Swap Stress for Serenity this Season with Locally-Inspired Wellness Escapes in Latin America
Marriott hotels and resorts are inviting you to escape and unwind in the Caribbean and Latin America through personalized treatments, healing rituals, therapies using natural ingredients, immersive sensory experiences, and holistic lifestyle activities that help you balance body, mind, and spirit. Reset, rejuvenate, and relax in coveted destinations, relying on modern wellness experts who also tap into local, regional and sometimes ancient practices you can’t experience anywhere else. COSTA RICA At W Costa Rica in Guanacaste, nature-lovers can practice shinrin-yoku, the Japanese art of "forest bathing." This mindful walk through a natural setting invites participants to breathe deeply and connect with the surrounding landscape. According to ancient traditions, embracing trees—believed to hold vibrational energy- can help balance emotions and revitalize the body, thanks... more
Top Travel Resolutions That May Actually Get You Packing Your Bags This Year
Every year, “travel more” is in the mix of resolutions. But what travel resolutions can get you from dreaming of a trip… into the beauty and benefits of real travel experiences? Surveys consistently show that nearly two-thirds of Americans leave a third of their vacation time unused, and a quarter of workers don’t take any time off at all! That’s despite mounting evidence that travel is a boon for our physical and mental health, relationships, and more. Here are some additional travel resolutions that may help you on your journey towards making travel a genuine and enriching part of your life in the coming year... and make you feel better about yourself and your trips. Travel more oftenMake time instead of waiting for “someday”... more
This Year’s European Christmas Capital is…
Rekindle your love of Christmas traveling to the official – yes, official! - European Christmas capital. Each year, the Christmas Cities Network, with support from the European Parliament, designates a different European Christmas capital, recognizing how that destination brings the local essence of the celebration to life for residents and visitors. In 2025, the European Christmas Capital is Vilnius, the capital city of Lithuania, one of the Baltic countries in north-eastern Europe. You may think of some of the more famous Christmas destinations – often associated with their Christmas markets, like Nuremberg, Germany, with its mother of all Christmas markets, Strasbourg, France, the largest and oldest in that country, or grand, imperial Vienna, which are all visited by Danube and Rhine River cruises... more
VIDEO: A New Kind of Expedition Cruising by Atlas Ocean Voyages: Epicurean Expeditions
Expedition cruises are a fast-growing, life-changing way to see the world in a different way. Atlas Ocean Voyages, with its fleet of small, yacht-like ships that also have polar capabilities, has expanded the definition of expedition cruising in new directions with ‘Epicurean Expeditions.’The ‘classic’ expedition cruise is polar: Antarctica or increasingly, the Arctic. Other remote maritime destinations that have natural or even cultural treasures to discover are also being added to the list of global expedition cruise itineraries for ships equipped with zodiacs for landings off the beaten track of cruising infrastructure.Epicurean Expeditions combine that spirit of adventure with culinary curiosity. We sailed aboard an Atlas Ocean Voyages Epicurean Expedition cruise from Lisbon, Portugal, to the north coasts of Spain and... more
Regent Launches Epicurean Enrichment Studios; Part of Multi-Million Dollar Refurbishment
The immersive, state-of-the-art culinary theaters feature the ‘Epicurean Passport Series,’ chef-hosted dining, and destination-inspired shore excursions. Epicurean Enrichment Studios debuts in spring 2026 exclusively on board 2 of the ultra-luxury cruise line’s fleet of ships: Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Voyager. The Epicurean Enrichment Studio was inspired by the phenomenal success of the Culinary Arts Kitchen on board Regent’s newer, Explorer-class ships: Seven Seas Explorer, Grandeur, and Splendor. The Epicurean Enrichment Studios are part of thoughtful and extensive, multi-million-dollar refurbishments for Mariner and Voyager. Foodies will love the inspiring culinary experiences that connect them to destinations through flavor, history, and storytelling, from mastering the art of spice blending in India to savoring premium Mediterranean olive oils.Embark on a series of enriching... more
Is the Slow Travel Trend For You?
