Member Adventures Feed

Castle Owners Wine Tour of the Countryside of Tuscany and Umbria

Mon, 15 Apr 24 20:50:38 +0000

For seven nights, you can have the exclusive opportunity to be hosted in the most magical parts of Tuscany and Umbria by Castle delle Serre owners, the Gangale family. We invite you to join this intimate collaboration and cultural experience as we share the most influential perspectives of the food, wine and history of their native country of Italy. Based on over forty years of experience, we assure that you will relish in the most authentic meals and local experiences during this stay, effectively capturing the essence of la dolce vita only as a true Italian could.

Day 1 Arrive Florence and transfer to Hotel.

Day 2 Chianti

Meet your private guide in Florence in the lobby of the Hotel River at 9:00 am. At 9:30 am our group will depart on board our deluxe air-conditioned private motor coach and head south exploring some of the hidden treasures of the enchanting Chianti countryside. We will drive through Chianti’s rugged hills of unspoiled forests, beautiful vineyards, castles, stone churches, monasteries, and farmhouses to visit the quaint village of Greve and Radda in Chianti. Next, we’ll be visiting the top Super Tuscan winery to the south of us. At the winery we will have a private vineyard and cellar tour followed by lunch and a tasting on the premises. Meet Castle owner Gangale family at Castello delle Serre, our home for the next 7 nights. A welcome dinner and music will complete the first day of our tour.

Day 3 San Gimignano

Today we will traverse the Chianti region on our way to San Gimignano. “Delle Torri” (of the beautiful towers). This is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Tuscany, where 16 of the 70 original towers of San Gimignano remain today. The towers were originally used to watch for invading enemies and later became a symbol of power for many of the richest families. If you choose, you may want to climb up one of them to get a sense of history and to enjoy the beautiful view.

We will then taste some of the best local Vernaccia (white wine) with a light lunch and get our first taste of the sweet life with the best gelato in Tuscany. We’ll return in time for a Castle tour explaining the restoration of this Historic Registry Building before enjoying a local dinner.

Day 4 Siena

After enjoying our morning espresso, we will then depart with a local guide for the medieval city of Siena, most famous for its horse race, the Palio. Our tour guide will lead us through this charming city unspoiled by time. We will visit the Medici town hall, the magnificent Piazza del Campo (town square), the spectacular sculpture-studded Duomo (church) and its museum with works by Pinturicchio, Pisano, and Michelangelo, and visit the most important parts of the city. We will then lunch in one of the most authentic local restaurants in Siena, eating as the contra’s (riveling neighborhood factions) of Siena do just before their traditional Palio horse race. After lunch we will be on our own to shop and explore the city of Siena, we will return to Castello delle Serre for a casual dinner with wine.

Day 5 Montalcino and Pienza

We will travel to “Picture Perfect Pienza”. This little gem of a city was created by Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini, who became the Pope Pius II. He transformed the farming village where he was born into his personal renaissance utopia. We will have lunch at the local Pecarina di Pienza Cheese producer before proceeding to the fortified town of Montalcino for a tasting of the famous Brunello di Montalcino wine (“the king of Italian reds”). Montalcino is situated on the “little mountain” with a 14th-century castle. It was a retreat for the Sienese when the Emperor Charles V captured their city. We will enjoy a fine dinner at a local restaurant on the way back to the Castello.

Day 6 Montepulciano

Today we will tour the unknown countryside of Tuscany. We’ll explore the byroads and quaint villages not in the tourist books; the places that are still unspoiled. Our first stop will be a new facility of one of the Montepulciano’s most historic wine producers with a unique sensory experience. You will enhance your wine knowledge and sharpen your sensory skills in a fun, interactive wine education and lunch. After this wine tasting of Vino Nobile, we will venture in the beautiful town of Montepulciano to visit the historic center including one of the most ancient wine caves of Italy. This will be followed with time to shop. Later we’ll return to Castello delle Serre for a casual pizza night with the Castello family.

Day 7 Assisi

After breakfast, we depart for Assisi. With an authorized local guide, we will tour this beautiful medieval town, with lovely views and fountain splashed piazzas. We will visit the Basilica di San Francesco with its beautiful frescoes, the Temple of Minerva, The Basilica Santa Chiara and stroll through the streets where St. Francis walked. We will shop at our leisure with a light lunch. We will return back to the Castello for another great local dinner.

Day 8 Florence to depart by air or Optional extension

Early departure from Castello delle Serre. The first drop-off will be at the airport around 10:30 am.

It has been my pleasure working with Craig

Mon, 15 Apr 24 20:17:47 +0000

I’ve worked with Craig for over ten years and have planned many trips with him. He is a solid travel partner whose industry knowledge and attention to detail will ensure the success of your trip.

Craig is a patient and kind man and he makes himself available to answer questions in detail. The best providers in the business turn their clients into friends and that reflects how I feel about Craig. It has been my pleasure working with Craig and I look forward to many more years of success together.

Tuscan Wine Adventure from Montecatini

Thu, 11 Apr 24 13:35:14 +0000

Highlights

Personally hosted by Member Adventures
7-nights’ accommodations at a 5-star hotel
Porterage
Superb cuisine, daily breakfast and 4 dinners included
City tour of Florence, see the Cathedral, Baptistery, and the famous Gates of Paradise
The Leaning Tower of Pisa
Full day tour of San Gimignano
Chianti wine tasting
Wine tasting in Tuscany and Bolgheri
Includes Tuscan Feast Dinner & Pasta Making Experience

$3,599 per person

I recommend Craig Howard, unconditionally

Fri, 22 Mar 24 17:55:26 +0000

After retiring from the corporate world, I established and ran the Travel Club in Santa Maria California for many years. With Craig’s help over the course of 30 years I was able to take members on ‘my’ dream vacations, including European adventures with river cruises, trains, and land adventures. Besides multiple places in Europe we also visited the Scandinavian Countries, Greece and the Russian Volga River. We enjoyed drinking wine at vineyards in Tuscany and celebrating the Oktoberfest in Germany. We were delighted to pet kangaroos and koala bears in Australia and to ride elephants in Thailand. Many of us walked the Great Wall of China and visited various locations in Asia. The travel program took off quickly once members realized the quality of trips we were offering due to Craig’s expert planning. I always knew that if we had any concerns while away from home I could make a call to Craig and it would be handled. I recommend Craig Howard, unconditionally, to any group or organization wishing to travel with a travel expert.

Oh my the places we have seen!

Thu, 29 Feb 24 22:49:05 +0000

Oh my the places we have seen! We met Craig Howard in 1988 and have been to Africa, Italy, France, and at least 20 other countries with his company. He even chartered a river cruise ship for one of our adventures. The trips went great and ran very smoothly. We have hundreds of our travelers that have enjoyed these trips and I highly recommend Craig for any trip you would do.

