Travel Blog

Japan is famous for its volcanic peaks, which also hint at a national treasure underground: geothermally-heated mineral spring waters. For longer than records have been kept, Japanese have been bathing in natural, hot spring-fed ‘onsen’ to benefit from their restorative and healing powers.  For travelers to Japan, a visit to an onsen is an essential cultural and wellness experience, but, like many other Japanese traditions, there are rituals and etiquette to participating.  Here’s what you need to know about onsen:                                                       There are thousands...

What’s the fastest-disappearing natural phenomenon? Dark skies. As cities expand, the night skies are flooded with light, dimming our views of the complex, mystical wonders of the heavens that inspired our ancestors.  We are still fascinated by the night skies, and many of us take time on vacation to spend our evenings outdoors gazing up into the darkness and its mysteries.  Luckily, there are places around the world preserving the darkness and celestial visions. Dark sky preserves are found in some of...

Why choose between a dip in the sea and basking in a resort pool? The Caribbean now has its first resort ocean pool that lets you do both at once.  Tapping into saltwater sources for swimming pools is not exactly new. Over a hundred years ago, seaside communities, especially in Australia and also Europe, started tapping into the ocean to provide residents a way to cool off.  Even on rocky shores, an ocean pool could provide a secure space and constantly refreshed...

The latest craze at tropical resorts will really ‘float your boat.’ Swim up bars have become standard at many of your favorite resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico, and floating trays are the newest way to serve guests who love to hang out in the pool.  Maybe one of the best things about floating trays is that, while swim-up bars are usually just for drinks, floating trays are only limited by the resort food and beverage teams’ imaginations. Plus, individually-crafted trays of...

Many people have heard about luxury expedition cruises to the Antarctic. But there’s a whole world of expedition cruising out there you may never have heard of.  Cruise/ travel journalist and expert Lynn Elmhirst sat down with ultra-luxury cruise line Seabourn’s director of expedition development Jen Martin to dispel the myth that expedition cruises only go to Antarctica.  WATCH VIDEO ABOVE  Jen is the person to ask. She leads the team creating ultra-luxury cruise line Seabourn’s expedition cruise experiences. They are tasked with finding...

History, culture, the romance of travel and 21st century diversity all await you in the ancient destination of Egypt – home to the only remaining entry on the list of the original Seven Wonders of the World, not to mention other archaeological and architectural marvels, markets and local cuisine and lifestyle.  And you can explore Egypt’s antique wonders and modern life in style at three Four Seasons hotels in key Egyptian destinations; including exclusive signature Four Seasons experiences that elevate your...

Those who love – or would like to try – river cruising close to home can rejoice: there’s a new river to sail on.  In the summer of 2023, American Cruise Lines launched a new river route that explores the charming towns of America’s Tennessee Valley.  The cruise line, which operates a 17-vessel fleet of river and small ships, has dedicated three of its river ships to its new, 8-day, Tennessee River Cruise itinerary. That includes the newly-christened American Serenade (pictured.)  The river cruise...

Let's hope every airline gets on board with a new piece of technology that could make life better for thousands of air passengers. Everyone knows that sometimes, things go wrong when you travel. Flights can get delayed or cancelled, then passengers are left scrambling to figure it all out: new flights, food, even an unanticipated hotel stay until you can get on your way to your destination. It can be overwhelming and difficult to navigate – especially when other affected passengers are...

All of the former Crystal Cruises’ ships have now found new homes. The original cruise line is no more, but those who love the ships can still sail aboard favorite river, ocean, expedition and yacht vessels with their new lines. In some cases, their new owners even managed to bring back their original crew so your next cruise… will feel like coming home. Ocean Ships – Re-launching Summer, 2023The original and legendary former Crystal ocean ships sail again beginning in the summer...

While travel was closed, Hong Kong’s hoteliers kept building. When you travel to the dynamic city today, you’ll discover a whole slate of new hotels that have added to its reputation for having one of the most glamorous and diverse hospitality scenes in the world. Ask us about a stay at one of the new hotels in skyscrapers with harbor views – or properties that bring other facets of Hong Kong to life for guests.   A beach resort? A green oasis?...

