Travel Tips as World-First Tourist Toll Takes Effect: Venice Visitors Must Now Pay to Enter City

Story About Venice

It’s historic travel news: in what the country’s tourism board is calling a “unique experiment,” the famous canal city of Venice, Italy, is implementing what it labels “a daily access fee.” The controversial ‘visitor’s tax’ takes effect April 25 after years of debate and delay. The move is a pilot project that officials hope will ease the pressures of “over-tourism” in one of the most popular and vulnerable historic city destinations in the world. If successful, supporters hope the tourist toll will allow the city to become more liveable for its own residents – which in turn, will nurture the famous Venetian lifestyle that visitors to the city come in search for. Venice has already – again, after years of debate and... more

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The Largest River and Small-Ship U.S. Cruise Line Has All-New Itineraries and Vessels

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Including the largest paddlewheel river cruise ship in the USA! American Cruise Lines has a unique approach to cruising: U.S. itineraries only, on river ships and with a river-cruise approach to coastal cruising using an innovative fleet of small ships of their own design. The appetite for cruising on American rivers and in domestic waters on coastal routes just keeps growing, and American Cruise Lines’ fleet has tripled in just a few years. It’s now the largest in the country – and in the top three river cruise lines in the world! American has now announced the 5th and 6th new small ships in their 12-ship “Project Blue Fleet” coming in 2025. That will bring the cruise line up to 21 small... more

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Windstar Debuts New, Year-Round Ship for Tahiti – With Cultural Immersion

Story About South Pacific Ocean

With more than 3 decades of experience sailing in the exotic waters of Tahiti, Windstar is doubling down on the ultimate romantic destination, with a new ship dedicated year-round. Plus, the small-ship cruise line is launching a new program of shipboard experiences and shore excursions that will bring the culture of French Polynesia to life for guests. The 312 – guest Star Breeze is replacing the cruise line’s motorized sailed cruise ship, Wind Spirit, as its ship in the region. That provides double the number of guests the opportunity to sail at a time - still in Windstar’s signature, small-ship style, navigating Tahiti’s out-of-the-way harbors, hidden lagoons, and pristine beaches in an island-hopping, intimate way. However, the Star Breeze means faster travel... more

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New All-Inclusive Resorts in the Caribbean Include Overwater Restaurant Made for Love

Story About Caribbean

Just add love. Kindle or rekindle the flames of your relationship at two new, all-inclusive, adults-only, beach resorts this year. You can be among the first couples to indulge in the embracing warmth of all-new luxury resorts that make it easy to relax, knowing practically everything is already paid for. Royalton Chic Resorts Debuts in Antigua with an Overwater RestaurantIf you’ve never been to Antigua, this new resort will inspire you to visit the intimate and prestigious island – one half of the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda. Renowned for its 365 beaches – a different one for every day of the year – its chic sailing and yachting culture, fine dining, range of exclusive activities like yacht cruises and charters,... more

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Romancing the Seas: Why an Intimate Emerald Yacht Cruise is the Ultimate Way to Experience the Caribbean

Story About Caribbean Sea

Did you know? You don’t have to be a billionaire to live the yachting lifestyle in the Caribbean. WATCH THIS VIDEO to see what it’s like to sail aboard the 100-guest Emerald Sakara on a week-long ‘yachtsman’s’ cruise to out-of-the-way islands. When you think of cruising to the Caribbean, the first picture that pops into your head might be a mega ship. But think again. The Emerald Sakara lets you enjoy the privileges of yacht cruising – and many advantages over mega-ship voyages through the region.HERE'S HOW OUR EMERALD YACHT CRUISE COMPARES TO BIG-SHIP CRUISING IN THE CARIBBEAN:  Boarding’s a breezeWith only 100 fellow guests, there’s no drawn-out boarding process, meaning you can get on board – and get your vacation... more

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Top Street Food Experiences in Ho Chi Minh City

Story About Ho Chi Minh City

A trip to Vietnam is a feast for the senses, with exotic scenery, scents, sounds, fascinating history and culture. It’s also a literal feast. Vietnamese cuisine is a foodie favorite, and it doesn’t have to be high-end cuisine. In fact, one of Vietnam’s can’t-miss destinations is also home to one of the country’s most vibrant street food scenes, offering mouth-watering insights into the country’s culinary treasures. Ho Chi Minh City (HCM), formerly known as Saigon, is a bustling, motorbike-filled, modern Asian city with French colonial architecture juxtaposed against modern skyscrapers. Its storied past includes a 20th century war, a colonial era, and an ancient history that infused Vietnam with a mesmerizing culture. Learn about HCM’s wartime history at the War Remnants Museum, which... more

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A Hotel on Italy’s Chic Lake Como Now Has the Largest Floating Infinity Pool in the World

Story About Lake Como

One of the most coveted holiday destinations in the world, Italy’s Lake Como, just keeps getting more extraordinary. For centuries, the glacial lake located in the northern Italian region of Lombardy, surrounded by the majestic Alps and near the Swiss border, has been famous for its crystal-clear waters, lush greenery, and picturesque landscapes. The serene, scenic… and cooler environment has been attracting the who’s who of Italian society escaping the summer heat of the cities for centuries. And travelers from around the world are in on the secret now, too. Lake Como has attracted celebrities and prominent figures for decades. George Clooney, for example, famously owns a villa on the lake, and the region has been the backdrop for various films (one of... more

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Where to Dive in to the Hottest - or Coldest! - New Wellness Trend

