European River Cruise Season Begins! AmaWaterways' Co-Founder Shares Trends and Tips for 2022

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One of the first signs of spring for travel and cruise lovers like me… isn’t the first tulip or robin. It’s the return of river cruising in Europe. This year especially celebrates a fresh new season, after two pandemic years when many people weren’t traveling to Europe and can’t wait now to return to their favorite European memories and make new ones. Just before the start of the season, I had the chance to meet with one of the founders of the family-owned river cruise line, AmaWaterways.Kristin Karst (pictured top, second from left) is the co-founder and executive vice president of the company, and her top-level, insider insights are invaluable to travelers thinking about Europe, especially this year. By: Lynn... more

Now You Can Get Married in Antarctica

Story About Antarctica

February has been an even more romantic month than usual this year. Not only did countless couples celebrate their love in dream destinations on Valentine’s Day – one couple became the first to be united in matrimony on the White Continent. On an Atlas Ocean Voyage to Antarctica – that even departed on February 14,, 2022 – Valentine’s Day! Bride Courtnie Dodson and Groom Brody Vermillion exchanged vows on Danko Island during a 15-minute ceremony, officiated by British Antarctic Territory-registered Marriage Officer Bryan Clark.The ceremony was witnessed by eight additional cruise guests – plus some curious penguins who appeared to follow the tuxedo dress code for the wedding!In fact, that first-ever wedding on the 7th continent was one of four... more

3 Caribbean Luxury Golf Resorts Where you can Up Your Game this Winter

Story About Caribbean

Is it time to change winter blues for island “greens?” The ideal outdoor, distanced, leisure activity, golfing got a shot in the arm over the last couple of years. Even less committed golfers dusted off the clubs during the pandemic, rediscovering the delights to be found on the greens. And now that people are travelling again, the clubs are coming along for the ride.Here are three Caribbean island golf resorts with a unique twist to freshen up your game in tropical, seaside breezes. Plus, their luxury resort game is as strong as their golf experience.Which ones have you golfed?Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic It’s been called the Mecca of golf in the Caribbean. A one-of-a-kind resort with 63 holes over three legendary... more

Travel During Year of the Tiger: Where to See Tigers in the Wild

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Welcome to the Year of the Tiger! Once every dozen years, the Lunar New Year celebrates the largest of all cats, one that Asian astrologers describe as uplifting, brave, and independent. All excellent qualities for the year ahead. Over 1.5 billion people around the world celebrate Lunar New Year. Festivities continue in some cultures for about two weeks, but the influence of the Tiger lasts the year.Year of the Tiger may inspire many of us to take a new interest in these magnificent striped creatures, even to see them in real life.Responsible travel should be any big cat-lover’s top priority.Many of us are very conflicted about zoos, where species survival and educational programs at excellent facilities is weighed against keeping wildlife... more

The Best City to 'Go Parking' on a Romantic Vacation

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In honor of Valentine’s Day, we thought we’d resurrect that retro, ‘50’s dating cliché with a travel twist. Instead of poodle skirts and romance in a souped up convertible in Lover’s Lane, American Graffiti-style, we suggest a romantic trip to Miami. Well, maybe rent the convertible. Steamy Miami may be made for a vacation version of ‘Date Night.’ A dynamic, seaside lifestyle extends up from the beach to hotels and urban resorts with famous round-the-clock cocktails, dining, and party scenes. Not to mention the show-stopping design. Many hotels have Art Deco or Mid-century design pedigrees, and make you feel like a jet-setting celebrity from those glamorous eras. You might even run into one of the modern-day celebs who flock there for... more

Travel Company Leaders Dish on their Most Romantic Trips

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Step away from the chocolates. Move over, diamonds. The most romantic gift is time together with your best-beloved, and shared experiences that ignite – or reignite – the flames. If it’s time to shake up your romance routine and create new memories of a lifetime on vacation, we have your back. The travel industry’s top executives are intimately familiar with the newest travel experiences and what makes them so special.We tapped that top level, insider expertise and asked a number of travel company leaders to pick one of their most life-changing, romantic trips, and share why they personally recommend it to couples looking for love in a new destination.Which of these trips makes your heart beat a little faster?Secrets Papagayo Costa... more

Check Out These Resort Openings - You Can Still Plan a Tropical Escape this Winter

Story About Caribbean

Wave goodbye to the winter blues on your way to one of these newly-opened resorts, from adults-only escapes to family-friendly and multi-generational beach vacations. This may be the year to try an all-new destination, or treat yourself to a new kind of holiday that puts a spark in your sun and sand.Adults-Only in the Bahamas: Reimagined Sandals Royal Bahamian After a $55 million renovation, the 400-room, all-inclusive, adults-only Sandals Royal Bahamian has re-launched celebrating the spirit of the Bahamas, with flamingo pink hues and vibes of the islands traditional celebration Junkanoo. An Island Village features stand-alone villas in relaxed beachfront style with pastels, striped awnings, shiplap and private pools and soaking tubs. Guests in beachfront butler suites with soothing neutral colors... more