Amalfi Adventure

Tue, 06 Feb 24 23:56:13 +0000

6 nights First Class Hotel on the Amalfi Coast

11 meals including Breakfast daily, 4 Dinners and 1 Lunch

Tours of: Positano, Amalfi, Pompeii and Herculaneum

Fees Include: Pasta making experience, Taxes and fees, Guides and Transportation

Immerse yourself in the unending splendors of the Amalfi Coast, from ancient ruins to sun-swept coastline and enchanting towns. On our incredible six night journey, you’ll be seduced by this alluring slice of Italy where honored history and rich culture are revealed. Stay in charming Minori, the unspoiled jewel of the Amalfi Coast. Venture out to explore Ravello, Amalfi and Positano, endearing villages perched majestically above the coast. Soak up unspoiled vistas while cruising azure seas, and delve into fascinating legends at Herculaneum and Pompeii, frozen in time by the mudflows of Mount Vesuvius. Unravel history amid Paestum’s Greek temples and tuck into the region’s sensational cuisine, including olive oil and cheese tastings during a rural farm experience. Whether visiting the renowned National Archaeological Museum or discovering Old Naples, your Italian daydreams will come to life! This handcrafted, small-group journey features first-class accommodations and an extensive meal plan.

Day 1 Arrive Naples Italy / Minori

Arrive at Naples Capodichino International Airport. Proceed through immigration to the baggage claim area and retrieve your luggage. After completing customs, please exit the baggage claim area and proceed to the Arrivals Hall, where our representative will meet you.

Transfer to Hotel Villa Romana. Please note, if you arrive before check-in time, your room may not be immediately available.
Gather this evening to get acquainted with your fellow travelers and tour guide at a Welcome Reception and Dinner. (D)

Day 2 start each day with a delicious breakfast served at your hotel

Discover The Charming Amalfi Coast. Experience the serpentine Amalfi Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Not only does the Amalfi Coast boast some of Italy’s most spectacular scenery, but it is also considered by many to be the most magnificent stretch of coastline in all of Europe. The Italians nicknamed this shoreline, “The Divine Coast,” because of its scenic grandeur, amazing vertical landscape and varied architecture. Begin with a walking tour of pretty Positano where gardens climb hillsides and dramatic terraces are draped with pink bougainvillea. This celebrated seaside resort has inspired many artists and writers over the years. Writer John Steinbeck, once a resident, described Positano as “A dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone. Its houses climb a hill so steep it would become a cliff except that stairs are cut in it.”

See more of the celebrated Amalfi coastline during a cruise in a private boat to the town of Amalfi. During your boat ride, notice the charming villages and pastel-colored villas clinging to the cliffs — a true sight to behold. Arrive in Amalfi and Join friends for lunch at leisure in Amalfi with suggestion from our tour guide.

After, take a short orientation tour to see the lively piazza and Cattedrale di Sant’ Andrea.

In the afternoon experience a hands on demonstration of pasta making. A master “pastaio”or pasta maker, will teach you the art of Italian pasta making!

Return to Minori to enjoy a delectable dinner at our hotel restaurant. Dine under a sky of Bougainville and paintings recalling the Roman otium (leisure) The cuisine here has been influenced by the many populations who passed through this fertile land over the centuries. There are three dominant elements to the region's cooking: olive oil; the many vegetable gardens arising from this fertile ground; and durum wheat, the base ingredient for bread and many types of pasta. (B,D)

Day 3 Sorrento

After breakfast, enjoy the spectacular views of the Amalfi coast as we make our way along one of the top 10 scenic drives in the world on the way to Sorrento. Enjoy a guided walking tour through the coastal city of Sorrento, a cosmopolitan place full of stylish and typical Italian artisan shops selling local products and wares. The delightful climate attracted Roman aristocrats in ancient times, who came to Sorrento and built magnificent villas. Today Sorrento is a rich and stylish city. Enjoy free time for suggested lunches before returning to our hotel. (B)

Day 4 Pompeii and Herculaneum

Discover Herculaneum and Pompeii. Spend a full day exploring the ancient Roman cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii, which were destroyed when Mount Vesuvius erupted in A.D. 79. The small seaside town of Herculaneum was preserved by mudflows while Pompeii, the larger of the two cities, was covered by ash. The resulting preservation of these two cities is unlike anything else in the world. Today, they are famous as an excavation site and outdoor museum that reveal how the people of this ancient Roman settlement lived 2,000 years ago. See everything from mosaics to furniture and frescoes as you tour the Forum, baths and houses, and unearth a history lesson like no other.

Relax over lunch at a Pompeii restaurant during your excursion. (B,L)

Day 5 At leisure

Join the trip to the Isle of Capri or choose to stay in Minori for leisure time today. You may wish to walk to the beach or swim in the Mediterranean, take a kayak ride or hike to Ravello, directly above Minori.

Option: The Isle of Capri. Travel by hydrofoil to the enchanting Isle of Capri, a celebrated resort since the time of the Roman Republic. Sail along the Capri coast, spying hidden swimming coves, caves and grottos, and see why the island is described as “a piece of paradise fallen from the skies.” Back on land, stroll through Capri’s scenic lanes or browse elegant boutiques on Via Vittorio Emanuele and Via Camerelle, Capri’s main streets. There are many shops selling souvenirs, bottles of limoncello and colorful ceramics. Pay a visit to the Augustus Gardens, incredible terraced gardens full of bougainvillea vines, marbled statues and lily ponds. The gardens offer a spectacular sea-side spot for viewing the famous Faraglioni, a trio of iconic rocks rising from the sea. Available at an additional cost. (B,D)

Day 6 Leisure and Lemoncello

At Leisure. Enjoy time on your own today or suggestion from our guide, such as the “Path of the Gods” trail, visit the Villa Romana e Antiquarium ruins just feet from the hotel. In the late afternoon Learn about the tradition and secrets behind “Limoncello” production just steps from our hotel. Following the demonstration, enjoy tasting of this famous Italian liqueur. Tonight enjoy and farewell dinner to recount memories made with new friends.(B,D)

Day 7 Depart for Home or extend your stay

After breakfast, bid farewell to Sorrento’s charming Amalfi Coast. Member Adventures guests Depart for Naples Capodichino International Airport for your return flights home. Your Travel Director will provide the details. (B, subject to flight time)

Amalfi Food and Wine Adventure

Mon, 05 Feb 24 22:51:30 +0000

6 nights First Class Hotel on the Amalfi Coast

11 meals including Breakfast daily, 4 Dinners and 1 Lunch

Tours of

Positano
Amalfi
Pompeii and Herculaneum

Includes

Pasta making experience
Taxes and fees
Guides
Transportation

Day 1 Arrive Naples Italy / Minori

Transfer to Hotel Villa Romana. Please note, if you arrive before check-in time, your room may not be immediately available.

Gather this evening to get acquainted with your fellow travelers and tour guide at a Welcome Reception and Dinner. (D)

Day 2 start each day with a delicious breakfast served at your hotel

After, take a short orientation tour to see the lively piazza and Cattedrale di Sant’ Andrea.

