Travel Talk With Livi Feed

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

Fri, 31 Oct 25 21:18:41 +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.

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Images courtesy of Ireland.com

Cusco The Inca City

Fri, 24 Oct 25 17:48:25 +0000

Mexico City’s Day of the Dead Grand Parade Returns

Tue, 14 Oct 25 13:39:26 +0000

On November 2, Mexico City will transform into a river of color, culture, and remembrance as the Day of the Dead Grand Parade returns for 2025, featuring giant skeleton puppets, floats, music, dancers, and costumes. This extraordinary four-hour procession honors ancestors who have passed while celebrating the joy of life. At the same time, it offers travelers from around the globe an unforgettable immersion into one of Mexico’s most cherished cultural traditions.

It’s a case of life imitating art! Or even art creating new reality! That’s because Mexico City’s larger-than-life Day of the Dead Grande Parade is not – unlike other Day of the Dead traditions – a centuries-old practice.

In fact, it didn’t exist at all until 2016. That’s the year after the James Bond film Spectre famously opened with a spectacular Day of the Dead parade scene located in Mexico City. It was entirely a figment of the filmmakers’ imaginations! But the scene in the film created such a vivid impression of the capital, and so many film-goers around the world assumed it was real, that Mexico City’s government decided to establish an official Dia de los Muertos parade; and so a new tradition was born, putting Mexico’s cultural heritage on the world stage.

The parade incorporates traditional Day of the Dead imagery, including La Catrina, (the elegantly-garbed female skeleton), marigolds (the flower of the dead) and skulls, but presents it in a modern, theatrical format that appeals to the large crowds that now throng to Mexico City for this new cultural spectacle, usually held on the last weekend before Day of the Dead.

Traditional Day of the Dead in Mexico

Recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) is a holiday rooted in and blending pre-Hispanic, ancient indigenous rituals and Catholic traditions. Celebrated on November 1 and 2, it honors the souls of children and adults who have passed away.

Through altars, offerings, flowers, food, and gatherings, families welcome spirits back for a brief reunion. It is at once deeply spiritual and joyously festive, reflecting Mexico’s unique approach to life and death.

A Living Tradition

Mexico City’s relatively newborn Grand Parade begins at the Puerta de los Leones in Chapultepec Park, winds its way down the iconic Paseo de la Reforma, passes Avenida Juárez and 5 de Mayo, and concludes in the heart of the capital at the Zócalo, Mexico City’s grand central square.

It complements, rather than replaces, the more intimate commemorations in small communities across the country.

Beyond Mexico City: Celebrations Across the Country

These celebrations are deeply rooted in local traditions — with each region adding its own distinct flavors and rituals.

Oaxaca: Perhaps the most famous destination outside the capital, Oaxaca comes alive with processions in its cobblestone streets. Locals dress as skeletons, brass bands play through the night, and markets overflow with pan de muerto and sugar skulls. Cemeteries become places of gathering as families decorate graves with candles, flowers, and offerings.
Pátzcuaro, Michoacán: Families light thousands of candles in this lakeside community to guide spirits back to the world of the living, while the island of Janitzio becomes a glowing beacon seen across the lake. This atmospheric celebration is deeply tied to Indigenous tradition and is one of the most poignant experiences in Mexico.
San Andrés Mixquic, Mexico State: Just outside Mexico City, this small town is renowned for its “Alumbrada” on November 2. As night falls, cemeteries blaze with candlelight, transforming the grounds into a shimmering tribute to departed souls. Families maintain vigil, often sharing food, music, and stories late into the night.
Mérida, Yucatán: Here, the holiday takes the form of Hanal Pixán, or “food for the souls.” Rooted in Maya tradition, this celebration features altars laden with regional specialties like mucbipollo, a large tamale baked underground. The streets of Mérida host processions, while families gather in cemeteries to honor their ancestors.

Each of these destinations shares the same essence: honoring the departed through joy, remembrance, and community. For travelers, experiencing Day of the Dead traditions anywhere in Mexico at the beginning of November is a way to see the country’s cultural richness up close.

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Images courtesy of Visit Mexico

Holland America Line Debuts First Lipstick Blending Bar at Sea

Tue, 14 Oct 25 13:38:51 +0000

You’ll have a bright lip for your stylish ship! Holland America Line’s new ‘Blend Bar’ onboard experience allows guests to design their own customized lipstick or gloss – the first aboard any cruise ship. So you’ll have the perfect shade to reflect your cruise vacation mood.

The exclusive, hands-on lipstick lab is guided by an expert beauty consultant and offers a palette of premium pigments, luxurious finishes, and signature flavors to craft a custom lipstick or gloss. So if you didn’t find the exact lip shade for a new cruise outfit – or your tan – you’ll be able to design one yourself. Bring along the remnants of your favorite discontinued color and formulate the lipstick you’ve always dreamed of.

Plus, do some holiday bonding over beauty - and a useful souvenir of your cruise.

All ages are welcome, and the Blend Bar is bookable for individual or group experiences in the beauty section of the shipboard shops. It is already available on Nieuw Statendam, Eurodam, Westerdam, Oosterdam, Zuiderdam, Volendam, and Zaandam, and will roll out to HAL’s remaining four ships before the end of 2025.

Blend Bar participants embark on a beauty journey to curate a signature shade from over 30 blendable pigments. Working together with the consultant, you choose your colors to create your one-of-a-kind hue. Each tailored blend can be made into one of four finishes: butter, crème, matte or gloss. You can even choose from more than 20 flavors and essences, and dimension can be added with frost, shimmer or iridescent effects.

Once blended, the custom formula is melted and poured into a lipstick mould or gloss tube. Invent a custom name for your lipstick, which will be applied to the tube upon completion. Along with your personalized lipstick or gloss, you’ll get a formula card as the ‘recipe’ to recreate your design in the future.

The cruise line notes that Blend Bar uses ingredients with the highest quality/integrity, free from parabens, sulfates, phthalates and GMOs, as well as cruelty-free, gluten-free and vegan. The pigments for the lipsticks and gloss are packed with antioxidants and SPF for everyday sun protection.

Whether enjoying a special moment with friends or family members, what a great parent-child bonding experience! - or simply indulging in a touch of personal luxury, this one-of-a-kind beauty experience lets you take home a unique memento from an unforgettable cruise.

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Images courtesy of Holland America Line

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

Tue, 14 Oct 25 13:38:02 +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

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

Sales Open for F1 Paddock Club VIP Experience for Guests of EXPLORA 1 at Monaco’s 2026 Grand Prix

Tue, 14 Oct 25 13:37:10 +0000

Don’t miss the hottest ticket to one of the most stylish sports events on the planet! Act now that sales have opened for the F1 Paddock Club VIP Hospitality experience for guests reserving a suite aboard EXPLORA I during the Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco 2026.

CONTACT US TODAY

BEFORE THIS ONE-OF-A-KIND EXPERIENCE SELLS OUT!

With its exclusive docking position in the heart of Monte Carlo’s legendary Port Hercule, EXPLORA I will offer the ultimate vantage point for one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events. Experience the exhilaration of race weekend and the elegance of your ultra-luxurious home at sea. Make it even more memorable with exclusive access to the F1 Paddock Club, putting you at the very heart of Formula 1.

From the high-octane racing action unfolding at the iconic Rascasse corner to the refined ambiance of the Paddock Club lounge, guests will witness the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix from a perspective few will ever know. The experience includes gourmet dining, world-class hospitality, live entertainment, and the possibility of spontaneous encounters with legendary drivers and A-list personalities, all set against the unmistakable glamour of Monte Carlo.

The F1 Paddock Club experience provides much more than race viewing. You can step into the inner sanctum of Formula 1 during the Aramco Formula 1 Pit Lane Walk, where you can watch teams at work as they fine-tune their machines for lights out. Get the rare opportunity to hear firsthand from current drivers and iconic champions during intimate appearances and enjoy exclusive paddock tours in small, hosted groups for an unparalleled behind-the-scenes perspective. Between the action, relax with curated entertainment, live DJ sets, cultural experiences and innovative digital activations, all delivered with Monaco’s signature flair.

Guests reserving a suite aboard EXPLORA I may choose between breathtaking sea views or vistas of Monte Carlo. This exceptional experience combines the adrenaline of Formula 1 with the sophistication and comfort of luxury ocean travel, redefining what it means to experience Monaco’s most iconic weekend.

More About Explora Journeys

Explora Journeys is the privately-owned luxury lifestyle brand of the MSC Group, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, created at the heart of Swiss luxury hospitality. The brand stems from the long-held vision to redefine the ocean experience for a new generation of discerning luxury travellers, drawing on the Aponte family`s 300 years of maritime heritage. The brand aspires to create a unique ‘Ocean State of Mind’ by connecting guests with the sea, with themselves, and like-minded others, while remarkable itineraries blend renowned destinations with lesser-travelled ports, for a journey that inspires discovery in all its forms.

A fleet of six luxury ships will be launched from 2023 to 2028, starting with EXPLORA I’s delivery that took place on July 24, 2023. Explora Journeys introduces a new style of transformative ocean travel. EXPLORA I and II offer 461 oceanfront suites, penthouses and residences designed to be ‘Homes at Sea’ for guests, all with sweeping ocean views, private terrace, a choice of eleven distinct culinary experiences across six vibrant restaurants plus in-suite dining, Chef’s Kitchen, twelve bars and lounges (eight indoor and four outdoor), four swimming pools, extensive outdoor decks with 64 private cabanas, wellness facilities, and refined entertainment. Inspired by the company`s European heritage, Explora Journeys will provide guests with an immersive ocean experience and respectful and intuitive hospitality.

EXPLORA II was delivered on September 12, 2024. EXPLORA III will come into service in 2026 and EXPLORA IV in 2027, with both ships being LNG-powered. EXPLORA V and EXPLORA VI will enter service in 2027 and 2028, respectively.

***Images courtesy of Explora Journeys

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

All Aboard a Tasting Train!

Tue, 14 Oct 25 13:36:17 +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

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

Tue, 14 Oct 25 13:35:56 +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

Embark on Oceania’s Festive Voyages for the Holidays

Tue, 30 Sep 25 17:17:47 +0000

From the Caribbean to the South Pacific, more than 40 Oceania voyages blend the magic of the holidays with the joy of discovery. Voyages come complete with gourmet feasts, dazzling entertainment, and visits to enticing ports of call across the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 seasons.

Spending the holiday season aboard Oceania Cruises’ small, luxurious ships offers the perfect escape – where festive traditions are re-imagined with elegance and flair at sea. Christmas carolers welcome guests during embarkation, while evening entertainment performances on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day add a touch of sparkle to the celebrations and New Year’s Eve is marked with Champagne toasts and a lively countdown. Throughout Hanukkah, a striking and elegant menorah is lit each evening, honoring tradition with grace and sophistication.

With a selection of itineraries ranging from seven to 197 days across the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 holiday seasons, these festive voyages promise exceptional value and unforgettable celebrations aboard Oceania Cruises.