Why Taking an Alaska Cruise is 'For the Birds'

Story About Alaska

Bears and whales and other marine mammals are high on everyone’s list for wildlife sightings in Alaska. But we think any trip to America’s Last Frontier is, well, ‘for the birds.’ With more coastline than the rest of the United States combined, as well as parks bigger than some countries, Alaska’s natural treasures include abundant populations of some of the continent’s most interesting, colorful, and majestic birds. You may think, in northern climes, the bird population doesn’t stack up against tropical feathered friends. But in fact, there are birds in Alaska in every color of the rainbow, including vivid blues, reds, oranges and greens.And in every size, from a flame-colored hummingbird only a couple of inches long… to a regal eagle... more

Celebrate National Chocolate Cake Day with this Cruise Ship Classic

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We often sing the praises of the inventive, entertaining, and sometimes, celebrity-chef driven specialty restaurants on cruise ships. But some of the best culinary experiences cruising are in the main dining room, where talented chefs craft classic, favorite dishes, presented with a sense of ceremony that make dining at sea a true occasion. Take National Chocolate Cake Day. January 27 highlights the appeal of one of the world's most popular desserts, one that's been around since 1765. A comfort food that cheers an ordinary day puts a smile on every face, and is the sweet touch that makes life's milestones all the brighter. A rich, decadent chocolate cake is the kind of mainstay, staple dessert you find on main dining room menus... more

Sun, Sand, and a Side of History: 7 Historic Sites You Must Visit in the Caribbean

Story About Caribbean

If you love sun and sand… with a side of history, here are seven Caribbean islands whose history lives on today through preserved and protected UNESCO World Heritage historic sites.Which history-rich destinations top your list for an upcoming beach holiday with a twist?ANTIGUA: “Nelson’s Dockyard” Known for its famous inhabitant, British Admiral Lord Nelson, who lived in Antigua’s Royal Navy Dockyard for three years in the 1780’s, Nelson’s Dockyard is part of a National Park UNESCO site that is comprised of Georgian naval buildings and a walled enclosure. (Pictured, top, courtesy Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority)Historically, for Britain’s Royal Navy far from home in the West Indies, Antigua’s coast and English Harbour were a perfect bolt hole from enemies and... more

Where in the World to Drink Ice Wine

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Don’t let winter stop you from enjoying a wine harvest season! There are two ways - and many places - to celebrate a wine harvest in the New Year. You could travel to the southern hemisphere, where standard vineyard harvests take place during the northern hemisphere’s spring. Or you can embrace winter – and the one, very special wine it creates.Ice wine is a case of making lemonade when life gives you lemons. When winter conditions are just right, grapes freeze on the vine, giving vintners the opportunity to make ice wine. What makes ice wine special? When grapes are still on the vine as the temperatures turn to freezing, it’s only the water content in the grapes that freezes –... more

Science Says These Are the Most Beautiful Places in the World - Are They Already on Your Travel List?

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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, they say, but can you rank places that practically every traveler finds beautiful? One travel company in the U.K. wanted to answer that question, so they brought in some science and technology to help. They presented volunteers with dozens of images of famous natural destinations Eye-tracking software recorded data about which images the volunteers looked at, and for how long. The more longing glances and lingering stares determined which destinations were the most eye-catching.Of course, the most stunning photo can’t beat the real thing. If you haven’t already, here are what science has determined are the most beautiful natural wonders in the world to add to your bucket list this year.The good news:... more

6 Exciting Hotel Openings in Cities You'll Want to Travel to in 2022

Story About Paris

These newly-opened hotels aren't just a home-away-from-home, they're gateways to a city's sites, local urban culture, cuisine, and social scene. Start planning your next city adventure today! New York, New YorkHotel: Park Lane Hotel, Preferred Hotels & ResortsWhat Makes it Special:This classic, 47-story NYC Central Park South hotel has been re-imagined and re-opened as a sophisticated, playful, and inclusive hotel in a very exclusive part the city. Celebrated design agency Yabu Pushelberg restored the existing architectural details of the historic, post-war building with bold colors and eclectic textures redefining its mid-century luxury aesthetic. Nearly half of the over 600 rooms have park-facing views, with the other half featuring vistas of the Manhattan skyline. Whimsical murals in guest rooms and public spaces... more

Better Sleep is the Travel Trend We Need Right Now

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Is your New Year’s resolution to get more rest – and travel more? The good news is that there are travel experiences that let you do both. Lynn Elmhirst, Producer and Host of BestTrip TV, runs down a few of her favorites. Fogo Island Inn, Newfoundland – Sleep RetreatThe breathtaking Fogo Island Inn, perched on stilts like the fishing huts on the island on the edge of the North Atlantic ocean, has been rated one of the top luxury lodges in the world. Any trip to the Fogo Island Inn is a retreat into a unique island environment enriched with visiting artists, local artisans and crafters, and centuries-old living off the land and the sea, which curated, hands-on guest experiences bring... more