In the afternoon experience a hands on demonstration of pasta making. A master “pastaio”or pasta maker, will teach you the art of Italian pasta making !

There are three dominant elements to the region's cooking: olive oil; the many vegetable gardens arising from this fertile ground; and durum wheat, the base ingredient for bread and many types of pasta. (B,D)

Day 3 Of Pasta and wine

We travel to day to Gragnano, a lovely little town of the Gulf of Naples, well known all over the world for the production of the Pasta, for the tasty salami and the fantastic Provolone del Monaco, typical product of our mounts. The great maccheroni are made with simple and genuine ingredients (water from the springs of Gragnano, hard wheat bran, passion, amore and fantasy).
There were and are three different kind of production: at home, where women compete in making the fusilli as fast as possible; in family run factories, where the tradition of the pasta pass from father to son always keeping in mind the quality of the product; later came the small industries, that allow all the Italians to have pasta daily.

Visit of a pasta factory of the area, where the secrets of ancient tradition are kept jealously. Here they use machines, respecting the time of the traditional way of making the pasta, in order to save all the nutritive and organoleptic characteristics of it.

Enjoy lunch in a restaurant where the pasta is the queen on the tables, on the walls and in the air. Onward for a visit to a winery growing the grapes in the volcanic soil. It has got 60 acres of estate vineyards located at the slopes of the Vesuvius. The volcanic soil is excellent for the growth of the vineyards as it is not hospitable to many of the dangerous parasites of the grapes.
Here we tour the vineyard and the production of the wine before enjoying a taste of three different Lacrima Christy (white, red and rosé).

Day 4 Sorrento

Day 5 Pompeii and Herculaneum

Relax over lunch at a Pompeii restaurant during your excursion. (B,L)

Day 6 At leisure: Join the trip to the Isle of Capri or choose to stay in Minori for leisure time today.

You may wish to walk to the beach or swim in the Mediterranean, take a kayak ride or hike to Ravello, directly above Minori.

Day 7 Leisure and Lemoncello

Day 8 Depart for Home or extend your stay

Ireland Golf Tour

Wed, 24 Jan 24 19:03:01 +0000

Scottish Kits and Clubs

Wed, 24 Jan 24 17:04:39 +0000

There’s no better place to experience a golfing vacation than in the ‘Home of Golf’ itself. With the first record of golf in Scotland dating back to the 15th century, the country’s illustrious history with the game is hard to beat. Join the ranks of the sport’s elite who has taken to Scotland’s famous courses and discover why a few rounds in this breathtaking country is what golfer’s dreams are made of.

Pilgrimage to Fatima & Lourdes with Barcelona

Wed, 24 Jan 24 15:40:22 +0000

Travel to two of the world's most revered pilgrimage centers and experience the wonderful cultures and beauty of Portugal, France, and Spain. Stay a leisurely 2 nights in Fatima and spend time reflecting and exploring the famous Basilica and the tombs of Francisco and Jacinta. Travel to Aljustrel, where the children lived, and Valinhos, where Our Lady appeared after the children's return from prison. During a 2-night stay in Burgos, visit the magnificent Cathedral, a masterpiece of Spanish Gothic architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy a walking tour of Lourdes and a 2-night stay there. Visit the moving Grotto where Our Lady appeared to Bernadette. End in vibrant Barcelona, and view Antonio Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece La Sagrada Familia, also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Highlights

Fatima
Aljustrel
Valinhos
Cathedral of Burgos
Lourdes
Grotto of Massabielle
Barcelona
La Sagrada Familia

Your Tour Includes

4 Handpicked Accommodations
15 Meals

Must-See Inclusions:

Visit Gaudi's masterpiece La Sagrada Familia and celebrate Mass.
View the site of the fifth apparition in Valinhos.

Cultural Experiences:

Worship in the most revered basilicas of Fatima and Lourdes.
Spend time at the magnificent Cathedral of Burgos.

Culinary Inclusions:

Enjoy regional wine with every included dinner.
Gather for a memorable farewell dinner in Barcelona.

Working with Craig ensures you will not have to worry about a thing.

Wed, 12 Jul 23 17:24:49 +0000

Working with Craig is a true pleasure, and he is the consummate professional. Over the years, my chamber of commerce members and I have had the benefit of Craig’s top-notch planning and attention to detail, which is unparalleled. Our chamber trips with Craig were continually sold out, and the number of repeat customers is testament to the quality of the service and product. The hallmark of Craig’s planning and execution is the personal and customized service, ensuring everyone’s trip experience is the best it can possibly be. Working with Craig ensures you will not have to worry about a thing.

Thanks, from the Community and Economic Development Consultant and 30-year Chamber of Commerce Executive, Atlanta, Georgia

Discover Ireland with Member Adventures

Tue, 13 Jun 23 02:38:10 +0000

Highlights

Round trip scheduled airfare
Round trip transfers between airports and hotel Personal airport VIP greeting and check-in service Pre-departure orientation and travel documents 6 nights hotel accommodation in Limerick
1 dinner at Bunratty Castle (Medieval Banquet) Breakfast provided each morning
Discovery Program Guide
Cliff s of Moher
Rock of Cashel
Kilkenny Castle
Bunratty Folk Park
Excursion to Dingle Peninsula
Excursion to Galway

Includes

Fuel surcharges Non-dues revenue $100
Staff travels free
Book & Save discount
Taxes & Fees - $150
Preferred Hotels
The Absolute Hotel
The Savoy Hotel
The George Hotel
Or Similar

Pricing & Departures

*Dates & Price subject to change

New York $2,549
Chicago $2,649
Los Angeles $2,749
San Francisco $2,749
Additional cities on request
Single please add $600

Departures Dates

March 15 (add $200)
July 5 (add $400)
October 11 (add $200)
April 12
September 20
November 11 (add $200)

Viking Becomes the First River Cruise Line to Sail Year-Round in Europe

Tue, 13 Jun 23 02:19:41 +0000

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 market sailings, with an itinerary focusing on the seasonal markets and local holiday tastes and activities.

This year, once the Christmas markets have closed up for the season, rather than closing up itself for 3 months until the traditional early spring start of river cruising, Viking will keep sailing with its new itinerary kicking in.

The formerly 'off' season lets guests who can only get away at that time of the year access to the pleasures of river cruising. They also benefit from typically fewer other tourists in the region at that time of the year, meaning town squares, museums and other attractions - even restaurants for those who want to enjoy local fare in places like Amsterdam, Basel, and Cologne - will be less crowded, and for many, more appealing. Your out-of-pocket expenses are likely to be less, too, as prices are typically lower in 'off' season.

“The Middle Rhine is one of our most popular destinations—with constantly changing views of hilltop castles, historic towns and terraced vineyards along the steep valley sides, it is a region that will always be best explored by the river,” Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking, said when announcing the new itinerary.

“Many of our guests have sailed the Rhine during other seasons, so we are pleased to offer a new option for those who may be interested experiencing Europe during a quieter time of year.”