Let us help you find a holiday sailing to suit every schedule and sense of adventure, from sunny island escapes to epic journeys across continents. Choose from a week-long New Year’s voyage through the Caribbean, or set out on a grand 77-day exploration spanning the Americas. Celebrate the holidays cruising the dramatic coast of South Africa, uncovering the cultural riches of Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean, or basking in the turquoise lagoons of French Polynesia.

FEATURED 2025-2026 HOLIDAY VOYAGES

Indian Ocean Opus: 24 days from Cape Town to Singapore aboard Oceania Sirena™, departing December 2, 2025. From the dramatic coastline of Cape Town to the bustling streets of Singapore, this sweeping sojourn transports travelers across the Indian Ocean’s most alluring ports. Discover the cultural richness of Malaysia and Thailand, soak in the serenity of the Maldives and Mauritius, and explore the diverse landscapes of Sri Lanka, Réunion Island, and Mozambique.

South Pacific Archipelagos: 19 days from Sydney to Papeete aboard Oceania Riviera™, departing December 10, 2025. A highlight of Oceania Riviera’s much-anticipated first Australia and New Zealand season, this voyage sails from Sydney into the heart of the South Pacific. Explore the vibrant cultures of New Caledonia, Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa before enjoying the festivities in the turquoise lagoons of Bora Bora and Moorea, with a final call into sun-drenched Tahiti.

Outrigger’s Route to Bali: 24 days from Papeete to Bali aboard Oceania Regatta™, departing December 17, 2025. This tropical escape winds through the lush isles of French Polynesia, Fiji and the Solomon Islands before exploring Australia’s exotic Top End and the Indonesian archipelago. With sun-soaked beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and rich island cultures, this voyage delivers the ultimate in warm-weather festive season bliss.

Yachting Treasures: 10 days from Miami to Miami aboard Oceania Insignia™, departing December 19, 2025. This sun-drenched Caribbean escape sails to the heart of the tropics, visiting San Juan, Basseterre, St. John’s, Philipsburg, and Charlotte Amalie. Travelers can soak up the vibrant island culture, golden beaches, and crystal-clear waters of the Eastern Caribbean, bookended with leisurely sea days, allowing guests to enjoy the luxurious comforts and festive experiences on board.

Antarctic Triumph: 20 days from Santiago de Chile to Buenos Aires aboard Oceania Marina™, departing December 21, 2025. From the colorful charm of Puerto Montt to the icy serenity of Laguna San Rafael, sail the majestic Chilean fjords and explore the vibrant cultures of Punta Arenas and Ushuaia. Conclude the journey in Buenos Aires, the birthplace of tango.

Holiday Havens: 14 days from Miami to Miami aboard Oceania Allura, departing December 21, 2025. The newest ship in the fleet, Oceania Allura, embarks on her inaugural holiday voyage, offering travelers an unforgettable Caribbean escape. This round-trip journey from Miami visits vibrant ports and sun-drenched islands of the Caribbean, including Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire, Grenada, Barbados, St. Vincent, Dominica, Antigua, and St. Maarten.

2025-2026 GRAND VOYAGES

Iberian & Island Dreams: 25 days from Barcelona to Miami aboard Oceania Nautica™, departing December 2, 2025. This transatlantic voyage sails through Spain, Gibraltar, and the Azores before crossing to the Caribbean. The itinerary combines European charm, island beauty, and relaxing sea days.

Spanning the Americas: 77 days from Los Angeles to San Diego aboard Oceania Vista®, departing December 20, 2025. This extensive voyage begins in Los Angeles and traverses the Pacific coasts of Mexico and Central America, including ports such as Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, and Acapulco. The journey continues through the Panama Canal before exploring the Caribbean islands of St. Barts, Dominica, and Barbados. Further highlights include visits to Devil's Island and multiple Brazilian ports, including two overnights in Rio de Janeiro.

FEATURED 2026-2027 HOLIDAY VOYAGES

Australasian Allure: 23 days from Sydney to Perth aboard Oceania Riviera, departing December 15, 2026. Offering a blend of Australia’s coastal beauty and the rich cultures of the Indonesian archipelago, this voyage will explore multiple stunning ports, including Whitsunday Island, Cairns, Komodo, Bali, and Waingapu.

Antilles to Andes: 15 days from Miami to Lima aboard Oceania Insignia, departing December 19, 2026. This voyage blends laidback island charm with South American intrigue, featuring stops in Curaçao, Aruba, and Colombia, followed by a daylight passage through the Panama Canal and calls in Ecuador and northern Peru. It’s a relaxed yet culturally rich journey along some of the region’s most storied coastlines.

Legends of Jade: 15 days from Hong Kong to Singapore aboard Oceania Nautica, departing December 21, 2026. For travelers wanting an immersive exploration of Southeast Asia, this voyage includes enriching experiences among the dramatic limestone landscapes of Ha Long Bay, the golden beaches of the Philippines, and the cultural treasures of Hue, Nha Trang, and Kota Kinabalu. With a mix of vibrant cities, tranquil coastlines, and time at sea to unwind, this sailing is a balanced blend of discovery and relaxation.

2026-2027 GRAND VOYAGES

Ramblas to Renaissance: 26 days from Barcelona to Rome aboard Oceania Sirena, departing December 9, 2026. Exploring a diverse array of ports across Spain, Morocco, the Canary Islands, and the French and Italian Rivieras, this cruise invites travelers to experience a rich tapestry of cultures, cuisines, and landscapes. Highlights include visits to Casablanca, Agadir, Arrecife, Lisbon, Seville, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Toulon, and Cinque Terre, culminating in Rome.

Corals & Kiwi Coasts: 40 days from Sydney to Auckland aboard Oceania Riviera, departing December 15, 2026. Travelers are welcome to experience a diverse path through Australia’s east and west coasts, Indonesia’s storied isles, and New Zealand’s scenic shores. With stops in Bali, Komodo, Perth, Busselton, Napier, and Picton, this itinerary offers a unique journey combining cultural discovery, natural beauty, and ample time to enjoy life on board.

ASK US ABOUT MORE HOLIDAY CRUISES ON OCEANIA!

Oceania Cruises feature thoughtfully selected amenities, from gourmet specialty restaurants and in-room dining to juices, smoothies and gourmet ice-creams, plus unlimited WiFi, laundry services and group fitness classes.

More About Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises is the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line. The line’s eight small, luxurious ships carry a maximum of 1,250 guests and feature “The Finest Cuisine at Sea” and destination-rich itineraries that span the globe. Expertly curated travel experiences are available aboard the designer-inspired, small ships, which call on more than 600 marquee and boutique ports in more than 100 countries on seven continents, on voyages that range from seven to more than 200 days. Oceania Cruises has two additional ships on order scheduled for delivery in the next couple of years.

*** Images courtesy of Oceania Cruises.

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

10 Global Harvest Festivals Beyond Oktoberfest

Tue, 30 Sep 25 17:16:36 +0000

While Munich’s Oktoberfest gets all the press as the world’s most famous fall festival, autumn is a season of celebration around the world. Ancient cultures thanked the gods for abundance and prayed for their families to survive the leaner months ahead. The harvest traditions that have been passed through the ages and centuries still today give us a wealth of unique flavors, rituals, and cultural insights.

Here are ten festivals worth timing your autumn travels around.

Festa della Vendemmia

“Grape Harvest Festival:” Tuscany, Italy (September)

Tuscany’s vineyards come alive as locals celebrate the grape harvest with parades, music, and grape-stomping contests. The air smells of fresh must and roasted chestnuts, while Chianti flows freely.
Travel tip: Visit villages like Impruneta for authentic street parades and take part in a wine harvest tour.

Erntedankfest

“Harvest Thanksgiving Festival:” Germany (Late September–October)

Across rural Germany, communities give thanks for the harvest with church services, wheat-crown processions, and folk dances. It’s a quieter, more spiritual version of Munich’s rowdy and commercialized party, Oktoberfest.
Travel tip: Head to smaller towns in the Black Forest or Rhineland for the most authentic traditions.

Samhain

“Summer’s End” in Old Irish: Ireland (October 31–November 1)

This ancient Celtic festival, the forerunner of Halloween, marks the end of harvest and the beginning of winter. Bonfires, storytelling, and folk rituals connect you to Ireland’s pre-Christian, mystical past.
Travel tip: Derry’s “Banks of the Foyle Festival” is Europe’s largest Samhain-inspired Halloween event.

Akimatsuri

“Autumn Festival:” Sapporo, Japan (September)

Odori Park in Sapporo, the capital of Japan’s northern-most island, turns into a gourmet wonderland each September, celebrating Hokkaido’s agricultural riches—think buttery corn, snow crab, cheeses, and sake.
Travel tip: Buy a tasting passport to sample the widest variety of local foods.

Chuseok

“Autumn Eve” / “Korean Thanksgiving:” South Korea (Mid-September on the lunar calendar)

Families gather to honor ancestors with rituals and seasonal dishes like rice cakes (songpyeon). Cities host cultural performances and folk games.
Travel tip: Look for cooking workshops or traditional dance shows open to visitors.

Zhongqiu Jie

“Mid-Autumn Festival:” China (September/October's full moon)

Lanterns glow, loved ones share mooncakes, and dragon dances parade through city streets under the full moon. These symbols of reunion and prosperity bestow a seasonal blessing.
Travel tip: Try sweet and savory mooncakes from different regions—pork-filled Suzhou styles differ wildly from lotus Guangzhou versions.

Fiesta de la Papa

“Potato Festival:” La Merced, Peru (October)

High in the Andes, La Merced celebrates the potato, which is native to Peru, where there is an astonishing variety of different types cultivated. Expect parades, folk music and dancing, and tastings of potatoes you’ve never seen before - prepared every imaginable way.
Travel tip: Don’t forget to visit nearby coffee plantations, in harvest season at the same time.

Pongal

“Overflowing:” Tamil Nadu, India (Mid-January)

Pongal is a four-day thanksgiving for the sun god. Families cook rice dishes in clay pots that bubble over, symbolizing abundance. Villages are alive with music, chalk art, and bull races.
Travel tip: Visit temple courtyards where visitors can see cooking rituals.

Loy Krathong & Yi Peng

“Floating Basket Festival” & “Lantern Festival:” Thailand (November’s full moon)

Two festivals converge: Loy Krathong, where offerings are released to float down rivers, and Yi Peng, when lanterns rise into the night sky. Together, they mark gratitude for the harvest and water spirits.
Travel tip: Chiang Mai’s lantern release is famously magical but crowded — visiting smaller communities allows travelers to experience quieter, more spiritual celebrations.

Auld Lammas Fair

“Loaf Mass” in Old English/Scots: Ballycastle, Northern Ireland (Late August)

Europe’s oldest traditional fair, the Auld Lammas Fair, originated as a pagan harvest thanksgiving and was later reinterpreted as a Christian festival. It has been in operation for over 400 years. Stalls sell honeycomb-textured “yellowman” toffee and dulse seaweed. This coastal town comes alive with traditional horse trading and folk music.
Travel tip: Make sure to try the sticky yellowman toffee unique to the fair.

From Tuscany’s grape presses to Thailand’s lantern-lit rivers, sipping sake in Sapporo to tasting mooncakes in China, harvest festivals reveal the universal joy of giving thanks for the earth’s bounty.

