOUR TRIP!

Rendering courtesy of Royal Caribbean Group.

Top Image: Getty.

Cracking Down on Bad Jet-iquette

Sun, 16 Nov 25 18:28:43 +0000

It feels like air travel is more turbulent than ever! From “gate-lice” crowding the boarding zone, to out-of-control kids, to disturbing incidents of “air rage,” inconsiderate and bad-tempered people seem to be even more numerous in the unfriendly skies.

Airlines and destinations are fining, banning, redesigning, and reminding travelers that bad behavior at 30,000 feet will have consequences. In 2025 alone, Canada’s WestJet, Ireland’s Ryanair, and the country of Turkey have all implemented new initiatives to restore civilized jet-iquette.

Are you “on board” with these new moves designed to make your next flight less stressful?

Ryanair — Fines, Lawsuits & Last Calls

The giant, low-fare, Irish airline is the mainstay for groups of ‘high spirited’ bachelor and bachelorette parties heading to cheap Mediterranean destinations and fans heading for pints and the party atmosphere at soccer tournaments in Europe. In 2025, it announced it would be fining unruly passengers about USD $675. Furthermore, it would sue offenders for costs if a flight ended up diverted. And it’s urging airports to limit pre-flight alcohol sales.

Turkey — Charging Aisle-Rushers

There’s always that person at the back who thinks they deserve to the first off the plane. But if you’re flying to Turkey, don’t even think about standing up before the aircraft comes to a complete standstill. Let alone opening your overhead bin. Turkey’s aviation regulator will slap you with a fine of about USD 70.

WestJet — Declining Reclining

Conflict-avoiding Canadian airline WestJet is addressing issues over seat recliners by simply taking the option away. New “fixed-recline” seats in economy aim to stop seat-back squabbles and preserve peace. Less tilt, fewer temper tantrums.

Those new initiatives are just the latest crackdowns on bad behavior:

Ireland — #NotOnMyFlight Campaign

Ireland isn’t joking when it comes to bad behavior before, during, or after your flight. In addition to Ryanair’s new hardline policy hitting unruly passengers in their pocketbooks, Irish airlines, airports, and police joined forces with a bold message: “Disruptive behavior won’t fly.” Posters, videos, and staff briefings reinforce zero tolerance.

American Airlines — Eradicating Gate-Lice

Digital boarding systems now flag passengers who try to board out of turn, cutting chaos before take-off and sparing gate staff the stress of crowd control.

India — Stow it! Preventing Flaring Tempers with a Shared No-Fly List

With one of the world’s toughest deterrents against unruly passengers, India has defined three offense levels, instituted bans up to a lifetime, and developed a national registry of flight hooligans shared and accessed by all Indian air carriers.

U.S. FAA — Zero-Tolerance Enforcement

When air rage soared during the pandemic, America's Federal Aviation Agency stepped up, pursuing thousands of cases and issuing record fines and criminal referrals to the FBI. Although things have calmed down a bit more recently, the FAA remains vigilant in reminding travelers: misbehaving or disobeying crew is a federal offense.

European Airports — Sober in the Skies

Across the EU and U.K., airports are tightening alcohol access and posting warnings at gates—‘cutting off’ passengers and problems associated with too much pre-flight tippling.

Avoid Being ‘That’ Passenger: the New Rules of Jet-iquette

We understand. Airport lineups, extra security measures, and crowding take a toll on all our tempers. You still don't want to be the one wrecking someone else's - or your own! holiday. Here are some tips:

Board with your zone and don’t jump the lines.
Stow your carry-on luggage above your own seat.
Just don't recline your seat.
Stay seated until the crew says otherwise.
Check your temper as well as your bags.
Parents, come prepared! Keep kids entertained and in their seats.
Dry in the sky: You don’t have to avoid all alcohol, although it’s especially dehydrating in the air. But keep the big celebrations for your destination.
And of course: Follow crew instructions, always.

How to Deal with ‘That’ Passenger?

Sigh. When others forget to be considerate of those around them, the best thing the rest of us can do is: never engage. Try to find your own little pocket of serenity and focus on anticipating your enjoyment of your upcoming destination.

START YOUR TRIP!