Viking’s New, Treasures of the Rhine Itinerary

The 10-day Treasures of the Rhine itinerary sails guests along the popular the Middle Rhine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site boasting turreted fortresses, grand cathedrals, medieval towns and stunning scenery. Guests can admire the terraced vineyards dating back to the Romans and taste the region’s renowned red and white wines while enjoying the comforts of a 190-guest Viking 'Longship' with cozy, Scandinavian design and verandas so you never miss a view.

(Viking Longship on the Rhine: courtesy of Viking)

The Rhine at Any Time

As my photo, top, taken last December on a Viking river cruise on the Rhine can attest, any time of the year, sailing past hilltop castles along the Middle Rhine, tasting the German wines of the Rhine and French wines of Alsace, enjoying the charms of medieval villages in the Black Forest and fascinating cities like Amsterdam, Cologne, Strasbourg and Basel is a thrill.

The new itinerary is also going to mean that even though river cruises are often nearly selling out a full year in advance, the new tranche of sailings beginning in December means that you might not have to wait to get on the Rhine in the months ahead.

Start Your European River Cruise!

By: Lynn Elmhirst, cruise/ travel journalist

Top Image: copyright Lynn Elmhirst

Hyatt Launches a New, Luxury All-Inclusive Resort Brand That’s Adults-Only

Tue, 13 Jun 23 02:19:41 +0000

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 visit highly desirable holiday destinations around the world in an elevated style – but still with the ease of all-inclusive packaging.

In the case of the newest addition to Hyatt’s “Inclusive Collection,” Impressions by Secrets Isla Mujeres sets a high bar for future resorts under the same banner.

It marks the introduction of what Hyatt’s calling “ultra-exclusive, adults-only resorts defined by the highest level of luxury all-inclusive service possible.”

For a couple looking for an indulgent, pampered escape, here’s what that looks like:

Setting the Stage for a Luxurious Stay

Romantic inclusions begin for guests even before check-in.

Butlers welcome guests on the mainland as they board a private yacht for an exclusive, complimentary transfer – complete with a full bar and butler service on the 25-minute yacht journey to the resort’s private pier. On arrival on the island, you’re seamlessly guided to your room.

The resort is on the southern end of the island and is perched atop a coastal cliff, offering unobstructed views of both sunrises and sunsets over the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, or the picturesque Isla Mujeres. A stunning white sand beach beckons guests to the sea.

Romance by Design

The remarkable architecture and design that incorporates natural elements such as bamboo and local wood emphasizing the island sanctuary environment, as well as stunning artwork by prominent Mexican artist Cesar Lopez Negrete, and a mural inspired by the Saving our Sharks Foundation, painted by renowned marine life artist, Wyland.

Design of the 125 rooms includes sophisticated furnishings and a soft neutral color palette that creates a serene, calming atmosphere for guests to drift into relaxation.

Did we mention the butler service? You’ll also find in your room exclusive bath amenities by Le Labo, double rain showers, terrace whirlpools, custom-stocked wine fridges and yoga mats.

Rediscover romance at the resort’s four cascading oceanfront infinity pools, Bali beds and hammocks, perfect for enjoying a movie alfresco, an over-the-water lounge ideal for observing local sea life and a four-story waterslide for the adult who’s young at heart.

The resort’s daily activities calendar includes cooking classes, coffee and wine tastings, and sunset paddle boarding.

The resort’s spa indulges guests with touchless therapies in the island's only Floatarium to the soothing Hamman and six private spa cabins offering a peaceful escape.

Taste-ful

Hyatt is promising that all of its upcomingImpression by Secrets resorts will offer dining that includes seasonal specialties, unique local flavors, organic ingredients, and contemporary culinary techniques. At Impression by Secrets Isla Mujeres, your gastronomic experience is led by a chef with Michelin-star restaurants and global five-star hotel cuisine to his credit.

Guests can dine in their choice of eight a la carte dining venues that include an open terrace restaurant and a rooftop restaurant serving Mediterranean, tapas, and other cuisines prepared with local organic ingredients, nine bars and lounges with unlimited top-shelf spirits, and pool and beach service, as well as 24-hour, private in-suite dining.

Destination Discovery

Known for its lush tropical foliage and pristine beaches, the five-mile long Isla Mujeres can be explored by complimentary golf carts and bikes. Guests can discover world-renowned coral reefs and a turtle sanctuary, a lighthouse on a stunning rocky coastline, ancient Mayan ruins and local boutique shops and eateries.

Start Your Luxury, All-Inclusive Trip!

Images: Hyatt

Top Travel Activities that Boost Your Wellbeing

Tue, 13 Jun 23 02:19:41 +0000

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 people in the U.K., U.S., and several western and northern European countries.

Are you surprised that two-thirds of people report that taking a holiday has a ‘very positive’ impact on their mental wellbeing? When you add in those who say taking a vacation has a ‘quite positive’ effect on them, that total goes all the way up to 92%.

That’s for the whole group of all the countries surveyed. If you just look at the U.S., it’s a little lower – but a whopping 81% of Americans still say going on holiday makes them feel better about life.

There’s a generational gap, too. You might think that older people are more stressed and more in need of a vacation. But more younger people than their elders are actually reporting the highest level of the importance of holidays on their mental health. In the U.S., the highest reported percentage of those who say vacation travel is ‘very positive’ on their wellbeing are the youngest adults. 61% of Americans 18-24 - almost as high as the overall percentage that includes Brits and Europeans – report placing the highest level of importance of travel on their mental wellbeing.

Walking the Walk

But how you spend your vacation makes a difference to its effect on your mental wellness, too. And it turns out, there’s no ‘right’ answer – or at least, it might matter where you’re from.

Overall, when asked what travel activities most supported their mental wellbeing, the answer wasn’t about expensive meals, theme parks, or shopping.

The overwhelming majority – nearly half of people globally - say that literally ‘relaxing and doing nothing’ is the most beneficial of all vacation activities. Over one-third say it’s ‘sightseeing’ and in third place comes reading.

But people in different countries also seem to have their own ideas about the most mentally uplifting holidays.

It seems Americans find more social and adventurous activities a bigger boost for their mental wellbeing.

For those respondents, relaxing and doing nothing still topped the list, but for only a quarter of the people questioned, rather than the global average of nearly half. Sightseeing is still the number two most mentally supportive travel activity for Americans, but for only about 20% - not the one-third global average.

Here’s where there’s a twist: for Americans, the third best travel activity for mental wellbeing is cited as ‘meeting new people.’ That’s double the percent of people from other countries who were surveyed.

Regionally, doing yoga or meditation trumps meeting new people as the third best travel activity for mental wellbeing for residents of the Northeast.

But perhaps it’s no surprise that globally, the younger you are, the more mental benefits you perceive from adventurous activities, with one-quarter of those 18-24 citing those activities, compared to just 14% of those twice their age.

Maybe on your next vacation, you could try a new approach that will help you return from your well-earned holiday feeling your mental best.