START YOUR AUTUMN TRIP!

Images: Getty

FAQ's About the EU's New Entry System, Launching October, 2025

Tue, 30 Sep 25 17:16:19 +0000

Are you ready for your next trip to Europe? The European Union’s new, automated, digital entry and exit system for non-EU nationals – including citizens of the U.S. and Canada – will be implemented starting October 12, 2025. The EU’s long-delayed new digital border control process is called EES: Entry/Exit System.

Sadly, for nostalgic passport stamp collectors, the new system will eliminate manual stamping. EES replaces the previous system with a digital process that includes the collection of travelers’ biometric data.

That means you will have your facial image and fingerprints taken to record your entry into any of the 29 EU countries that make up the so-called ‘Schengen Area’, and your exit from any of them on your departure.

You cannot opt out of providing biometric data for EES. It is a requirement for non-EU citizens under EU law. If you refuse to provide your biometric data, you will be denied entry into the EU’s Schengen Area.

The Schengen Area is the group of almost all of the European Union countries that have collectively decided to eliminate internal border controls, allowing for free movement for travelers once they clear passport control in the first country of the Schengen Area of their trip. Within the Schengen Area, as before the EES, there are no passport controls.

The new EES applies to visitors on short stays (up to 90 days in a 180-day period). Years in the making and implementation, EES finally consolidates all Schengen Area member countries’ border control information digitally.

While saying goodbye to the sometimes pretty and nostalgic passport stamps, EES provides a centralized and automated passport control information database that can be simultaneously operated by all the member countries. EES electronic records available to all member countries’ border control officials allow them to track entries, exits, and potential overstays by non-EU citizens.

Officials say EES will enhance security, prevent irregular migration, and standardize data collection across the Schengen Area.

Do Travelers Need to Do Anything?

No pre-registration for the EES is required before your trip to Europe
Make sure your passport is in good condition for digital scanning
Be prepared for your biometric data to be collected on your first entry into an EU country as of October 12, 2025
Allow extra time for border crossing (entry and exit) in EU countries during the rollout phase through Spring, 2026.

EES officials add that, once it's fully implemented, EES will streamline future border crossings as it speeds up and secures travel processes.

Remind Me Again: Which Countries are Part of the EU/ Schengen Area?

Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Czech Republic (Czechia)
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland

Just so you know, Ireland and Cyprus are the only two EU members that are not currently part of the Schengen Area. Ireland has a permanent opt-out, while Cyprus is expected to join in the future.

Even before Brexit, the countries of the U.K.: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, were not part of the Schengen Area, and are not participants in the new EES.

For more information, here’s the EU’s official webpage for the EES.

START YOUR TRIP!

Image: Getty

Riviera Designates World First Solo Cruise Ship

Tue, 30 Sep 25 17:15:55 +0000

Solo travel keeps growing, and now there’s a river ship just for singletons to enjoy cruising together for the whole season! Riviera Travel is launching the first-ever cruise ship dedicated to solo travelers in 2027. Now there’s no need to wait until friends or family can join you on holiday – at any time of the river cruising season.

Lots of cruise lines, ocean and river, offer solo travel promotions and Riviera Travel itself even offers whole solo itineraries – more than any other river cruise line, according to the company. As the UK's largest operator with 4 decades of ultra-premium river, ocean and land travel experience behind it, the company is seeing the rise of solo travel, and it’s putting solos at the wheel of their river cruise vacation planning with this new initiative.

Beginning in June 2027, MS George Eliot will exclusively sail solo departures on the Danube, Rhine and Moselle rivers marking the first time a cruise ship has devoted its entire season to solo guests. There are 4, 7-night-long itineraries on Europe’s most popular routes.

Riviera Travel says its solo river cruises are among its most popular itineraries. So the next, natural step was to designate, not just itineraries to singletons, but a whole ship, calling it and ‘all-new luxury river cruise experience.’

Riviera Travel currently offers more than 20 dedicated solo departures each year, the majority taking place during the spring and fall, with every traveler enjoying a private cabin with no additional single supplement.

By adding a dedicated solo traveler ship to its fleet, Riviera Travel is giving solo travelers the opportunity to choose whether you sail during peak river cruise season or at other times throughout the year.

Travelers onboard MS George Eliot will enjoy Riviera Travel’s signature amenities and experiences tailored to the experiences and needs of solos.

Each guest will enjoy the comfort of your own double cabin— most of which feature a French balcony. The ship features communal spaces in the lounge, bar and sundeck. A welcome dinner and cocktail reception, as well as daily entertainment will let travelers connect with those who have shared interests, facilitating social connections for those who wish.

With no single supplement and an all-inclusive pricing structure that covers excursions, meals, and an all-day drink package, solo travelers can feel like they’re on equal footing with travelers cruising double occupancy.

As one of the more intimate ships in the Riviera fleet and originally designed for 160 guests double occupancy, MS George Eliot will accommodate just 68 solo travelers, creating an exclusive and intimate group.

At the same time, there’s an unprecedented crew to guest ratio of one crew member for every two guests, ensuring solo travelers experience the highest level of personal service. And each cruise includes the expertise of a dedicated cruise director and hotel manager and insightful daily excursions led by local guides.

Riviera’s ships offer a range of amenities, such as a panoramic observation lounge, five-star dining, a spa and wellness area, and a sun deck, creating a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere for travelers exploring Europe’s rivers and landscapes.

START YOUR SOLO TRIP!

Image courtesy of Riviera Travel

Holiday Vacay: Why to Travel for the Holidays and Top Tips to Make it a Triumph

Tue, 30 Sep 25 17:14:57 +0000

The festive season is no longer just about gathering ‘round the hearth and home; it’s increasingly becoming the perfect time to pack a bag and head somewhere new. More travelers are choosing to spend Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s, and other holidays on vacation, whether that means a European Christmas market river cruise, a beach escape in the Caribbean, a snowy celebration on the slopes, or an exotic cultural journey.

And we have some good advice to make your trip during the festive season ring all the right bells.

Why to Vacay During the Holidays

Give Everyone a Break: Shopping, decorating, baking, cleaning, wrapping, hosting, and generally making everyone happy… It’s a LOT of time, mental energy and emotional energy. In many families, the biggest share of the holiday burden falls exhaustingly on just one person. Why not give everyone a holiday this season?
Memories and Experiences, not Stuff: Priorities are shifting away from collecting more things to collecting treasured memories, spending time together where everyone can be relaxed, participating in shared new experiences, establishing new family traditions and building relationships; not stressing over the stove. Converting the holiday budget to travel can create more value for every member of the family, rather than purchasing gifts that the recipient may not even recall a year later.
Maximize Time Off: Between school and work schedules, the holidays may be the easiest time for families and groups to coordinate longer vacations without using extra vacation days or having the kids miss school.
Make Travel Count: Lots of families have members who have to travel to get home for the holidays anyway – why not make that travel pay off with a trip everyone wants? Especially if several family members are already going to have to pack and fly, make it to a vacation destination, not slogging through snow to sleep on a sofa in an overcrowded house or share a room at a sad local hotel.
Cultural Immersion: Traveling during the festive season can let you experience authentic holiday traditions – from European Christmas markets to Mexico’s Día de los Reyes celebrations, giving travelers deeper cultural connections to their own roots, or be enriched by new cultures. Many towns, resorts and even cruise ships are decorated and host special seasonal events and celebrations you’ll only experience once a year.

As the holiday travel trend grows, it offers a joyful blend of festivity and discovery, giving you and yours the gift of time, experiences, and togetherness.

Holiday Travel Tips

Be a People Pleaser: whether it’s an intimate or multi-generational family holiday trip, make sure there’s something in your holiday trip for everyone. Whether it’s the destination, a special meal, a favorite pastime or even rare, one-on-one time, the holidays are about making everyone feel special. Make planning the trip a joint effort and use it to help everyone get excited.
Decide how much of the holidays you want in your holiday: Do you want to travel somewhere you can attend a religious service? Does your cruise offer a festive dinner so you don’t miss your cherished traditions even while the responsibility is on someone else’s… plate? Do you want your holiday to connect you more to your traditions and roots?
Book Well in Advance: The holidays represent some of the busiest travel days of the year. If you have flexibility with school and work schedules, take advantage of better and less expensive options.
Budget: It goes without saying that all travel should start with a budget. An expert travel advisor can help you spend it most wisely and get the biggest bang for your buck. For holiday trips, part of the budget decision-making includes considerations such as: does the trip replace gifts? Who contributes what? Where do we save, and what are we willing to splurge on?
And that brings me to one of the most important tips for planning any travel planning:
Communicate: Who’s paying for what? Are parents paying for the trip, but kids need to use their allowance to buy any souvenirs? Are grandparents covering the accommodations, but each family will take turns hosting and paying for evening dinners together? Will each member of the family be responsible for their own packing and on-site laundry? Who will have to share a room with whom? Are family members with young children expecting other family teens to babysit? Are the teens on board with that?

Don’t let lack of communication and clear parameters spoil the festive spirit: manage expectations and assign tasks so the usual suspects aren’t ‘still’ stuck with all the work, everyone can budget properly, and everyone, young and old, can enjoy the best holiday ever!

START YOUR FESTIVE TRIP!

Image: Getty

By: Lynn Elmhirst, travel journalist and expert

How to get Your Downton Abbey Travel Fix as its “Grand Finale” Hits Theaters

Fri, 12 Sep 25 23:16:28 +0000

“Set-jetting” to locations in Britain means that you don’t have to say goodbye to the beloved characters of Downton Abbey, even if the final film has been released. The clever play on words has been coined by Visit Britain to reflect how popular visiting film and TV set locations is for visitors to the U.K.

They say 87% of travelers to Britain are interested in walking in the footsteps of their favorite on-screen characters, and no wonder! The U.K. is the world capital of location production, and not just of iconic period dramas! From Bond to Bridgerton, Star Wars to Game of Thrones and more, there are screen tourism destinations for fans of just about every film genre in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and England.

Thanks to Visit Britain, members of the travel media got a gala pre-release screening of Downton Abbey: the Grand Finale.

I was expecting - and got a full dose of! - elegant and extravagant period sets and sweeping vistas of iconically English scenes, glamorous art deco costumes, arch dialogue and the wrapping up of plot lines we Downton fans have been following now for over a decade.

What I did not expect was how it felt like catching up with dear old friends over tea (or champagne!) Not just with the characters in the film, but the audience, too. It was like a room full of alumni. We all laughed at every reference to an inside joke or old story (Spoiler alert: Lady Mary sleeps with a house guest and is regretting it. Lady Edith, now an ally, retorts, "What, was he Turkish?") heartwarming on screen and in the theater.

With these “set-jetting” locations full of history, elegance and cinematic allure, you can immerse yourself in the world of the fictional Crawley family.

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

Highclere Castle

Highclere Castle, located on the border of Hampshire and Berkshire, England, is one of Britain’s most celebrated stately homes and a major draw for Downton Abbey diehards. Built in the 19th century in the Jacobethan style, the castle is set amid 1,000 acres of landscaped parkland designed by Capability Brown. Explore the grand state rooms, filled with art, antiques, and historical treasures, as well as the gardens and woodland walks that surround the estate. The castle also houses exhibitions dedicated to the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, who famously financed Howard Carter’s discovery of ancient Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922, adding another layer of fascination for history lovers.

