Hotels that Put you at the Heart of Europe’s Top Christmas Markets
The holidays are just around the corner, and nothing gets you into the spirit of the season like a pre-Christmas trip to Europe, where so many of our favorite festive traditions originated. Europe’s Christmas markets, many of which have been around since the Middle Ages, are magical places to embrace the holiday spirit and celebrate in the month leading up to Christmas. Immerse yourself into the Christmas spirit by laying your head just wandering distance from the market, soaking in the ambiance from the festivities, meandering through decorated streets to your home away from home in Europe. From former palaces to historic bank buildings, these market-adjacent hotels bring their own history, style, and romance to the festive winter season, making for bucket-list-worthy stays... more
Embrace the ‘Quiet Travel’ Trend in Laid-Back Costa Rica
If the world seems noisier and more chaotic than ever to you – you’re not alone. As life gets more stressful, online searches for ‘quiet travel’ have shot up like your blood pressure. One of the first places savvy travelers look to disconnect and rediscover tranquillity in nature is Costa Rica. The Central American country’s famous way of living, called ‘Pura Vida,’ has more appeal than ever, embodying a simple, joyful life connected to nature and loved ones. ‘Pura Vida’ translates to ‘pure life’ or ‘simple life’. It's both an approach to life and a greeting in Costa Rica that's used to express a positive attitude and encourage you to take things in stride. Costa Rica’s lush rainforests and pristine beaches... more
VIDEO: Emerald Captain Shares Why a Mega-Yacht is the Best Way to Cruise the Caribbean
If you thought sailing to small islands and boutique harbors in idyllic tropical places was just for billionaires in their private yachts, think again. Even you can feel like a billionaire on one of Emerald Cruises’ two new mega-yachts. We sailed aboard the Emerald Sakara on a ‘yachtsman’s itinerary’ from San Juan, Puerto Rico, weaving through the U.S. and British Virgin Islands to St. Kitts and St. John’s, Antigua. And even if you’ve cruised the Caribbean many times before, this is an all-new cruise experience! WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: A conversation with Emerald Sakara’s Captain Rob on the bridge about what makes yacht cruising in the Caribbean a game-changing way to cruise. GOOD NEWS! Both Emerald Yachts Sailing the Caribbean for the Winter 2025-26... more
Why This Ultra-Luxury Cruise Line is Building a Hotel in the Southernmost City on Earth
Silversea is taking a groundbreaking approach to ultra-luxury Antarctic expedition cruising – literally! The cruise line has broken ground on a hotel in Puerto Williams, Chile, to create a seamlessly deluxe experience for its guests on their voyages to the White Continent.Silversea is the only cruise line that homeports from Puerto Williams during the Antarctic season. And the new, 150-room hotel will provide a seamless, ultra-luxury-all-the-way experience for Antarctic expedition cruise guests. The cruise line already operates an innovative ‘Antarctic Bridge’ fly-cruise program, allowing guests to opt to skip crossing the Drake Passage. It’s the fastest and most direct route all the way to the bottom of the word. Silversea guests fly directly to Puerto Williams from Santiago, Chile’s capital. With the... more
Viking Expands in Asia with New China, Tibet, Japan Itineraries
Following the recent inauguration of its pioneering coastal China cruises, Viking has announced six new itineraries in Asia that will expand exclusive access for its guests to Japan and China, with Tibet in 2025. The new voyages will explore iconic destinations in China, such as Shanghai, Beijing, Xi’an and Lhasa in Tibet (Xizang), as well as Osaka, Japan. Each voyage will offer guests signature Viking-style immersive, destination-focused experiences, insightful lectures, and regionally inspired cuisine.The new voyages will operate from September to November 2025. Ranging from 15 to 22 days and, building on the successes of its new coastal China cruises, Viking’s new cruise itineraries will continue to highlight rarely-seen destinations and ports in China to which only Viking has access. "We... more
New Digital Border Forms and Airport Hall Transform Travel to St. Maarten
New digital border processing and hall at SXM airport mean arriving for your next trip to the Caribbean’s famous twin-nation island will be faster, easier, and better than ever before. But you do have to get online and fill out the new forms before you check in to your flight to St. Maarten.Mandatory Digital Forms for Travel to St. MaartenSt. Maarten has implemented a new Digital Embarkation/ Disembarkation (ED) Form. As of October 8, 2024, all visitors arriving at Princess Juliana Airport in St. Maarten (SXM) must complete the arrival form before checking in for their flight. This new digital form aims to simplify the arrival process for travelers with a modernized, streamlined system. The forms and more information are available on... more
Expedition Cruise Line Introduces "Only at the Poles" Dining Experience
Atlas Ocean Voyages, the small-ship cruise line that expanded the concept of expedition cruising from remote, polar exploration to include concepts like its ‘Epicurean Expeditions,’ has debuted “The Explorer’s Table.” It’s a new, specialty dining option only available to guests on its ships in Antarctica and the High Arctic. An exclusive Omakase-style dining experience, The Explorer’s Table will present global culinary highlights from Spain, Korea, France, Argentina, and North America in The Dome observation lounge. Prepared for only ten guests in an intimate environment providing for the ultimate dining experience on board Atlas ships, The Explorer’s Table guests will embark on a culinary journey amid scenes of glaciers and icebergs beyond the rails of the ship. The experience will be available only once... more
New Small-Ship Ultra-Luxury Cruise Line Launches 2nd Ship; Explora III and IV On the Way