Start Your Trip!

Image: Getty

Get Up Close to an Epic Wonder of Nature at this Iceberg Festival

Tue, 13 Jun 23 02:19:41 +0000

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 Newfoundland come from the west coast of Greenland, floating across the North Atlantic, while the rest sail down from Canada’s Arctic.

They’re 10,000 year-old chunks of ice in hues from snowy white to surreal aquamarine, that have broken off the edges of seaside glaciers and sailed off into the ocean on their own adventure.

While icebergs occur of course in both polar regions of the earth, something special happens in the Canadian east-coast province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Ocean currents propel icebergs along a ‘freeway’ that follows the coast of Labrador on the mainland, all the way to the southeast coast of the island of Newfoundland.

The route along ‘iceberg alley’ brings them right up close to those on shore in a wondrous phenomenon that takes your breath away and reminds you of how tiny humanity is compared to Mother Nature. Especially when you remember that – no matter how immense the iceberg you see, you’re only looking at about 10% of it; the rest is below the surface.

Often gigantic icebergs dwarf fishing villages and homes on the coast as they float by in a slow and stately progression south, providing epic photographs and unforgettable moments of feeling the power of Nature.

That creates an annual spectacle in a chain of islands, coastal towns and villages along what’s been dubbed ‘iceberg alley,’ including popular iceberg-watching places like Twillingate (pictured), Fogo Island, Bonavista, the provincial capital St. John's, and Witless Bay.

So, in true Newfoundland fashion, they decided to celebrate the iceberg season by throwing a party!

Newfoundland’s Iceberg Festival

Newfoundlanders never miss a chance to have a good time. Famous for ‘screech ins’ welcoming newcomers with a shot of local rum and a codfish to kiss, ‘kitchen parties’ with some of the best local folk music anywhere, and a tradition of open-armed hospitality, celebrating their yearly iceberg visitors came quite naturally to Newfoundlanders.

As they say: “It took them 10,000 years to pay us a visit. Luckily they come back every spring.”

The annual, early-June Iceberg Festival welcomes the icebergs – and the visitors who come to ‘meet’ them.

It’s a celebration of local lifestyle with a schedule of events along Iceberg Alley’s communities that includes opportunities to enjoy harvested ‘Berg water,’ which is also transformed into vodka, gin, rum and Iceberg Beer, as well as sampling wild Partridgeberry drinks and confections, local cod fish & chips, moose sausage, even ‘iceberg chocolates.’ You can participate in screech ins, live music, arts and crafts including even ‘iceberg embroidery.’

But of course, the star of the show is the 10,000-year-old chunk of ice floating offshore.

An organized tour will help ensure you maximize your iceberg discovery, and Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism has developed an online ‘Iceberg Finder’ where you can see the up-to-the-minute tally and track the location of icebergs traveling along Iceberg Alley. At time of writing, in the first week of June, there were 269 icebergs “currently drifting past our shores.”

You can see many icebergs from land, but to get up close and personal, you can take kayak, zodiac or boat tours.

Icebergs seem to be moving very slowly, but don’t forget that they are a force of Nature. If you want to see icebergs from the water, we recommend expert guides. Icebergs can be unpredictable – and you don’t want to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. (Ever heard of the Titanic? That happened only a few hundred miles off of Newfoundland’s coast.)

Double Happiness

Icebergs aren’t the only seasonal visitors in Newfoundland’s waters. As the icebergs sail south, nearly two-dozen species of whales and dolphins are migrating north – and Newfoundland is where their paths cross, with the world’s largest population of feeding humpback whales.

That makes Newfoundland one of the few, magical places in the world to have simultaneous visits from whales and icebergs, making it possible for you to experience both epic icebergs and magnificent whales at the same time!

Start Your Newfoundland Trip!

By: Lynn Elmhirst, cruise/ travel journalist and expert

Images courtesy of Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism; Iceberg and Whale, Quirpon Island image copyright Finn Beals via Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism.

Ultra-Luxury Hotel Opens in Chicago in the World’s Tallest Building Designed by a Woman

Tue, 13 Jun 23 02:19:41 +0000

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 that reflects the colors of Lake Michigan and the Chicago River.

The St. Regis hotel captures that design innovation and brings its own glamorous spirit and celebrated rituals to its first location in the U.S. Midwest. It features a unique and distinctive design composed of an interconnected series of stacked, frustum-shapes that move rhythmically in and out of plane and extend to various heights.

159 luxuriously-appointed guestrooms and 33 exquisite suites offer unparalleled 360-degree views of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. Guests will discover St. Regis' legendary butler service and traditional daily champagne sabre ceremonies to start an evening of cocktails; an expansive spa; over 11,000 sq. ft. of event and meeting space; and world-class dining.

Throughout the hotel’s public areas, spa, and Presidential Suite, metallic materials and colors, such as copper and rust, are interwoven with geometric, angular lines, offering a nod to The Great Chicago Fire and the city’s geographic interconnectivity of waterways, buildings, and green spaces.

Guestrooms offer a place of respite and rejuvenation. A palette of natural stone and wood finishes create a connection to nature, juxtaposing its minimalistic beauty against an urban backdrop of skyline views.

All guests of the hotel will also enjoy the signature St. Regis butler service, a hallmark of the brand for more than a century, which presents personalized offerings like garment pressing and packing services, ensuring that each guest’s preferences are anticipated at every turn.

At Miru, an all-day dining venue on the 11^th floor, the menu highlights Japanese small plates, sushi, and sashimi complemented by a selection of steak and seafood. Miru, which means "view" in Japanese, celebrates its location at the convergence of two bodies of water and Chicago Modernism design. The venue offers a variety of indoor and outdoor seating and features two stunning terraces offering spectacular views of Lake Michigan, Navy Pier, and the Chicago River.

The Coffee Bar on Eleven is also open daily serving a selection of grab-and-go breakfast items and handmade pastries, among other delights.

Slated to debut in Fall 2023, the Tuscan steakhouse, Tre Dita, from award-winning Chef Evan Funke, features fresh, handmade pasta, and classic Italian steaks cooked at an open-hearth wood fired grill.

Throughout the food and beverage spaces – including The Drawing Room and Library lounge areas – guests will experience three signature St. Regis brand rituals, including Afternoon Tea, evening Champagne Sabrage, and the hotel's unique Chicago-inspired twist on the brand’s signature libation, the Bloody Mary. The 1871 is served in a smoking glass, paying tribute to one of the most impactful events in the city’s history, The Great Chicago Fire, and features a local Rye Whiskey and a rim of smoked salt.

The St. Regis Spa occupies 12,000 square-feet of the Wellness Floor, evoking an urban oasis. Guests can sip champagne at the Celebration Bar, connect in the Iridium Lounge, and indulge in a rejuvenating spa treatment. The Spa Suite offers a gathering space for VIPs, couples, families, and friends to enjoy treatment time together.

