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European Cruising After the Christmas Markets: River and Ocean
4 min read

European Cruising After the Christmas Markets: River and Ocean

What cruises give you the warmest welcome in Europe’s coolest months? River and coastal ocean cruising doesn’t completely stop when the Christmas holidays start. In fact, Europe’s “quiet season” is...

New Zealand Attracts a New Generation of Lord of the Rings Fans on 25th Anniversary of Film
4 min read

New Zealand Attracts a New Generation of Lord of the Rings Fans on 25th Anniversary of Film

Twenty-five years ago, moviegoers got their first glimpse of Middle-earth — and savvy travelers discovered that it looked remarkably like New Zealand. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the...

VIDEO From the Bridge: Meet the Captain of the Paul Gauguin in Tahiti
3 min read

VIDEO From the Bridge: Meet the Captain of the Paul Gauguin in Tahiti

What’s it like to captain a ship that sails year-round in exotic French Polynesia? I got to ask the captain of the Paul Gauguin during a visit to the bridge...

Lights Out on One of the Hottest New Travel Trends
5 min read

Lights Out on One of the Hottest New Travel Trends

For generations, travelers have organized their days around daylight. Get up. See the sights. Take the photos. Then, as the sun sets, the day starts wrapping up. One of travel’s fastest-growing...

Attention Cycling Fans: Tour de France Rolls Across the English Channel in 2027
4 min read

Attention Cycling Fans: Tour de France Rolls Across the English Channel in 2027

In July 2027, the Tour de France will make cycling history in the UK. Three men’s stages and three women’s stages will put Britain on the cycling world stage. In...

D-Day Landing Beaches Achieve Overdue Milestone; How to Make Your Own Pilgrimage
3 min read

D-Day Landing Beaches Achieve Overdue Milestone; How to Make Your Own Pilgrimage

82 years after what Winston Churchill called “the most complicated and difficult” military operation in world history, Normandy’s D-Day Landing Beaches finally achieved long overdue recognition of their place in...

Walk on the Wild Side: Animal Encounters on the Beaches of the Caribbean
4 min read

Walk on the Wild Side: Animal Encounters on the Beaches of the Caribbean

You came to the Caribbean for the beach. So did the wildlife. Throughout the islands, some stretches of sand come with company: two legs or four, from birds to beasts...

How Low Can They Go? Historic Water Levels and the Future of River Cruising in Europe
5 min read

How Low Can They Go? Historic Water Levels and the Future of River Cruising in Europe

I adore river cruising. I constantly recommend river cruises to viewers and followers. But river cruising is facing an industry-changing crisis. And I think it’s time to face it head-on with...

Top “Coolcation” Travel Destinations
5 min read

Top “Coolcation” Travel Destinations

Record-breaking summer heatwaves throughout Europe have more travelers looking for cooler destinations to spend the holidays. I have some favorites. By: Lynn Elmhirst, travel journalist and expert Some like it hot!  And...

Spain’s Summer Spectacles
3 min read

Spain’s Summer Spectacles

For most travelers, summer in Spain means lazy days on Mediterranean beaches, late-night tapas and sangria in sunny plazas. Summer is also Spain’s festival season – with two events famous...

Crystal’s New Ship Doubles Down on Family-Focused Spaces
3 min read

Crystal’s New Ship Doubles Down on Family-Focused Spaces

When Crystal Grace launches in 2028, she’ll have more dedicated family spaces and programming than ever. That sets Crystal apart from most other cruise lines in the luxury space, which...

3 Sandals Resorts Get $200 Million Glow Up in ‘Great Jamaica Comeback’
4 min read

3 Sandals Resorts Get $200 Million Glow Up in ‘Great Jamaica Comeback’

A trio of storied resorts on the island where Sandals was born is being reborn as part of Jamaica's comeback. A new name, new dream-inspiring accommodations, new dining venues, new...

When Volcanoes Wake Up: Travel to the World’s Great ‘Fire Mountains’
6 min read

When Volcanoes Wake Up: Travel to the World’s Great ‘Fire Mountains’

Mount Etna's July 2026 eruption sent lava and ash plumes into the Sicilian sky, creating spectacular images—and temporary travel disruptions. Volcanic ash interrupted flights at the local Catania Airport. Luckily,...

Aman At Sea’s Inaugural Season: Mediterranean and Caribbean
4 min read

Aman At Sea’s Inaugural Season: Mediterranean and Caribbean

Aman’s first ultra-luxury lifestyle yacht will chase the sun in her inaugural 2027 season, beginning in the Mediterranean after her mid-year launch, followed by a Caribbean winter season. The Amangati will...

Christmas in July Question: Which Christmas Market River Cruise to Choose?
4 min read

Christmas in July Question: Which Christmas Market River Cruise to Choose?

It’s never too early to start counting down the days until Christmas – or plan a holiday getaway. Christmas in July reminders are a great opportunity to think about how...

Good News if You’re Flying to Europe: New Passenger Protections
4 min read

Good News if You’re Flying to Europe: New Passenger Protections

It only took 13 years! And resistance from the air industry. But finally, European lawmakers have passed updated regulations adding even more starch to what are already the stiffest air...

