Travel Blog

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, hotels, restaurants, archaeological sites, beaches, and coastal towns across eastern Sicily continued operating normally for those whose outbound flights were delayed. But the eruption reminds us that even historic and cultural Europe has a geological wild side. Etna is just the tallest and most active - but not the only! -...

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 menus, and new experiences celebrate Jamaican culture, cuisine, and natural beauty across the three properties.  Sandals Royal Caribbean is being renamed Sandals Caribbean Cay.  Plus, the first Sandals ever, as well as Sandals South Coast, are all part of the $200 million re-imagination project that brings beloved resorts – and...

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 sail a series of 5- to 8-night itineraries in both regions. The hotel and resort brand that’s introducing its legendary philosophy to ultra-luxury, small-ship cruising has opened reservations for both inaugural seasons, so you can experience storied and exclusive harbors in this brand-new travel experience. Amangati means “peaceful motion” in Sanskrit,...

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 you want to celebrate or travel to get into the spirit of the season. And for me, Christmas market river cruises may be the very best way. First, you get the benefits of river cruising: unpacking once and sailing into the hearts of these European villages, towns, and cities, and having...

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 the energy and contrasts of Japan are to be found there: the neon energy of Tokyo, the ancient cultural treasures of Kyoto, the food scene of Osaka, and iconic attractions as different as Mount Fuji and Tokyo Disneyland! All connected by those famous, high-speed bullet trains.  But if you stay...

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 its inaugural season from October 2027 to March 2028, Scenic Aura will welcome no more than 44 guests per sailing for a truly all-inclusive ultra-luxury river experience through the cultural heartland of West Bengal. The newly released itineraries feature a unique collection of Scenic included excursions and exclusive Scenic Enrich...

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 passenger protection rules in the world. They apply to all passengers departing from an EU airport, and to passengers arriving in the EU from outside the zone if their flight is operated by an EU-based airline. Doesn't Seem Too Much to Ask… Key protections and updates agreed upon in June 2026 include:No Charge...

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 and culture of these storied cities, not just peer at them from the outside. LONDON Waldorf Astoria London – Admiralty Arch One of London's most recognizable landmarks is now one of its most exclusive places to stay, offering access to ordinary people for the first time ever. Commissioned as a memorial to Queen Victoria...

If you want the focus of your vacation to be an authentic immersion into raw nature, put Costa Rica on your list of outdoor adventure destinations. This Central American country is one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth. In a territory roughly the size of the state of Vermont, it contains nearly 6% of the world’s known species! Even more amazing is that over 25% of Costa Rica – from its cloud forests and rainforests to volcanoes, mangroves, and coastlines...

One hundred years after his death, Antoni Gaudí remains impossible to separate from Barcelona. The Catalan architect died on June 10, 1926, one of the most defining architects of any era, tragically struck down by a tram. A century later, his extraordinary buildings are not only the city's most recognizable landmarks, but they have also become symbols of Barcelona itself. For most travelers, a first visit to the Catalan regional capital is as much about discovering Gaudí as it is about...

The private island for Explora Journeys and MSC Cruises, MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, is at the forefront of a cruise-industry-wide drive to support and sustain the world’s oceans. World Oceans Day is the perfect time to share some of those stories as we reflect that nearly three-quarters of our Earth is covered in oceans. Whether you live on one of the world’s coastlines or cruise, oceans affect us all. The water dominating the surface of our “Blue Planet,” helps regulate...

Every August, something remarkable happens on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. The ancient fortress, perched atop the craggy remnants of a volcano in the center of Scotland’s capital city, becomes the backdrop for one of the world's most moving and evocative live performances: the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Not ‘That’ Kind of TattooDon’t let the name fool you. There’s no ink involved! The word "tattoo" comes from a 17th-century Dutch military phrase “doe den tap toe,” meaning "turn off the taps"—a...

It’s a tropical vacation fantasy: staying in an overwater bungalow over breathtaking, warm, turquoise waters in the legendary and romantic South Pacific. But what if your overwater bungalow floats with you to a new, incredible destination every day? That’s one of the best reasons to experience the Islands of Tahiti and French Polynesia with Paul Gauguin Cruises. The Paul Gauguin IS your floating overwater bungalow in the fabled South Seas. With mesmerizing early morning sail-ins and romantic sunset sailaways from the emerald...

The seasons for cruise and travel are changing – even disappearing altogether! Holland America Line has become the latest cruise line to expand to year-round sailing in Europe, joining the likes of Viking and Windstar to make the coasts of the Mediterranean and beyond a destination for all seasons. From festive Scandinavian cities to European Christmas markets, Lapland and a more relaxed Mediterranean, new Holland America Line winter voyages bring the season to life with an extended 2027-2028 season sailing through...

When is the Med… not just the Med? The Mediterranean Sea and its iconic coastal towns, yacht harbors, fishing villages, beaches, cliffs, and cultural touchpoints are on nearly everyone’s list of favorite escapes. But – pop quiz - did you know that the Mediterranean isn’t just one sea? In reality, it’s a collection of smaller seas that developed independently and were named before the full region was charted by ancient navigators. Ultimately, they were stitched together by ancient trade routes, empire-building,...

For more than 400 years, Switzerland has been the world’s watchmaking and time-keeping capital. And unlike many luxury industries in other countries that outsourced production decades ago, the most respected Swiss watch brands are still made in Switzerland — often by hand, often in the same valleys and communities where the craft was born.  That makes a Swiss watch or clock not only an investment in precision timekeeping and prestigious personal style, but also a truly authentic and heirloom-quality memento...

For wine travelers, South Africa’s Old Vine Project has transformed a tasting trip through the Cape winelands into a journey through living wine history. Across the Western Cape, the tell-tale shapes of gnarled old bush vines — some planted decades ago — are now among the country’s most compelling travel experiences. Visitors in the know increasingly come not just to taste wine, but to stand among vineyards that survived turbulent decades of drought, shifting wine fashions, and the global race toward...

Tulip season in the Netherlands is a feast for the senses: ribbons of technicolor flowers beside canals, market squares bursting with spring blooms, and river cruise ships gliding through landscapes that look suspiciously filtered (even when they’re not!) You’re going to love your trip so much that you will want to savor the moments for as long as possible. Emerald river cruise ship docked in Willemstad, the Netherlands  I don’t believe in souvenirs that collect dust or worse! End up in landfills. Here...

The Golden Age of Sail is returning – with a 21st century twist! Storied travel company Orient Express made its first appearance at Seatrade, just ahead of the debut its first cruise ship: a 720-foot, 100-guest solid-sail ship that marries exquisite French hospitality, design and craftsmanship with next-generation, eco-friendly maritime innovation. Orient Express Corinthian isn’t just a first for the ultra-luxury travel company known since the 19th century for its exquisite trains and hotels. It’s a first for cruising itself. The ship’s...

The world’s waterfronts are undergoing incredible transformations, from no-go industrial sites to revitalized centers of urban lifestyle and community living. Increasingly, the centerpiece of that renaissance… is a landmark, architectural marvel music hall. Often labeled ‘opera houses,’ these venues are the opposite of stuffy, formal halls that host exclusively traditional performances. Sitting directly on the water, these new icons of modern culture embrace the ebb and flow of the waves they overlook: relaxed and connected to the city around them. Ferries...