During a spectacular naming ceremony in Civitavecchia – the port for Rome, Italy – Explora Journeys launched Explora II. The September, 2024 event marked the debut of the second of six ships by the lifestyle ocean travel brand of the MSC Group. Explora Journeys promises guests the opportunity to experience an “Ocean State of Mind,” connecting you with both the sea and the growing cruise line’s curated destinations. The traditional maritime ceremony featured the symbolic cutting of a ribbon to break a bottle on the ship’s bow by Explora II’s godmother, Rosalba Giugni, founder and president of the Marevivo Foundation, a non-partisan environmental conservation organization committed to the preservation of marine environments, founded in 1985.Rosalba was chosen for this honor, as... more
Planning a Trip to Mexico? Don’t Get Burned by Hefty Taxes on Digital Devices
Stop and think before you nonchalantly pack all your digital devices on your next trip to Mexico. A growing number of reports warn tourists that Mexican border officials are increasingly enforcing old laws about entering the country with electronic items – and it’s costing unsuspecting travelers hundreds of dollars in import duties. In our increasingly digital world, the number of devices many people travel with is exploding. One report says the average American now travels with four gadgets! If you’re in the same boat, that could put you on the wrong side of Mexican border rules that are old enough to cite nearly-forgotten things like ‘CD burners,’ ‘ten DVD’s’ or even ’30 CD’s’ in its list of restricted items. Laugh all you like... more
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Launches 2nd Ultra-Luxury Superyacht
The first and only luxury hotel company to take to the sea has welcomed Ilma, its second newbuild, ultra-luxury ‘superyacht’. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s latest small ship is host to fewer than 500 guests in its 224 ‘airy and intuitive’ suites, all with private terraces providing direct access to the sea. The Ilma also offers guests world-class dining curated by MICHELIN-starred restaurant chefs, a sweeping pool deck offering spectacular views at sea, new itineraries, bespoke amenities, among the highest guest-to-staff ratio, and signature Ritz-Carlton personalized service.The yacht embarked on its maiden voyage, a 7-night journey from Monte Carlo to Rome, on September 2, 2024. It doubles the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection to two, with the new vessel joining the slightly smaller Evrima,... more
Famous Hotel Chain Opens its First All-Inclusive Resort
Marriott Cancun, An All-Inclusive Resort, has opened its doors to guests. The newest resort for Marriott Hotels is more proof of two growing travel trends: multi-generational family vacations and redefining the increasingly popular all-inclusive holiday. There are 600 Marriott Hotels around the world, and this marks the first all-inclusive in the namesake chain of hotels that’s part of the mega hospitality company Marriott Bonvoy. Citing research that says over half of parents are planning trips that include both grandparents and children, Marriott says the need for all-inclusives- where hassle-free vacations offering relaxation, activity and hospitality for all ages come together under one roof - has never been higher. "It's about more than just a vacation - it's about creating unforgettable memories,” says a... more
Hotels Showing Puppy Love on International Dog Day
Being a dog lover is a 24/7/365 thing, but the annual International Dog Day on August 26 gives everyone – including hotel companies – an excuse to recognize the canine companions in our lives. More hotels than ever are pup-friendly, and for International Dog Day, a couple of hotel companies are creating tail-wagging fun and rolling out the red carpet for dog’s and their owners on the move. Fairmont Hotels’ Paw-some Pampering Fairmont Hotels & Resorts are renowned for their pet-friendly policies. Fairmont’s popular resident hotel dog program in over a dozen hotels in North America, Canine Ambassadors, provides an extra special comfort of home by greeting guests in the lobby, accompanying them on walks, and filling in whenever travellers are missing... more
Fun Facts About Norway’s Fjords
Norway is so famous for its fjords, the Norwegian word has become part of the international travel dialect. In languages around the world, ‘fjord’ means a deep, natural sea channel reaching far inland, surrounded by dramatic cliffs carved millennia ago by glaciers on their way to the sea. According to Visit Norway, the word ‘fjord’ has Viking roots, relating to the phrase for a ‘crossing point.’ The vast system of fjords along Norway’s coast certainly helps explain ancient Norse seafaring culture; skillful travel over water would be much better than trying to travel around steep cliffs by land. Fjords are also the reason travel – especially cruise travel – to Norway is high on many travel bucket lists. They not only define Norway’s... more
VIDEO: Stunning Scenic Sailing on Europe’s Danube River Aboard the Riverside Mozart
It’s some of the most incredible scenery along the middle Danube River! One of the absolute highlights of our river cruise on the Danube through Austria aboard the Riverside Mozart was the daytime scenic sailing through the wondrous ‘Danube Snare.’ The Danube is Europe’s longest river and the middle Danube is one of the most popular river cruise destinations in Europe - not just for magnificent cities like Budapest, Vienna, Linz and Passau. That middle section of the Danube between Hungary, through Austria, and into Germany is also home to incredible scenery you can only see from the river. No wonder, considering the river was the original and long-time ‘highway’ through the region, long before reliable land routes. Abbeys, vineyards... more
Peloton to Provide Hotel Chain Guests Equipment, Video Classes and Rewards for Working Out
Health is its own reward, but a hotel company has teamed up with one of the biggest brands in fitness to give members points for staying fit while on the road – and make it easier than ever. Hyatt and Peloton’s new partnership is breaking new ground for those who take their wellness goals seriously – even while they travel. Travelers benefit a number of ways: Peloton is outfitting over 800 Hyatt properties with the company’s equipment, andproviding access to a curated set of non-equipment-based Peloton video classes, from stretch routines to bodyweight workouts, for guests to participate via their room TV’s at nearly 400 properties; and“World of Hyatt” loyalty members get points when they use Peloton equipment at Hyatt properties. The extra... more
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