Overlooking the Chicago River with sprawling views of Navy Pier & Lake Michigan, The St. Regis Chicago’s fully attended fitness center features state-of-the-art fitness equipment, outdoor sundeck, yoga studio and two private fitness rooms.

A palatial, heated indoor pool offers stunning views of the city and Lake Michigan.

With more than 11,000 square-feet of meeting and event spaces, the hotel makes the perfect venue for cherished celebrations, gatherings, and meetings. The coveted venue of the Astor Ballroom can host receptions for up to 500 guests.

The St. Regis Chicago offers easy access to the Chicago River and is a short walk from the city’s leading luxury retailers, dining destinations, and notable cultural landmarks such as Millennium Park, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the famed Magnificent Mile.

Start Your Chicago Trip!

Images courtesy of the St. Regis Chicago

Why Belfast is the Best Place to Experience the Legend of the Titanic

Tue, 13 Jun 23 02:19:41 +0000

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 of an undersea expedition to the final resting place of the legendary ship herself on the ocean floor in the North Atlantic – to immerse yourself in the fateful story of the Titanic.

That story ended on April 15, 1912, when over 1500 passengers and crew members of an estimated 2224 souls aboard the British luxury liner Titanic famously perished in the icy waters off the coast of Canada. The brand-new ship, the largest ship afloat at the time, was touted as ‘unsinkable,’ full of extraordinary luxuries and groundbreaking bells and whistles. The Titanic was on her inaugural voyage – carrying immigrants to the U.S. and Canada as well as a who’s who of English and American high society on board. It remains the deadliest peacetime sinking of a passenger ship.

On both sides of the Atlantic, the tragedy played out over days of sensational press. It shocked nations and rocked dynasties that lost scions of business and aristocratic heirs. The saturation media coverage cemented the Titanic’s legend and laid the foundation for generations of creative works weaving tales and amplifying the myth of the ship and the people on board.

But that story began in the shipyards of Belfast, where the Titanic was born.

And for anyone fascinated by the Titanic’s tale, Belfast carries the torch for the doomed liner, with a Belfast Titanic Society, Titanic tours, attractions, exhibitions, events and experiences, as well as three key places to relive memories of the world’s most famous passenger ship:

Titanic Belfast in the Titanic Quarter

Where shipyards once opened up onto the sea in Belfast, a large-scale waterfront regeneration project, called the Titanic Quarter in honor of the city’s most famous product, now stands. The cornerstone of the Titanic Quarter is Titanic Belfast, a visitor attraction that opened in 2012 for the 100^th anniversary of the ship’s sinking.

The Titanic Belfast stands on the site of the former Harland & Wolff shipyard where the RMS Titanic was built between 1909 and 1912.

The spectacular, avant-garde building clad in aluminum shards was meant to evoke the shape of ships’ prows and stands 126 feet high – the same height as the Titanic’s hull. But its nickname has become ‘the Iceberg’ for its resemblance to a sharp and craggy chunk of ice – recalling the cause of the Titanic’s destruction.

Inside, you’ll discover historic and state-of-the-art exhibits immersing you in the booming city of Belfast at the start of the 20^th century, original drawings, scale models, shipyard artifacts and interactive media displays recount the construction of the Titanic, including a giant scaffold and gantry and small cars taking you through a recreation of the shipyard.

You’ll progress through fascinating displays about the launch and fit-out of the ship, and you can walk across a replica of the Titanic’s wooden decks, sit on benches, and experience a computer-generated tour of the ship, from the engine room to the dining salons and even the bridge.

Further exhibits follow the maiden voyage and disastrous collision with an iceberg and the Titanic’s sinking. The iceberg is evoked by a wall of 400 replica life-jackets, on which an image of the sinking ship is projected. In a gallery devoted to the aftermath of the disaster, another emotional display: a full-size replica of one of the ship’s under-utilized lifeboats. For those with a family connection to the disaster, you can search passenger and crew lists for their names.

The final galleries allow you to explore myths, legends and pop culture that grew up around the Titanic – suitably accompanied by the famous Celine Dion song from the blockbuster film.

And you can see the Titanic as she rests now 12,000 feet below the surface of the sea, presented in collaboration with Dr. Robert Ballard, the wreck’s discoverer.

The Titanic Hotel in the Former Harland & Wolff Shipbuilders’ Headquarters

Next door to the Titanic Belfast, in the historic building where the RMS Titanic was designed, masterminded, and her construction supervised, is a half-hotel, half-museum, with an original collection of over 500 artworks, artifacts and photographs transporting the viewer back to the shipbuilder’s heyday and 'Golden Age of Ocean Travel.’

Many of the luxury Titanic Hotel’s 119 rooms have iconic views over Titanic Belfast and ‘nautical personality’ with streamlined Art Deco furniture, hanging ship’s lanterns, riveted panels and maritime artwork.

The heritage building also preserves and celebrates the restored Victorian Drawing Offices, with their three-story high barrel-vaulted ceilings. They are the only surviving examples of this type of shipyard architecture in the world (pictured, top.)

Drawing Office Two’s dramatic space was where many of the world’s most famous ocean liners, including the Titanic, were designed. It is now dedicated to drinks and dining. Villeroy & Boch tiles encircling the main bar are the same pattern as those used for the Titanic's swimming pool and First Class bathrooms. The fine, restored plasterwork in this room was also crafted by the same skilled craftsmen who worked on the great liners.

The Titanic Memorial Garden at Belfast City Hall

Funded by contributions from the public, shipyard workers and victims’ families, the Titanic Memorial in Belfast is the only memorial in the world that commemorates all of the victims of the sinking of the ship: passengers and crew alike.

It was dedicated in 1920, less than a decade after the ship’s fateful and incomplete maiden voyage, and includes an allegorical representation of the disaster in the form of a female figure depicting Fate holding a laurel wreath over the head of a drowned sailor being held above the waves by a pair of mermaids.

On the centenary of the disaster, a surrounding Titanic memorial garden was opened, and it’s the location where annual remembrance ceremonies have been held that keep the ship that sailed so majestically out of Belfast’s shipyards alive for residents and visitors to the city today.

Start Your Ireland Trip!

By Lynn Elmhirst, cruise/ travel journalist

Images courtesy of Tourism Ireland

Upgrades and Celebrations Mark the 50th Anniversary of Australia’s Architectural Icon: the Sydney Opera House

Tue, 13 Jun 23 02:19:41 +0000

In 2023, the iconic Sydney Opera House celebrates a half-century of symbolizing not just a city, but a country and even a continent. It may even be the most famous building in the southern hemisphere.

This icon of modern design evoking giant stylized, sail-shaped shells occupies Bennelong point projecting out into Sydney Harbour. It dominates the skyline and has gripped the world’s imagination ever since its debut in 1973.

Completely unprecedented when it won the contest for a design for a performing arts center on Sydney’s waterfront, the design concept was believed by observers from the outset to represent a masterpiece and breakthrough in modern architecture.