Highclere’s global fame skyrocketed with its starring role as the primary filming location for Downton Abbey.

Are you a Lady Mary? Carson? Do you fancy yourself as witty as the Dowager Countess? You can channel your inner Downton character walking through the instantly recognizable rooms, including the library, dining room, and iconic staircase, which served as backdrops for the Crawley family’s stories.

Special tours and seasonal events often highlight the connection to the show, making the experience particularly memorable for visitors who wish to immerse themselves in the world of Downton Abbey.

Travel Tip: Because of Viking’s sponsorship of Downton Abbey on PBS in the U.S., the cruise line has a special connection with Highclere and the present Earl and Countess of Carnarvon. Special sailings of Viking cruises in Britain include a pre- or post-cruise extension to Highclere Castle.

Yorkshire

The fictional Crawleys were leaders of the county in Yorkshire, where several locations bring the many seasons of the TV series and all three films to life. A tour here blends aristocratic grandeur with village charm and the British railway heritage that characterized Britain in the years highlighted in Downton.

Start in Ripon and Easingwold, the market towns that you’ll recognize as stand-ins for the fictional village of Downton. Their historic streets, traditional pubs, and classic shopfronts provided the everyday backdrop where servants and townsfolk mingled, giving viewers a glimpse of Edwardian village life. Strolling through these towns, you can almost imagine Lady Sybil slipping into the village hospital or Carson striding to the post office.

Next, head to Harewood House (image: VisitBritain/ Thomas Heaton), just outside Leeds. This magnificent 18th-century estate was the setting for Downton Abbey: The Movie’s royal visit scenes. Visitors can tour Robert Adam’s lavish interiors, admire the art collections, and wander the Capability Brown-designed gardens. The house itself feels like a living extension of the Crawley family’s world.

Finally, take a trip on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to Pickering Station, whose 1930s ambience perfectly suited the show’s railway departures and arrivals, letting travelers relive those dramatic railway goodbyes and reunions in authentic style.

One-time Bonus: “Lord Grantham” Actor Hugh Bonneville Featured as an Insight Speaker on a Cunard Cruise in the Caribbean

Downton stalwart Hugh Bonneville (above photo courtesy of Cunard) is the Insight Speaker on board the 2,000-guest Queen Elizabeth as part of her Eastern Caribbean voyage departing from Miami on November 27.

Famed for his roles as Lord Grantham in Downton Abbey and also recently the beloved Mr. Brown in the Paddington franchise, the Emmy-nominated actor will offer cruise guests on the Queen Elizabeth an exclusive glimpse behind the curtain.

From the grandeur of Highclere Castle to the marmalade mishaps of Windsor Gardens, Bonneville shares anecdotes, reflections and more during an intimate onboard Q&A for Cunard guests.

START YOUR TRIP!

Top Image credit: VisitBritain and Highclere Castle LLP

Transformed Waldorf Astoria Returns as Beacon of NYC as Sister Hotels Open Globally

Fri, 12 Sep 25 23:16:00 +0000

New York’s Waldorf Astoria hotel is one of just a handful of hotels around the globe that’s a household name synonymous with luxury, society and history. After closing in 2017, the legendary hotel has resumed its place at the apex of New York and global hospitality following a transformational restoration of ballrooms, suites, dining venues and more.

The Waldorf Astoria, named after one of America’s first ultra-wealthy families, the Astors, pioneered luxury hospitality innovations. It was the first modern hotel in the world to offer in-room telephones, electricity on every floor, and 24-hour room service, and set the standard for fine dining. The iconic fixture of New York's glamorous social and cultural scene for over a century, the Waldorf Astoria has hosted presidents, royalty, celebrities and events that shaped the history of culture and life around the world.

Once again, the Waldorf Astoria – now the of the Hilton hotel family - has reclaimed its position at the center of New York’s social scene and hotel destination for discerning travelers with a taste for living history. Visitors will see how it blends its storied past and timeless elegance with a bold vision for the future of luxury stays and events in New York City.

Events Spaces

“The Greatest of Them All” – as Conrad Hilton famously described Waldorf Astoria New York – offers nearly 43,000 square feet of storied and now, cutting-edge event space. The landmark property features some of the city’s most acclaimed heritage venues that have been meticulously restored to preserve their original Art Deco detailing while being updated with the latest technology, including:

Grand Ballroom: The Crown Jewel of New York’s Event Scene

The three-story, 1,500-person capacity space, with landmarked, curtained balconies, was completely restored and has technology that allows it to host performances from private events to Broadway-style productions.

The decorative plaster bas-relief medallion at the center of the ceiling has been maintained and refurbished.

Basildon Room

An exquisite example of 18th-century design, the Basildon Room has a maximum capacity of 190 guests and now provides a lighter and brighter space with modern infrastructure added to the ceiling’s existing charm and restored frescoes, lunettes, cornices, paneling and fireplace mantel, which were all imported from England’s Basildon Manor in Basildon Park.

Silver Corridor

The Silver Corridor is one of the most elegant spaces within the hotel, blending history and artistry in a way that is uniquely New York. Its significance lies not only in its architectural beauty but also in its functionality; the Silver Corridor links some of the most important event spaces in the hotel, such as the Grand Ballroom, Jade Room, Astor Room, and Basildon Room. Sixteen wall murals, originally commissioned for the first Waldorf Astoria and painted in 1897 by American impressionist artist Edward Emerson Simmons, were salvaged from the original hotel for the 1931 construction and brought back to life in the recent restoration. The existing geometries and reinterpreted original materials reinforce Waldorf Astoria’s defining architectural language and its status as a benchmark in global hospitality.

Jade Room

With double-height ceilings and windows flanked by marble colonnades, the light-filled Jade Room has been updated to accommodate functions of up to 420 guests.

Astor Salon

A backdrop to thousands of events throughout Waldorf Astoria New York’s history, including a 1933 concert featuring both Cole Porter and George Gershwin on pianos, the Astor Room has been restored and has a maximum capacity of 420. The room now brings in more natural light and features beautiful columns, which were uncovered during the restoration.

Event attendees can arrive via three entrances, including a discreet porte-cochère on 49th Street between Lexington Avenue and Park Avenue – the only hotel porte-cochère available in Manhattan – or via Park Avenue or Lexington Avenue between 49th and 50th streets.

Accommodations + Signature Suites

Following the hotel’s transformation from a 1,400-room hotel to 375 hotel guest rooms and 372 residences, Waldorf Astoria New York now offers some of the largest guest rooms and suites in Manhattan. With hotel interiors by Pierre-Yves Rochon, rooms are meant to feel like private apartments.

Guerlain Wellness Spa

Debuting fall, 2025 at more than 20,000 square feet, Guerlain Wellness Spa features treatment rooms, VIP suites, along with a 7,000-square-foot state-of-the-art fitness center.

Culinary Experiences

Waldorf Astoria New York has returned as the dining destination for New Yorkers and visitors alike. Iconic Peacock Alley continues to embody the hotel's legacy as a lively center for social events and unforgettable experiences in the heart of New York City, with an award-winning mixology expert and a cocktail menu that honors the legacy of classic New York cocktail culture.

The hotel’s signature restaurant, Lex Yard, celebrates seasonal ingredients and refined technique, with standout dishes like the Royal Ocsiètre Gold Caviar Sando.

Just steps from Park Avenue, Yoshoku offers a kaiseki-inspired menu, the pinnacle of Japanese culinary tradition, reimagined through a New York lens.

Return of Waldorf Astoria New York Signals a Global Brand Evolution

With the highly anticipated return of Waldorf Astoria New York, Hilton’s iconic luxury brand enters a new chapter. Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts is growing, with 17 new openings and 33 additional properties in the pipeline, evolving from a heritage name into a worldwide symbol of modern luxury.

Signature hallmarks – like Peacock Alley and the Waldorf Astoria Clock – are thoughtfully evolved across the portfolio. For example, at Waldorf Astoria Riviera Maya, the clock’s design integrates the Mayan calendar paying tribute to local heritage.

Waldorf Astoria Osaka

Opened in April 2025, Waldorf Astoria Osaka marks the brand’s highly anticipated debut in Japan, spanning 12 floors of a 39-story high-rise, and includes a contemporary interpretation of Peacock Alley.

Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique

Also opened in April 2025 on the dramatic cliffside peninsula of Cacique in Guanacaste province, this resort offers a perfect backdrop for adventure seekers, sunbathers, and nature lovers. Guests can enjoy a sprawling holistic sanctuary, diverse culinary offerings including a signature restaurant, and family-friendly activities on the shores of Playa Penca.

Waldorf Astoria Shanghai Qiantan

Opening in late 2025, Waldorf Astoria Shanghai Qiantan is in the heart of the city’s New Bund area, offering panoramic views of the Huangpu River and skyline. The hotel’s interiors blend rich Chinese cultural elements with Shanghai’s iconic Art Deco style, creating a romantic, elegant atmosphere.

Waldorf Astoria Rabat Sale

Opening in 2025, Waldorf Astoria Rabat Salé will be part of the tallest building in Morocco and the third tallest building in Africa – towering 55 floors and featuring an observatory.

Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch

Slated to open Spring 2026 at one of London’s most iconic historical landmarks, Waldorf Astoria Admiralty Arch marks the brand’s first appearance in London. Admiralty Arch bookends The Mall opposite Buckingham Palace, offering unrivaled views of the Palace in one direction and across Nelson’s Column and Trafalgar Square in the other.

Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur

Opening in 2026 in Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle, the hotel will offer custom-designed suites, multiple world-class dining venues - including a signature Peacock Alley - a state-of-the-art wellness center, and a ballroom destined to captivate social life in Malaysia.

Waldorf Astoria River Nile Experience

Welcoming its first guests in late 2026, this exclusive cruise experience will provide unforgettable views of some of Egypt’s world-renowned landmarks.

Additional openings on the horizon include Sydney, Tokyo, Hanoi, Jakarta, Jaipur, Tangier, Greece, Texas Hill Country, and Turks & Caicos.

START YOUR TRIP!

All images courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts/ Hilton

African Travel, Inc. Launches New Egypt and Morocco 2026 Concierge Collection Journeys

Fri, 12 Sep 25 23:15:05 +0000

The award-winning luxury safari outfitter is unveiling 2 new Egypt and Morocco 2026 Concierge Collection journeys and introducing new Signature Moments with exclusive behind-the-scenes access. It’s also launching the Dahabiya Nawara luxury boat Nile cruise.

The two new Egypt and Morocco 2026 Concierge Collection journeys are intimate, small-group escorted vacations, designed for discerning travelers who are seeking VIP treatment, top-rated accommodations and seamless logistics which are expertly managed by a dedicated Travel Director. The escorted adventures showcase the rich cultural heritage, ancient sites and culinary traditions of these iconic places.

African Travel, Inc. (ATI) is also introducing their new unforgettable “Signature Moments”, offering exclusive experiences and behind-the-scenes access.

