On the Night Train: How to Jump On Board One of European Travel’s Hottest Trends
Europe is banning short hopper flights in a battle against emissions. The move is sparking a rail revival – and particularly a renaissance of night trains. This is something to celebrate, if you love rail journeys as much as we do. Not just for the reduction in greenhouse gases; although Eurostar says that flying from London to Paris emits 14 times more CO2 than traveling the same route by train.But also to renew our acquaintance with the rhythm of the...
Three New Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts Let You Holiday in Style in Latin America
Waldorf Astoria hotels’ name and hospitality still reflect its founding family, the legendary Astors, who for more than a century were the pinnacle of American high society. The Astor legacy of good living is expanding worldwide and especially in Latin America, where three new Waldorf Astoria hotels and resorts are setting new standards in travel style. CANCUN, MEXICO The Waldorf Astoria Cancun opened in November 2022. The 173-room ultra-luxury resort is set on 100 acres of idyllic Caribbean coastline with...
Viking's Newest Ocean Ship Named by NASA Astronaut and Aquanaut Godmother
Viking Neptune, the river and ocean cruise line’s newest ocean ship, has been ceremonially named by her godmother, retired NASA astronaut, aquanaut and artist, Nicole Stott. The ship’s naming ceremony was a highlight for its World Cruise guests. Viking Neptune arrived in Los Angeles on the morning of January 8 and departed for Honolulu following its naming ceremony, continuing its voyage from Fort Lauderdale to London spanning 138-days, 28 countries and 57 ports, with overnight stays in 11 cities. The naming...
Did you Know? The Leaning Tower of Pisa is... 'Straightening Up!'
Will it soon be named the Perfectly Ordinary Tower of Pisa? Will the Tuscan city whose claim to fame is an off-kilter tower fall into obscurity without tourists keen to snap photos of themselves pretending to prop up the Tower of Pisa? Those are the questions we’re asking ourselves with the news that the so-called Leaning Tower of Pisa is creeping upright.The cause for the notorious tilt in what may be the world’s most famous architectural fail was a mystery...
Tropical, Travel-Inspired Cocktails to Ring in Your New Year
Mulled wine, snowballs, and spiked eggnog may headline the list of festive favorites for many cocktail drinkers, but why not switch it up and greet the New Year by projecting your tropical travel resolutions? Here are our picks of some sunny, island-inspired sips to take you into next year – and hold you over until your next sun-kissed vacation. Cheers!The Bahamas: Goombay SmashThe Goombay Smash is a rum-based cocktail with a historic pedigree in The Bahamas. While the original recipe...
Made You Look: The Quirkiest, Most Creative Tourism Marketing Campaigns of 2022
Now that we’re traveling again, destinations around the world have been wooing visitors back – with promotional videos from the weird to the wild to the wonderful that have been vying for the attention of international travelers like us. In 2022, did any of these campaigns make you look - or want to book? Iceland Wants to “Out-Horse Your Email” In a clever play on the word ‘outsource’, in its not only quirky, but incredibly cute video, Iceland promises to 'out-horse your...
Celebrate Christmas in the Holy Land
It may be the ultimate holiday trip: a visit to the land of the original Christmas story, especially during the holiday season. For many, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to sites referenced in the Bible that still exist today, like Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Nazareth. According to the Israel Ministry of Tourism, about half of visitors to the country are Christian, and about 20% identify themselves as pilgrims, with 150,000 pilgrims visiting Israel during the Christmas period.Christmas festivities in the Holy Land are...
Why More and More People are Giving the Gift of Travel this Season
‘Tis the season for good cheer, family togetherness and dreams coming true… and for us, that all adds up to travel. More than ever before, this may the year to give the gift of travel - to yourself or to your family. More and more people are trading in exhausting entertaining for holiday trips where you’re not the one doing all the work – instead, you’re being pampered and living your best life as you celebrate the season.Others are pulling the plug...
The Christmas Markets You Can't Miss on a Viking 'Christmas on the Rhine' River Cruise
Viking has debuted a new river cruise that would make even the Grinch burst with Christmas spirit! And if you already love Christmas like I do, Viking’s new ‘Christmas on the Rhine' river cruise may be the ultimate way to immerse yourself in the beloved and authentic European Christmas traditions right at their source. From March until November every year, Viking operates river cruises on the Rhine, but in late November, for the four weeks leading up to Christmas, the...
Pretty in Pink: Where to Meet the National Bird of the Bahamas
The Caribbean flamingo is an iconic symbol of the tropics, with its vivid pink plumage standing out against a backdrop of turquoise waters, green palm leaves, and pastel-colored buildings. In the Bahamas, where it’s the national bird, flamingos have made a strong comeback thanks to conservation projects. The Islands of The Bahamas may be one of the best places in the world to get up close to this iconic, almost cartoon-like wading bird.Fun facts: the same carotenoids that make carrots...