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
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
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
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
Explora Journeys' New Onboard Experiences Elevate Luxury, Small-Ship Lifestyle
Explora Journeys has unveiled a program that allows guests to customize their life on board, interact with others, access moments, and delight in pop up entertainment that will transform their voyages and take their shipboard life to new heights. The acclaimed new, small-ship luxury sister cruise line of European brand MSC has debuted a series of activities and entertainment programs aboard its first ship, EXPLORA I. Ranging from interactive activities and exclusive events to performances that don’t repeat even if a guest is aboard for two weeks, they exemplify what fans of small-ship, ultra-luxury cruising love most. Industry-First Digital ActivitiesUsing QR codes throughout the ship, guests can engage in unique daily activities on your devices, including Explora Journeys Trivia, Crosswords, and Word... more
Top Travel Destinations Inspired by the World’s Wellness “Blue Zones”
Interest in global "Blue Zones" is stronger than ever. The regions in the world where people live much longer and healthier lives compared to the global average are not just inspiring people to take a hard look at the overall wellness of their lifestyle – they are even inspiring people’s travel plans! “Blue Zones” is a term first coined by researchers who identified mysterious pockets of populations around the globe that were outliers in health and longevity, with a well-above ‘normal’ percentage of people living past 100 years old. They started looking for patterns and explanations about why and how groups of people in certain places not only live longer lives – but better lives for longer. Was it something special... more
First LEGO Parade at Sea, Only Over-Water Swing and More on MSC World America
Building family fun on a cruise vacation couldn’t be easier. When the new MSC World America launches in April, 2025, it will have an over 10,0000 square foot kids’ area, complete with an enhanced partnership with LEGO that will offer first-at-sea experiences. Plus the only over-water swing ride – the ‘Cliffhanger’ - towering over 160 feet above the ocean - and other ‘can’t miss’ experiences for families. One of seven districts on the upcoming ship, Family Aventura is the destination for kids 0-17 in rooms tailored to different age groups. MSC says it’s the Italian family-owned cruise line’s largest and most technologically advanced kids’ area yet, dedicated to giving even the “smallest guests the freedom to express their creativity, play, socialize... more
The Best Beaches to Discover in Mexico's Nayarit
Nayarit’s stunning Pacific coastline, rich culture and lifestyle, seafood and traditional Mexican cuisine and charming towns have made it a magnet for beach vacation lovers. But which is the best beach for a holiday of lounging, swimming, snorkeling, diving and wildlife watching? One of the most popular areas is the Riviera Nayarit, a 200-mile stretch of coastline that includes the luxurious resort town of Punta Mita, the surf-friendly Sayulita, and the tranquil beaches of San Blas. Luxury hotels and resorts in the area include:· St. Regis Punta Mita· Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita· Conrad Punta de Mita And Nayarit is famous for its selection of all-inclusive resorts, like:· The adults-only Secrets Bahia Mita Surf & Spa· Dreams Bahia Mita Surf & Spa· Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit· Occidental Nuevo Vallarta· Hard Rock... more
Floating Restaurant and Food Festival Make a Splash in this Caribbean Destination
St. Martin is re-staking its claim as the culinary capital of the Caribbean with a splashy new eatery and the return for the 4th year of what’s become a signature gastronomic event in the region. The French half of the dual-nation island of St. Martin and Dutch Saint Maarten is home to Grand Case, a seaside town with a long, idyllic beach and long sunsets. It boasts a perfect setting for romantic beach restaurants, which, given its French connection, deliver cuisine to the exacting standards of mainland France. No wonder Grand Case is on the tasting travel bucket list for foodies in the know. Balaou Restaurant Now Grand Case has a new restaurant “landmark” – but it isn’t on the beach. Instead, it... 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
This Scandinavian Capital is Paying Visitors to Travel Green
Copenhagen is putting its money where its mouth is when it comes to sustainable travel. The tourism board of the capital of Denmark is rewarding you to make green choices when you visit this summer as part of a pilot program that could lead the world in helping both locations and visitors to benefit more from travel. More popular destinations are struggling with growing numbers of visitors and their impact on the environment and local lifestyle. Instead of restricting visitors or imposing surcharges, famously eco-friendly Copenhagen has come up with a program to treat travelers for taking actions that benefit everyone. CopenPay is a new initiative “transforming green actions into currency for cultural experiences,” says Visit Copenhagen. The city wants to inspire... more
Shell-ebrating World Turtle Day! The Top 10 Places to Travel to See Turtles
May 23 is World Turtle Day, to celebrate and protect what may be the planet’s most captivating reptiles. Here are some of the best places to see turtles in the wild – and some tips to help protect turtles and tortoises in ways their own protective hard shells can’t. World Turtle Day is the brainchild of the non-profit organization American Tortoise Rescue. Tortoise is the name given to terrestrial turtles, often found in arid environments. No matter what name they go by, all the members of the turtle family, whether they live in land or water, are set apart from all other reptiles by their bone or cartilage shells, which are – fun fact – extensions of their rib cage.... more
The Best New Bridgerton Filming Locations for Your Next Trip to Britain
Regency romance has returned to our screens and reminded us to plan trips to Britain to fulfill our own Bridgerton-inspired fantasies. Season 3 of the wildly-popular and genre-bending Netflix series has introduced yet another romantic relationship among a member of the tight-knit family of Georgian-era aristocrats – and more real-life historic locations around England. The country’s quintessential Regency period location is the spa town of Bath, which has had a starring role in Bridgerton since Season 1. But the actors get around. From stately homes to iconic English countryside, from London, to rural Surrey to Oxfordshire and beyond, here are places to include on your next trip to the U.K. to follow in their fictional characters’ footsteps. Hampton Court Palace, SurreyThe former... more
Eastern & Oriental Express Unveils New Design, Michelin-starred Chef, Malaysia Wilderness Routes by Rail
The legendary Eastern & Oriental Express, a Belmond train, captures the essence of ultra-luxury train travel’s history and modern opulence like never before, with revamped interiors, a new culinary curator with two Michelin stars, and eye-opening, one-of-a-kind journeys through Malaysia. NEW DESIGN AND ELEVATED ONBOARD EXPERIENCESThe revamped Eastern & Oriental Express reflects both the heyday of luxury train travel and the different landscapes the train travels through in Malaysia. It boasts eight sleeping carriages, two restaurants, a Piano Bar, and the open-air Observation Car. The cabins – Pullman, State, and Presidential – are air- conditioned, cherry-wood paneled sanctuaries. The Pullman cabins draw inspiration from Kuala Lumpur, featuring red and blue accents resembling the city's skyline; the State cabins reflect Penang's marine locale... more
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