Another new offering is a luxury Nile cruise on the newly launched Dahabiya Nawara, an intimate vessel with only 12 elegant cabins. Guests will sail in stylish comfort to off-the-beaten-path excursions which larger ships cannot reach between Luxor and Aswan, where they can unwind on the sundeck at night.

New Journey Details

Egypt in Ultimate Style: 11 Days

Begin your journey in unmatched style upon arrival at Cairo airport, where an ATI representative will handle logistics while you relax at the VIP lounge. They will be accompanied to their waiting vehicle with a private transfer to the five-star Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at First Residence for a 3-night stay.
Discover a “Signature Moment” to experience at the spectacular Great Pyramids with special early access to the Giza Plateau before the crowds arrive. Enjoy this serene moment at the base of this Wonder of the Ancient World.
Fly to Luxor and delve into another “Signature Moment” with an exclusive private visit to the Luxor Temple in the evening, with the absence of crowds, and later unwind at the Sofitel Winter Palace. Stroll around the beautifully illuminated temple’s grounds, one of the best preserved of all of Egypt’s monument,s which comes to life against the magical night sky.
Guests will embark on a 4-night cruise on the Dahabiya Nawara luxury handcrafted vessel with refined organic dining and top-deck lounging and sail to Edfu to visit the stunning Temple of Horus and Kom Ombo to explore Horus the Elder and the crocodile god, Sobek temples. While on board, indulge in a “Signature Moment” with a behind-the-scenes kitchen tour and a hands-on cooking experience with the Executive Chef, incorporating regional ingredients and classical recipes for a traditional Egyptian lunch.

Invitation to Morocco: 11 Days

Arrive in Casablanca with VIP fast-track airport service, where your private guide and driver will transfer you to the 5-star Royal Mansour Casablanca hotel. Savor a warm welcome dinner at the renowned Dar Dada, located in a beautifully restored riad, offering classical Moroccan dishes.
After a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fes, enjoy a two-night stay at Merzouga Desert Luxury Camp for a once-in-a-lifetime glamping experience, embarking on a Saharan adventure with the comfort of elegantly appointed tents underneath the starry night sky.
In Marrakech, awaken early for a memorable “Signature Moment” experience for a serene hot air balloon ride over the spectacular landscape as breakfast is served in the sky. End your day with another “Signature Moment” with an exclusive sunset vintage sidecar tour, culminating in a vivid golden hour adventure and later unwind at La Sultana Marrakech, a luxurious boutique hotel.
Visit the legendary Majorelle Garden and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum. During an excursion to one of Morocco’s most exclusive bazaars, enjoy a “Signature Moment” for a private kaftan workshop with local artisans where you will learn about the intricate craftsmanship and participate in the traditional techniques. Leave the workshop with a gorgeous surprise memento!

MORE ABOUT AFRICAN TRAVEL, INC. - "WE KNOW AFRICA"

ATI is North America’s longest-established luxury safari operator, specializing exclusively in Africa. With nearly half a century of expertise, the company crafts authentic experiences tailored to every traveler and travel style. While custom luxury safaris are the focus, African Travel also offers small group journeys, including fully escorted and locally hosted options. ATI offers personalized service and seamless safari planning from flights and accommodations to curated experiences. Guests have access to a wide range of Africa’s finest lodges, camps, and activities, with expert support at every step of the journey. African Travel is committed to supporting people, wildlife, and the planet through its “MAKE TRAVEL MATTER” Experiences, and its not-for-profit foundation TreadRight, including partnerships with Wild Entrust and the Wilderness Foundation in Africa.

As an award-winning tour operator and a proud member of The Travel Corporation (TTC), the company upholds TTC’s ‘Driven by Service’ philosophy, delivering exceptional experiences and value to guests.

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

*** Image courtesy of ATI/ The Travel Corporation.

7 Ways to Slow Down and Switch Off in St. Kitts

Fri, 12 Sep 25 23:14:27 +0000

Instead of a to-do list to check off during your next tropical vacation, the island of St. Kitts invites you to celebrate slow travel: log off, unplug from your devices, and reconnect with yourself and nature with a range of restorative experiences the length and breadth of this 18-mile-long Caribbean island.

St. Kitts is the larger of two islands that make up the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. Green mountain ranges stretch from Mount Liamuiga in the north to the southern peninsula—each end, an entirely different and equally fulfilling experience. The island's location between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea gives its coast distinctively varied hues. Beaches range from golden tones to salt-and-pepper and alluring black volcanic sand. Peel back the many layers of this beautiful island to discover the culture, history, adventure, and culinary delights around every corner.

The ultimate “Do Not Disturb” destination, St. Kitts offers an abundance of space, serenity and soul-soothing experiences. From starlit sleep therapy to sunset catamaran sails, travelers can explore a variety of mindful island activities designed to help you pause, reset and embrace true relaxation.

Here are 7 island experiences to help you disconnect from the demands of everyday life, savor the island’s natural beauty, focus on wellness and rejuvenation, and focus on your own wellness and your loved ones during your travels as you unwind in St. Kitts:

Sacred Circles & Guided Rituals: Art of Presence (above) offers grounding movement, energy cleansing and sensory experiences designed to foster calm and inner connection.
Outdoor Herbal Baths & Massages: At Mango Walk Spa at Belle Mont Sanctuary, enjoy outdoor treatments featuring herbal poultices, coconut milk and rose for deep relaxation.
Sound Baths & Yoga: Imagine Yoga in Frigate Bay offers restorative sound therapy and yoga in a peaceful, natural setting.
Cacao Ceremonies: Sugar Mill Spa at Park Hyatt St. Kitts hosts mindful cacao rituals paired with intention setting and reflection.
Balm & Bond Workshops: At Sugar Town Organics, guests create bespoke self-care products using local Caribbean botanicals.
Private Plunge Pools & Saunas: Emerald Mist Spa at St. Kitts Marriott Beach Resort provides serene spa amenities perfect for total relaxation.
Catamaran Tours: Blue Water Safaris (below) delivers peaceful sailing and snorkeling tours along the island’s stunning coastline.
Bonus outdoor activity:

Sister island Nevis, across the straits from St. Kitts, is one of the Caribbean’s most renowned luxury golf destinations. Extend your stay and treat yourself to a stay at the Four Seasons Nevis, famous for its lush, 18-hole Robert Trent Jones II-designed golf course that offers breathtaking Caribbean views, including Nevis Peak and St. Kitts, as well as for the island's indigenous Green Vervet monkeys that often appear on the fairways. The resort itself is a luxurious Caribbean oasis known for its world-class amenities, including a beautiful beach, multiple pools, fine dining, and cultural experiences, but the unique blend of challenging golf, stunning scenery, and playful monkeys makes it particularly distinctive as well as an outdoor escape to remember!

St. Kitts and Nevis Travel Tip
Travelers to St. Kitts and Nevis are required to obtain an approved Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before departure from their home country. The quickest way to apply is through the St. Kitts and Nevis e-Border mobile app, available on iOS and Android. Alternatively, travellers may apply online at www.knatravelform.kn. 

START YOUR TRIP!

Images courtesy of St Kitts Tourism and their respective attractions.

Top image: Outdoor herbal bath at Belle Mont Sanctuary Resort's new Mango Walk Spa

Sneak Peek at Celebrity Cruises’ New River Ships

Fri, 12 Sep 25 23:13:54 +0000

How is Celebrity Cruises bringing their revolutionary, ‘Edge-class’ ocean ship design and lifestyle to the rivers of Europe? The cruise line has now revealed at least part of its vision with renderings of their first two river ships: Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker, prior to their launch on the Rhine and Danube rivers in 2027.

This comes just a week after the first advance pre-booking access sold out in 6 minutes! We don’t know how many people put down their refundable $500 deposit to be among the first people given access to the inaugural season of itineraries and departures, but we aren’t surprised that so many fans of Celebrity cruising want to try out their river ships as soon as possible! (Watch this space - more pre-booking access may be released!)

It's one of the most highly-anticipated cases of cruising crossover. I think you'll agree with these just-released first released renderings and details… there's a distinct ‘Edge’ to these river ships!

“More outdoor space” relative to the total square footage of the ship than any river ship, sweeping 360-degree views and an infinity-edge plunge pool suspended above Europe's most scenic waterways
Magic Edge cantilevered dining pods floating dramatically above the water – the first-ever cantilevered dining pods! – serving dynamic destination-driven menus that evolve with each port
Top-deck features include transformative shade structures, furniture and a bar and grille, maximize guests’ time on deck and access to panoramic views, while offering zones for every mood, whether it be socializing or disconnecting, in a space designed for year-round comfort.
An infinity-edge plunge pool invites guests to cool off while taking in the sights.

The “most dining choice on the river” - Eight restaurants and bars including Celebrity-favorite venues Martini Bar, Sunset Bar and Café Al Bacio -with 24/7 dining access available.
Five innovative stateroom categories delivering natural light, intuitive storage, enhanced configuration, king sized beds in every stateroom and spacious balconies and Infinite Veranda technology that transforms spaces at the touch of a button to bring your river destination outdoors indoors. All guests can enjoy complimentary stocked mini bars and destination-inspired amenities, linens, bedding, bathrobes and slippers.

First-ever Skylight Infinite Balcony Suites with dramatic ceiling windows flooding rooms with natural light, a dedicated, on-demand butler through ‘Butler Chat,’ complimentary exclusive dining, room service and happy hour experiences, complimentary laundry once each sailing, and priority booking for shore excursions.

The ships also feature advanced environmental technology including best-in-class hybrid propulsion system and waste management systems.

Celebrity's new river cruises will deliver all-inclusive luxury with comprehensive packages covering meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, Wi-Fi, onboard experiences and daily shore excursions.

Inaugural Season in 2027: world-class river destinations, the Celebrity Way

33 seven-night sailings on the Rhine and Danube rooted in place, culture and connection will take guests through the heart of Europe’s culture, history and unforgettable cities, and invite guests to taste regional wines, walk cobbled village streets, and enjoy the new perspective each day offers.

Enjoy a tale of many cities as multiple ports per day – combined with overnight experiences – invite you to explore river cruising destinations in a modern way.

From private wine tastings in Austria to thermal baths in Budapest, or cycling the riverbanks of the Danube, every experience is designed to bring out what is rare, real, and remarkable. Guests will see Budapest lit by night, sail the Wachau Valley, and discover hidden gems.

Celebrity river cruise guests will also be able to book pre- and post-cruise land stays in iconic cities like Prague and Budapest, all seamlessly arranged and delivered in the Celebrity style so many cruise fans of modern luxury travel love.

START YOUR TRIP!

By: Lynn Elmhirst, cruise/ travel journalist

Images courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Quickie Cruises and Themed Voyages on Windstar

Fri, 12 Sep 25 23:12:41 +0000

Small- and sailing-ship cruise line Windstar is changing up how you cruise, with “Quick Getaways” in Europe and a collection of themed cruises in Europe and the Caribbean, with departures from fall, 2025, through 2027.

“Quick Getaways”

Breaking from its own tradition of longer cruises, Windstar is introducing a series of new mini-cruise itineraries. With departures in 2026 and 2027, they are designed to give you a taste of its style of cruising in Europe over 3-5 nights

These short but sweet cruises let you enjoy a mix of iconic cities and tucked-away ports that rarely fit into one itinerary and take you places most cruises can’t, all with the same relaxed, friendly atmosphere you'll find on every Windstar voyage.