Image: Getty

VIDEO SHIP TOUR: Antarctic Expeditions and Luxury Yachting all the in the Same Scenic Ship

Sun, 16 Nov 25 18:25:18 +0000

You might say it’s a tale of two ships – all wrapped into one! Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours made waves recently with its announcement of its new class of Discovery Yacht.

We’ve sailed aboard the existing Scenic Eclipse in both Antarctica and in the Med – literally ‘polar extremes’ in cruising! Here’s a tour of the ship from both cruising points of view – and a taste of what’s to come with Scenic Ikon in 2028!

Did you miss the Scenic Ikon news?

Three years in development, Scenic Ikon is slightly larger than the Eclipse-class ships, accommodating up to 270 guests, and features new amenities while maintaining its ultra-luxury, all-inclusive approach.

Polar and Warm-Water Sailing

The new class of ship remains purpose-built for both warm-water and polar sailing, engineered to be rated Polar Code 6 with an Ice Class 1A Super-strengthened hull.

The Ultimate Expedition ‘Toys’ – with New, Elevated Experiences

Like Scenic Eclipse, Scenic Ikon will be among the best-equipped expedition ships at sea. With two Airbus helicopters, a custom-designed Triton AVA submersible, guests will be able to explore above and below the waves, not simply upon them.

New for Scenic Ikon, its helicopter program will take ultra-luxury exploration to extraordinary new heights. Guests taking advantage of the Pay in Full offers will enjoy a complimentary flight.

In addition, depending on the destination, Scenic Ikon will offer top suite guests exclusive helicopter landings at renowned golf courses, celebrated local restaurants, and historic landmarks, together with access to some of the world's most remote and breathtaking wilderness.

Scenic Ikon will also be equipped with a full complement of watersports equipment, Zodiacs, and luxurious superyacht Fassmer tenders.

Onboard Experience

Guests will enjoy dining in 15 distinctive venues, stay in luxuriously appointed suites, socialize in vibrant lounges and relaxation spaces, each reflecting Scenic's truly all-inclusive philosophy.

The spa on the new class of ship has grown to over 18,000 square feet over two levels, and includes hydrotherapy and thermal experiences, as well as signature treatments and world-class fitness offerings.

Each voyage will include all immersive excursions, exclusive events, and entertainment.

Inaugural Season

Scenic Ikon will embark on its inaugural voyage from Venice in April 2028, which has already sold out.

The new ship’s maiden season through March 2029 will span 110 ports, 21 countries, and 26 new destinations. Including the Mediterranean, Aegean and Egypt, the Cape Verde Islands, Dakar, Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, and the Chilean Fjords.

START YOUR TRIP!

By: Lynn Elmhirst, cruise/ travel journalist and expert.

Scenic Ikon renderings courtesy of Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours

Bali Beyond Beaches

Sun, 16 Nov 25 18:23:59 +0000

Indonesia’s most storied island, Bali, has been a symbol of uniquely tropical Asian exotic culture, romance and adventure for centuries. A generation of backpackers and surfers brought Bali’s beaches to ever greater fame, but today, Bali’s being reborn as a bucket list travel destination that’s so much more than beach culture.

Beaches: Surf, Serenity, and Sea Temples

Even Bali’s beaches are more than sand and sun.

Uluwatu is the surfer’s mecca, where pros chase glassy barrels below a cliff-top temple where Kecak dancers chant at sunset.
Nusa Dua whispers of calm and barefoot luxury, perfect for paddleboarding or doing nothing at all.
Amed and Tulamben hide another world beneath the waves: dive to see coral gardens and the hauntingly beautiful USAT Liberty shipwreck, now an underwater reef.
You can see colorful, outrigger jukung boats with fishermen coming and going at dawn on the beaches of Sanur and Amed.

Ken Seet/ Four Seasons (Traditional Balinese Temple Dance at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay)

Culture: Where Everyday Life is a Ceremony

Bali is a Hindu island in a country that is mostly Muslim, with a spirituality that still encompasses the daily rhythm of life. Offerings of flowers and rice (canang sari) decorate every doorway, and daily routines—like sweeping courtyards or lighting incense—are acts of devotion, creating an atmosphere of quiet magic.

