VIDEO: Captain of Scenic Eclipse Shares What it’s Like to Navigate in Antarctica
Is Antarctica on your travel bucket list? The White Continent is the ultimate expedition cruising destination: literally at the end of the earth, and able to be reached only by ship, with its epic scenery of glaciers, icebergs, and surprisingly rich wildlife, including several varieties of penguins, elephant seals, whales and more, Antarctica has remained just a dream destination for most travelers. Well, that’s changing, with luxury expedition cruising that allows you to achieve one of the travel experiences of a...
Embrace the ‘Quiet Travel’ Trend in Laid-Back Costa Rica
If the world seems noisier and more chaotic than ever to you – you’re not alone. As life gets more stressful, online searches for ‘quiet travel’ have shot up like your blood pressure. One of the first places savvy travelers look to disconnect and rediscover tranquillity in nature is Costa Rica. The Central American country’s famous way of living, called ‘Pura Vida,’ has more appeal than ever, embodying a simple, joyful life connected to nature and loved ones. ‘Pura Vida’ translates...
In a World First for Any Vessel, Ponant Cruise Ship Reaches “North Pole of Inaccessibility”
There’s the North Pole… and there’s the “North Pole of Inaccessibility.” Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot has done something no ship of any kind has ever done before. In the 21st century, it’s hard to imagine there’s a place on earth humans have never been, but close to the end of the 2024 Arctic cruise/ sailing season, the polar expedition cruise ship pulled off a ‘Star Trek’ of an accomplishment, going “where no man had ever gone before.” That place was the...
The Galapagos Islands’ ‘Big 15’ Wildlife Species
On safari in Africa, it’s the ‘Big 5’ signature species. But on the other side of the world, in another extraordinary landscape, the can’t miss, iconic wildlife is summed up on the ‘Bis 15’ list. Many are found nowhere else on earth other than in the Galapagos islands. Their unparalleled biodiversity famously inspired Darwin’s theory of evolution. No wonder these remote Ecuadorian islands are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a protected marine preserve, and the ultimate travel aspiration for nature lovers. Here’s...
Why This Ultra-Luxury Cruise Line is Building a Hotel in the Southernmost City on Earth
Silversea is taking a groundbreaking approach to ultra-luxury Antarctic expedition cruising – literally! The cruise line has broken ground on a hotel in Puerto Williams, Chile, to create a seamlessly deluxe experience for its guests on their voyages to the White Continent.Silversea is the only cruise line that homeports from Puerto Williams during the Antarctic season. And the new, 150-room hotel will provide a seamless, ultra-luxury-all-the-way experience for Antarctic expedition cruise guests. The cruise line already operates an innovative ‘Antarctic Bridge’ fly-cruise...
VIDEO TOUR: Panorama Suite on Scenic Eclipse During an Antarctic Expedition Cruise
One of the most remarkable things about sailing aboard the Scenic Eclipse in the Antarctic is the contrast between the wild remoteness just outside… and feeling like you’re a guest at a chic boutique hotel in any stylish urban hot spot in the world. One minute, you’re in a zodiac heading towards a colony of penguins on an ice and snow-covered hill at the edge of an iceberg-filled sea… and the next minute, you’re sipping a bespoke cocktail made with ice fished...
New Experiences in Australia that Connect You to Indigenous Culture
A new selection of activities for visitors to Australia allows you to experience the country’s history and nature, with the added richness of Aboriginal culture. Australia’s Aboriginal people are the island continent's original inhabitants, with a history that dates back over 65,000 years. That makes them one of the world’s oldest continuous cultures. A revival of Australian indigenous cultural practices, oral traditions, spiritual beliefs and recognition of their deep and historic connection to the land means visitors to Australia can enrich...
Surf’s Up! The Summer Games Competition Happening 10,000 Miles from Paris
On the other side of the earth from the epicenter of the Paris Summer Games, one competition is returning to its roots – while still flying the French flag. For the second Summer Games in a row, surfing is part of the Olympic Games. And while many of the Summer Games competitions are spread around the French capital and even as far away as its Mediterranean coast, mainland France can’t boast the kind of competitive surfing conditions at this time...
Fun Facts About Norway’s Fjords
Norway is so famous for its fjords, the Norwegian word has become part of the international travel dialect. In languages around the world, ‘fjord’ means a deep, natural sea channel reaching far inland, surrounded by dramatic cliffs carved millennia ago by glaciers on their way to the sea. According to Visit Norway, the word ‘fjord’ has Viking roots, relating to the phrase for a ‘crossing point.’ The vast system of fjords along Norway’s coast certainly helps explain ancient Norse seafaring culture; skillful...
This Scandinavian Capital is Paying Visitors to Travel Green
Copenhagen is putting its money where its mouth is when it comes to sustainable travel. The tourism board of the capital of Denmark is rewarding you to make green choices when you visit this summer as part of a pilot program that could lead the world in helping both locations and visitors to benefit more from travel. More popular destinations are struggling with growing numbers of visitors and their impact on the environment and local lifestyle. Instead of restricting visitors or...