Why Take a Quick Getaway Cruise:

Overnight flight from the East Coast, board the same day in Europe
Add a mini vacation to your work trip or tag it onto a longer land adventure
Compact itineraries that mix iconic cities with postcard-worthy hidden gems – think sailing under London’s Tower Bridge!
The perfect taste-test of Windstar’s relaxed, yacht-style cruising
Pair with a longer voyage for the ultimate European sampler

Quick Getaway Itineraries:

St. Malo Getaway (4 nights) – Sail through London’s Tower Bridge, then dive into the windswept beauty of France’s northern coast, Mont St. Michel, and beyond.
A Taste of Southern France (3 nights) – Kayak near Sète, wander Collioure, and ride to the storybook citadel of Carcassonne.
La Dolce Vita in Italy & France (3 nights) – Sail past seaside villages, roam Corsican markets, and raise a glass in Tuscany.
Belgium: A Sweet Getaway (3 nights) – Discover Bruges’ canals, snack on Belgian chocolates, and admire fairytale architecture.

New Themed Voyages Collection

Another new collection of cruises from Windstar – with sailings beginning in fall 2025 and continuing into 2026 - is designed to make your passions come alive at sea. Whether it’s swapping brushstrokes with celebrated artists, taking the helm on a tall ship, or flowing with daily yoga on deck, these intimate, yacht-style journeys bring immersive fun from bow to stern.

Sip, Sketch, and Sail

Bring home a memory painted at sea on Windstar’s Masterpieces at Sea voyages. Elevate travel into a living canvas of creativity, with artists sharing presentations about the inspirations behind each piece.

On select sailings, an acclaimed Fountainhead artist will be on board creating a mural or large installation in real time, transforming the ship into a floating gallery, such as Samara Ash on the November 14th, 2025 Masterpieces at Sea: Brushes and Tapas voyage. A second artist also joins each voyage as an instructor, transforming The Screening Room into a hands-on art studio with intimate painting workshops, lively Paint & Sip classes, and more. Adding depth to the experience, an onboard Art Historian will deliver a series of enrichment talks, tying the destinations’ artistic heritage to the creativity happening at sea.

Beyond the ship, Windstar enhances the journey with curated art-focused excursions—think Gaudí’s playful architecture in Barcelona or Picasso’s legacy in Málaga— led by the guest artists on board. See all Masterpieces at Sea sailings below:

Brushes & Tapas, November 14, 2025
Europe Winter Riviera, February 20, 2026
Mediterranean Island Mosaic, August 13, 2026
Gems of the Leeward Islands October 28, 2026

An Ocean Crossing That’s Anything but Ordinary

Windstar’s Knot Your Average Crossing voyages celebrate the romance and tradition of life under sail. On these one-of-a-kind crossings – setting sail beginning November 2025 – guests can step up to the flying bridge and take the helm, learning age-old seamanship skills from the crew. Days at sea are filled with engaging enrichment programs: bridge and deck officers lead hands-on workshops in knot tying, chart reading, and star mapping, while distinguished guest speakers bring maritime history to life.

On the upcoming sailing, Knot Your Average Crossing (Lisbon to St. Maarten), historian and journalist Joseph Novitski will deliver a lecture series on piracy, naval order, and the origins of the U.S. Navy.

More 2026 sailings will continue this tradition, with enrichment speakers still to be announced, offering fresh perspectives on maritime heritage. Whether you’re steering the ship, tracing ancient constellations, or raising a toast to pirate lore, these crossings promise a seafaring adventure unlike any other.

Sun Salutations and Sea Breezes

Windstar’s Mind, Body, Spirit Collection itineraries take wellness beyond the spa, blending serene days at sea with transformative experiences designed for guests to nurture their whole selves.

Renowned yoga teacher and life coach Debbie Dixon leads daily sessions of yoga, meditation, and breathwork on open decks where the horizon becomes a peaceful focal point. Guests can sip their way to vitality at the pop-up Elixir Bar, offering fresh, nutrient-rich juices, and go deeper with guidance from an additional onboard wellness coach for personalized, one-on-one attention. It’s the perfect balance of small-yacht intimacy, expert-led rejuvenation, and Windstar’s knack for pairing mindful moments with unforgettable destinations.

About Windstar Cruises:

On a fleet of eight all-suite and sailing yachts serving up to 350 guests, Windstar Cruises’ guests can explore enchanting destinations across Europe, the Caribbean, Costa Rica, the Panama Canal, Alaska, New England, Canada, Japan, Asia and the South Pacific. Plus, Windstar operates year-round in Europe and will offer two unique ship experiences in Tahiti starting in 2027. Windstar will introduce two new ships to its Star Class beginning with Star Seeker in December 2025 and followed by Star Explorer in December 2026.

At Windstar Cruises, it's not just about travel – it's about creating experiences that resonate with the soul. With port-intensive itineraries, iconic destinations, exceptional service, and an innovative culinary program, every moment with Windstar is an opportunity for discovery and delight.

Windstar Cruises is part of the Xanterra Travel Collection of global hospitality and travel companies with a legacy that spans over a hundred years of operating iconic U.S. national parks, including Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Glacier, Death Valley, and many others.

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

*** Images courtesy of Windstar Cruises.

Globus Unveils New North America Escorted Vacations for 2026

Fri, 12 Sep 25 23:11:10 +0000

“The world’s most-awarded tour operator” invites you to discover the extraordinary close to home with 3 new escorted tours in the USA and Canada for 2026 – including an immersive Small Group Discovery tour through California, an Undiscovered itinerary across Colorado and a winter wonderland vacation to Québec. Each itinerary promises VIP access, local encounters and perfectly planned details that take travelers well beyond the ordinary.

Globus makes travel stress-free, taking care of all the details so you can focus on your experience and create travel memories. Tours feature handpicked hotels, expert Tour Directors, and local guides, including sightseeing and customizable experiences; these vacations take care of all the hassles of planning.

NEW Coastal California, Napa & the Central Valley (Small Group Discovery tour)

From the Channel Islands to charming Carmel, and lavender fields to local olive oil estates, this new Small Group Discovery tour brings guests face-to-face with the sights, stories and flavours of California’s coastal corridor and wine country – all with an average group size of just 18. Guests will enjoy honey and mead tastings, a slow-food movement lunch, a lavender farm tour, a visit to Sonoma and private winery visits in the Napa Valley area – plus stays in boutique accommodations along the way.

Those opting for a longer, 12-day version will cap their trip with extra time and a hop-on-hop-off pass in San Francisco.

Don’t Miss: Pebble Beach panoramas, art- and sustainability workshops with the Junk Girls and the scent of lavender in the air.

NEW Colorful Colorado: Peaks, Parks and Panoramas (Undiscovered tour)

This Undiscovered tour takes guests off-the-beaten-path to showcase the raw beauty of the Rockies, with visits to all four of Colorado’s national parks, including Mesa Verde’s ancient cliff dwellings and the shifting sands of the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Guests will ride the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad, choose their own adventure in Colorado Springs (either the Cog Railway or the Olympic-Paralympic Museum), and sip small-batch spirits in Palisade.

For those seeking even more awe, the 14-day version continues aboard the Canyon Spirit train – a luxe rail journey that winds through Glenwood Springs, Moab and the canyons of Utah before ending in Salt Lake City.

Don’t Miss: 11,000-foot views, UNESCO World Heritage sites and riding vintage rails into America’s Wild West.

NEW Winter in Montréal and Québec (Special Event tour)

It’s the most magical time of year in Canada’s most charming cities. This new winter tour wraps travellers in European-style holiday markets, historic landmarks and cozy culinary traditions. From Notre-Dame Basilica to Montmorency Falls, festive sugar shack feasts to twinkling Christmas markets, this getaway is equal parts heartwarming and snow-dusted.

Don’t Miss: Stay in legendary Fairmont hotels, celebrate French-Canadian culture and enjoy the sights (and sweets) of an old-world Noël.

America’s 250th Birthday

In addition to these new itineraries, Globus previously released a new getaway honoring America’s semiquincentennial with its Celebrating America: 250 Years Strong tour – a milestone journey through the country’s most historic cities, from Boston to Washington, D.C. This special itinerary invites travellers to walk in the footsteps of history and experience the nation’s story like never before.

LET US HELP YOU PLAN A TRIP CLOSE TO HOME NEXT YEAR!

MORE ABOUT GLOBUS

A century in the making, Globus takes travelers beyond the guidebooks, beyond the ordinary and beyond expectations with expertly designed tours across seven continents. From classic journeys to small-group discoveries and independent adventures to undiscovered surprises, Globus ensures every trip delivers front-row access to legendary landmarks. No planning. No hassles. Just hand-picked hotels, seamless transportation and insider expertise with the world’s most awarded tour operator, which translates to ease.

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

*** Image courtesy of Globus

Scenic Enrich: The Exclusive Events that Take Scenic Cruise Luxury to New Heights

Wed, 03 Sep 25 17:44:32 +0000

Private, after-hours Scenic Enrich cultural events, just for guests of Scenic ocean and river cruises, take a luxury voyage to next-level privilege. Here are my experiences of three Scenic Enrich events from recent ocean and river journeys.

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

Travel in any way makes us feel special and takes us out of our ordinary lives. A Scenic voyage makes you feel transported to a better world: your butler, onboard team, cruise director, restaurant servers, bar tenders remember you, your favorite orders, the last conversation you had… and create that sense of delight and a privileged home away from home.

On top of that – and chic, contemporary, boutique hotel design, an all-inclusive, no fuss experience, plus included shore excursions – Scenic includes what it calls ‘Scenic Enrich’ excursions.

The cruise line describes ‘Scenic Enrich’ shore experiences as exclusive, cultural events on shore just for guests of the ship. They take place in the evenings in venues after hours, open privately with a special experience only for our group.

The private, exceptional access – and the experiences themselves! Make guests feel special in a way that is rare and usually reserved for only the smallest, top percent of travelers. Yet shared by all of us on these Scenic cruises.

Scenic Enrich events are possible when the ship has a late sailaway or is docked overnight. Cruise travelers will know that late sailaways or overnights are not something all cruise lines offer – but many of us appreciate.

And Scenic makes select late nights in port really among the most memorable moments of your cruise.

If you are on a weeklong voyage, you’ll enjoy one Scenic Enrich event. But if you are sailing on a longer voyage, you might experience more than one during your trip, as we did.

I recently sailed on both a Scenic ocean and a Scenic river cruise – as it happens, both in France, so I’ve had the chance to experience 3 different Scenic Enrich events just weeks – but, if you’ll excuse the pun - oceans apart in diversity of experience.

Delicacies of Provence on the French Riviera

Aboard the Scenic Eclipse on a French Riviera cruise – how glamorous already! – we had a late evening departure from the legendary port of Saint-Tropez, and just as dusk was about to fall, we disembarked the ship and set off to a local winery, Domaine du Bourrian, after hours.

