A New Place for the Best Views of Old Havana
The Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana has opened in Havana. It's the Cuban capital's first five-star luxury hotel, located in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Old Havana. And it is the first foray into the Americas for Europe's oldest luxury hotel group Kempinski.The hotel is a revival of an historic six-story colonnaded building begun in the late 1800's. It lived through various incarnations as Cuba's first European-style department store, a silent film theater, and later,...
Video: Spiritual Journey at a Traditional Sweat Lodge
Costa Maya is world famous for ancient Mayan ruins, but traditional culture is still alive for visitors looking for authentic experiences.We met a local shaman who practices the spiritual beliefs of Mexico's ancient, indigenous peoples. On this shore excursion from our Carnival cruise, he shares with us the spiritual and wellness traditions of his ancestors, including a sweat lodge ceremony followed by a dip in sacred waters.Start your Trip!Copyright BestTrip.TV/Influence Entertainment Group Inc or Rights Holder. All rights reserved. You...
Video: Fogo Island Inn: Daring Design meets Ancient Fishing Community
In colorful Newfoundland turn of phrase, you might say that Fogo Island is far away from far away. The island is remote; only accessible by ferries and helicopter flights that defy dramatic weather and waves to drop visitors on a a rocky outpost in the North Atlantic that until recently was a centuries-old, declining fishing community. This is not where you might expect to find a hotel that has won world-wide acclaim for its architecture, experience, social responsibility, and design.Designer...
Outdoor Active Travel in Downtown Vancouver
Vancouver may be Canada's most famously 'outdoorsy' major city. Even in a city that drives Canada's vast Asia-Pacific business, athletic wear is more common than pinstripes! Nature thrives right on the city's doorstep: a gorgeous, picturesque harbor and bay, snow-capped mountains surrounding the city, and breathtaking Stanley Park, one of the world's top urban green spaces. For vacationers and cruise travelers in Vancouver, outdoor activities top the list of things to do. Even if you're traveling to Vancouver on business,...
The Bicycle's Big Birthday
This month marks a big milestone for the bicycle. We've had two hundred years of two-wheeled travel. On June 12, 1817, German inventor Karl von Drais took a little ride on his new invention, the 'Laufsmaschine'. His first reported trip, from a castle courtyard in Mannheim to a coaching inn 5 miles away on Baden's best road, took a little over an hour – and changed travel forever.Reproducing Karl von Drais' First Ride. Image courtesy of City of MannheimVon Drais'...
Video: Cycling Tour of 'One of the Best Cycling Destinations in the World'
Sometimes we think that the best travel experiences can only be found in distant, exotic destinations. And they're waiting for you right in your back yard. Kieran Andrews of Wild Rock Outfitters leads cycling tours in some of the most famous and storied locations in the world. But when BestTrip.TV's Ryan McElroy asked him about one of his favorite places to cycle, it was at home in Canada in Peterborough & the Kawarthas. In this BestTrip.TV video, Kieran takes Ryan...
Vegan meets Michelin-star Dining on Hapag-Lloyd Luxury Cruises
If you associate modern German culture with a focus on health and world-leading quality, it will be no surprise to learn that small-ship German cruise line Hapag-Lloyd now has a first-class vegetarian and vegan dining option. Its Europa 2 is the height of small-ship casual luxury (no ties!). Only 500 guests share a yachting / exclusive resort atmosphere that's been awarded 5+ stars by Berlitz' Cruise Guide 2017. With flexible mealtimes, no fixed seating plans and plenty of tables for two, gastronomy...
Video: Meet the Maker: Dutch Bicycles and Cycling Culture in Amsterdam
Did you know there are more bicycles than people in Amsterdam? It's one of the original and influential cycling cultures that helped set the trend towards urban cycling and our love for touring new destinations by bike. The Dutch bicycle - the original workhorse urban bike for entire families - sets the bar in style, function and cool factor. BestTrip.TV discovers cycling culture in legendary Amsterdam, and meets the maker of custom Dutch bikes. If there's anything better than cycling through the streets...
BestTrip.TV Travel Video: Juice Fasting Resort in Costa Rica
Is health and weight loss at the top of your resolutions this year? Did you also resolve to travel more? What if you could marry your two goals? Travel to a dream destination AND come home healthier? Foodie BestTrip.TV travel video host Lynn Elmhirst trades in cocktails and cuisine for a juice fast at an extreme wellness, weight loss and fitness retreat in Costa Rica. Every year, I make, like everyone else, New Year’s Resolutions. This year I wanted to hit the reset...
High-Flying Winter Luxury at Whistler Blackcomb
Canada's Whistler Blackcomb ski resort in British Columbia has been rated top in North America for the third year in a row. The mountain and lifestyle are already legendary for skiers and riders, but Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler is upping the ante this winter with high-flying luxury helicopter mountain adventures that will give you epic memories and stories to share. Winter "Glamping": A custom snow hotel experience: A helicopter takes you to the a remote ice cap to explore ice...