Luxury expedition cruising is one of the fastest-growing trends in cruising - but who really sails on these voyages? And more importantly, are they right for you? Maybe it's time to dispel some myths about expedition cruising - one of the fastest-growing cruise styles today, with new ships launching every year.  I sat down with Seabourn's Jen Martin, who leads the team creating the ultra-luxury cruise line's expedition cruise experiences. They understand who's taking expedition cruises and what appeals. WATCH VIDEO ABOVE Lynn...

Away from all your cares – and the bright lights of the city - at home, there may be nothing more romantic than being at a beach resort under the night sky with your sweetheart. Jamaica’s newest luxury resort has added a celestial experience for guests to rediscover each other and the wonders of the stars during your stay.  Sandals Dunn’s River, like all Sandals resorts, is a couples-only, all-inclusive luxury Caribbean escape where every feature and experience is focused on...

Wheelchair users and those who travel with passengers with reduced mobility know the challenges of flying – and how often things go wrong. But now there’s great news about an airplane seat that will let wheelchair users stay in their wheelchairs for their flights.  Aviation industry experts say that the number of mobility assistance requests at airports doubled in the last 5 years, with the number of wheelchair requests increasing by over 30% in just one year prior to the pandemic. And...

Belmond’s ultra-luxury hotels, resorts and rail experiences have become beacons of how to live your best life abroad. Two of its properties are adding spas in collaboration with luxe French beauty brands that will make it even more difficult to leave these oases of pampering and relaxation to return to the real world after your vacation. Taormina, Italy: Pop-up Treetop Spa Cabins by Dior The Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina, celebrates its 150th anniversary of exquisite hospitality in Sicily in...

Viking has announced a new river cruise itinerary, debuting in December, 2023, making it the first river cruise line to operate year-round on Europe's rivers - which comes with some benefits for travelers opting into river cruising at that time of the year. Viking's new 'Treasures of the Rhine' cruises will allow guests the opportunity to experience Europe’s rich culture during winter, even after the region's famous Christmas markets have closed. In 2022, Viking already dedicated more ships to late November and December Christmas...

Many people cruise to Alaska in the hopes of sailing past mystical and mythical icebergs, but in one special place in the world, the icebergs come to you – so many icebergs, in fact, they decided to throw an annual party to welcome them!  Every spring and summer, hundreds of icebergs float down Newfoundland’s ‘iceberg alley.’‘Iceberg Alley’Icebergs are travelers, and they journey hundreds, even thousands of miles to arrive at Newfoundland’s shores. About 90% of the icebergs you’ll see in...

Luxury yacht transfer to a romantic island resort? Check. Butler service? Check. Terrace whirlpools and fully stocked in-room bars? Check. That’s just a taste of what the new “Impressions by Secrets” is offering couples at the first of Hyatt’s new adults-only, luxury, all-inclusive resorts in Mexico’s iconic Isla Mujeres off the coast of Cancun. With a recent new focus on luxury, all-inclusive resorts, Hyatt now offers more than any other resort company: over 120 world-wide. That’s great news for travelers looking to...

The newest data reveals exactly what activities you do when you travel have the biggest and best impact on your mental wellbeing. Let’s talk first about the importance of booking that escape – no matter what you plan on doing. You know you need to get away. But if you haven’t traveled on holiday in a while, take note: new research reinforces studies that have shown how important traveling on vacation is for our wellbeing. The new study by a British travel company surveyed...

It’s an architectural wonder 101 stories high in Chicago’s Lakeshore East neighborhood that transforms the Windy City’s skyline. Eleven of those floors make up the newly-opened, ultra-luxury hotel St. Regis Chicago.  Designed by the world-renowned architecture and urban design practice led by Jeanne Gang, the tower breaks new ground as the tallest building in the world designed by a female architect.  The tower’s crystalline form was inspired by nature with its facets of a shimmering gem and its gradient of green-blue glass...

Wait, Belfast? Part of the legend of the Titanic? The most famously-doomed passenger ship tale of all time? Wasn’t she a British ship, sailing from Southampton to New York, that struck an iceberg and capsized over a century ago? How did Ireland play a part – and how could Belfast keep the ‘Ship of Dreams’ alive for us today?  Glad you asked. Belfast has an integral place in Titanic lore, and is perhaps the primary destination today – with the possible exception...