Balinese temples are open-air, walled designs and feature ornately carved gateways, designed to be in harmony with nature, leading to locations on cliffs, lakes, and mountains.
The evening Kecak dance at Uluwatu Temple, with dozens of bare-chested men performing rhythmic chanting in the open air on a cliff overlooking the ocean during sunset.
In Ubud, wander through temple courtyards where gamelan orchestras rehearse beside rice terraces. Observe the traditional trance dance called the Sanghyang Jaran, where a dancer in a trance-like state walks through burning coals.
Time your visit for Galungan or Nyepi Balinese Hindu festivals; Galungan is a vibrant, 10-day celebration of good over evil with ancestor spirits visiting, while Nyepi is a solemn, island-wide "Day of Silence" that marks the Balinese New Year, with decorations including towering penjor bamboo poles swaying over village lanes.

Nature: Rice Terraces, Waterfalls, and Sacred Peaks

Bali’s heart beats in green, and its soul is profoundly connected to its lush natural wonders. Local guides often bless the trail before hikes, a gentle reminder that every mountain is considered a god’s abode.

The Tegalalang rice terraces near Ubud are a living artwork of irrigation engineering, part of the ancient subak system recognized by UNESCO.
Hike up Mount Batur for sunrise views over volcanic lakes.
Chase waterfalls in Sekumpul or Gitgit, where jungle vines and mist blur the edges between myth and reality.

Cuisine: Island Flavors with Ritual Roots

Balinese cuisine tells a story of strong spices and spiritual rituals. Dishes, such as Babi Guling, were, and food offerings are a daily tradition.

Savor babi guling (roast suckling pig) - historically prepared for special ceremonies and religious feasts - or bebek betutu (slow-cooked duck), even in the authentic environments of a village casual restaurant or even a roadside stall.
Try lawar, a minced mix of coconut, herbs, and meat, traditionally prepared by hand during temple festivals.
In the resort village of Canggu on Bali’s south coast, a new culinary wave fuses Balinese ingredients with modern flair—think jackfruit tacos with sambal matah.

Crafts: The Art of Everyday Beauty

Art here isn’t decoration, it’s devotion. Balinese craftsmanship deeply integrates spirituality, natural motifs, and meticulous traditional techniques passed down through generations.

Visit Celuk for silversmiths, Mas for woodcarving, and Batubulan for stone sculpture.
Watch artisans carve temple guardians, or paint mythological scenes in Batuan, where every brushstroke is a story.

Pete Seaward/ Four Seasons (Overview of Four Seasons Sayan)

PRACTICAL TIPS:

Where to Stay — From renowned luxury to homey authenticity

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan (Ubud) – A world-famous sanctuary of floating lily ponds and jungle serenity, where each villa feels cradled by the Ayung River valley.
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay is known for traditional Balinese-style villas, many with private pools and options for both relaxation and cultural activities
Amandari (Ubud) – Modeled after a traditional village, it blends thatched rooftops, stone shrines, and quiet paths scented with jasmine.
The Bvlgari Resort (Uluwatu) – Sleek Italian design meets Balinese soul on dramatic ocean cliffs, perfect for sunset meditations or moonlit cocktails.
COMO Shambhala Estate (Payangan) – A wellness retreat where the forest itself feels like therapy.
Authentic Balinese-style accommodations include eco-lodges, boutique hotels, and resorts that use local materials and traditional architecture

Best Time to Go

April to October is the island at its brightest: blue skies, calm seas, and golden light perfect for photography and ceremonies.
June to August offers the clearest weather for surfing and diving.
The rainy season (November to March) is lush and less crowded.

START YOUR TRIP!

Images 1 and 3: Getty

5 Best Places in the World to Celebrate Diwali

Fri, 31 Oct 25 21:24:08 +0000

Every autumn, Diwali, the Festival of Lights rooted in Hindu tradition and also celebrated by Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists, illuminates cities and villages in India and beyond. The festival symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Homes glow with oil lamps (diyas), fireworks light the sky, and sweet treats are shared among friends and neighbors.

Diwali celebrations usually last most of a week. The exact dates vary year to year, but fall around mid-September to mid-November. For travelers, it’s one of the most joyful cultural immersions into a community you can experience.