No wonder its construction went years and over 1000 per cent over budget as the architect and builders had to invent ways to achieve the daring design. Their solutions to the challenges they faced reshaped modern architecture – and put Sydney on the world map as a cultural trend-setter, risk-taker, and innovator.

The Sydney Opera House paved the way for the immensely complex geometries of some unique styles of modern architecture. It was one of the first examples of the use of computer-aided design to formulate complex shapes represented by the stylized shells/ sails.

The shells themselves were a six-year construction problem – solved by a ‘eureka’ realization of the application of spherical geometry. It led to re-designing the sails so that, if all of the 14 shells of the Sydney Opera House were combined, they would form a perfect – and perfectly solid – sphere. Concrete ribs holding up pre-cast concrete sections could be built on site, along with concrete sections of that sphere. Those prefabricated, repetitive forms represented a breakthrough in 20^th century architecture.

They also permitted uniform tiling, and those, too, were one-of-a-kind. Inspired by Japanese ceramic bowls, the glossy tiles seem white at a distance but incorporate pale steel blue and cream tones and do not create reflective glare. Over one million custom tiles in chevron shapes and curved to conform to the spherical sections of the shells they would have to adhere to, were manufactured on site. They were even designed to be self-cleaning by rainfall to reduce maintenance.

The 22-story building’s interiors have some remarkable secrets, too. The Sydney Opera House Grand Organ, the largest mechanical tracker action organ in the world, rises almost 50 feet, weighs over 37 tonnes, and incorporates over 10,000 pipes.

When the Sydney Opera House was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the organization described it as “one of the indisputable masterpieces of human creativity, not only in the 20th century but in the history of humankind.” Experts cite unparalleled design and construction; extraordinary engineering achievements, technological innovation and its status as a world-famous icon of architecture as why a now-50-year old building still stands tall in our imaginations today.

It inspired and informed generations of architects to come. Techniques developed to make the Sydney Opera House design a reality made the works of current ‘star-chitect’ Frank Gehry and the ‘blobitecture’ style possible, along with most modern reinforced concrete structures.

A 50th Birthday Makeover and Year-Long Party

Leading up to the 2023 half-century milestone, the Sydney Opera House has undergone a $300-million decade of renewal.

Those 10,000 organ pipes have been cleaned by hand, and restorative cleaning wasn’t all that has transformed the icon of architecture.

“Long –awaited” renovations of the building’s acoustics, functionality and accessibility were delayed by the pandemic, but miraculously, the concert hall reopened just as travel resumed to Australia – on the cusp of the Sydney Opera House’s 50^th anniversary year.

Between the giddy joy of post-pandemic resumption of public musical performances and travel and a milestone in the life of a building that shaped the skyline and the national identity, celebrations at the Sydney Opera House throughout 2023 are incredible.

Major Australian and international artists will be part of a celebration of contemporary culture via more than 230 performances, events and experiences that will be presented on the Opera House’s famous sails, inside its theaters, on the Forecourt and online. Free outdoor concerts, community events, First Nations storytelling, tours, public art, exhibitions, and special resident company collaborations will encourage hundreds of thousands of people – locals and visitors from around the world – to experience the wonder of the Sydney Opera House.

Even those who have no ear for music will be enthralled by events like Vivid Sydney, an annual light, technology and creativity event running late May through mid-June. In the 50^th year of the Sydney Opera House, vibrant paintings of the natural world by acclaimed Australian artist John Olsen will illuminate those iconic sails as they act like giant, curved, harborfront projection screens during the Lighting of the Sails for Vivid Sydney.

Revamped Opera House tours will reveal unforgettable past performances and special historic moments. The tour will feature a new film in the Opera House’s purpose-built venue that boasts state-of-the-art technology including 270-degree visuals and surround sound, as well as heritage-inspired interiors.

There’s never been a better time to discover – or rediscover - the breathtaking, era-defining Sydney Opera House.

Start Your Australia Trip!

Image: Getty

Oceania Cruises Christens 1st New Ship in a Decade and Introduces new Wine, Spirits and Culinary Experiences

Tue, 13 Jun 23 02:19:41 +0000

Oceania Cruises has officially welcomed the 1200-guest Oceania Vista in a glittering event in Malta. She’s the cruise line’s first new ship in more than ten years, and the first of its new, Allura-class of ships.

In a ceremony that included centuries-old blessings on the ship and the souls who will sail upon her, Italian-American chef, author, restaurateur and Emmy award-winning food personality Giada De Laurentiis christened the Vista with the traditional breaking of a bottle of champagne against the ship’s hull.

If you have sailed with Oceania before, you’ll know that the cruise line prides itself especially on its culinary experiences, making a chef the perfect godmother of the new Vista.

De Laurentiis will create two signature dishes to be served in Toscana, Oceania Cruises' authentic Italian specialty restaurant, as well as The Grand Dining Room, the luxurious grand dame of the line's culinary venues.

Those are just two of the 11 culinary venues on board the Vista – which introduces three all-new restaurants: Aquamar Kitchen, offering an array of wellness-inspired dishes with a hint of indulgence; The Bakery at Baristas, serving tempting freshly baked pastries; and a new signature restaurant, Ember.

The ship’s 11 restaurants are complemented by 8 bars, lounges and entertainment venues.

Paired with its emphasis on cuisine, Oceania elevates wine and spirits experiences fleet-wide, and on the Vista, it is also introducing The Casino Mixology Bar, a new concept for the line, focused entirely on the art of the cocktail.

Vista bar venues feature the latest cocktail-crafting trends and techniques such as flavored smoke bubbles, an extensive selection of low- and no-sugar wines, and zero-proof cocktails, plus Negronis aged in wooden barrels and specialty beverage carts like the Bubbly Bar and Ultimate Bloody Mary Bar.

In honor of the arrival of the Vista and across the entire fleet, Oceania Cruises will debut a series of rum and whisky programs in 2023. The experiences will feature a collection of The Macallan's via The Macallan Diamond Bar Cart, a flight program, chocolate pairings and more. For fans of rum, Brugal 1888 Doblemente Añejado Rum will be featured in a new Tea at Sea mixology class and a wide selection of newly crafted ice cream cocktails.

On the wine side, guests will also be able to partake in pairing experiences including a Moët & Chandon Champagne three-course pairing, sommelier-guided lunches with wine pairings, and the signature Oceania Cruises Dom Pérignon experience alongside a six-course tasting menu.

You may never want to go home! And, in fact, the Oceania Vista was designed to feel a lot like home at sea – but even better.

1200 guests stay in 600- all-veranda staterooms, and Oceania says the standard staterooms are “the most spacious” at sea at 290 square feet. There are new Concierge Level veranda staterooms for solo travelers, even. And the ship was designed for “residential-style luxury.”

There are two crew members for every three guests onboard, for elevated service levels.

Where You Can Sail on the New Vista

Following her inaugural in Malta, Vista is sailing a sold out summer season in the Mediterranean.

But you may still be able to sail on Oceania’s first Allura-class ship in her inaugural year.