It’s official: ‘FOMO’ is out. And ‘JOMO’ is in. After years of racing through “bucket lists,” something quieter is reshaping travel. We’re no longer chasing the Fear of Missing Out on travel experiences. Instead, we’re discovering the Joy of Missing Out — and we’re not alone. According to a recent survey for Norwegian Cruise Line, over 70% of travelers are moving away from fast-paced sightseeing and toward more restorative, meaningful escapes. Nearly half confessed they’ve come home from past trips feeling more exhausted than refreshed — and now, 77% say they intentionally plan slower vacations.That’s the spirit of slow travel: choosing presence over pressure, savoring moments instead of stacking them. And being a little easier on the planet at the same... more
The Best Way to Avoid Crowds on a Cruise to Santorini
Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruise guests are getting a private beach escape on one of Greece’s most famous – and famously busy - islands. The new Royal Beach Club Santorini is set to open in summer 2026. It’s the first Royal Beach Club in Europe, and one part of the Ultimate Santorini Day that also includes tours of the island’s hot spots. Royal Beach Club Santorini will combine the breathtaking volcanic beaches and Mediterranean beach club culture of this bucket list island with signature experiences featuring villages, Greek spirit and culture to create the ultimate Santorini experience.Ultimate Santorini Day will include a tour of must-see landmark gems of the island, from the white-washed buildings and blue-domed churches in Oia, to a... more
Cracking Down on Bad Jet-iquette
It feels like air travel is more turbulent than ever! From “gate-lice” crowding the boarding zone, to out-of-control kids, to disturbing incidents of “air rage,” inconsiderate and bad-tempered people seem to be even more numerous in the unfriendly skies. Airlines and destinations are fining, banning, redesigning, and reminding travelers that bad behavior at 30,000 feet will have consequences. In 2025 alone, Canada’s WestJet, Ireland’s Ryanair, and the country of Turkey have all implemented new initiatives to restore civilized jet-iquette. Are you “on board” with these new moves designed to make your next flight less stressful? Ryanair — Fines, Lawsuits & Last Calls The giant, low-fare, Irish airline is the mainstay for groups of ‘high spirited’ bachelor and bachelorette parties heading to cheap Mediterranean... more
Bali Beyond Beaches
Indonesia’s most storied island, Bali, has been a symbol of uniquely tropical Asian exotic culture, romance and adventure for centuries. A generation of backpackers and surfers brought Bali’s beaches to ever greater fame, but today, Bali’s being reborn as a bucket list travel destination that’s so much more than beach culture. Beaches: Surf, Serenity, and Sea TemplesEven Bali’s beaches are more than sand and sun. Uluwatu is the surfer’s mecca, where pros chase glassy barrels below a cliff-top temple where Kecak dancers chant at sunset.Nusa Dua whispers of calm and barefoot luxury, perfect for paddleboarding or doing nothing at all.Amed and Tulamben hide another world beneath the waves: dive to see coral gardens and the hauntingly beautiful USAT Liberty shipwreck, now an... more
5 Best Places in the World to Celebrate Diwali
Every autumn, Diwali, the Festival of Lights rooted in Hindu tradition and also celebrated by Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists, illuminates cities and villages in India and beyond. The festival symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Homes glow with oil lamps (diyas), fireworks light the sky, and sweet treats are shared among friends and neighbors. Diwali celebrations usually last most of a week. The exact dates vary year to year, but fall around mid-September to mid-November. For travelers, it’s one of the most joyful cultural immersions into a community you can experience.Here are five unforgettable destinations to experience Diwali yourself:INDIAVaranasi, India – The Spiritual HeartOn the banks of India’s Ganges River, Varanasi glows with thousands of flickering... more
Sneak Peek at Celebrity Cruises’ New River Ships
How is Celebrity Cruises bringing their revolutionary, ‘Edge-class’ ocean ship design and lifestyle to the rivers of Europe? The cruise line has now revealed at least part of its vision with renderings of their first two river ships: Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker, prior to their launch on the Rhine and Danube rivers in 2027. This comes just a week after the first advance pre-booking access sold out in 6 minutes! We don’t know how many people put down their refundable $500 deposit to be among the first people given access to the inaugural season of itineraries and departures, but we aren’t surprised that so many fans of Celebrity cruising want to try out their river ships as soon as possible!... more
Riviera Designates World First Solo Cruise Ship
Solo travel keeps growing, and now there’s a river ship just for singletons to enjoy cruising together for the whole season! Riviera Travel is launching the first-ever cruise ship dedicated to solo travelers in 2027. Now there’s no need to wait until friends or family can join you on holiday – at any time of the river cruising season. Lots of cruise lines, ocean and river, offer solo travel promotions and Riviera Travel itself even offers whole solo itineraries – more than any other river cruise line, according to the company. As the UK's largest operator with 4 decades of ultra-premium river, ocean and land travel experience behind it, the company is seeing the rise of solo travel, and it’s putting... more
W Hotels Debuts First Beach All-Inclusive
The hotels for the hip are joining the all-inclusive trend. W Hotels, known for avant-garde design, luxurious amenities, music, fashion, and art scenes that create buzzy social hubs for creatives and stylish professionals, is bringing its "Whatever/Whenever" service, distinctive local programming and iconic bars and restaurants to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, in its first all-inclusive location. W Hotels is just the latest hotel chain capitalizing on travelers’ desire to both extend their urban hotel experience to the beach – and simplify it in an all-inclusive style. The W Punta Cana, Adult All-Inclusive is set along the white sand shores of the eastern Dominican Republic’s luxury travel scene. And according to W Hotels, this isn't just another resort – it's re-imagining beach resorts... more
FAQ's About the EU's New Entry System, Launching October, 2025
Are you ready for your next trip to Europe? The European Union’s new, automated, digital entry and exit system for non-EU nationals – including citizens of the U.S. and Canada – will be implemented starting October 12, 2025. The EU’s long-delayed new digital border control process is called EES: Entry/Exit System. Sadly, for nostalgic passport stamp collectors, the new system will eliminate manual stamping. EES replaces the previous system with a digital process that includes the collection of travelers’ biometric data. That means you will have your facial image and fingerprints taken to record your entry into any of the 29 EU countries that make up the so-called ‘Schengen Area’, and your exit from any of them on your departure. You cannot opt out... more
Scenic Enrich: The Exclusive Events that Take Scenic Cruise Luxury to New Heights
Private, after-hours Scenic Enrich cultural events, just for guests of Scenic ocean and river cruises, take a luxury voyage to next-level privilege. Here are my experiences of three Scenic Enrich events from recent ocean and river journeys. By: Lynn Elmhirst, cruise/ travel journalist and expert. Travel in any way makes us feel special and takes us out of our ordinary lives. A Scenic voyage makes you feel transported to a better world: your butler, onboard team, cruise director, restaurant servers, bar tenders remember you, your favorite orders, the last conversation you had… and create that sense of delight and a privileged home away from home. On top of that – and chic, contemporary, boutique hotel design, an all-inclusive, no fuss experience, plus included... more
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