Here are five unforgettable destinations to experience Diwali yourself:

INDIA

Varanasi, India – The Spiritual Heart

On the banks of India’s Ganges River, Varanasi glows with thousands of flickering lamps placed along the ghats. During Dev Deepawali (a few weeks after Diwali proper), the entire riverfront is illuminated with thousands of floating candles. Travelers can take a boat ride to witness the surreal sight of floating candles drifting downstream while fireworks burst overhead.

Jaipur, India – The ‘Pink City’ Illuminated

Known for its architectural splendor and its color calling card, India’s ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur transforms into a wonderland of light for Diwali. Markets and palaces are draped in dazzling decorations, and contests for the “best-lit shop” keep the city buzzing. Visitors can join in local feasts, enjoy Rajasthani sweets, shop for festive handicrafts in the bazars, and wander through streets that feel like an open-air art installation.

Pro Tip: Late October through March (when Diwali usually falls) is one of the best times of year to visit India, even beyond the festival itself. By late October, much of India enjoys dry, sunny days and pleasant evenings. That also makes it India’s busiest tourist season, so book well in advance.

GLOBAL CELEBRATIONS

Because of the Indian diaspora, Diwali is celebrated not just in India but in Singapore, Malaysia, Fiji, the UK, Canada, and beyond. That gives travelers a number of very different travel destinations to celebrate what’s become a worldwide cultural phenomenon.

London, UK – Trafalgar Square Festivities

Home to one of the largest Indian diasporas in Europe, London is said to have the best Indian cuisine outside of India, and it hosts a vibrant annual Diwali celebration in the heart of London in Trafalgar Square. Free concerts, Bollywood dance, food stalls, and family activities turn the heart of the city into a joyful gathering place. It’s an accessible way for first-time visitors to experience Diwali traditions outside India.

Singapore – Little India in Bloom

Singapore’s Little India district becomes the city’s cultural hub each Diwali. Serangoon Road dazzles with colorful arches and light displays, while bazaars sell garlands, saris, and sweets. Travelers can join community prayers at historic temples like Sri Veeramakaliamman or simply savor Diwali snacks at hawker stalls.

Fiji – An Island Fusion Festival

With its vibrant Indo-Fijian community, Fiji’s Diwali is a joyful island-meets-India fusion. Nearly 40% of Fiji’s population is of Indian heritage, so the South Pacific island nation embraces Diwali. In Suva and Nadi, homes and temples are illuminated, and multicultural street fairs mix Indo-Fijian traditions with island hospitality. Join in the street fairs, temple visits and tasting Indian sweets alongside tropical delicacies—an unforgettable blend of cultures.

Participating in Diwali worldwide

The essence of Diwali is the spirit of light and togetherness, and guests to communities are welcomed into the celebrations.

Join public events: light displays, concerts, and temple gatherings are open to visitors.
Taste the sweets: From laddoos in Jaipur to fusion desserts in Fiji, Diwali indulges your sweet tooth!
Dress the part: Guests wearing a kurta or sari are welcome, and make for tremendous photos!
Light a diya: Travelers are often invited to light a small oil lamp, a symbolic and moving gesture of inclusion.

Being part of Diwali celebrations anywhere in the world makes your trip sparkle with cultural immersion and sheer joy.

START YOUR TRIP!

Image: Getty

Return to Halloween’s Haunted Roots on a Trip to Ireland

Fri, 31 Oct 25 21:23:54 +0000

The Emerald Isle has always been a land where ancient practices are interwoven with the supernatural – and many of the fun and spooky Halloween practices we love today can be traced back to the pre-Christian Celtic festival of Samhain and Irish folklore. No wonder Ireland is considered the ‘Home of Halloween’ and the cradle of some of our scariest – even haunting! – traditions and stories!

The pagan festival of Samhain

Celebrated from sunset on October 31 to sunset on November 1, the over-2000-year-old festival of Samhain marked the ancient Celtic New Year, when harvest season ended and winter began. For ancient Celts, it was a time when the barrier between the living and the dead was at its thinnest, allowing spirits to pass through and roam among the living – sound like a Halloween horror movie script yet?