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Have you resolved to travel more and to focus more on your health? You can do both by taking a holiday where you can practice the latest activity touted to benefit your mental and physical health. ‘Wild swimming’ is swimming in the open water, whether river, lake or the sea – regardless of the temperature. Swimming with the snow and ice is encouraged! If you haven’t yet heard of the ‘wild swimming’ trend, you may be scratching your head. Isn’t ‘wild swimming’ what lots of us used to just call ‘swimming?’ Yes, but as life got ever more urban and more hotels and resorts around the world invested in more eye-catching pools with amenities like bars, pool concierges, infinity views and over-water... more

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Renowned Jeweler Tiffany Helping to Preserve Japan's Gold Leaf Art Techniques as a Cultural Treasure

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Japanese arts and crafts are cherished souvenirs from a trip to Japan. And now, one of the country’s most treasured and elegant crafts has a new future – thanks to a luxury jeweler best-known for its aspirational robin’s egg-blue boxes. Tiffany & Co. Japan has launched a new initiative to help preserve gold leaf art skills in Kanazawa, the celebrated home of this craft. Kanazawa is on the western coast of Japan in Ishikawa prefecture, and its name translates to “gold marsh.” The city has been esteemed as the capital of gold leaf production in Japan for centuries. The local Ensuke technique of gold leaf artistry involves beating gold leaf into wafer-thin, paper-like sheets that can be only 1/10th of a millimeter thick! All... more

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Save During Wave! All the Reasons to Book Your Next Cruise During 'Wave Season'

Story

 It couldn’t come at a better time. The thrills of the holidays have passed, and cold weather, cabin fever, and the doldrums of winter are descending. Everyone needs something to look forward to. Welcome, Wave Season! It’s the catchy name for the cruise travel equivalent to Black Friday. But instead of just a day, it’s a whole season of the best cruise deals of the year. Wave after wave of promotions, offers and perks that make booking your next cruise in the first couple of months of the year irresistible. It’s not the only time of the year you can get a deal on a cruise. But it is the time of the year when cruise lines compete to outdo each other, and if you’re... more

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Huge Hotel Brand Launches First All-Inclusive

Story About Cancún

The all-inclusive trend keeps growing! All-inclusive resorts used to be all about packaged beach vacations. But more and more people are tuning into the benefits of all-inclusives, especially the ease of paying upfront once, then putting your wallet away and not having to think about keeping to your holiday budget, even as you enjoy food and drinks, entertainment and activities and amenities that enrich your holiday and give you opportunities to connect with loved ones and friends during your vacation. All-inclusives make intergenerational family holidays easy, too. That’s why we’re seeing more and more hotel and resort companies breaking into the all-inclusive category – even at the luxury end of the scale. The latest hotel company to introduce all-inclusive properties is mega-hospitality... more

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These 3 Cities are the 2024 European Capitals of Culture

Story About Eu

The EU’s Capitals of Culture program was designed to showcase the cultural riches of European cities that might not otherwise get the attention they deserve. Every year, new cities are designated that represent the incredible diversity of Europe’s landscapes, history, and resulting unique lifestyle heritage of different parts of the union.  A year-long calendar of events brings visitors from their own countries, Europe, and around the world to discover or rediscover what makes these ‘Capitals of Culture’ special. And EU financing gives the communities funding to rejuvenate and retain cultural assets, as well as create legacy buildings and institutions to preserve the local culture for generations to come.  2024’s European Capitals of Culture You may never have heard of these three... more

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This Cruise Line is Submerging Thousands of Bottles of Sparkling Wine in the Ocean

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They’re calling them ‘Bubbles of the Sea.’ Celebrating with sparkling wine is a year-round event on many cruise lines. But Hurtigruten is taking celebratory sparkling wine to another level: down. Norwegian coastal cruise line Hurtigruten is sister cruise line of eco-conscious expedition cruise line HX / Hurtigruten Expeditions. Its ‘Bubbles of the Sea’ (or ‘Havets Bobler’ in Norwegian) program involves submerging bottles of sparkling wine at a depth of 112 feet off the coast of Norway for six months. The purpose of ‘Bubbles of the Sea’ is to “bring a touch of the Arctic to the world of sparkling wine,” says the cruise line. “Our Norwegian coastline is the perfect place to create something truly unique.” The first batch of ‘Bubbles of the... more

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Journey into Authentic Mexico in its "Magical Towns"

Story About Mexico

Mexico is more than beaches. It’s also a country rich in folklore, traditions, culture, history, nature and cuisine. And some of Mexico’s towns have such a concentration of significance and authentic experiences for visitors, they’ve earned the label “Magical.”  As of 2023, 177 towns in Mexico have been designated “Magical Towns,” or “Pueblos Magicos” by the Mexican government. The program empowers local communities to celebrate and share their unique characteristics, and towns are provided a budget to help maintain the special traditions and experiences that make them so appealing. There are Magical Towns in each of the country’s 31 states, so no matter where in Mexico you are planning to visit, there should be a Magical Town within reach whether you're... more

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Indoor Winter Chalets Let You Get Cozy at IHG Hotels & Resorts this Season

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Winter chalet popups by celebrity tastemakers are making the coldest season warm and cheerful for travelers across North American hotels and resorts in the IHG family, including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Vignette Collection and Hotel Indigo. Until the end of February 2024, every hotel and resort in IHG is transforming into a welcoming winter wonderland with larger-than-life lobby installations created by renowned tastemakers Corey Damen Jenkins and Grammy-award winning musician Maren Morris. Instead of hibernating for the rest of the season, these cozy-chic interiors, accompanied by a soundtrack designed to conjure up “feelings of warmth and gratitude,” along with chalet-inspired programming inspire you to get out of the house and celebrate winter.  WINTER CHALETS COME INDOORSReminiscent of a day... more

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