Caving Meets Wine Tasting on a River Cruise in the South of France

Story About Avignon

You’ve heard of wine caves - how about wine caving? WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE to learn more about this new, and one-of-a-kind experience on an Avalon Waterways river cruise on the Rhone River in the south of France that combines adventure - with the exquisite wines of the region. Lynn Elmhirst, producer and host of BestTrip TV, was one of the first guests to experience the new 'Active & Discovery' excursion that meant donning a caving suit, helmet, headlamp and a little bit of bravery to descend into caves near Avignon, France.At the bottom of literally hundreds of stairsteps – 55 meters / 180 feet down into the earth, unfolds a 60 km / 40 mile network of caves that... more

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This New Cruise Ship Bar Beat Out Restaurants, Hotels and More to Win “Best Beverage Menu” Award

Story

Why just have a drink – when you can have a story, too? That’s the premise behind the cruise ship bar menu that’s won out over competitors throughout the world of hospitality. “Best Beverage Menu” was awarded to Holland America Line for its newest bar concept onboard its newest ship at the 2022 VIBE (that’s the Very Important Beverage Executives) conference.That means this bar menu isn’t just the best at sea. The award is open to any venue in the entire beverage space, and Holland America Line went up against other bars in hospitality, including restaurant groups, hotel chains, casinos, and more for the honor.The “Half Moon Bar” debuted on board Holland America Line’s new flagship, the Rotterdam, which launched... more

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Get Refreshed at the Most Fabulous Fountains in Europe this Summer

Story About Eu

Imagine your ideal European summer escape. Chances are, one of the sounds you hear is the splashing water of a fountain in the town square on a lazy afternoon. From ancient times, communities were built up around their local source of water. Eventually, many European cities then gave their sources of water sculptural and architectural treatments. That transformed them from watering holes… to wondrous waterworks and focal points of the European lifestyle travelers love.There’s nothing quite so refreshing as the sound of water on a hot summer’s day. Especially when you’re seated at a café in the town square, a glass of the local tipple in hand, living the good life – European style.So make the most of a trip... more

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Buenos Aires, Tango and More Reasons to Visit Argentina

Story About Argentina

Spring in the northern hemisphere is a wonderful time to visit Argentina as the southern hemisphere cools down from summer heat. From Argentina’s remote mountain ranges, to wine regions and cattle ranches, to its natural wonder of the world, there’s a world of excitement outside the one-of-a-kind atmosphere of Buenos Aires, called the ‘Paris of South America.’ BUENOS AIRESWATCH THE VIDEO to see highlights of our Monograms Tour of Buenos Aires. In the capital of Argentina, we discovered a new favorite way to get to know a city.Monograms tours give guests the VIP treatment: a Local Host and driver to pick you up and drop you off when you're arriving and departing from the city, a private guided tour of... more

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The Hotel Chain Carrying on 75 Years of Pan Am Style

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It was three-quarters of a century ago when the founder of uber-chic, trend-setting icon of mid-century jet-setting Pan Am decided to launch a hotel chain to bring its super style to the cities the airline served. Jet setters were paying a premium for the expanding luxury of high-flying air travel, and Juan Trippe knew they wanted their destination hotels to be just as memorable as a Pan Am flight. The iconic airline is no longer – but InterContinental Hotels & Resorts is here to stay.And since its beginning, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has captured the allure of international travel for its guests, pioneering landmark hospitality design. In the early days, one person was largely responsible for the look and feel of InterContinental... more

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The Most Expensive Airline Ticket in History Breaks New Ground for Travel

Story About Spain

A Spanish airline has become the first carrier to have a plane ticket ‘minted’ on the blockchain. When that first ‘NFTicket’ was auctioned off, it broke a record for the most valuable airline ticket ever sold in the history of commercial aviation – to the tune of over a million dollars!TravelX, a company building the travel world’s first blockchain-based travel distribution system, partnered with Spain-based airline Air Europa to pioneer a new way of issuing travel tickets – and smashing into the stratosphere of ticket prices in the process.On April 25, 2022, the two companies’ world-first NFT (Non-Fungible Token) Flight Ticket – or ‘NFTicket’ closed at auction with a value of USD $1,002,000.At a VIP event at the Eiffel Tower,... more

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North American Cruising is Complete: Canada Reopens, Intra-Island Hawaiian Cruises Resume

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The return of cruise travel has looked like a bit of a jigsaw puzzle. Piece by piece, cruise lines have worked out how to resurrect itineraries within the Caribbean, from the U.S. to the Caribbean, between the U.S. and Mexico… you can see the picture. Now at last, with the final two pieces, the puzzle – or rather, the cruise map of North America - is complete. Travellers can now book cruises to the entire continent. Holland America Line’s Konigsdam 1st Ship Back to Canada After 905 DaysAfter a long two seasons, cruising to Canada is back.On April 9th, 2022, Holland America Line’s Konigsdam ship made its maiden call to Victoria on Vancouver Island (pictured, above.)The following day, April 10th, the Konigsdam called... more

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You’ll Love This New Generation of Private Island Resorts

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There’s a new generation of private islands. One that creates an environment for guests to vacation their way to becoming their best selves. Scratch any impressions you have of private islands inhabited by music moguls jet-skiing with nude models, royalty sneaking around with other people’s spouses, or tech billionaires popping magnums of champagne.The new private island experience isn’t just about seclusion away from prying eyes. It’s about the ultimate spirit of togetherness with a group of people you value most in the world – having the uplifting and inspiring shared experience of a customized vacation that provides all the means for you to leave better than when you arrived. Imagine having an entire island all to yourself for a family gathering, the ultimate destination... more

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Take Your Romance from Book to the Beach: This Resort Chain’s Partnered with a Romance Novel Publisher

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This chain of couples-only Caribbean resorts is serious about helping guests ‘get in the groove’ while on vacation. To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Sandals Resorts has launched an ‘Institute of Romance’ to research trends in couples’ relationships with a goal of helping keep the sparks a’ flying. The new trend-house delves into data about modern love, relationships and intimacy… And how they relate to holidays.Through global surveys of paired-up travelers and its past guests, Sandals’ Institute of Romance’s findings will help the resort chain develop activities and experiences in its resorts, and even relationship guidance for couples before, during and after their all-inclusive beach resort vacation.One of their most stand-out discoveries: More than half (55%) of North American women wish their... more

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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