The spirits roaming the earth during Samhain were a mixed bag. While families would honor their ancestors and invite them home, early Irish felt they had to also to protect themselves against other, free-roaming, malicious spirits and demons. They lit bonfires to ward them off and donned costumes to disguise themselves. Special food for the living and the dead was prepared and shared, often with the less fortunate.

Does any of that ring a bell? Modern Halloween and supernatural storytelling evolved from Samhain traditions and morphed in the move to the New World.

Jack-o’-lanterns: Carved turnips (and other root vegetables like potatoes and beets) were illuminated with candles and placed on windows and doorsteps to ward off unwanted spirits. In North America, where pumpkins were more accessible and abundant, they replaced turnips in maintaining the practice. While bigger and with the benefit of being hollow, we think carved turnips were much scarier than cute, orange North American pumpkins!
Costumes: Samhain costumes and masks to confuse the evil spirits easily transformed in modern times to fun, make-believe roleplaying costumes of suburban children.
Trick-or-treating: In an attempt to appease wandering spirits set loose for those 24 hours, Celts offered rich, edible gifts of fruit and nuts. That tradition, combined with a practice in the Middle Ages, when children in Britain went “souling”—going door to door for “soul cakes” in exchange for prayers, and the slightly later practice of Irish and Scottish children going “guising,” performing tricks for small treats, all traveled with immigrants to North America, becoming the sugar-driven ritual we know today.

For those who visit the Home of Halloween during the spooky season, Ireland’s festivals surprise, delight and even celebrate the terror of Ireland’s supernatural storytelling heritage.

Derry Halloween (Northern Ireland, pictured above) is Europe’s largest Halloween celebration. The Walled City comes alive each October with the spirit of Samhain during this long-running festival that includes otherworldly circus performances, a spirited Halloween parade, fireworks, baking demonstrations, folklore-inspired storytelling sessions and more.

Púca Festival(County Meath, pictured top) reimagines Samhain traditions with four nights of ceremonial bonfires, live music, feasting, folklore and fun. The otherworldly festival takes place in Ireland’s Ancient East across the towns of Trim and Athboy, and pays homage to the púca – a mysterious creature from Irish folklore who can change the fortunes of anyone who meets it.

Bram Stoker Festival(Dublin) is a Gothic-inspired celebration honoring Irishman Bram Stoker, the legendary author of Dracula. On the last weekend in October, Ireland’s capital welcomes a host of international musicians and literary figures for ghoulish performances, ghost tours and costumed revelry.

START YOUR TRIP!

Images courtesy of Ireland.com

The World’s Biggest Cruise Line Marks a 100-ship Milestone

Fri, 31 Oct 25 21:23:38 +0000

It sails 21 rivers, 5 oceans, and all 7 continents with more ships than any other single cruise line in the world. And now, with the naming of nine new ships in one fell swoop, Viking has marked another milestone: the inauguration of its 100th ship!

During a simultaneous ceremony that spanned six countries, the river, ocean and expedition cruise line launched nine new river ships. The main celebration took place in Basel, Switzerland, on the Rhine River on board the Viking Honir, and was connected virtually to the eight other new ships located across five additional countries.

Of the nine just-inaugurated river ships that put Viking over the 100-ship mark:

the Viking Annar, the Viking Dagur, the Viking Eldir and the Viking Honir will sail Viking’s most popular itineraries along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers;
the Viking Nerthus will sail France’s Seine River;
the Viking Gyda, Portugal’s Douro River;
the Viking Tonle will sail the Mekong River in Asia, while
the two other new ships named in the simultaneous ceremony —the Viking Thoth and the Viking Amun—sail the Nile River.

Laura Perlman, godmother of the Viking Tonle in Basel, Switzerland, as a monk offers a blessing for the ship via remote video from Mỹ Tho, Vietnam. Viking’s Chairman and CEO, Torstein Hagen, is seated on the far left of the image.

The nine ships were docked in their respective cruising destinations around the world, and connected virtually for the event. At the ceremony, Viking’s Chairman and CEO, Torstein Hagen, said, “We have always been quite a bit different from others in the travel industry—we like to be contrarian. Over the last 28 years, we have grown from four ships to more than 100—a fleet size that no other line has achieved—and we have done so because of our innovative approach. First, we modernized river voyages; then we reinvented ocean voyages and perfected the expedition experience.”