New European Hotels in Landmark Historic Sites to Inspire your Next Trip
6 min read

New European Hotels in Landmark Historic Sites to Inspire your Next Trip

London. Venice. Lisbon. Each powerhouse travel destination already has its share of iconic hotels. But new properties opening in 2026 give visitors the unique ability to live inside the history...

Discovering the Japan You Didn’t Expect Beyond the Main Island
4 min read

Discovering the Japan You Didn’t Expect Beyond the Main Island

For many travelers, the increasingly popular destination of Japan begins and ends on the island of Honshu – literally, it’s ‘Main Island.’ I can’t blame them – so much of...

Scenic Expanding River Cruising to India, Sri Lanka
3 min read

Scenic Expanding River Cruising to India, Sri Lanka

In October 2027, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours is launching the Scenic Aura on the Hooghly River, debuting a collection of itineraries in India and Sri Lanka. Scenic Aura River Cruising During...

G Adventures Shines Spotlight on Global Tree Projects on Earth Day
5 min read

G Adventures Shines Spotlight on Global Tree Projects on Earth Day

Earth Day is April 22, and it’s a wonderful time to share stories of travel companies that are making the world we love to travel a better place. For G Adventures,...

$500M Update Brings Guest-Favorite Feature Across Holland America Line Fleet
3 min read

$500M Update Brings Guest-Favorite Feature Across Holland America Line Fleet

Fans of the Grand Dutch Cafés onboard Holland America Line’s newest ships can look forward to finding this little piece of Netherlands culture and design onboard many more ships soon. At...

Goldilocks and the Three Bears (Alaska Cruise Edition)
5 min read

Goldilocks and the Three Bears (Alaska Cruise Edition)

In Alaska, everyone can feel like they’re in a fairy tale. Even the one with the three bears! Wildlife watching opportunities – especially bear sightings – rank among the top...

Breaking News: Princess Cruises Building All-New Class of Ships, its Largest-Ever!
2 min read

Breaking News: Princess Cruises Building All-New Class of Ships, its Largest-Ever!

By 2039, there will be three new ships in the Princess Cruises fleet, the largest, most advanced ships ever for the cruise line, carrying over 4700 guests each, and dual-fuel,...

Two New Ships, Two Ways to Cruise: There Really is a Cruise Out There for Everyone
4 min read

Two New Ships, Two Ways to Cruise: There Really is a Cruise Out There for Everyone

Two very different new ships—one an intimate, design-forward superyacht, the other a high-energy floating resort—are sending a strong message. Whether you’re a cruise lover or a cruise newbie, there’s a...

River to Ocean Onboard a Single Ship: Windstar’s New Way to Cruise
3 min read

River to Ocean Onboard a Single Ship: Windstar’s New Way to Cruise

If you love river cruising and you love ocean cruising… then there’s a new cruise style on the horizon for you. Beginning December 2026, Windstar’s newest ship, Star Explorer, will...

Ancestry Travel Tips
3 min read

Ancestry Travel Tips

Do you travel for the food? Festivals? Or maybe family? Over a quarter of travelers these days are interested in heritage or ancestry-based trips. The surge in DNA testing has...

5 Spectacular Annual Flower Shows Worth Planning a Trip Around
4 min read

5 Spectacular Annual Flower Shows Worth Planning a Trip Around

It’s spring at last, and our thoughts turn to the outdoors and our gardens. What better inspiration for a trip than some of the most breathtaking flower shows on earth...

The April Fools of Travel Destinations
5 min read

The April Fools of Travel Destinations

World travel is easier than ever. But it seems world geography is not! Some destinations remain stubbornly — and even hilariously — confused by travelers, media, and even governments. The...

Discovering the Future of Wellness Travel in Sweden
9 min read

Discovering the Future of Wellness Travel in Sweden

Recently in Sweden, I experienced ancient wellness practices intertwined with new science and artistic sensibilities. In many ways, Sweden wrote the book on wellness as a way of life and...

Why is it Called ‘Easter’ Island?
3 min read

Why is it Called ‘Easter’ Island?

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

Celebrity River Cruises Reveals Experiential Approach to Shore Excursions
4 min read

Celebrity River Cruises Reveals Experiential Approach to Shore Excursions

The hotly anticipated new river cruise line has shared how it’s planning to offer its guests a new way to experience the river communities of Europe when it debuts in...

Astonishing Facts About China's Terracotta Warriors
4 min read

Astonishing Facts About China's Terracotta Warriors

You never forget the moment you come face-to-face with one of the thousands of Terracotta Warriors underground in Xi’an, China. As ancient wonders of the world go, these may make...

Places Outside of Dublin to Get to Know Ireland – and the Irish
5 min read

Places Outside of Dublin to Get to Know Ireland – and the Irish

On St. Patrick’s Day, the saying goes, there’s a ‘little bit of Irish’ in us all. For some of us, it’s true all year round. Today, Ireland has about 5...

100 Years After Monet: Giverny Exhibit Celebrates Impressionism’s Origins
4 min read

100 Years After Monet: Giverny Exhibit Celebrates Impressionism’s Origins

2026 marks a century after the passing of beloved Impressionist artist, Claude Monet. The museum devoted to his work in Giverny, the community north of Paris that has become synonymous...