In September, she will sail to Canada and New England before heading south for a series of winter itineraries exploring Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean from her homeport of Miami.

Vista's 2024 summer season will see her sail a series of Grand Voyages in the eastern Mediterranean, Aegean and Adriatic Seas, visiting an intriguing array of iconic cities and smaller boutique ports throughout Italy, Turkey, Greece and the Holy Lands.

You can also plan ahead to be one of the first guests onboard the Vista’s upcoming new sister ship, another 1,200-guest newbuild, Allura, scheduled to set sail in 2025.

Start Your Cruise Trip!

Images courtesy of Oceania Cruises

You Can Do An Underwater-Aged Dom Perignon Champagne Tasting in the Maldives

Tue, 13 Jun 23 02:19:41 +0000

As a thousand mile-long atoll in the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean, it’s no wonder that most of the Maldives’ most coveted experiences relate to the sea: over water villas, underwater resorts…and now, tastings of wine aged in what has been voted the world’s best underwater wine cellar and restaurant.

Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas has launched a new underwater-aged wine tasting experience. Taking place 20 feet below the Indian Ocean’s surface in the resort’s incredible SEA restaurant, surrounded by near 360-degree views of the local marine life, this exclusive and private tasting sees guests sample Dom Perignon champagne that has been aged submerged in open water for 365 days.

Situated in the Maldives’Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the resort’s underwater SEA restaurant takes diners beneath the waves to the very edge of Anantara Kihavah’s famed house reef, where the glass curved walls offer panoramic views of tropical marine life, including turtles, manta rays and clown fish.

In 2020, Anantara Kihavah’s wine experts started an experiment of submerging bottles of Dom Perignon 2008 vintage champagne below the ocean’s surface to age for a full year. After the sunken bottles were retrieved, the champagnes noticeably gained distinct flavour notes such as seaweed, minerals, and salinity in its taste, perfectly complementing the classic components of Dom Perignon’s citrus, brioche, and nutty characters.

Now every year, a limited number of premium bottles are submerged underwater at Kihavah’s house reef without enclosures and away from direct sunlight. This way, the wine ageing process is faster, with the vintage absorbing the sea minerals and salinity while corals form beautiful, organic shapes on the bottles over their time submerged.

To understand the ageing process of the sunken wines, resort sommeliers periodically conduct comparative tastings between an underwater-aged wine and a cellar-aged wine to evaluate the distinct changes in flavours and components.

In addition to Dom Perignon champagnes, resort wine experts keep diversifying the varieties by including a selected number of classic wines into the list. Wine lovers may be interested to know that today there are 22 sunken champagne and wines ageing in the reef, including underwater aged Dom Perignon Brut Millesime, Épernay, France 2012, Umbria IGT 'Cervaro della Sala' Chardonnay, Castello della Sala 2018 and Chassagne-Montrachet, Morgeot Les Fairendes VV, Francois Jouard 2014 975.

The wine cellar has over 450 bottles from two dozen countries and SEA’s underwater position enables its wine cellar to maintain cooler temperatures allowing each label to age gracefully.

During the exclusive wine tasting at the resort, oenophiles will sample underwater-aged Dom Perignon and compare its characteristics with a cellar-aged Dom Perignon champagne. All champagnes are paired with canapés and a selection of premium cheeses.

It might be the most memorable experience you can have in one of the world's most luxe, romantic, remote and legendary tropical eco paradise destinations.

Start Your Luxury Trip to the Maldives!

Images courtesy of Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas

One of America’s Most Famous Landmarks Celebrates 100th Anniversary

Tue, 13 Jun 23 02:19:41 +0000

It ranks right up there with the Statue of Liberty and the Washington monument. Not only is it a world-wide symbol of the United States. It’s also the country’s most famous sign – and visual shorthand for one of America’s most universally-consumed exports: movies, as well as the West Coast city where movie-making dreams come true.

In 2023, the Hollywood sign celebrates an entire century dominating the Los Angeles skyline. That’s almost as long as Los Angeles itself has been dominating storytelling on screen.

But the origins of Hollywood sign aren’t particularly glamorous. Did you know:

The municipality of Hollywood began as a community for members of the temperance movement opposing the consumption of alcohol.

The couple who founded the town may have named it after a red-berried shrub sometimes called California holly. The municipality was founded in 1903 and merged with Los Angeles 7 years later – one year before the first film studio located there.

The sign was originally intended to promote real estate, not as a symbol of the movie capital of the world.

In 1923, the sign was erected to promote an upscale real-estate development designed to capitalize on growing interest in and success of the film industry. The first version of the sign was lit by 4000 light bulbs.

The original sign originally read "HOLLYWOODLAND."

The Great Depression was the end of the Hollywoodland real estate development, and the sign was abandoned, becoming increasingly derelict until the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce came to the rescue in the mid-1940’s. In restoring the sign, they dropped the last four letters.

Since then, the Sign and the surrounding area has been protected and preserved from both developers and disrepair, defended by citizens and celebrities alike.

The Hollywood Sign Trust, formed to maintain the cultural and historic landmark for future generations, has ensured that the 45-foot-tall letters have been refreshed for their starring role in advance of the sign’s centenary year.

Selfie Star

A photo taken with the Hollywood sign in the background is a must for any trip to LA. And this might be the best year to get a new selfie with the sign.

Our friends at Los Angeles Tourism have recommended a number of ways and places to get your close up with the Hollywood sign. In addition to guided coach and walking and even helicopter tours, the suggest getting a room with a view:

THE KIMPTON EVERLY HOTEL: The boutique Kimpton Everly Hotel is right in the heart of Hollywood glitz and glamour, offering views of the Sign and the Hollywood hills from the rooftop and some guest rooms.
TOMMIE HOLLYWOOD: Check in to the tommie Hollywood for panoramic city and Hollywood Sign views from its colorful rooftop pool and from Hollywood Hills view guestrooms.
THOMPSON HOLLYWOOD: The chic rooftop pool, dining experiences and event spaces at the laid-back, yet refined Thompson Hollywood offer memorable views of the Hollywood Sign.
LOEWS HOLLYWOOD: An urban oasis at the corner of Hollywood and Highland, Loews Hollywood offers Hollywood Sign views from guest rooms and meeting spaces.
DREAM HOLLYWOOD: The west coast flagship of Dream Hotels is tucked among the scenic Hollywood Hills, boasting a mid-century modern aesthetic in guest rooms and public spaces with impressive views of the Hollywood sign.
W HOLLYWOOD: On the always-lively Hollywood Boulevard, upscale hip W Hollywood offers expansive vistas of the Hollywood Sign from the rooftop pool and lounge, guest rooms and suites, and event venues.

Start Your West Coast Trip!

Images provided by Los Angeles Tourism.

Night Photo - Photo Courtesy of the Hollywood Sign Trust and RD Willis

Historical Photo - Photo Courtesy of the Hollywood Sign Trust and HollywoodPhotographs.com

Current Photo - Photo Courtesy of the Hollywood Sign Trust