Renowned for its mantra of ‘no children and no casinos’, Viking says all of its river, ocean and expedition cruises are 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.’ In its over quarter of a century in business, travelers have come to agree: Viking has more than 450 awards to its name, including being simultaneously rated top cruise line for rivers and oceans five years in a row by one publication, and “World’s Best” by another – the only cruise line to be the recipient of those awards at the same time.

Watch this space! Viking’s founder says the company has more plans to lead a wave of yet more innovations in cruising the world’s seas, oceans and waterways.

START YOUR CRUISE TRIP!

Images courtesy of Viking.

Top image: The Viking Honir, one of the nine Viking river ships named as part of the company’s 100th ship milestone celebration, pictured on the Rhine River in Basel, Switzerland, during the naming ceremony.

One Thing NOT to do on Your Next Trip to the Great Outdoors

Thu, 09 Oct 25 16:34:36 +0000

Remember the saying for those of us who love to experience nature when we travel: “Take only pictures and leave only footprints.” Well, we have another piece of advice for responsible travelers – one you may find surprising. Social media has fueled a boom in “rock-stack art.” But now a crescendo of voices – from park rangers to indigenous communities – is asking everyone to leave the stones alone.

The rock-stacking trend, and its downside

They look harmless, peaceful, even. A few hand-sized rocks, stacked into a tidy little tower beside a trail or on a windswept beach. Photos of gravity-defying towers on coastlines, riverbeds, and national parks inspire imitation. You may have already built a stone stack yourself.

But that tiny “I was here” marker can ripple into real harm.

Around the world, a growing group of concerned experts stress that building stone stacks (also called cairns) damages fragile environments, erodes soils, disturbs habitats, jeopardizes trail safety and makes light of ancient cultural traditions.

Communities, conservationists, rangers and indigenous groups are responding: on Scotland’s Isle of Skye, locals dismantled hundreds of tourist stacks at the Fairy Glen to restore the natural landscape. In North America, volunteers in national and provincial parks regularly remove unauthorized piles.

Here’s why:

Erosion & soil loss. Stones help anchor fragile alpine and coastal soils. Removing them accelerates erosion.
Habitat disruption. Small animals and insects rely on rocks for cover and moisture.
Navigation risks. In landscapes where cairns are still in use as way-markers, fake piles can send travelers off course.
“Natural Graffiti.” Any human change to the landscape takes away from its natural integrity for the people coming behind you. Some compare the urge to mark where you’ve been with a stone stack, like people vandalizing buildings with graffiti.
Cultural disrespect. Faux inuksuit in Canada or casual piles near Hawaiian ahu can overshadow authentic heritage.

What stone piles mean in different lands.

Across cultures and countries, stacked stones carry deep, sometimes sacred meanings:

Canada’s Arctic – Inuksuit. Inuit communities have built inuksuit (singular: inuksuk), human-shaped stone markers, for millennia across the Arctic. These were used for navigation, to mark hunting grounds, or as spiritual and communal symbols. The inuksuk has even been adopted as a broader emblem of Canadian identity—famously featured in the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics logo. Building casual stone figures risks diluting or trivializing their meaning and can be seen as cultural appropriation.

Scotland & Iceland – Cairns and Varoa. Traditional cairns historically marked safe routes across moors and lava fields. In Iceland, official cairns still guide hikers; creating new ones is illegal and potentially dangerous because they can mislead travelers. They became part of Iceland’s folk heritage, and many historic cairns are now protected as cultural monuments; it’s illegal to build new ones, risking misdirection and damage to fragile moss and lichen.

Hawai‘i – Ahu and Heiau. Indigenous Hawaiian stone structures, such as ahu (altars or shrines) and heiau (temple platforms), are sacred. Tourists stacking stones nearby can confuse authentic heritage features or cause unintentional disrespect.

Global echoes. From Buddhist stupas in Asia to wayfinding markers in the Alps, stone structures are part of long traditions.