Inside the winery, surrounded by immense ageing barrels, tables were set up for us to engage in local gastronomy and flavors: local cheeses and charcuterie, grinding our own tapenade using different types of olives and seasoning, mixing our own custom blends of Provencal herbs, sipping botanical drinks and yes, of course, enjoying the wine. Nothing tastes quite like table-side prepared tapenade on fresh French bread with the provencal rosé wine of the winery.

To make us feel completely decadent, we were serenaded by a local group, singing French ‘chansons’ and sexy jazz to make the ambiance absolutely French Riviera glam!

Outdoors, a French version of a food truck with live fire grilled up delightful chickpea flour crepes that made scrumptious finger food, too! We strolled around the vintage vineyard machinery and vines as the sun set, and eventually made our way back to the Scenic Eclipse for late-night snacks in the lounge as we all enjoyed nightcaps at the whisky bar!

Transported Back in Time in a Wine Chateau in the Vineyards of Bordeaux

On our Scenic river cruise in the historic and elegant wine region of Bordeaux, our first Scenic Enrich event of the cruise made us all feel like main characters in our own personal travel fairytale.

Chateau d’Agassac (pictured, top) is thought to be the oldest Bordeaux chateau, an impeccably restored, tiny jewel-box of classic French medieval architecture: turrets and moats, white limestone and slate tiles. The estate dates back to the 11th century, and continues to produce prestigious, Haut-Medoc red wines, including a Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel.

We were welcomed with glasses of the Chateau’s outstanding wine at the lane leading up to the Chateau’s front doors that were opened just for us. Fans provided on a warm summer's evening brought out the princess or princes in us all!

After wandering the Chateau, glasses in hand like we were aristocrats coming home, we were invited into the winery, next to barrels of ageing wine, for a concert.

A local string quartet interspersed charming classical pieces by Mozart with modern tunes out of the blue - for example, Gene Kelly’s Singing in the Rain - that made us all laugh aloud when we recognized the playful American classics filtering through this historic French ambiance.

Darkness Transformed to Light in a WW2 Submarine Base

Our second Scenic Eclipse event of the cruise was while we were docked in the city of Bordeaux itself – and it could not have contrasted more with the fairytale magic of an evening in a wine chateau.

During World War 2, France was occupied by the Nazis, and there was a fierce struggle for control over the North Atlantic shipping lanes. Bordeaux has historically offered a protected port, via a long and deep estuary off the ocean, and here, a massive, monolithic, 11-bay submarine base was built for fascist submarines based in the North Atlantic.

Ever since the end of WW2, the base lay derelict – according to locals, too massive to destroy! – a truly dark and foreboding hulk over a rundown end of the port area.

Since 2020, it has had a new life – and literally, new light! 4 of the 110-meter-long bays have been transformed into Les Bassins des Lumieres – the basins of light.

It’s the largest digital art center in the world! Projections illuminate all the surfaces, including the water in the pools a total illuminated surface of 12,000 square meters using 90 video projectors!

Again, an after-hours event just for guests of Scenic Diamond gave us full run of the incredible space. We were greeted by the Scenic logo projected onto the walls where the doors of the submarine bays open to the port, and a cocktail table at the far end of one bay. Glasses in hands, as the oppressive, decades-old, concrete walls, ceilings and floors were transformed by the illuminations of the show, we were almost overwhelmed by sensation: immersed above, below and all around by light, art, creativity, and music.

Exactly the same space, same camera angle - BEFORE (above) and AFTER (below) the WW2 submarine basins are literally ‘lit up.’

It was a truly awe-inspiring experience, almost spiritual in how the creators have completely overturned the historic purpose of this monumental space and converted the negative into something so powerfully positive.

Three Scenic Enrich events – three incredibly memorable travel moments crafted with such imagination, thoughtfulness and creativity by the Scenic team for their guests.

START YOUR TRIP!

Images courtesy of Lynn Elmhirst.

Spain’s Most Luxurious Train’s New Madrid-Seville Weeklong Journey

Wed, 03 Sep 25 17:43:55 +0000

Spain’s historic Al Andalus train, described as one of the most glamorous in the world, is celebrating its 40th anniversary. To celebrate, it’s debuting a new, 7-day itinerary between Seville and Madrid beginning in spring 2026. It’s the first time the Art Deco-inspired rail journey, evoking the golden age of train travel, will journey from Spain’s capital city. Operated by Renfe, Spain’s national rail carrier, the journey includes onboard accommodation, excursions, UNESCO sites, cultural visits, haute cuisine, and a wide range of exclusive services.

It's another example of a renaissance of, not just train travel, but luxury and overnight travel by train in Europe.

The seven-day route includes stops in Córdoba, Cádiz, Jerez, Mérida, Alcázar de San Juan, Toledo, and Aranjuez.

An Itinerary Through History and Culture

The rail adventure operates in both directions, beginning in Madrid or Seville with the other city as the terminus of your journey.

In Seville, Moorish and Renaissance treasures set the tone for a week steeped in culture. From there, the Al Andalus glides to Córdoba, home to the dazzling Mosque-Cathedral, then on to Cádiz, the oldest city in the Western world.

Guests will sip sherry in Jerez, explore Roman ruins in Mérida, taste artisanal cheeses in La Mancha, and wander the windmill-dotted landscapes said to have inspired Don Quixote. By the time the journey reaches Toledo and the royal gardens of Aranjuez, travelers will have collected a lifetime of stories—and one glamorous gala dinner caps it all off before arrival in Madrid.

Travel via the Al Andalus

Once back on the train, the journey is no less magical. The 1930s carriages—originally designed for the British royal family—envelope guests in velvet, silk, and polished wood. Evenings bring live music, dancing in the ballroom, and cocktails in the lounge, while regional Spanish cuisine shines at every meal.

At night, rest in elegant cabins with ensuite bathrooms and panoramic windows in Grand Class rooms with twin beds or Deluxe Suites with queen beds, lounge areas, and a touch of royal indulgence. And because the train never travels overnight, you’ll sleep soundly and enjoy every view in daylight.

Visit a range of cultural and historic landmarks, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Roman ruins dating back to 25 BC, and towns tied to Spain’s Moorish and Renaissance past.

Highlights of the journey include Córdoba’s Mosque-Cathedral, Cádiz—considered the oldest city in the Western world—Jerez’s equestrian ballet and winery tours, and Mérida’s Roman amphitheater. In La Mancha, travelers will see the windmills of Campo de Criptana, said to have inspired Cervantes’ Don Quixote. The penultimate stop in Toledo offers access to the city’s Gothic cathedral, a 10th-century mosque, and synagogues, before concluding at the Royal Palace of Aranjuez.

Onboard Experience

The Al Andalus train dates to the 1930s and was originally modeled after the British royal family’s carriages. Its interiors feature wood paneling, velvet and silk furnishings, and a ballroom car. The train does not travel overnight, allowing passengers to explore destinations after hours and ensuring that all travel is by daylight.

Accommodation ranges from Grand Class rooms, with twin beds and ensuite bathrooms, to Deluxe Suites with larger layouts and queen beds. Onboard service includes meals showcasing regional Spanish cuisine and live evening entertainment.

CONTACT US NOW TO MAKE THIS LUXURY TRAIN JOURNEY

PART OF AN UNFORGETTABLE TRIP TO SPAIN!

Only 18 Departures in total for 2026, and they are expected to sell out!

9 Departure Dates in 2026 - Departing from Madrid – Seville:

April: 12 and 26

May: 10 and 24

June: 14 and 28

September: 13 and 27

October: 11

9 Departure Dates in 2026 – Departing from Seville - Madrid:

April: 5 and 19
May: 3 and 17
June: 7 and 21
September: 6 and 20
October: 4

Fares for the 2026 season start at under USD 8000 per person, double occupancy (for Grand Class accommodations).

The fare includes all excursions and scheduled visits; tickets to museums, monuments, and shows; and all meals—including those experienced off the train. Wine, water, soft drinks, mineral water, and coffee are also included with meals. Any drinks consumed outside of meals, as well as crew tips and laundry service, are not included and will attract an extra fee.

MORE ABOUT AL ANDALUS TRAIN - 40 Years of History

The Al Ándalus train is part of the national Spanish train carrier Renfe’s portfolio of Luxury Tourist Trains. With four decades of history, it offers a journey through time aboard historic, fully restored carriages once used for major trips in the early 20th century.

Every detail has been anticipated in this inclusive rail journey, allowing you to imagine yourself embraced by nostalgic luxury. Rail journeys include a deluxe coach that accompanies the train along the entire route to facilitate excursions, and a multilingual guide assists guests throughout the journey. Admission to all scheduled visits is included, along with many other onboard services and activities.

Travel aboard Al Ándalus is also a culinary experience, highlighting world-renowned products such as olive oil, sherry wine, and Jabugo Iberian ham in included onboard meals or prestigious local restaurants.

*** Images courtesy of Renfe Luxury Tourist Trains.

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

Tauck Launching Small Groups Just for Travelers in Their 40’s and 50’s

Wed, 03 Sep 25 17:40:25 +0000

They say ’50 is the new 30!’ And now there’s a new brand of travel experiences - designed just for this new generation of travelers - with maturity, busy lives, high expectations, established tastes and as active as ever. Upscale guided travel company Tauck is tapping into the energy of travelers in their 40s and 50s looking for flexibility, soft adventure and one-of-a-kind experiences.

“Roam by Tauck” launches in 2026 with a dozen itineraries across 6 continents by 2027.

The high-end, small-group journeys are available by land, river and small ship and average just 16 guests in a group. Itineraries will range from five to 11 nights to fit a variety of lifestyles and vacation windows. At least 5 journeys are set to launch in the first year for Roam by Tauck.

Avid food and wine enthusiasts, the company says that Roam by Tauck guests have sophisticated tastes and value both guided insider access and the independence to wander off the beaten path. With busy, high-paced lives, Roam guests value seamless travel and not being over-scheduled; luxury stays, signature moments and active opportunities with ample free time to explore, savor and recharge on their own terms.

Sound like you? Stay tuned!

Roam by Tauck tours will be revealed and open for booking this winter, with first departures set for August 2026. Bookings will initially be available in the U.S. only, priced “for a younger, luxury traveler seeking more flexibility and adventure.”

INSIDE THE ROAM BY TAUCK EXPERIENCE

Tauck’s launch of its first new style of trip in over a decade also marks its 100th anniversary.

Roam by Tauck is designed around the pace and preferences of a younger luxury guest—while still drawing on Tauck’s century of travel expertise. And just like every Tauck journey, Roam will feature exceptional accommodations, expert guidance, and exclusive access to places and experiences that are difficult to arrange on your own.

Roam By Tauck is Defined by:

VIP Access and Signature Moments

Similar to Tauck’s flagship brand, Roam by Tauck guests will enjoy experiences that are difficult to arrange independently, such as

soaring in a balloon above the pyramids of Teotihuacan,
enjoying a private dining experience in Iceland's ancient underground caves,
canoeing beneath Dordogne’s castles, or
hiking through vineyards to a private wine tasting in Portugal’s Douro Valley.

Designed for small groups of around 16 guests, each journey features can’t-miss moments that inspire lasting stories.