Casual tourist stone stacks jeopardize the environment, vital wayfaring in remote areas and cultural artifacts with “vacation art projects…” or even “natural graffiti.”

Is there a better way?

If you’re drawn to the meditative ritual of stacking or interacting with nature, choose low-impact alternatives: arrange fallen leaves, trace shapes in sand, or photograph stones as they naturally rest.

START YOUR NATURE TRIP!

Image: Getty

All Aboard a Tasting Train!

Thu, 09 Oct 25 16:34:21 +0000

A new ‘olive oil’ train celebrating the fall harvest in Italy is the latest addition to a growing travel trend: combining a resurgence in the love of rail journeys with exclusive access to authentic, highest-quality, at-the-source, wine, spirits and culinary tastings with experts in famous designated regions.

It’s the travel trend your taste buds will thank you for! Here’s more information about the world’s latest tasting train, plus some other favorites, from a few hours to days, where the route is as memorable as the flavors in your mouth.

Espresso Assisi – Frantoi Aperti (Italy: Rome → Arezzo / via Assisi)

In fall 2025, Italy is launching the “Espresso Assisi – Frantoi Aperti,” designed to celebrate the olive oil harvest in Umbria. The daytrip train departs Rome Termini in the morning and heads through Terni, Spoleto, Foligno, Spello, Perugia, and Assisi, arriving in Arezzo midday and returning late evening to Rome. Onboard, you can taste a selection of Umbrian extra virgin olive oils, guided by experts who explain each different olive oil’s unique characteristics. At stops, the itinerary includes visits to local olive mills where travelers observe olive pressing and milling processes firsthand.

Royal Scotsman – Scotland (Edinburgh → Highlands round-trip)

The ultra-luxury hotel and train company Belmond operates the iconic Royal Scotsman train that carries just a few dozen passengers from Edinburgh deep into the Scottish Highlands before looping back to the capital. Whisky-themed journeys feature tastings of single malts from Speyside and Highland distilleries, hosted by expert ambassadors. Alongside the drams, guests savor Scottish specialties like smoked salmon and venison in the dining car. As the train glides past lochs, glens, and castles, it feels like a private whisky house on rails.

Rovos Rail – South Africa (Pretoria → Cape Town)

One of the most luxurious trains in the world, Rovos Rail begins in Pretoria, crossing savannas, mountains, and legendary South African wine country to end in the shadow of Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain. Onboard, observation lounges evoke Edwardian-era luxury rail journeys, with meals in wood-paneled dining cars. Curated tastings spotlight South Africa’s best vintages from Stellenbosch and Paarl. Meals emphasize South African cuisine, with game meat like ostrich, springbok and kudu, as well as Cape Malay-inspired dishes with mild spices, fruits and curries, reflecting Cape Town’s heritage, paired with bold reds and crisp whites.

Jose Cuervo Express – Mexico (Guadalajara → Tequila)

The famed “Tequila Train” is a day-long immersion into Mexico’s beloved agave spirit. It departs Guadalajara and winds through Jalisco’s UNESCO-listed blue agave fields en route to the town of Tequila. Onboard, passengers enjoy tastings of blanco, reposado, and añejo tequila, paired with regional snacks. Mariachi music, expert commentary, and cultural storytelling bring Mexico’s national spirit to life. At journey’s end, a tour of La Rojeña, Latin America’s oldest active distillery, reveals the craft behind the drink from harvest to barrel.

Napa Valley Wine Train – USA (Napa → St. Helena, California)

Departing from the city of Napa, this lovingly restored vintage train travels 36 miles through vineyard-draped hills to the town of St. Helena. Guests dine in elegant Pullman cars on multi-course menus showcasing local produce, while sipping world-class cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay. Options include lunch and dinner journeys, as well as full-day excursions with winery stops along the way. The polished wood interiors and panoramic windows create an atmosphere of timeless indulgence.