Less Structure, More Choice

Following a distinctive "half-on, half-off" philosophy, Roam by Tauck itineraries feature thoughtfully planned signature experiences balanced with abundant time to explore or unwind independently. With a focus on curated optional excursions and choice of discovery, each day offers the flexibility to personalize the experience.

More Active by Design

Every Roam journey includes at least one hallmark active adventure, such as

whitewater kayaking in Bratislava, or
hiking the Paiva Walkways and Arouca Bridge in Portugal.

Additional active options, including guided mountain biking, water or coastal excursions, and nature treks to hidden gems, are woven throughout each journey.

More Time for Relaxation and Reward

Roam travelers enjoy more leisurely mornings, extended evenings, and access to luxury spa and wellness amenities. Whether it's a relaxed gourmet breakfast or a retreat-like overnight stay in a countryside inn, the pacing of Roam by Tauck invites moments of stillness and reset. Stays of 3–4 nights at each property are built into every trip, ensuring guests can fully unpack, unwind, and savor their surroundings.

More About Tauck:

Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025, Tauck has been family-owned for four generations. The company is a world leader in upscale guided travel, with more than 170 land tours, safaris, river cruises, small ship ocean cruises and family travel adventures to 70+ countries and all seven continents.

START YOUR TRIP! (SOON!)

*** Images courtesy of Tauck.

W Hotels Debuts First Beach All-Inclusive

Wed, 03 Sep 25 17:36:51 +0000

The hotels for the hip are joining the all-inclusive trend. W Hotels, known for avant-garde design, luxurious amenities, music, fashion, and art scenes that create buzzy social hubs for creatives and stylish professionals, is bringing its "Whatever/Whenever" service, distinctive local programming and iconic bars and restaurants to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, in its first all-inclusive location.

W Hotels is just the latest hotel chain capitalizing on travelers’ desire to both extend their urban hotel experience to the beach – and simplify it in an all-inclusive style. The W Punta Cana, Adult All-Inclusive is set along the white sand shores of the eastern Dominican Republic’s luxury travel scene.

And according to W Hotels, this isn't just another resort – it's re-imagining beach resorts for the expectations of W Hotels’ stylish, creative traveler. You’ll find all the things you love about W Hotels in your favorite cities: insider access, a dynamic atmosphere, the unmistakable audio experience, and vibrant design, woven into a new W Hotels experience.

“This isn't just a resort – it's a vibe, a movement, a new way to travel”

W Punta Cana features 340 stylish guest rooms and suites. Every room includes a bathtub and exclusively features king-size bed configurations, including the two-bed suites and the Oasis Mega Suites, the first in the Dominican Republic. You’ll find expansive space, breathtaking ocean views, world-class amenities and services, including 24-hour in-room dining, signature ‘maxi bar’ with savory and sweet snacks, and bespoke beverages. 46 suites feature exclusive swim-up pools, including select suites with full-sized private pools.

The all-inclusive resort features a contemporary design integrating local elements with signature “W” style, complemented by natural materials that evoke the charm of cobblestone streets. The aesthetic motifs inspired by larimar, the national stone, alongside décor influenced by native fauna – such as dragonflies and colorful seashells.

W Punta Cana’s public areas, surrounded by lush landscaping, lead guests through winding, jungle-like paths adorned exclusively with endemic flora – reflecting the resort's commitment to sustainability. Low-density design promotes balance and immersing yourself in the open air.

The communal layout resembles a lively, creative village with pockets of privacy; the resort features a 400-meter beachfront paired with the brand's signature WET Deck (pictured, top), an 80-meter infinity pool – larger than an Olympic-size pool and perfect for social gatherings, while the Chill Pool offers a serene ambiance, with a swim-up bar and sunbeds.

Detox/ Retox Lifestyle

With 12 distinct restaurants, bars, and lounges, you can embark on a culinary journey that embodies W Hotels’ gastronomic philosophy with epic dining concepts and artfully crafted cocktails. Explore tastes – from multicultural and Asian to Dominican and Caribbean flavors, via a food hall inspired by global street food and fueled by fresh, local ingredients, an elegant, chef-driven concept, a Pan Asian noodle Bar, and a bar and events theater.

The resort's mixology program is rooted in creative infusions and spirits, including a microbrewery and beer hall, a beach club with W Hotels’ WET Deck, a vinyl speakeasy and more.

Entertainment at W Punta Cana is deeply rooted in local culture and thoughtfully curated to create an authentic social hub. From high-energy dance parties and artist residencies to wellness-focused sound sessions and culturally immersive events, the lineup offers a seamless balance between social connection and rest and rejuvenation.

The live music line-up, curated by W Hotels’ Music Director of the Caribbean and Latin America, Sinego, in collaboration with Dominican-based electronic music collective Chinese Laundry, blends global influence with local soul. Guests can immerse themselves in DJ-led sound baths, beachside silent discos, curated vinyl libraries, and nightly rooftop sessions – all designed to create an ever-evolving soundtrack to your stay.

The resort's approach to wellness blends sophistication with a strong sense of place, centered around the brand's signature AWAY Spa, local healing traditions and local products. Unwind in the steam room, Himalayan salt room, sauna, or the striking indoor pool, with sunrise yoga and restorative rituals.

Beyond the resort, embark on private tours of Punta Cana, explore national parks, or charter private boats and yachts for diving and snorkeling around the island, visiting remote, intimate beaches or discovering hidden gems.

W Punta Cana also has versatile meeting and event spaces, including an over-5000 square foot grand luxury ballroom.

W Hotels’ New Wave

The opening of W Punta Cana marks a major milestone in W Hotels, expanding beyond urban hotspots, escapes, and residences to debut adult all-inclusive destinations.

Following W Punta Cana, two additional W Hotels all-inclusive properties are set to open in Corasol Playa del Carmen and Costa Mujeres in 2028 and 2029.

W Hotels are part of Marriott Bonvoy, allowing guests to participate in one of the largest travel loyalty programs while vacationing in their beloved W Hotels style – in a new, adult, all-inclusive, easy format that extends W style and lifestyle to the beach.

START YOUR TRIP!

Images courtesy of W Hotels

Top Tips for Traveling with Your Dog

Fri, 15 Aug 25 18:58:41 +0000

National Dog Day is August 26 – during peak summer travel. Nearly three-quarters of pet parents travel with their furry friends every year on domestic and international trips, and there’s still time to plan your next getaway this season.

No matter how you’re traveling, bringing along Fido means extra steps to make sure your dog – and you – enjoy a relaxed, healthy vacation. And for many of us, those extra efforts to travel with our pet are worth it rather than the challenges and stress – on both ends of the leash – of leaving your dog behind!

Here are some of the top tips to make your trip safe, happy and healthy for you and Fido!

1. Plan Pet-Friendly Destinations

Not all destinations are equally welcoming to four-legged travelers. Look for cities, regions, or nature escapes with dog-friendly hotels, trails, and dining spots, like off-leash zones and public welcome of pets.

Especially if you’re crossing international borders, verify your vet check-up, vaccination, and documentation obligations to avoid being turned back or worse – having your dog go through mandatory quarantine.

Last year, we shared new policies for all dogs entering the US, whether visiting from outside the country, or returning home to the US after a trip abroad. Make sure you meet all requirements for any destination!

2. Check Pet Policies in Advance

Before booking transportation or accommodation, confirm their pet rules – and any extra fees you’ll incur. Airlines and trains often have weight limits, carrier requirements, and paperwork for travel. Hotels may have size restrictions or additional cleaning fees—better to know in advance than face surprises.

3. Pack a Dog Travel Kit

Bring the essentials: food, treats, collapsible bowls, leash, waste bags, favorite toys, bedding, grooming supplies, and any medications. A portable water bottle with a built-in bowl is a lifesaver.

Make sure you check with your vet and airline rules about whether you should – or are permitted to – give your dog medication to calm/ sedate them during transportation.

4. Prioritize Comfort and Safety

Even in a car, use a secured harness or travel crate to prevent injury during sudden stops. On flights, make sure your pet carrier meets airline regulations and gives your dog enough room to turn around comfortably.

Special Tips for Air Travel with Your Dog

Air travel requires more preparation than other pet journeys and can be more stressful for the owner and the dog.

Not all airlines are equal in their care for man’s best friend. If you have choices in airlines on your route, check the pet policies of each airline before assuming they will all treat Fido the same.

Cabin vs. Cargo: If your dog is small enough to travel in-cabin, book early—space is limited. Larger dogs often have to travel in the cargo hold. Make sure they will be in a pressurized, temperature-controlled area – ideally with human supervision during the flight. Some airlines promise that level of cargo care for your dog, and you wouldn’t want anything less.
Choose Direct Flights: Minimize layovers and transfer stress for your dog. Morning or evening flights can help avoid heat extremes.
Get Vet Clearance: Many airlines require a health certificate dated within a specific window of time before travel. Discuss with your vet whether sedation is appropriate (it usually isn’t recommended).
Carrier Comfort: Line the carrier with an absorbent pad and include a familiar blanket or soft toy. Your dog should be able to stand, turn, and lie comfortably. Traveling with two dogs? Some airlines will permit them to travel in a shared crate – if it’s big enough – to provide comfort to each other.
Exercise Before Boarding: A good walk or play session before check-in can help your dog relax during the flight.
Hydration Strategy: Offer water before and after the flight. Avoid heavy feeding right before travel to reduce motion discomfort.
Know Airport Pet Relief Areas: Many airports now have designated spaces—map them in advance, especially if you have a layover.

5. Maintain Their Routine and Exercise

Dogs thrive on familiarity. Try to keep feeding, exercise, and sleep times close to their home schedule. Familiar blankets or toys can help them feel secure in new environments.

Plan rest stops on road trips every 2–3 hours for bathroom breaks and a stretch.

6. Mind the Weather

Extreme heat or cold can be dangerous for dogs. Avoid midday walks in hot climates, provide shade and water, and pack a jacket or sweater if you’re traveling to chilly destinations. That’s also why, if you’re traveling by air, it’s vital to ensure your dog traveling in a climate-controlled area of cargo.

7. Keep ID and Documents Handy

Make sure your dog’s microchip details are up to date, and that they’re wearing a collar with your contact information. If crossing borders, bring vaccination records—rabies certificates are often mandatory, and insufficient proof can lead to mandatory quarantine.

8. Introduce New Experiences Gradually

If your dog has never been on a long trip, start with short journeys to build their confidence. Gradual exposure helps reduce anxiety during bigger adventures.

9. Respect Local Pup-iquette

Pick up after your dog, follow leash laws, and be mindful of others in shared spaces. Good manners make it more likely you—and other pet travelers—will be welcome back.

10. Include Fido in your Travel Insurance Preparations

But what happens if your travel plans with your furry friend get… derailed? As part of your planning, ask your travel advisor about premier travel insurance that gives you trip delay insurance covering extra accommodation and food costs, even rebooking if you’re delayed returning home. And a pet kennel insurance benefit can even cover additional boarding costs as a result of a delay.

Traveling with your dog can open the door to new kinds of adventures. With thoughtful preparation, your pup will be wagging their tail from departure to homecoming.

START YOUR TRIP!

Images: Getty