Twilight Express Mizukaze – Japan (Kyoto ↔ Shimonoseki)

This ten-car hybrid train carries just 34 passengers in exquisite style across the western part of the main Japanese island of Honshu. 2-3-day itineraries take you along the Seto Inland Sea or the rugged Sea of Japan coast, or both, and connect historic cities with dramatic landscapes seen from private suites and luxurious observation lounges. Meals are designed by renowned chefs who curate menus around the regional specialties of each route—fresh seafood, mountain vegetables, and artisanal sake—served in a dedicated dining car. Booking is competitive, often through application or lottery! For those lucky enough to get a reservation, Mizukaze offers one of the most refined culinary travel experiences in the world: a blend of Japanese terroir, hospitality, and timeless rail romance.

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Image: Getty

Stargazing Experiences by Australia and New Zealand’s Premiere Guided Tour Operator

Thu, 09 Oct 25 16:33:44 +0000

Look up Down Under! AAT Kings, the leading Australia and New Zealand guided holiday tour operator, has revealed its top stargazing experiences, highlighting destinations designated by the International Dark Sky program. These on-trend ‘noctourism’ tours take advantage of the remote regions both countries still enjoy, with minimal light pollution to interrupt the spectacle of the night skies over the Southern Hemisphere.

Discover the celestial wonders of the dark skies in places like these:

Mackenzie Region, South Island, New Zealand - Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve

On the 7-day Contrasts of New Zealand guided vacation, majestic mountains are the backdrop en route to Lake Tekapo with its turquoise waters. This stunning destination is breathtaking and remote. The lack of light pollution showcases dazzling stargazing at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed, Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, and it is the largest reserve in the Southern Hemisphere.

Marvel at the ‘nocturnal’ experience at a purpose-built observation crater with expert astronomy guides. The Crater Experience, located in Lake Tekapo, provides one of the darkest and clearest stargazing locations in the world, with the assistance of high-powered telescopes revealing incredible views of distant galaxies and star clusters.

The guides will also provide both Māori and Western perspectives. The reserve has received global recognition as a center for astrotourism with its vistas and preserves the dark skies of the Mackenzie region for future generations. This excursion to Aoraki Dark Sky Reserve is also available on the 18-day Contrasts of Australia and New Zealand and the 22-day Highlights of Australia & New Zealand journeys.

Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, Australia – An accredited International Dark Sky Sanctuary

On the 8-day South Australian Outback Adventure, participate in some of the world’s best stargazing in the Southern Hemisphere at the Ningana Imaging Observatory with its state-of-the-art Digital Astro Experience. Its International Dark Sky accreditation means that its nighttime skies are free from light and atmospheric pollution. You’ll enjoy the relaxing space to view the splendors of the solar system that are light-years away. These Observatory tours have also garnered Advanced ecotourism accreditation.

Alice Springs, Australia- Galaxy Gazing at the Earth Sanctuary Space Observatory

On the 15-day Outback Adventure exploring Alice Springs, visit the Earth Sanctuary Space Observatory and deep sky telescope to stargaze at some of the best views of the galaxy, surrounded by the Outback’s dark sky nights. The sanctuary is one of only three places in the country that offer celestial viewing without light pollution or moonlight interference with star visibility. The observatory’s local astronomer shares the magic of the constellations and zodiacs with a laser-guided journey through the southern night sky.

Noctourism is one of the hottest travel trends for the ultimate off-the-beaten-track, immersive, nature-focused and even spiritual experiences, and some of the most stunning stargazing experiences are located in Australia and New Zealand. Whether you’re a lover of nature and the outdoors or a dedicated astrophile, look to the Southern Hemisphere for magical nighttime travel experiences, and let us help you design the dark sky vacation of a lifetime.

More About AAT Kings

A century ago, the Australian outback was but a twinkle in most travelers’ eyes. But thanks to visionaries like the Pyke family and Bill King, the way we explore the Land Down Under was about to change in unimaginable ways. Over the coming decades, maps were unfolded, desert cruisers and coaches were customized, and guides were trained. From humble beginnings, the company now known as AAT Kings was going places few had gone before, pioneering new paths across Australia and New Zealand and taking intrepid travelers on a wild and wonderful ride. Times have changed, but the company retains a spirit for adventure, oh-so-knowledgeable Directors, First Nations guides, and an offering of life-changing experiences that only 100 years of exploring affords. AAT Kings is a member of The Travel Corporation family of travel companies that includes Insight Vacations and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises.

*** Images courtesy of AAT Kings/ The Travel Corporation

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